Hello I'm new here

[Greenfingeredsarah]

Hi my name is Sarah and as well as being a mum, I also work with the Royal Horticultural Society. Thought that I?d join in and I hope that I can offer tips, advice and get involved.

I hope to be able to give you the heads-up on exciting things we?re going to be working on if anyone?s interested

Looking forward to chatting with you all.

Welcome Sarah!
I'm a lapsed member of RHS with a garden needing help so you have arrived just at the right time for me.
First question for you - I am plagued by slugs so have decided to try growing some veggies in hanging baskets & pots. Any recommendations for what I could try?

Nice to meet you, Sarah.

Great to have you here, but if you're here to drum up custom for the RHS you may have the good ladies of Mumsnet Towers chasing you with their trowels!

nice to meet you all as well, thanks for being so welcoming!

Drotwichmummy, have a look at this page of the RHS website, it offers some tips and advice about what to plant when! www.rhs.org.uk/advicesearch/Profile.aspx?pid=139

Have a great weekend

Um - I hate to be unwelcoming, but are you here as a Mum or as a Spokesperson for the RHS? You will only be really accepted on Mumsnet when you have shared your episiotomy scars with us, been flamed on an AIBU thread and asked advice about getting your dog to sleep through the night

I am also new to gardening but am trying my hand this year. Sarah - can I plant seeds from dead heads of flowers - will they grow?

Sarah........come back!
We need you.

Cornsilk, I collect dead seed heads every year to grow on the following year! Saves a fortune!

Well, I think that whether it's a charity or a business, declaring an interest outright is fairer than not declaring it - and the RHS does a lot in schools, encouraging children to develop their gardening abilities, and thus has a kind of Mumsnet connection.

So I say 'hello Sarah from the RHS'.

I agree GrendelsMum, I thought some of the comments were a bit snotty...

Thanks everyone! I really am here as a gardener myself, whilst I work at the RHS, I am by no means the expert so am hoping I will learn things from all of you as well and if you want to know about any of the events/projects we're working on, that's fine too - just let me know!

Sorry for the delay in replying, I was offline at the weekend.

LOL greenfingeredsarah and Hi
Well scars all shared...must be good!

Waves virtuously muddy gardening gloves as evidence that I really did dig over half the veg patch this afternoon (before retreating for a cuppa and to borwse more on-line seed sites!)

and if you know anything about delphiniums and lupins do share...I love tham but they seem to hate me....LOL

browse even LOL

That's amazing and very commendable given the cold weather we've had as of late! I don't know about you, but I will be very pleased when the warm weather arrive.

Delphins are at their best when kept in well drained soil where they get lots of sun. They also need extra nutrients because they're quite big feeders. You could also try giving them some manure early on with liquid feeds throughout the summer.

What's your garden like?

hmm garden is a bit soggy LOL and not very well drained so I suppose there-in lies the problem!!Although,it can be ok in dry summer weather it does get quite soggy for sometime after heavy rain....(its also at the bottom of a hill...)
Actually front garden is the opposite, quite dry and well drained, but poorer soil nutrient wise than the back...maybe I could try them on the front with extra manure?
Are lupins the same? Would they stand more of a chance do you think?
Thanks GFS
Sadly no digging today as it's now snowing again ggrrrr I NEED Spring LOL

Hi Sarah!
I am currently in the 2nd year of my RHS level 2....I would love to pick your brains! Especially if you have any insider knowledge regarding exam papers
I also run my own gardening business, but am learning all the time...i don't think you ever stop learning new things with horticulture

are you based at wisley?

Hi OFM, yes Lupins are the same, they need plenty of sunlight and well drained soil although it doesn't need to be particularly rich so you might fine they do better in the front garden with the manure and a few extra nutrients!

Well done you on the RHS level 2 Plantwoman, that's great to hear! hahaha naughty Plantwoman after exam tips

I'm based in London actually just near Victoria - where about is your gardening business?

I am based in nottinghamshire. When I tell people I am a gardener they always assume I am a designer (They think it's far more glamorous!)when I actually am just a gardener!
I prefer to think of myself as a plantswoman actually
what are your main interests Sarah?
There is an allotment thread going here I am sure your advice would be very welcome!

well I suppose you are a designer....a garden designer!!

Between working at the RHS and looking after my DS and DD, I don't have time for much else! I do fancy myself as a bit of a chef through and anything creative really.

And you? are you and RHS member?

Thanks for the allotment thread tip off, I'll see you in there......

Yes I am a fully paid up member, although one of my college friends pointed out that as students we are entitled to student membership of the RHS, which is significantly cheaper. I wasn't aware of it last year, so when I come to re-new this year I am going to make sure I get student membership!
What do you actually do for the RHS? If you don't mind me asking.

Yes you should definitely look into that!

I work freelance for the RHS on their events throughout the year so am a bit here there and everywhere! The main thing I'm working on at the moment are the Mother's Day events which take place at a number of RHS sites around the UK, here is a link if you're interested

Hope you have a lovely weekend

Sarah

wow - your job sounds great! Do you need to have horticutural knowledge for that or is it more of an events organiser role?
I visited Harlow carr last year which is probably the nearest RHS garden to me, but am planning a trip to Wisley in May, i have not been before so really looking forward to that and also going to Chelsea for the 1st time - SO excited about that!

A bit of both to be honest, my background was in events prior to the RHS but my horticulture experience was limited...naturally I've picked up a lot along the way and am now a keen gardener as well! If you've got any more questions about RHS events or projects, feel free to give me a shout.