Groovy Growits

GREAT NEWS

THE GROOVY GROWITS HAVE WON THIRD PRIZE IN THE COMMUNITY GARDEN CHALLENGE AT THE 2008 SHOW

This is a picture taken the night before the entries were judged. All the other entries in the competition were done by adults. All the plants seen were grown by the Groovy Growits.

The Groovy Growits are the Junior Section of The Royal Horticultural Society of Aberdeen.

The Groovy Growits is a club for 8-15 year-olds interested in plants and how to grow them, which was set up jointly by Satrosphere and the RHSA (Royal Horticultural Society of Aberdeen).

Originally, it met in Satrosphere, but last autumn we were offered the use of the Education Room in the Winter Gardens at Duthie Park on Sunday afternoons, 2-3.30 pm, (usually the third Sunday of the month) which seems more convenient for many people. We have, moreover, the opportunity to look at the wide variety of plants growing there, and to arrange activities based on them.

Club members can expect to take part in any or all of the following
Talks and practical activities, including soil testing
Grow bulbs and seeds - take cuttings - grow a bonsai
Plant and help maintain an outdoor plot at Satrosphere
Enter exhibits at shows - maybe win a prize!

Visit gardens and wildlife centres

We ask that members join the RHSA as Junior members, which costs £1.50, and thereafter appreciate a donation of £1 at each meeting, to cover costs.

Free Packs of Seeds

We have a limited supply of free seeds available for children courtesy of Mr Fothergill seeds. These include nasturtium, cornflower, sunflower, cress, mustard, pumpkin, tomato and a mixed packet of wildflowers. If anyone is interested, please call Lesley Glasser on 01224 712605 to arrange collection. Groovy Growit Members will get their packs on Sunday.

Autumn Programme 2008


2.00 - 3.30pm	28th September	BulbsPlease note that we are are meeting at Ben Reid's Nursery on this occasion.
2.00 - 3.30pm	26th October	Cacti & Succulents
2.00 - 3.30pm	16th November	Easy Houseplants - Make your own Christmas Presents
2.00 - 3.30pm	7th December	Christmas Decorations

Easy Houseplants 16/11/08

Everyone went home with several pots filled with cuttings which might make suitable Christmas Presents(Wandering Sailor, Spider plants etc.) Then there was a quick trip round the Winter Gardens to see what type of houseplants were growing there on a larger scale.

BBQ 15/6/08

First of all I must say a big THANK YOU to Lesley for yet again hosting our June BBQ.

The weather was a bit of a worry and it was touch and go whether the event would have to be cancelled. However the rain held off and although it was a bit on the cool side, the sun did manage to pop out from time to time.

We enjoyed exploring Lesley's garden as we completed a garden quiz and everyone had the opportunity to learn about and take home some "baby" flowering cacti.

Again thanks to the "professional" chef (from next door) for his expert barbequing ability. Everyone enjoyed the food - so much so that we ran out of buns at one stage. This was followed by ice cream and cake. A great afternoon was had by all.

A couple of the photos of the day follow:

Patio Pots and Hanging Baskets 18/5/08

Everyone packed their Patio Pots and Hanging Baskets with a variety of plants and with a little care, water, and plant food should provide a spectacular display in the months to come. They can be entered under class 330 or 331 in the Summer Flower Show.

Here is a photo of today's work

Growing Giant Onions With Frank Taylor 27/4/08

I believe Frank's record of about Five and a half pounds may be in jeopardy, as this year the Groovy Growits are vying to win a new class especially for them in the 2008 Summer show. They were given giant onion seedlings and all the expertise that Frank could give them to grow prize winning specimens. After potting up the young plants we then looked round the Cactus House and then toured the nursery greenhouses which are not normally available to the public. (Mums please note that this onion should not be accidentally harvested for cooking until AFTER the Show).

Potatoes With Fred Stewart 16/3/08

Fred gave a very good workshop on growing potatoes and everyone went home with the knowledge of how to grow “Prize Winning” spuds. No doubt there will be son entries in the Summer Show.

There was then a Quiz about plants which had us all over the Winter Gardens

Then there were “experiments” with red cabbage water as indicator which could show the difference between acid and alkaline soils with Lesley.

It may look like spilt creamola foam, but's part of an experiment using boiled red cabbage water.

Christmas Decorations 16/12/07

The Royal Horticultural Society of Aberdeen

Welcome!