In a late change to our programme, Brinley Watkins is sadly unable to visit us to talk about “Vegetable growing with a twist”. 
However we’re delighted that Richard Bramley, who’s visited us several times before from local Farmyard Nurseries, has agreed to come at such short notice and talk to us about plants to take us through autumn and into winter. 
Members will know Richard always gives us a great talk, and he’ll also be bringing along plants for sale. To quote Richard’s words about this talk…
There comes a point in time when, as the gardening year progresses, colour in a lot of gardens begins to wane. Gardens often look lack lustre and many an avid gardener becomes a little despondent and longs for the winter clean up…… Well stop it!! This talk is designed to show us all that the autumn is a season with a plethora of plants that give an absolute riot of colour. As summer flowers fade and the bedding plants pass, the autumn army pushes on with its riots of colour to replace them. There are so many and as sales at the nursery gradually went into the winter recess we massively expanded the autumn contingent to fill this gap. We now stock hundreds of things and this talk will highlight many, but obviously not all, of them.
It is funny how as autumn approaches and the days shorten, with light levels falling, nature steps in and the colour palette of the garden changes, with the fiery yellow, red and orange colours becoming prevalent. Somehow shades that we don’t tolerate in the summer borders become acceptable if not desirable. Subjects covered include Hydrangeas, Asters, Salvias, Schizostylis, Acers and grasses with all sorts of others thrown in! Yet again there may be a mention of our renowned Hellebores.
One of our most popular talks.
Click here for more on Farmyard Nurseries.
September’s talk is on Wednesday September 18th at 7.30 in the Pumsaint hall.
August is often a busy month for many, with holidays and visitors, so the turn out for the August meeting was a little lower than for most meetings. 
However everyone who came had a great evening and enjoyed a real feast as members rose to the challenge of producing a plate of food to share incorporating leaves and flowers grown in the garden. 
The pictures give an idea of the imagination and standard of the dishes available, and I’m guessing there will be a fair bit of recipe sharing following on from this.
Finally a reminder that the September meeting will be the last chance to book a space for our trip to Hergest Croft for a visit and guided tour with head gardener Steve Lloyd and his wife Mel, on Thursday September 26 th
This is a special opportunity as well to collect seeds with Steve’s guidance, from some of Hergest’s fantastic range of shrubs and trees. After what has been a phenomenal year for tree and shrub flowering and seed formation, this really represents a brilliant opportunity for Cothi Gardeners. We can’t guarantee that the weather or colours will be as gorgeous as in these photos, but it will still be a memorable trip.
Cost is £7.50 for the garden entry and tour, and we’ll be having lunch afterwards in the cafe, and they need an idea of numbers, so do contact Yvonne, asap, if you haven’t already given us your name. We’ll be car sharing and aim to arrive at Hergest at 10.30 a.m, so will also have the gardens pretty much to ourselves, since they only open to the general public at noon. Friends of members are also welcome to join us, if pre-arranged.
A reminder that on Sunday August 11th, John and Helen’s garden at Ty’r Maes, Ffarmers, Carmarthenshire, SA19 8JP, opens for charity for the National Garden Scheme , from 13.30 to 17.30, admission £4.00.
Given what a tremendous year it’s been for tree flowering and seed setting, this is a unique chance for Cothi Gardeners to see the gardens at one of their most lovely times of the year, and bring back a special souvenir or two, since Hergest grows many trees and shrubs not widely available elsewhere. 
Nigel told us he’s been working in the gardens for over 5 years, though usually on his own at first light, and dusk, so it was a rare chance to see him in action. For those who don’t know, he’s twice won first prize in the prestigious international IGPOTY garden photography competition with photos he’s taken at Aberglasney. He’s even apparently been given a special dispensation to do selective pruning to create the perfect shot! 
There’s no question that Aberglasney is becoming more popular, with greater visitor numbers over the years, because of the exceptional standard of garden design and plantings, whatever the time of year. We’re exceptionally lucky to have such a world class garden with wonderful tea room on our doorstep.
…my clear backdrop of the garden scene was interrupted as someone walked past… and then we all noticed who it was…
Helen Warrington who has owned Ty Cwm for 15 years has talked to Cothi on a number of occasions, and the nursery is located in a small cwm, or valley, in lovely countryside just west of the Teifi valley, 600 feet above sea level, so the plants have to be tough to survive. 
Well worth a visit sometime for those who’ve never made it before. 
The cafe is open from 10.00 am to 5 pm, except Mondays. 
For anyone wanting to see what Steve Lloyd, our May speaker has to look after, maintain, and propagate from, a trip to Hergest at this time of the year, is always a delight. 
There will be lots of plants for sale and lovely lunches and teas on site in their own cafe.
Many thanks for those of you who have already booked in and paid up. The absolute final deadline will be the evening of our May meeting, so if you haven’t yet confirmed your place, do give it some thought. We hope you’ll be able to join us.
There was even a mini potting-on contest, which Jack won hands down, with an almost machine like efficiency, a blur of dibber and hands, plug plants and labels.
his National Collection of Primula sieboldii (guess who liked these…) which were at their peak…
… past the huge open plant sale area…
… and then into the more recent tunnels holding a recently acquired National Collection of carnivorous Sarracenia, or pitcher plants.
Richard and staff have recently been working on cutting back last year’s pitchers to allow room for the new growths and flowers. Along with making divisions which end up in a separate sales tunnel.
… before back to the cafe for tea and cakes.
Richard has a massive range of plants including the National Plant Collections of both Primula sieboldii, ( above, which will probably be at their peak in his polytunnels) and Sarracenia (Pitcher) carnivorous plants, so there will be lots to see.
Form on the entrance table at meetings, or let Yvonne know if you would like to attend.
It is always interesting visiting other people’s gardens as there’s invariably something new to learn, even for the more experienced gardeners among us. Is there someone willing to host a shared picnic lunch please? (members to bring food). Exact date to be confirmed in due course.
Cothi Gardeners 