June 2024

News in June

In The Garden

This is the month when several gardens reach their peak of performance. Many roses, perennials, annuals, flowering shrubs and clematis are in bloom. Geraniums and Pelargoniums are beginning to flower. So  this is the time to start going through the schedule and making a list of all the categories you want to enter. You will be surprised as to how many you can because of what you have in your garden! Don't forget that all entrants are given a number so if you are nervous about taking part there is no need to be, your anonymity  will be completely guaranteed!

Roses

Hybrid Tea.                                                                                                    Floribunda
 

 

 

                                                                                                                                        

In the show there are two categories for roses and in the February News on the website you will find a detailed description of a floribunda and a tea rose.

There is still time to plant a few bought in annuals if you have not grown them from seed. Cosmos, Larkspur, Cleome, Nigella, Marigolds, Salvias, Nasturtiums and Cornflowers are among the most popular. Dahlias will be well established where they are to flower.

The most important things to be doing now are feeding and maintaining all that you are growing.

Peas and beans should be supported and raspberry canes should be tied in. Flowers such as sweetpeas, sunflowers and dahlias all need support. A structure made from bamboo canes or hazel sticks is the easiest way to do this but there are also supports that can be bought to add beauty to a bed as well as being practical.

These are examples of what can be used to create support structures. Anything from twigs woven into shapes, netting and even woven border edging stood on end!

 

Make sure you keep giving everything a good feed. There are many products to choose from and some are tailored for specific plants such as tomatoes, roses, clematis. However, a general purpose feed is fine to use. If you have lots of comfrey in your garden you can make your own potash rich feed. However, beware the smell! 

In The Kitchen

There is still time to make a jar of relish. Many can be eaten after just a week of storage and should keep in the fridge for several weeks after opening. Alternatively they can be stored unopened for many months. The choice is endless but this is the best time of the year to source many of the most popular ingredients- red and green tomatoes, cucumbers, red peppers, beetroot and onion to name a few.  

The difference between a chutney and a relish is, as a general rule, chutneys have a chunky spreadable consistency, are cooked for longer and should be stored for months before eating to allow the flavour to develope. A relish is hardly cooked at all and so has a far cruchier texture. There is little or no sugar used in the making and they are able to be eaten almost immediately thus making them an easy category to enter in The Show. 

Remember to exhibit all jams, jellies, chutneys, and relishes in a plain jar, not less than 12oz in size and with a new, plain lid. Clearly label and date the jar.

Cordials are also something that can be made with little time to spare! The making of it will take about the time it takes to make a cup of tea! They do not have to be stored before being ready to drink and now is the peak time for sourcing ingredients such as elderflower, raspberries, rhubarb, blackcurrants, rosehips, and gooseberries. 

   Recipe for Raspberry cordial:     

   500g raspberries

   500g caster sugar

   3tbsp red wine vinegar

 

  • Put the raspberries in a pan with the sugar and vinegar. Mash over a low heat for 10 minutes until smooth and syrupy. Rub through a sieve.
  • Tip the seeds from the sieve into a bowl and stir in 300ml water, then sieve again to remove the last of the pulp from the seeds. Dispose of the seeds. 
  • Pour the liquid into the pan with the sieved pulp, stir well and boil for 1 minute.
  • Pour into small sterilised bottles and seal.

The cordial will keep unopened for a few months. Once opened, store in the fridge.

Please get in contact with us if you have any queries about categories in the Show. Some of us are on Ciao and we're all here to help!

Betsy Lemmon

Suzzie Godfrey

Paul Bradley

Diana Wright

Nicky Thorpe