The Horticultural Society

With origins before 1900, the Society has a proud history of encouraging horticulture in our three villages, originally with annual Flower Shows and more recently with events across the year:

• Talks, delivered by outside speakers are held in the darker months at the beginning of each year and recent subjects have included birds of prey, keeping chickens, the secret life of the mole, plus regular gardening tips and advice;  

• A plant sale is held in May;

• Members only open garden events;

• The Flower Show in September is the highlight of the gardening calendar. An opportunity for members to exhibit the beautiful plants and vegetables they have nurtured over the year. There are also classes for crafts, cookery, photography and children; and  

• The November AGM provides an opportunity for members to hear an official report from the Committee and a chance to air their views.

Event posters are published on this website’s events calendar and topical /seasonal updates are published on this page – please scroll down!

The Horticultural Society is affiliated to the Royal Horticultural Society and the Surrey Horticultural Federation. The Society is keen to promote the many advantages of gardening as widely as possible and is for everyone, regardless of age, experience or the size of garden.  

North Downs Primary – our local school

Mary Rode (our Chairwoman) has organised the school allotment for a number of years and has created an enormous interest in gardening with quite a few of the children. Children visit the allotment during school time. They enjoy planting seeds, growing vegetables and harvesting them.  Often they cook their vegetables for lunch.  They work hard carrying out all gardening tasks. 

We also have an allotment club where the children meet after school on a Friday.  They enter their prize vegetables in the Autumn Show and have won many individual and group prizes over the years.

If you would like to join our Horticultural Society please send us an email  to ask for more details. Members receive 10% discount on plants at Buckland Nurseries.

April Update

March winds and April showers make way for sweet May flowers.

April is a pleasant month.  The days are getting longer and new life starts to appear in the garden.  Flowers emerge from their winter slumbers, birds are nesting and your gardens are coming alive with activity. We are all slowly easing out of another lockdown and Spring is in the air. It is the time to get out into your gardens.

The weather in February and March was extreme, snow, rain, cold and unusually high temperatures but the arrival of daffodils, crocus, snowdrops and hellebores was a wonderful colourful sight making us all smile after the recent few months.

April weather can still be unpredictable so be wary of any frosts if planting young plants. Also beware of slugs!!

The warmer weather will entice you back into your gardens to tackle a few jobs:

1. Weeds need to be kept under control so start early.
2. Tie in climbing and rambling roses
3. Give a feed to hungry shrubs and roses
4. Sow hardy annuals, herbs and wild flower seeds outside now.
5. Prune fig trees
6. Patch new lawn areas with seed
7. Protect fruit blossom from late frosts
8. Feed the birds in your garden with seeds, fat balls and mealy worms

During the warm spring sunshine days, sit and observe the birds and insects in your gardens. Many birds are very

busy now either nesting or feeding their young and insects are becoming active too.

April is the month to enjoy your garden. There is so much activity to observe that will lift your spirits.

 Happy gardening.  Stay Safe.