Gardening Tips from Hardys Plants

Hello. For all you gardeners out there here are just a couple of jobs to think about with life slowly peeking out from between the fallen leaves. Plus, one that no matter how tempting, should not be done.

Now is the time to lift and split some mature clumps of herbaceous perennials. If you took pictures of your garden last year, review them and see if any areas were not quite working. You can safely move most herbaceous perennials now to create a more harmonious planting scheme.

Please do not cut back any perennials that can be damaged by frost such as Salvias and Penstemons etc. These plants originated in the southern hemisphere and you should wait until conditions are kinder, later in the Spring.

Deciduous, ornamental grasses can be cut back and evergreen forms can have the old, dead growth removed by running your gloved fingers through like a comb. Do wear gloves or your skin will be very sore.

If you would like to join the Hardy Gardeners Loyalty club for exclusive deals, priority access to events and a monthly newsletter, just drop us a line at hardysplants@gmail.com and ask to be added to the club. Hardys Cottage Garden Plants are open if you want to pop here for advice although it would be a good idea to check our website at www.hardysplants.co.uk first for our opening times.

Recipe from Micheldever Lunch

Boodles Orange Fool

Serves 6

Ingredients

4-6 Trifle Sponges

Grated Rind & juice of 2 oranges

Grated Rind & juice of 1 lemon

25-50g sugar

300ml fresh double cream

Orange slices or segments to decorate

Method

1. Line the bottom and halfway up the sides of a deep serving dish or bowl.

2. Mix orange & lemon rinds and juice with sugar and stir till sugar has completely dissolved.

3. In another bowl whip cream till it just starts to thicken then slowly add the sweetened fruit juice mix, whipping the cream as you do so. Whip until the cream is light and all the juice is absorbed.

4. Pour the mixture over the sponge and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, longer if possible, so that the juice can soak into the sponge and the cream thicken. (make day before if poss)

5. Serve decorated with segments of fresh orange.

Picnic in the Park

to Celebrate the Coronation

11.30 a.m. Monday 8th May, Warren Field

Games for all ages

There will be cake!

Come and help to arrange this event.

We are meeting up in the Warren Hall at 7.00 p.m. Tuesday March 14th.

You will be very welcome! .