It’s time for Gardening

Hello there, it's the Grapevine's resident gardener here, Gardener Steve, bringing you gardening advice, jobs to getting on with in your garden, Horticultural quizzes and local open garden events. If you have a garden question, would like to share a photo of your garden or have an event you would like to tell us about please get in touch using contact details below. Happy Gardening everyone ! Welcome to June, hope you are all keeping well and keeping busy in the garden, as I sit here and write this month's gardening, there is plenty to be doing out there in our gardens especially with these showers and sunshine, everything's growing topsy!, It’s summer and were halfway through the year! It really is a wonderful time in the garden as flowers are starting to appear in abundance and in the vegetable patch some things are starting to be harvested such as early new potatoes, oh I do love this time of year and with the longest day this month we get to make the most of the extra light and warmth - and that day I am out at first light with a cuppa and getting a couple of hours in the garden before starting a day at work, It really is amazing! It's pretty safe to assume that the frosts are behind us now (although nothing is guaranteed), so now is the time to plant out those plants that have been grown on in the greenhouse, but still be cautious of rushing this, making sure your plants are acclimatised to the outdoors by hardening them off but always have some fleece or newspaper just in case should a night frost be forecast. Here are a few jobs to be keeping you busy this month...

• Prune flowering shrubs such as Deutzia, Kolkwitzia, Weigela and Philadelphus after they have finished flowering

• Plant out annual summer bedding plants now the risk of frost has passed

• Lift and divide clumps of snowdrops and bluebells once the leaves start to go yellow

• Keep newly planted trees and shrubs well-watered whilst they establish a strong root system

• Continue to earth up potatoes as they grow. If you're growing potatoes in tubs just add more compost to halfway up the plant stem.

• There is still time to plant runner beans - sow them directly in the ground now.

• Although fruit trees will naturally shed some fruit (called the 'June drop'), aim to thin out congested branches further for bigger and better fruits.

• In the greenhouse, open vents and doors on warm days and dampen down on hot days to increase humidity

• If the weather turns very dry, set your mower blades higher to reduce stress on your lawn.

• Clip the new growth of evergreen hedges such as Privet, Box and Yew to keep them in shape.

Gardener Steve’s Plant of the Month - ROSA ‘DEEP SECRET’ (rose ‘Deep Secret’)

Rosa can be deciduous or semi-evergreen shrubs or scrambling climbers, with usually thorny stems bearing pinnate leaves and solitary or clustered, 5-petalled flowers followed by showy red fruits (hips)

Deep Secret is a stunning rose and probably one of the darkest of the Hybrid Tea, or Large-flowered bush roses which are upright, thorny shrubs with large, usually glossy leaves and large, double often fragrant and rounded double deep crimson flowers are 10cm across, in summer and autumn as with a number of the dark red roses, it is richly scented. they can be grown in many different situations such as flower borders and beds, courtyard and cottage gardens.

Flowering period: Summer & Autumn

Height and Spread: 1m x 75cm (3ft x 1.5ft)

Position: Full sun

Soil: Any soil but well drained

Hardiness: Hardy

Propagation: Hardwood cuttings in autumn or by budding in summer

Pruning: Deadhead faded flowers to encourage flowering, follow RHS pruning guide for Hybrid teas.

Pest and Diseases: Aphids, leafhoppers, caterpillars and rose leaf-rolling sawfly, black spot, rose rust, powdery mildews and downy mildews may be a problem.

Down Tools Garden Quiz

June is the month of the rose so have a go at filling in the missing words for these rose varieties.

Q______Elizabeth

Just J______

D_____ Secret

Arthur B_____

Amazing G______

W_____ Mac

Blue M______

W_____ Welcome

Dublin B_______

Tequila______

Please get in touch with your stories, photos, events, general gardening advice and help with plant identification just email me at gardenersteve24@live.co.uk

Look forward to hearing from you and see you next time!

Gardener Steve

Please see next page regarding our day trips.

Garden Day Trips Are Back for 2023 by Gardener Steve.

