Hi again, do you remember seeing us at the hugely popular annual Apple Day. Here we are looking ready for a busy day of selling and sampling fruit, jams and so much more. The pork cobs were so popular this year that we sold out of the delicious pork, crackling and apple sauce. Anyhow, enough of this rambling, just to let you know that there are a few images from Apple Day on the ‘Gallery’ page. Thank you to everyone who continues to support our society. Hope to see more new faces at future evening talks and visits.

We had a most rewarding visit by coach to the 12 acres of walled ‘perfumed’ gardens located south of Grantham. On arrival, as can be seen in the first image we were given a ‘potted’ history of the reinstatement of the important gardens which have been in the custody of the Cholmeley family since 1592. We were free to wander around the beautiful gardens and parkland at our leisure. At this time of year, the numerous rows and varieties of sweet peas looked stunning as well as some having a wonderful fragrance. The colourful flower borders and vegetable garden provided lots of interest and plants to consider for our own gardens. The terraces, yew tunnel, cedar meadow, bird viewing area, ornamental bridge and start of the River Witham (which eventually runs through Lincoln) enabled us to fill our time. We, (some more than others!) were replenished by lovely cakes, scones and cream, light lunches and hot and cold drinks. Altogether it was an enjoyable, relaxing and sociable visit, with the weather staying fine, apart from a very heavy rain shower as the coach picked up three passengers in Bingham! So, thank you once again to Nicola for her organisational skills and the committee for approving the visit.

Sorry about this re-visit to Acorn Farm, but I felt that a visual reminder of our ‘safari trip’ around the fields of Sutton on Trent was worth recording by the use of a couple of images. Here we have just been ‘herded’ (not really) onto the trailer for our evening tour, which as can be seen for most people meant the use of wellies. You can also see the farmers very active sheepdog on the trailer, although he preferred to ride on the tractor. It was a bold venture on a cool, grey evening but well worth it as we had a running commentary from our guide both on the trailer and the tractor driver who explained the efforts made to encourage wildlife on and around the farm. As can be seen in the second image, numerous wide margins have been created for this purpose. Well, that’s all for now, let’s hope for a sunny visit to Easton Walled Gardens this Sunday 13th July 2014.

This is the wonderfully decorated Lowdham Horticultural Society Christmas tree which was one of the trees in the St Mary’s Church Lowdham, ‘Community Christmas Tree Festival’ held on the 7th & 8th December 2013. The church looked magnificent, filled with Christmas trees entered in the festival which was supported by local people, groups, societies and businesses.

We would like to thank all those who have supported and attended our events this year and we wish everyone a merry Christmas and a happy, peaceful and healthy New Year 2014.

To ‘reap’ the benefits of this offer you must be a member of the society. However, it is so easy to join the society to obtain this and many other benefits such as subsidised coach trips, evening visits and free evening talks.

We offer all our members a 50% discount off plants and seeds ordered through the society which we then order from Suttons seeds. Additionally, we offer a 10% discount off other gardening items and equipment in their catalogues.

If as a member you placed an order last year, we will be sending you the catalogues and order forms again this year. If you have joined the society and have not previously ordered through the scheme and would like to do so, please let us know and we will send you the catalogues.

We would appreciate your orders being placed with us by Monday 02nd December 2013.

So, strictly speaking, keep planting and sowing………………………………well, I think that’s right!