Issue 26Winter Gathering 2024

Scottish Gardeners’ Forum

Winter Gathering 2024Scottish Gardeners’ Forum was formed in 2001 to provide a voice for the amateur gardener in Scotland. The Forum acts as a focal point, bringing together local gardening groups with the aim of encouraging best practice in gardening, to foster co-operation between groups, and to help the retention and development of existing and new groups.
We have seen many changes since the start and it has been sad to see many long established clubs close due to lack of willing members to take on the organisational roles. While this trend looks to continue, it is also heartening to see that in their place many community gardening groups are being formed. The aims may differ from one area to the next - some groups grow produce for local distribution to a food bank, while others take responsibility for maintaining a park or restoring a garden - but whatever the aim, the benefits remain the same: working with others in a gardening space is hugely positive to our sense of wellbeing and mental health.
Scottish Gardeners’ Forum is adapting to these changes and we continue to offer support by establishing links between groups and helping to exchange information. We hold a list of speakers on gardening topics and judges (currently under review). We are also able to arrange Public Liability Insurance to cover shows, meetings, and sale of produce. We publish a newsletter several times yearly and have started to send an e-newsletter to interested individuals. Our website will help you to find contact information, news of upcoming events, and details of how to receive the e-newsletter.
Winter GatheringIn addition, the Forum holds an annual in person meeting which since 2018 has been taken to venues throughout Scotland. This year, we are being hosted by Busby and Clarkston Horticultural Society, a very active and lively club. We have use of very comfortable and well equipped halls, with good access and parking. The Winter Gathering will be held on Saturday 9^th November 2024 from 10:00 until 16:00.
The programme for the day includes three excellent speakers from the locality: Andrew Hinson, Head Gardener at Greenbank Garden; Chelsea Lowe, Head Gardener at Horatio’s Garden; and M.T. O’Donnell, Editor of Scotland Grows Magazine, who will give an insight into their work with an emphasis on the beneficial aspects for all.
Lunch and refreshments will be provided, there will be a raffle, and our hosts have offered to hold a Pot Plant competition. This event is open to all and booking details are available on the Scottish Gardeners’ Forum website.Scotland Grows 26NavigationContentsEditor's WelcomeNational Trust for Scotland ROOTSWhat's Gorgeous in the GardenScotland Grows Show PodcastAwesome Autumn GardensWhat's On In ScotlandMake Fallen Leaves Your Garden FriendsClayton's BookPumpkin Picking Patches Across ScotlandReduce Pumpkin WasteMake a Hydrangea WreathPutting the Cutting Garden to BedOverwintering DahliasOverwintering Bell PeppersDaffodils for DecemberScotland Grows Reader FeedbackBringing Back the RosesFeature Your GardenTanker IrrigationGrow Your BusinessGarden Boosting BulbsGreenbank GardenTulip Planting Time3 Moisture Loving BulbsReaders Garden PicturesScotland's Apple Heritage PodcastApple Caraway SauerkrautPumpkin PowerSoothing SoupWhat is Green Manure?Bringing Back Local Seed VarietiesHydroponic GrowingCome and Chat About PlantsWinter Gathering 2024SGF ConferenceGrow a CareerScotland Grows websiteOne Garden ThingGo Gothic with HouseplantsGardening NewsAsian HornetGarden Jobs AheadScotland Grows SubscriptionA Goldmine of LeafmouldNext Issue advertArchives