Chillout Cabin Finished!

Some fantastic work done again today at the Teaching and Learning hub. Paths cleared of weeds, raised bed mended, more pots planted up, brambles cleared along our boundary with the railway, bulbs sorted, polytunnel tidied, last of all chill cabin finished. Well done everyone.

Doors and door furniture finished by Jim, What’s next?

The chill out cabin is a bit cramped for all of us but we had to have some group photos of today’s workers when it was finished. Thanks everyone involved Monday to Wednesday – Linda Lea, David Brown, Jim Smith, Groundwork and the Prince’s Trust young people.

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Progress on the Chillout Cabin

Another busy day in the Teaching and learning hub. Path weeded, tools sorted, roof going on the Chill out cabin, loads of planters filled. WOW what a day. Thanks go again to the young people from the Prince’s Trust and their support from Groundwork. Special thanks go to Linda Lea and James Smith (Jim).

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Building the Chillout Cabin

Groundwork and members from the Prince’s Trust learned some new skills and had some fun in our Teaching and Learning Hub whilst helping to build our new Chill out cabin. They also helped to move some of the raised beds and filled them with compost. Just to put the roof on and fit front doors and one window to do tomorrow on the cabin. Thank you everyone. We really enjoyed working with you.

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Formiums given a hair cut

The Formiums have been given a hair cut, split up and planted by the Elders and Sisters from the Preston Temple. We can’t wait till they start growing again. The grasses outside the fence compliment the formiums inside, both will spread to fill in any gaps. What a difference they’ve made to the Community Garden. Thank you everyone for your hard work.

Potting Benches Courtesy of Yarrow Rangers

Thanks to the Yarrow Rangers we now have some lovely potting benches in the poly tunnel at the Hub. We are getting there at long last, the area is looking really good.
 
Thank you for all your hard work Rangers, much appreciated.
 

A Few Tips & Reminders for February

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Has spring arrived yet?

For some people the first signs are snowdrops appearing in the garden. Well, they are now beginning to appear, but it is certainly not officially spring yet – we are still well into winter, and all the wintry weather conditions that brings. However, spring flowers are starting to make an appearance in the garden, including snowdrops and members of the Primula family. These plants are all coming into the garden centres and nurseries right now and are an ideal way to brighten up containers.

         

What jobs should we be doing in February?

  • Trim old flowers from winter flowering heather, to the base of the flower stalk, to encourage side shoots to form – otherwise they can become straggly and you can end up with a bare centre in the plant.
  • Most grasses have had their foliage left over winter, so now is time to cut down faded foliage before the new green shoots grow too high.
  • So as not to damage new shoots as they soon start to appear on perennials, you can now remove stems and dead leaves. Providing the soil isn’t frozen or waterlogged and can be reworked, perennials can be lifted & divided.
  • Many summer-flowering deciduous shrubs can be pruned between February and March; usually those that flower on the current year’s growth. Shrubs that need regular pruning include Buddleja davidii, Hydrangea paniculata, Lavatera, Leycesteria, hardy fuchsias, and deciduous Ceanothus.
  • Prune out reverted green leaves from variegated shrubs, as soon as noticed. They contain more chlorophyll and usually more vigorous than variegated leaves so if left will result in an oddly shaped plant too.         

  • Hellebores – or Lenten roses in their many lovely colours will be opening from now on well into the spring. Trim off their old leaves, both to display the flowers better and to prevent the spread of disease. Fresh new leaves will emerge in the spring.

Never too sure as to when I should prune my clematis?

Clematis that flowers in late summer and early autumn, prune at the end of the month. (The simple rule is if it flowers before June, do not prune.)

Just cut down all growth to 15 – 40cm above ground level, cutting each stem back to just above a healthy pair of green buds.  These will develop into this summer’s growth leading to more blooms and a healthier plants.  If the plant has several stems cut back to different heights so the new shoots spread out further. The golden rule for planting new clematis is –  ‘heads in sun and roots in shade & cool’

Delay pruning spring flowering clematis until immediately after flowering.

Grow Your Own

  • Now is time to sow tomatoes & chillies if they are to be grown in the greenhouse, but too early for growing outdoors.
  • Garlic is best planted in late autumn/early winter, but some cultivars can also be planted in spring. Plant out garlic and shallots in light soils only, as heavy soils need longer to warm up.
  • Shallots – plant 15-20cm apart. Do not just push into the soil as the new roots will push them out again. Birds also love to pull them out again.  Best way is using a trowel with the bulb tips just below surface of soil.
  • Protect peach, apricot and nectarine blossom from frost, but make sure insects can access the flowers for pollination. Protecting from getting wet through winter will also help prevent peach leaf curl

Chorley & District Gardening Society next meeting – Tuesday 21st February at St Mary’s Church Hall, Euxton – 7.30pm. Speaker is Steve Halliwell – Holker Hall Park & Gardens

Gold again

Chorley in Bloom were awarded gold in the Small City Category for RHS North West in Bloom 2022

Thank you to our volunteers for your help, sponsors and our partner Chorley Council for your support. We all pulled together to achieve this. Thank you again everyone.