2023-09 The Tatsfield Gardener in September – Jon Allbutt
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2023-09 The Tatsfield Gardener in September – Jon Allbutt

ByJon Allbutt

THE TATSFIELD GARDENER IN SEPTEMBER The much reported ‘record’ high temperatures in July and August did not reflect our weather in Tatsfield. A lot of Tatsfield gardeners are asking me why their tomatoes are not ripening; my view is that with night time temperatures in single figures in August, disappointing levels of sunshine and only…

Exhibiting Vegetables at a Horticultural Show
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Exhibiting Vegetables at a Horticultural Show

ByDilo de Alwis

Here are some Tips and Guidance for exhibiting Vegetables in a Horticultural Show: General Guidelines: Read the show’s rules and regulations carefully. Each show has its own set of rules, so it is important to read them carefully and make sure that you understand them. Some of the things you may need to consider include: The…

2023-07 The Tatsfield Gardener in July-August – Jon Allbutt
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2023-07 The Tatsfield Gardener in July-August – Jon Allbutt

ByJon Allbutt

THE TATSFIELD GARDENER IN JULY-AUGUST As I write, we are now over 30 days without significant rainfall and the medium term forecast remains largely dry with only light showers possible. The lack of spring frosts has been good for fruit set with a good show of fruitlets on my Bramley and Howgate Wonder (huge apples!), but…

No, no, not the nettles! – Dilo de Alwis
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No, no, not the nettles! – Dilo de Alwis

ByDilo de Alwis

“Ouch, Ouch”, squealed my grand daughter 3 year old Eva, “they stung me!”. “Those are Nettles”, chortled her elder brother, “grand dad grows Nettles!”. “Why, granddad? Why do you grow Nettles?” asked Eva, indignantly. “They are horrible!”. Nettles have long been reviled, and hunted down as evil weeds in our gardens. We have all been…

The Apple and the Doctor, Seriously? – Dilo de Alwis
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The Apple and the Doctor, Seriously? – Dilo de Alwis

ByDilo de Alwis

Drinking my morning coffee, I look out of the window at the fruit trees, many of them in blossom in shades of white and pink, bring promise of another year of beauty and bounty. The apple trees are my favourites, especially the one with the gnarled, distorted branches, looking almost prehistoric, or even Gothic, in…

2023-06 The Tatsfield Gardener in June – Jon Allbutt
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2023-06 The Tatsfield Gardener in June – Jon Allbutt

ByJon Allbutt

THE TATSFIELD GARDENER IN JUNE Although it has not been great weather for being out and about, it is excellent growing weather and the high rainfall will top up our reserves and bodes well for the summer months. This month should be drier and warmer, maybe even hot! My rainwater harvesting system – a pair…

2023-04 The Tatsfield Gardener in April – Jon Allbutt
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2023-04 The Tatsfield Gardener in April – Jon Allbutt

ByJon Allbutt

THE TATSFIELD GARDENER IN APRIL There seems to be a pattern emerging for our local weather, the winter is starting later and the long term forecast for April suggests that the cold weather may come and go with brief periods of cold frosty weather in the first half of the month. Perhaps I am wrong…

2023-01 The Tatsfield Gardener in January/February
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2023-01 The Tatsfield Gardener in January/February

ByJon Allbutt

THE TATSFIELD GARDENER IN JANUARY/FEBRUARY A happy new gardening year to all Tatsfield gardeners, I am sure we are all wondering what challenges await us! Do you remember our super Tatsfield in Bloom project Tatsfield is Buzzing that won us another gold medal in 2017? We planted a bed full of bee friendly pollinating perennial…