Garden

Boosting your blooms

Hello plant lovers!

Today is about making plant feeds to boost your blooms, as an adjunct to good soil care. Traditionally Comfrey (Symphytum) tea is used to boost flowering, by supplying Potassium (K) to plants. It has a deep tap root that draws minerals up into its leaves. Teas of Symphytum species supply Phosphorus, Nitrogen and Calcium. Nettle (Urticaria dioica) tea supplys Nitrogen, which is good for promoting leafy growth.

. To pick comfrey find gloves, an airtight container, and secateurs.

Comfrey leaves are hairy and can irritate skin, as can nettles . ID your plants. Gather only those plants that are away from areas that may have been sprayed with weed killers. Some Symphytum varieties are more vigorous than others and so could support a quarterly harvest of leaves for tea, but any could be used. . When Gathering Urtica dioica ( nettle ), remember to leave a few for moths such as the Garden Tiger, Ghost Moth, The Gothic, and the Grey Pug and my favourite, the White Ermine. . Chop a generous armfull of leaves and place in a bucket. Some people add water, some avoid it as the liquid stinks, and without water the process is less smelly! Keep the bucket tightly covered for 2-6 weeks while the leaves rot down. . Dilute 1 part of comfrey tea to 10 parts of water, if you used water. (For example: add 100 ml of comfrey feed to 1 little of water) . Water your plants with the feeds every 2 weeks in the growing season. . Use the nettle tea at the early stages, and comfrey tea at the flowering stage.

By: Patti Carter. Mum, Dr & RHS student. Share your thoughts @ motherspluckingposies

Special Celebratory Centenary Concert performed by Botley Choral Society

Special Celebratory Centenary Concert performed by Botley Choral Society on 19th November 2022 - the 100th anniversary of its formation in November 1922! The original minutes from the inaugural meeting stated ‘rehearsals shall be on Wednesdays’ – and they have been ever since! BCS are part of the Hampshire Choral Festival (renamed this year from Hampshire County Music Festival) when we join with other choral societies to perform in Winchester Cathedral and Romsey Abbey – it is those choirs we hope will read about our special centenary celebration in Forum. Attached is a poster with details of the concert programme and the distinguished soloists/musicians. Please contact me should you require more in-depth information! Jane Goulson