This month will see the return of our garden day trips organised by Blue Skies The Limit Events and Adventure, after returning last year for the first time since the covid outbreak we are so excited to get back out on the road throughout 2023! with gardens such as Birmingham Botanic's, Hidcote Manor and Southport Flower Show, we have plenty to look forward to. If you enjoy visiting gardens, flower shows, botanical gardens, stately homes, garden centres, meeting new friends and wanting a great day out why not join us, if youwould like to join our mailing list to receive details of all our upand-coming gardening adventures this year, please call 07413408751 or email:infoblueskiesthelimit@gmail.com.

Day trip to Hidcote Manor, Ernest Wilson Memorial Garden and Stratford Garden Centre - Saturday 1st July 2023.

Join us on our day trip to the Cotswolds and to the National Trust’s Hidcote Manor with stops at Chipping Campden and Stratford Garden Centre.

Hidcote is an Arts and Crafts garden and a stone’s throw from Stratford-upon-Avon. Created by the talented American horticulturist, Major Lawrence Johnston its colourful and intricately designed outdoor ‘rooms’ are always full of surprises. Explore the maze of narrow paved pathways and discover secret gardens, magnificent vistas and plants that burst with colour. Many of the plants found growing in the garden were collected from Johnston’s many plant hunting trips to faraway places and many of the plants have been named after Johnston or Hidcote, in recognition of the designer's talent and plantsmanship, for example 'Hidcote' (Lavandula angustifolia) 'Hidcote Gold' (Hypericum) just to name a few. It’s the perfect garden if you’re in need of garden and planting inspiration. The garden is separated by walls and hedges, each garden is different in character and scale. From the formal White Garden with it’s topiary doves to the vast Theatre Lawn, shady Stream Garden, colourful Fuchsia Garden and tranquil Bathing Pool Garden, there is something new at every turn.We will be making a short visit to Chipping Campden, Home to the Ernest Wilsonmemorial Garden, Wilson a renowned plant hunter travelled the world, this lovely small botanical garden in the heart of the village which opens up before you commemorates Ernest to which some of the plants he came across can be found in the garden. Journeying then to Stratford Garden Centre where there is a large selection of trees, Shrubs, and perennials for your garden along with all the tools, pots and equipment you’ll need to get going. Boasting The Shopping Courtyard where you will find independent boutique shops and if that isn't enough, stop for another bite to eat in The Lime Tree Restaurant. With a full day ahead of you, your day starts off from our pick-up point, The Plough Inn, Town Street, Sandiacre. Cost for this trip is £45.00 (Reduced rate for National Trust members £40) and this includes a light breakfast to start the day and entrance at Hidcote. For more information or to book your place, You can call the booking line on 07413408751 or email infoblueskiesthelimit@gmail.com places are limited and popular, so early booking is advised.

“My new app” by the Grapevine Editor.

I have only been told about this wonderful informative app called Merlin Bird ID, it’s free to use. It’s like a “Shazam” for birds as someone recently told me. I’m not a bird watcher, but I do like to know what birds are in my garden and the different sounds they make. This app was designed for beginner and intermediate bird watchers, and created by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology in partnership with Birds in the Hand LLC and thousands of volunteer citizen scientists and bird enthusiasts . It has Photo ID, Sound ID (it records the birds sounds for you and informs you straight away) plus information about each bird you hear. You can also explore with the app likely birds to your area. It can be used anywhere if you’re out and about, and can be used in most countries around the world. It’s worth downloading , I was amazed how many types of birds visit my garden every day. Have a go, it’s superb!

STAPLEFORD FIRST FOOD FAIR! Spread the word! Sunday 25th JUNE 2023 10 am - 3pm Walter Parker Square, Stapleford Entertainment and music on Victoria Street car park For further information and to enquire about having a stall at this event contact the Market’s Officer on 07510 304615.

TODDLERS TUESDAY BREAK - now every 2 weeks (term time only) 9am - 11.30 am at St Helens Church hall - Hot and cold drinks, refreshments and snacks at low prices . Any money funds crafts and activities. Toys for the little ones. Come along and meet new friends.

FRIENDSHIP CLUB alternate Wednesdays 12.45 pm serving soup and a roll at St Helens Church hall - entrance Frederick Rd, Stapleford NG9 8FN

PLAYGROUP Fridays 1.15 - 2.45 , Attenbough Church pre-school

INDOOR SHORT BOWLS at New Community Centre ,Washington Drive, Stapleford NG9 8PY. Mondays and Wednesdays1.30pm- 3.30pm £2 per person, no need to book, just turn up , free on site car park. All ages and abilities welcome. All equipment supplied.

