Making the village look beautiful all year round
Hunsdon Gardening Club wishes everyone a very happy Christmas and New Year!
As the year winds down and frost begins to settle across the village, the Gardening Club has been as busy as ever – planting up the Village Hall tubs and baskets to provide some colour during the winter months as well as re-stocking the planters around the pump.
As we look back on the year, there are a number of people we would like to particularly thank for supporting the Gardening Club. We extend a huge thank you all the volunteers who help with the watering of tubs, pots and planters this year, particularly over the very hot, dry summer! Your efforts have kept them looking their best for all to enjoy and we really do appreciate your help. We also would like to thank the Parish Council for providing the planters around the pump and the Parish Room Trust for providing the funds for the plants.
We have also been busy decorating the Christmas Tree outside the Village Hall to bring some festive cheer! Many thanks to Hunsdon’s very own Simone & Steve from Principal Trees for sourcing the tree for us again this year. We really are grateful for your continued support.
We are busy preparing for the Gardening Club events for the year ahead and look forward to as many of you as possible attending the range of activities being planned for 2026. The Gardening Club would not be what it is without the support and participation of its members and we would like to thank everyone for making the Club such a friendly, warm and welcoming group.
Though December and January may appear quiet months in the garden, they offer valuable opportunities to care for our plots and set the stage for a vibrant spring. So here’s some suggestions of what to do in the garden over the winter months:
- Plant out winter flowering bedding plants such as pansies, violas, cyclamen, ivy and heather which are all great plants for a winter display.
- Protect tender plants – Wrap borderline-hardy shrubs with horticultural fleece and add mulch around the base of perennials to shield roots from deep frost. Also move terracotta pots inside or wrap them with bubble wrap to protect from frost.
- Prune apple and pear trees. While the trees are dormant, careful pruning improves airflow and encourages strong fruiting later.
- Start early sowings. Hardy vegetables such as broad beans or early peas can be started in pots under cover.
- Look after your lawn – Avoid walking on frozen grass; it can damage the blades and leave yellow patches.
- Clean and sharpen tools – With less outdoor activity, December is ideal for scrubbing soil from tools, oiling metal parts, and sharpening blades. Its also a good time to clean the greenhouse ready for next year.
- And don’t forget to feed the birds! Providing seeds, suet, and fresh water supports wildlife and helps with spring pest control.
Come and join us at Hunsdon Gardening Club!
We are really looking forward to 2026 and hope many of you will join in with the Gardening Club events that we are busy planning for the year ahead.
Hunsdon Gardening Club is always keen to welcome new members. It’s open to everyone; whether you have experienced green fingers or are a budding new gardener looking to share experiences with like-minded people in the village.
Membership is only £5 per year and gives you access to discounted bulbs and plants, preferential rates for events and free plant advice. If you would like to join, or would like any further information on Hunsdon Gardening Club and any of its events, please email or contact the Gardening Club Committee Chair, Marc Phillipps.
And take a look at our Facebook page which you can reach by searching Hunsdon Gardening Club or directly at: facebook.com/groups/hunsdon.gardening.club.
Image by Mark Dunstan
