The BBC's Instant Gardener

Friends of Sheffield Botanical Gardens (FOBS) are hosting "A Conversation with Danny Clarke", BBC's Instant Gardener on Sunday 1st October.  He is travelling up from London and will be in conversation with Jill Sinclair, chair of FOBS, and answering questions from the audience on his career and background, talking about his garden design work and also why he thinks so few black people choose horticulture as a career, both here and in the US. This promises to be a very interesting session and is open to everyone

The talk will be held in the Dorothy Fox Education Centre within the Botanical Gardens, Sunday 1st October at 2pm

Members of FOBS free, guests and visitors £3
Alan Houldcroft
(FOBS member)

Has anyone seen these missing squashes from Plot 98?

Message from Stephen Kirby-Smith:-

"Two of my squashes went missing between 7th and 12th September. The pumpkins are still there and only my squashes were taken which are the plants I am most proud of this year. The gate of my allotment is intact, there are no points of forced entry to my allotment. There is only one possible entrance which is safe enough to get in through which is from plot 97.  There is certainly no evidence of it being eaten by an animal.

I have informed the council allotment team and logged it with the police. 

Crime reference K120403-2017"

 

Harvest Event - 24th September 2017- Plot 44 Roscoe Plantation

Please can you help?

"Plot44 is a small entity on the Roscoe Plantation Allotments that is hosting a 'Harvest' event on Sunday 24th September 2017. We would love keen allotment gardeners from around the city to join us and promote home-grown food. We are working with Ignite Imaginations and Regather to put on a family event based on food." 

 

Plot44 are looking for people to "fetch a courgette quiche or a rose hip jam they have made to share with potential visitors?
Anyone interested should call Mark Ramsell on  (0114) 2686353 (Home) or (07907) 606995 (Mobile)"

2018 Seed Potato & Onion Set Order Form

Crosspool Open Gardens - Tickets available from the hut at just £4 each

Countdown - an apt sell

A week on from our last Plant Sale, there's less than a week to go to the next one!

Once again, this is an invitation to all our members to join us at any time during the weekend, between 8.30 and 2.30.  There may or may not be lots to get involved with, but it's helpful to have bodies who can offer assistance to customers - whether it is with plants, compost or cake.  Last weekend there were periods when we were worn to a frazzle, although at other times we were able to huddle together with a warming cuppa.  It was a bit chilly.

Last weekend, sales were good.  Many, many vegetables have been re-homed, and the polytunnel is, once again, looking quite spacious.  Needless to say, though, we are still very happy to receive donations of different seedlings and plants and hope that you will consider this option before you head towards your compost bin!

Many, many thanks to all of you who have supported the Sales so far. Hope to see you next weekend.

Final crucial conundrum?  We remain a mental lot of folks - absolutely no offence intended.

 

Plant Sales - Stripped and ready for action

EARLY KICKOFF

The fun begins on FRIDAY, May 5th,with a delivery of compost!  What else?!  Apparently, this is promised to be a very small delivery, but strong volunteers are sought to help do a bit of pushing and shoving.  To me, to you.  The delivery slot is 9am, but it usually arrives early.  If you can make it for 8.30 you will hopefully be rewarded with a brew and, with any luck, some kind of cake...

 

THE MAIN EVENTS - May 6th and 7th, and May 20th and 21st

Pre-sale, we will be gathering from 8ish to explore the mysteries of the gazebo.  This could be very straightforward.  I'll say no more, but many hands might make lighter work.

 

The sales start at 9.30am and carry on until 2.30pm. We would welcome any help that you could give us on either of the days with:

• chatting with customers, giving encouragement and answering questions - none of us are experts (as if I needed to tell you that!) but buyers often like to throw in the odd query about whether they can grow sprouts on the patio, or plant out their tomatoes before the last snowfall is expected.
• selling - we have a central sales point, which can get a little hectic.  Mental arithmetic is a welcome skill at this one, and no, we do not accept card payment.
• manning (and womanning) the Hut, and its contents.
• fetching and carrying - from bags of compost to precious plants.
• making and serving tea, coffee and cakes.

We welcome all volunteers, for as long as they can stand the excitement, or, indeed, stay standing! The days are long, but its definitely a case of every little bit helps!

DONATIONS?

Yes please. 

Seedlings and full-blown plants will be gratefully received on Friday, or can just be brought along to the Sales.  If no one is around, donations can be left by the hut, or by the entrance to the community plot if the gate is open.  We have never turned away a plant yet, and aim to rehome as many as possible!

Cakes will also be gratefully received. Believe it or not, some customers come primarily for the refreshments, and your showstopper or humble rock bun will be equally welcomed.

 

THANK YOU

Finally - many, many thanks to all of you out there in internet land who have sown and grown and divided and potted and stripped.  The Plant Sales are very much a team/community effort and we are grateful to anyone who has contributed in any way.

 

Hope to see you next weekend!