GREEN FINGERS

This section is for those of you who are lovers of gardens, allotments and the great outdoors.

GARDENING MATTERS

with Doris Digwell

Shrubs add long-term interest and colour to our gardens across all four seasons. Choose from wonderful flowers, attractive leaves, and vibrant berries.

They offer many different uses like focal points, hedges, ground cover plus more.

Many are also great for wildlife offering protection and food.

I have been asked on many occasions to recommend shrubs that are suitable for

our local chalky soils. I hope keen gardeners find the following list helpful:

CHALKY SOIL LIKING SHRUBS

Aucuba (Spotted Laurel)

Berberis (Barberry)

Buddleia (Butterfly Bush)

Ceanothus (Californian Lilac)

Choisya (Mexican Orange)

Cotoneaster

Elaeagnus

Euonymus

Forsythia (Golden Bells)

Fuschia

Hebe (Veronica)

Lavender

Mahonia

Philadelphus

Pyracantha (Firethorn)

Ribes (Flowering Currant)

Syringa (Lilac)

Vinca (Periwinkle)

Weigela

SALISBURY WILDLIFE GROUP by James Macpherson

Task at Lime Kiln Down

SWG comprises enthusiastic and friendly volunteers who help to maintain and manage local nature reserves for the benefit of wildlife and the public, in partnership with Salisbury City Council and Wiltshire Wildlife Trust. Typically there are 2-3 scheduled sessions per month, each for 3-4 hours where tasks may include scrub clearance, tree planting and staking, scything, coppicing, river edge maintenance or litter picking. The reserves have a varied flora and fauna, from the open chalk grassland of Lime Kiln Down

where orchids and butterflies abound, to the wooded riverine habitat of the Avon Valley Reserve just a short walk from the Duke of York, where many interesting species can be found including kingfisher, water rail, Cetti’s warbler, and scarlet elf-cup fungi.

SWG has over 100 active members and 30 who attend regularly – but more are always welcome! In 2024, members volunteered for 950 hours on 150 sessions across a dozen Council or WWT sites; since 2020 we have planted over 2300 native trees (over 10 species) at six sites across Salisbury, maintaining them through drought and competition from weeds such that over 95% have become established.

Brown hairstreak, Lime Kiln Down

Scarlet Elf-cups, Avon Valey

We also removed a considerable amount of invading Hawthorn and Blackthorn from chalk grasslands and willows from reed beds, coppiced and fenced three acres of Hazel, pulled Ragwort from two reserve boundaries, repaired river banks while removing invasive Himalayan Balsam, installed and maintained a pond and constructed several large bug hotels for hibernating wildlife. The less glamorous but still important task is collecting whatever litter we find, to keep the reserves clean and safe for both wildlife and visitors; conversely we get the satisfaction of seeing the fruits of our labours in terms of the improvements made to the reserves and the diversity of species observed, with all biological records submitted to the County Wildlife Records Centre.

No experience necessary, and tools are supplied as required – so if you want to help out and get a good workout in the fresh air while observing, recording and learning about our local wildlife, check out our calendar of tasks, register as a volunteer and and join us if you can!

ALLOTMENT AND GARDEN ASSOCIATION (AGAS) - SALISBURY

Dive into the wonderful world of gardening and community events with the Allotments & Gardens Association Salisbury!

The Allotments & Gardens Association Salisbury (AGAS) is a vibrant membership group of passionate gardeners and allotment holders in Salisbury and the surrounding area. Run by a dedicated committee, AGAS offers a range of horticultural events and exclusive discounts from local businesses for its members. AGAS also run the Allotment Shop at Fisherton Farm allotment site which is open Saturday and Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings. The Allotment Shop is a hub where members can purchase discounted gardening supplies, seeds, tools, and other essentials. It’s a green-fingered treasure trove for our community of passionate gardeners!

AGAS also run a range of events through the year, including...

Best Allotment Competition (24th – 30th June):
Have you cultivated a green haven in your allotment? The Best Allotment Competition is here to celebrate the joys of the allotment! Showcase your hard work, creativity, and green fingers. It’s an opportunity to share your gardening achievements and inspire others to embrace growing their own flowers, fruits, and vegetables. To participate, you must be a plot holder on an allotment site run by Salisbury City Council.

