Four Parishes Arts Society - September 2007

“Topical Tips and New Ideas in Horticulture” by Ray Broughton on 10^th July

Members of the Four Parishes Arts Society enjoyed a fascinating and stimulating illustrated talk by Ray Broughton, Fellow of the Royal Horticultural Society and Head of Horticulture at Sparsholt College.   Having trained with the RHS at Wisley, he now teaches staff and students there, and gave the audience an insight into the work of the RHS and of Sparsholt College.

Members also benefited from advice on such gardening essentials as making and maintaining a successful compost bin, particularly using the ‘quick cook’ method of producing compost, the treatment and management of moss in lawns using moss killer sparingly, so that it scorches and kills the suckers at the base of the moss, without turning the whole lawn black.    Among the many other gardening topics covered were hedge pruning and feeding, the use of slow release compound fertilizers, seed balls, grass blocks and the most effective methods of growing vegetables.

Following his talk, Mr. Broughton answered wide-ranging horticultural questions from the audience who left inspired to put into practice all they had learned.