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Gardener’s Cuttings Open Gardens raises £900 for Greenfingers charity


An open gardens event organised by Laverstock Gardening Club in their village, near Salisbury, has raised £900 for the Greenfingers charity, the best-ever fund raising the club has achieved for a single event.


The charity raises money to enable children who are life-limited to enjoy time away from the bedside and have fun, non- medical, time with their families, experiencing the therapeutic benefits which hospice gardens provide. www.greenfingerscharity.org.uk


When to harvest is a grow-your-own problem


More people living in the South West of England grow their own fruit and vegetables than in any other region in England. A new ICM survey which shows that 53 per cent of people in the South West are now growing their own fruit and vegetables at home compared with a national average of 42 per cent.


There’s a problem however, as the survey shows we are coming a cropper because of our lack of knowledge about when to harvest.


When to harvest seems to be a problem


With food prices soaring, the number of Brits joining the grow-your-own revolution has surged from 26 per cent in 2010 to 42 per cent this year, according to the poll of 2,000 gardeners with 70 per cent of growers citing ‘enjoyment’ as the main reason for growing their own; 57 per cent said


‘saving money’ was the main incentive; and 53 per cent stated it was to enjoy produce with ‘improved taste’. Some of the key findings were: Potatoes were the most popular veg grown this year followed by lettuce and carrots. Tomatoes were the most popular fruit followed by strawberries and then apples.


Parents said only 4 per cent of their children celebrated harvest at school, this contrasted with 74 per cent who recalled marking it when they were young. Although 77 per cent of growers’ ‘gluts’ were being shared with family and friends, 8 per cent was being thrown away.


The main reason for not growing our own was lack of outdoor space for increasingly urban dwelling Brits (43 per cent of respondents cited this as the reason). Twenty-seven per cent said it was too time-consuming and 20 per cent didn’t know how.


Apple themed events Somerset Rural Life Museum 2011 is organising two apple themed events in October. On Saturday, 22nd


Then on Thursday, 27th activities based on an apple theme. Free of charge.


Somerset Rural Life Museum. Abbey Farm, Chilkwell Street, Glastonbury BA6 8DB Tel: 01458 831197. www.somerset.gov.uk/museums


Domineys celebrates both Silver and Golden Anniversaries


Celebrating 25 years of opening for the NGS in Dorset, and 50 years at their garden, Mr and Mrs William Gueterbock will be opening their garden once more at Domineys Yard, Buckland Newton near Dorchester on Sunday, 16th


October.


The garden surrounding the 17th century thatched farmhouse dates from the spring of 1961 when the Gueterbocks moved there. Their two-and-a-half acre arboretum was started in 1996. Their aim has been to “paint a picture for all the seasons with plants in sympathetic settings reflecting the continuing change through the year.”


The work of Dorset artist Nicola Leader will again be on display at the garden opening, from 12 noon until 5pm. There will be soup and home made teas, and also a plants stall. Admission is £4, free for children.


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There are rarities among the old favourites, with shrubs and trees, fruit and vegetables, late herbaceous and annual plants. Situated a few hundred yards from its source, the River Lidden runs through the arboretum which is across the lane from the garden.


The Gueterbocks have raised nearly £39,000 in the past 25 years, mainly for the NGS but for some other charities as well. Last year alone the garden openings at Domineys raised more than £2,888 for the charity and so far over £3,150 this year.


Domineys Yard, Buckland Newton, Dorchester DT2 7BS. Telephone: 01300 345295. Domineys also offer accommodation; their website is www.domineys.com or go to www.ngs.org.uk


Country Gardener


October, it’s a special Apple Day from 10.30am to 4.00pm. The day is free and includes cider-making


demonstrations and an apple display throughout the day, cooking with apples in the Victorian kitchen and children's workshops and stories on an apple theme.


October there’s a Family Apple Fun from 10.30am to 2.00pm aimed at three to 12 year olds with craft


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