Best Scarecrow Competition (June):
The Best Scarecrow Competition is making a triumphant return! AGAS has taken on the organisation of this popular event from Salisbury City Council. Get your creative hats on and craft original, quirky, or downright charming scarecrows. These delightful guardians of the garden add character and fun to our green spaces. Let your imagination run wild! Like the Best Allotment Competition, this event is open to allotment holders, with a separate judging category for school children.

Annual Horticultural Show (August):
Mark your calendars for the 2024 Summer Horticultural Show on Saturday, 17th August. This lively event will take place at the United Reformed Church on Fisherton Street, Salisbury. What can you expect?

• An array of competitive categories, including vegetables, fruits, flowers, homemade cooking, photography, and handicrafts.

• Enjoy tea, cake, and explore the produce and plant stall.

• Witness the presentation of awards by the Mayor during the public viewing hours.

Everyone is welcome to participate, regardless of age or skill level, and you can also pop along to have a look at what others have entered. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, the Horticultural Show promises inspiration and a celebration of the bounties we grow.

AGAS membership is open to all (just £5 for the year), whether you have an allotment or simply love gardening. Join the community, benefit from discounts and a range of events, and nurture and enjoy your green spaces!

For more information, visit the AGAS website https://www.salisburyallotments.co.uk or follow us on Facebook for news and updates www.facebook.com/allotmentsandgardenssalisbury

SALISBURY RIVERPARK SCHEME

The Environment Agency, in partnership with Wiltshire Council and Salisbury City Council, is constructing a scheme to reduce flood risk in the centre of Salisbury, as well as providing amenity and biodiversity improvements.

This is the 'Salisbury River Park Phase 1 Scheme' and is part of a wider Salisbury River Park Masterplan developed by Wiltshire Council. The scheme will reduce flood risk to over 250 residential and 100 business properties. This includes a lot of properties within the Middleton Road, George Road and Coldharbour Lane areas.

The River Avon is a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), representing the rarity and importance of the chalk stream habitat. Our scheme will greatly enhance this habitat, including removing structures that are currently a barrier to fish migration. The scheme will also provide amenity improvements for local residents and tourists, and help enable future regeneration.

The proposed works are mainly focussed at Fisherton Recreation Ground, Ashley Road Open Space, and the Central Car Park area. The works consist of flood embankments and flood walls, channels,

wetland areas and flow control structures. They include new amenity areas, and new and improved footpaths, cyclepaths, wayfinding, lighting and river crossings.

The works are progressing well, and are still currently on programme despite several issues with utility diversions, high rainfall, flooding and unexpected contamination levels. The project is expected to be completed in April/May 2024, although the majority of works will be complete before the end of this year, with landscaping works happening over the winter.

ALLOTMENT AND GARDEN ASSOCIATION - SALISBURY

Attention garden lovers of Salisbury!

Have you heard about the Allotments and Gardens Association Salisbury? We are a membership group of gardeners and allotment holders who run a shop selling discount gardening supplies, as well as putting on a range of gardening events and outings throughout the year.

Our shop is located at Fisherton Farm allotments – at the far end of Coldharbour Lane, near the Riverside Tennis Club. The shop stocks a wide range of gardening essentials available for members at discounted prices. Our commitment to our members is to make sure the goods we sell are sold at a great price, which makes a year’s membership for just £5 an excellent deal for any keen gardener. You do not have to be an allotment holder to be a member.

The shop is open from 9:30am - 12:30pm Saturdays and Sundays from the 4th weekend of January to the end of September, and Sundays only in October. Please make a note in your diary. Parking is available next to the shop during these times. The shop is run by volunteers, and we are always on the lookout for new volunteers – it is a great opportunity to spend a few social hours on a weekend morning.

With a valid membership, you can also receive a discount from a number of local businesses in and around Salisbury, including Fisherton Mill, Mole Valley Country Stores and Johnstones Decorating Centre. A full list of discounts can be found on our website: https://www.salisburyallotments.co.uk/

Members can also benefit from our seed ordering scheme, where you can get a whopping 40% discount off normal retail price on seeds ordered through us from Kings Seeds.

Happy growing!