Gardening Clubs
Plant Centre Manager John Foxton is probably one of the most knowledgable men there is when it comes to gardening - which is no surprise given his 40 years of gardening experience (which includes time spent as a market gardener and a member of Castle Howard's Gardening Team).
Always ready with his advice and tips, it was only a matter of time before "Generous" John (as he is affectionately known by Plant Centre customers) established a gardening club to reach out to 'old hands', keen amateurs and beginners alike. Today he runs two gardening clubs, one of which covers a variety of gardening themes and another to share one of his great passions - growing vegetables!
The Gardening Club
It is once again the time of the year when we all start thinking about venturing back into our gardens. This is your invitation to join the highly successful Castle Howard Gardening Club. The Gardening Club offers a range of light-hearted but instructive demonstrations and practical gardening advice. Meetings are held on a monthly basis at the Plant Centre, led by John Foxton, highly experienced in the soils and the environment within the Howardian Hills. We offer you the best advice on growing, planting and pruning issues. The meetings for 2010 cover a variety of topics, mainly ornamental pleasure gardening but also productive vegetable and fruit growing – see Grow Your Way to Five A Day below.
The meetings will take place at the Plant Centre on the first three Thursdays of each month (except January).
Meetings will take place as follows:
10.10am Coffee & Biscuits
10.30am Meeting/Demonstration starts
12.00pm Finish
Our programme for the year is below, but please note it may be subject to slight alterations due to availability of speakers.
FEBRUARY
4th, 11th, 18th
There’s always a job, even in February – both inside and outside. Plants of interest.
MARCH
4th, 11th, 18th
Muck or mild, rain or shine it’s time to get started. Preparation and planting. Plants for the month.
APRIL
1st, 8th, 15th
Easy annuals, sowing and growing. Summer colour on the cheap. Plants in flower, shrubs and bulbs.
MAY
6th, 13th, 20th
Inspiration from others. Benefits of garden visits. Benefits of gardens to mankind and the environment.
JUNE
3rd, 10th, 17th
Seasonal bedding and border gap fillers. Tender perennials. Selections for Sale – surprise, surprise.
JULY
15th
The Estate - in and around the grounds. Castle Howard’s contribution to this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and its surrounding environment. Its management plans for the fauna and flora and ancient woodlands. 10am – 1.30pm including picnic at the Temple of the Four Winds.
AUGUST
5th, 12th, 19th
Glorious grasses – all the colours and textures. How to get the best from them – selection for sale.
SEPTEMBER
2nd,9th,16th
Guaranteed spring colour. Plant bulbs now in pots and winter spring bedding.
OCTOBER
One day only - a visit to the Vineyards of Northern Europe – to be arranged. Samples hopefully!!!!
NOVEMBER
4th, 11th, 18th
Roses for all situations – still trying to grow the best. Annual cycle of good rose husbandry. New range should be in stock.
DECEMBER
2nd, 9th, 16th
Christmas from the Garden – fruit, vegetables, flowers, foliage. Make the most of what you’ve got.
Information leaflets will be available at each meeting on the topics that have been covered. Membership fees are £35.00 for new members and £30.00 for renewal of membership. Membership of the Castle Howard Gardening Club will entitle you to 10% discount off all purchases in the Plant Centre.
To find our more call 01653 648646 or email scooke@castlehoward.co.uk
Grow Your Way To 5 A Day - Gardening Club
If you want to grow your own fruit and vegetables to eat every day but don’t know where to start, why not come to a series of evening demonstrations at Castle Howard. “Grow your way to 5 a day” is run by Castle Howard Plant Centre Manager John Foxton, to help you produce your recommended five portions of fruit and vegetables a day.
The demonstrations will be held at the Castle Howard Plant Centre on the first and third Tuesdays of each month - March to July - from 7.15pm to 8.45pm and are ideal for beginners or more experienced gardeners whether you have a small back garden or an allotment, raised beds, pots, gro-bags etc. Preparing, planning, planting, sowing and growing will be talked about. Notes will be provided with each meeting to take home to refresh the memory. There will also be display and demonstration beds. Even the more experienced could learn a thing or two or perhaps teach us all something.
These evenings are ideal for people who are keen to start growing their own fruit and vegetables but don’t know where to start. It is important that we feed our families and ourselves well and 'growing your own' gives you good exercise and fresh air, with healthy fruit and vegetables for all.
March Meetings – Tuesday 9th and 23rd March
April Meetings – Tuesday 13th and 27th April
May Meetings – Tuesday 11th and 25th May
June Meetings – Tuesday 8th and 22nd June
July Meetings – Tuesday 6th and 20th July
September Tuesday 14th only – to compare notes and see how everyone has done. Also see the Castle Howard vegetable plots and potager.
“Grow your way to five a day” costs £30.00 for 11 sessions.
To find our more call 01653 648646 or email scooke@castlehoward.co.uk