STAPLEFORD WI - STAPLEFORD ROSES - Meet on the 4th Thursday of the month at 7pm at the Cliffe Hill Community Centre, Cliffe Hill , Stapleford, NG9 7HD.

Cliffe Hill Community Centre is easily accessible, with flat access from the car park and the building being on one level.The community centre benefits from a portable ramp and accessible toilet facilities

STAPLEFORD CYCLE SUNDAYS- learn how to fix your bike, how to ride a bike, get advice FREE- the RIDEWISE team are on hand between 10am- 2pm every Sunday at the Ilkeston Road, Recreation Ground Stapleford NG9 8JL. Just drop by.

BEESTON---FRDAY 18 - We still have some slots for local amateur musicians for our Friday 18 programme. If you are an amateur musician who wants the opportunity to showcase your, or your band’s talent and would be available to play in Beeston Square for one Friday in June, July or August for ONE HOUR only between 6 and 7 p.m. please let us know.

Friday 18 is part of our exciting CCity cultural exchange with 4 other European cities, this year we have a band from Germany coming to play for one Friday 18 and we hope as the project grows we will be sending our bands and musicians to play in exchange. You can pm me or email me teresa.cullen@broxtowe.gov.uk, call or text on 07921800573

Nottingham Castle Re-opens.

New ticketing arrangements reveal adults pay £12 for all-year access, 15 and under go free.

Nottingham City Council is proud to announce that Nottingham Castle will reopen once again to visitors on Monday 26th June, bringing Nottingham’s heritage back to the heart and soul of the City. Brand new admission arrangements mean that an adult pays £12 once and can visit all year, while accompanied children 15 years old and under go free with each paying adult (up to 3 children) – making it a great, affordable family-friendly day out. Advance bookings are now available from the new Nottingham Castle website www. nottinghamcastle.org.uk. The new admission arrangement will include access to the grounds, Brewhouse Yard Cottages, Robin Hood Adventures and Rebellion Galleries and the castle museum, unlimited for the 12 month period. The announcement comes as part of International Museums Day and after the castle grounds hosted a sold-out screening of the Eurovision Song Contest final and crowds of visitors enjoyed the King’s Coronation and Coronation Concert screenings in May. Nottingham City Council’s portfolio holder for leisure, culture and planning, Cllr Pavlos Kotsonis, said: “I am delighted to be able to announce that Nottingham Castle will open again on Monday 26th June. Nottingham without its castle is like Robin Hood without his merry men, so it’s going to be fantastic to have it back at the heart of our city’s life.“We’ve already seen with the Coronation events and the sold-out Eurovision event that people are eager to return to the site – and we’re very keen to welcome them back“We hope this announcement will come as welcome news, as we have endeavoured to listen to what visitors didn’t like about the Trust’s admission arrangements, and I believe the simpler pricing and exceptional value we are announcing will help to encourage visitors, near and far, to come back again and again.”

The City Council was handed the historical site back by Liquidators for Nottingham Castle Trust which declared itself insolvent last November. A decision was taken by the Council’s Executive Board on 21st March 2023 to work towards reopening the whole site in June managed directly by Nottingham City Council as part of its Museums and Galleries service.

Following the site’s £31m redevelopment, there is a new visitor centre and café at the entrance, a Hood’s Hideout adventure playground in the moat, as well as interpretative signage around the grounds to discover the site of the lost medieval castle.

Why to choose Hydropool Midlands

Why to choose Hydropool Midlands

• 15 years experience within the industry

• 15 years experience within the industry

• 40 years manufacturing in Canada

• 40 years manufacturing in Canada

• Self cleaning system with commercial based filtration for low maintenance and more time enjoying your hot tub

• Exclusive wellness programmes which go beyond just turning your hot tub on and off

• Exclusive wellness programmes which go beyond just turning your hot tub on and off

• Large indoor hot tub superstore

• Large indoor hot tub superstore

• Self cleaning system with commercial based filtration for low maintenance and more time enjoying your hot tub

• Largest swim spa display in the midlands with purpose built enclosures and changing room facilities

• Largest swim spa display in the midlands with purpose built enclosures and changing room facilities

Discover your new Stapleford Library and Learning Centre.

