The March meeting of the Club was addressed by Sheila Jewell on seasonal propagation of garden plants at this period of the year. Well illustrated with many slides of every step of the operation taking place in her garden she showed how to achieve a magnificent border of annuals all grown from seed. Hints on working the soil up to a fine tilth, she stressed the need to sow the seeds as shallow as possible using just the back of a rake pressed lightly to form rows, perhaps 6 inches apart in the required space.

Sowing in rows, she stressed, instead of broadcasting this enabled any weed appearing to be spotted and removed straight away. As the seedlings grew she showed how she then thinned out as necessary with a garden trowel so that small clumps of seedlings could easily be planted elsewhere or given away to friends.

The next method of propagation was the splitting up of perennials, stressing that the outer growth was always preferred, the centre being old and probably past its best. After applying some fresh compost the small clumps could well be planted all in the same position if desired, surplus clumps again given away perhaps, or donated to a plant sale or church sale. The third method was by layering of any plant, particularly shrubs, whose stems could be bent sufficiently to be held in place in the soil until rooted - a very large number of new plants forming in many instances which could be potted on before being planted out. She answered many questions subsequently and reminded everyone never to use plastic bags to store seeds gathered, she kindly donated envelopes of seed she'd collected from her own plants for raffle prizes. Announcing the next meeting on Thursday April 2 at 7.30pm in the Civic Hall on Slug Proof/gardening the chairman also reminded members it would also be the annual spring sale of members surplus plants. These could include perennials which had been split up as described by the speaker, perhaps in some instances spare plants that had already been potted on and stood during the winter, surplus seeds perhaps or any other garden item, all takings going to Club funds. As always new members are most welcome.