• Opens 17th June

• Official launch and Discovery Day 24th June

Following a period of closure Stapleford Library will reopen its doors on 17th June with a new £741k educational facility. The Stapleford Library and Learning Centre is one of six regeneration projects being funded by the UK Government through the £21.1m Stapleford Towns Fund. Inspire, which delivers culture, learning and libraries on behalf of Nottinghamshire County Council, aims to support up to 1,000 local people with new skills over the next three years as well as providing community and family learning opportunities. More space has been created for new entry level skills education and training, so even if you don’t have any formal qualifications, you can take your first step within your local community on your lifelong learning journey. The library layout has been updated but still accommodates the same amount of book stock as well as computers and with floor space for children and exhibitions. Come and find out more on 24th June at our official opening and Discovery Day. There will be a host of activities on offer, opportunities to meet our Inspire Adult Learning tutors, let us know what you’d like to see in the library and more;

• Meet the tutor - Find out more about our Access to Health and Social Care course

• Brand v own brand - Supermarket price comparison activity plus a chance to win the grocery items!

• Have a go - Get online, create a poster or practise your balance in our yoga activity.

• Children’s activities – recycled crafts and write/draw what you’ve missed while we’ve been closed. For more details about Stapleford Towns Fund visit: broxtowe.gov.uk/staplefordtownsfund

Visit inspireculture.org.uk/Stapleford for more information about events and courses. Book now for Stapleford Summer School with Arts and Crafts, Health and Wellbeing and IT and Digital Skills courses.

Call Ask Inspire 01623 677 200 or email ask@inspireculture.org.uk. Follow Inspire Stapleford Library and Learning Centre on Facebook.

Be Inspired and achieve more at your NEW Stapleford Library and Learning Centre

Opens 17th June

Official opening and discovery day 24th June

Books

Children’s activities

Children’s library

Computers

Courses

Events

Exhibitions

Groups

Information services

Local heritage collection

Meeting room hire

Photocopying

Printing

Refreshment facilities

Study space

Wi-Fi inspireculture.org.uk/stapleford

Join and use many of our services FREE!

Ask Inspire: 01623 677 200 ask@inspireculture.org.uk

Follow us Inspire Stapleford Library and Learning Centre

Barbeque Pork and Pineapple Skewers

Ingredients

400g pork fillet

4 tbsp light muscovado sugar

60ml cider vinegar

1 tsp fish sauce

½ small pineapple, peeled, cored and cut into chunks (or use canned pineapple, drained well)

1 green or red pepper, deseeded and cut into squares (optional)

4 spring onions, trimmed and cut into 4 equal lengths small bunch coriander, chopped (optional) Cooked rice or pitta, to serve

Method

1.Cut the pork into cubes. Heat the sugar and vinegar in a pan over a low heat until the sugar melts. Add the fish sauce and cool. Tip in the pork and mix well so that all the cubes are covered in sauce.

2.Heat the barbecue. If you are using coals, wait until they turn white. If inside , heat a griddle pan. Thread the pork and pineapple onto skewers, alternating pieces with the pepper and spring onion.

3.Barbecue or griddle the skewers for 3-4 mins each side (you may need to cook them for longer if griddling). Sprinkle with coriander, if you like, then serve with rice or slide into pitta breads.

“Kids will love these pork, pineapple and green or red pepper skewers, marinated for added flavour and cooked on the barbecue. Serve with rice or in pitta bread”

Strawberry Lemonade -

Enjoy this strawberry lemonade at your next garden party, picnic or barbeque.

Ingredients

175g sugar

400g strawberries, hulled and quartered, plus extra whole strawberries to serve (optional)

200ml freshly squeezed lemon juice (the juice of about 4-5 lemons) ice, to serve

Method

1.Pour the sugar and 1 litre water into a saucepan over a medium heat and heat, stirring, until the sugar has dissolved. Remove from the heat and leave to cool completely.

2.Place the strawberries in a blender and blitz to a purée. (strain this through a fine mesh sieve to remove any seeds, if you prefer. Pour the strawberry purée into a large jug with the sugar water and lemon juice, and stir to combine. Pour into glasses filled with ice and serve garnished with whole strawberries.