Wokingham Horticultural Association

09/05/2026

🌹 Roses and gladioli — May is your planting window for September glory!

Two of the most elegant classes at our Autumn Show are Roses (Classes 63–65, with the prestigious Knapp Rose Bowl for the winner of the large-flowered class) and Gladioli (Class 66 — one perfect specimen spike). Both need attention right now.

🌹 Roses
If you have established rose bushes, now is the time to:
✅ Begin fortnightly feeding with a balanced liquid fertiliser
✅ Deadhead spent blooms to encourage repeat flowering
✅ Watch for blackspot and aphids — treat early
✅ Stop feeding by mid-August; begin disbudding side buds in August for show-quality blooms

🌸 Gladioli
For a perfect spike on 12th September, plant your corms now (early May):
✅ Gladioli need approximately 100 days from planting to flowering
✅ Plant in full sun, well-drained soil, 10–15cm deep
✅ Stake immediately — judges love a perfectly straight spike
✅ Feed every two weeks with a high-potash feed once flower spikes emerge

Succession tip: Plant a few corms every 1–2 weeks through May and into June to maximise your chances of having a perfect spike ready on show day.

📋 Full schedule at www.w-h-a.org.uk/shows

01/05/2026

🌿🌼 Hello May! 🌼🌿

May is a wonderful month for gardeners, with longer days and warmer weather bringing our gardens to life in spectacular fashion. There are plenty of tasks to keep us busy and ensure our gardens flourish throughout the summer ahead.

This month, plant out tender bedding and vegetable plants once the risk of frost has passed, sow French and runner beans directly outdoors, and stake tall perennials before they flop. Keep on top of watering as the weather warms up, and enjoy the spectacular show of blossom and early roses that May brings to our gardens.

Check out the Royal Horticultural Society's guide on what to do in your garden this May:
https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/grow-your-own/in-month/may-jobs

We'd love to hear what you're planning for your garden this month! Share your tips and projects in the comments below. 🌱🌿

Happy gardening! 🌿🌱

25/04/2026

🌿 Reminder: Book your spot for Batsford Arboretum! 🌿

Just a quick reminder that the deadline to book our spring outing to Batsford Arboretum is coming up next week on Friday, 1st May. Our trip is confirmed and definitely going ahead on Saturday, 16th May, and we would love for you to join us!

Batsford is a stunning 56-acre arboretum in Gloucestershire, featuring a unique collection of rare trees, shrubs, and beautiful spring foliage. It is the perfect opportunity for a relaxing day out, with plenty of time to explore the Garden Centre, Gift Shop, and Garden Terrace Café.

Tickets are £39.00 for WHA Members and £41.00 for Non-Members. Please head over to our outings page at https://www.w-h-a.org.uk/outings to download your booking and emergency contact forms. Completed forms and any queries should be sent directly to [email protected].

Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/841961712249360/

23/04/2026

Our 2026 Outings season is almost upon us, and we still have a few seats left! 🌿✨

Join the Wokingham Horticultural Association for three fantastic days out this year. We have carefully selected destinations that offer something special for every plant lover.

🌸 Saturday 16th May: Batsford Arboretum. Explore 56 acres of rare trees and beautiful spring colour in Gloucestershire. Booking ends soon!
🏰 Saturday 11th July: The first-ever RHS Badminton Flower Show! Experience this brand-new horticultural event set in historic stately grounds.
🌼 Saturday 5th September: RHS Wisley Flower Show. Celebrate late summer with spectacular borders and specialist nurseries.

Seats are filling up fast! You can secure your spot by emailing us, or popping into the store on Wednesdays or Sundays (10:30–12:30).

Please note that a 2026 membership is required for discounted rates, and a new Emergency Contact Form must be completed for this year.

Visit the link in our bio or head to www.w-h-a.org.uk/outings for all the details, coach times, and booking forms. See you on the coach! 🚌🌱

21/04/2026

🥦 It's brassica season! If you're aiming for the Vegetable Section at the Winter Show, April is the month to get your Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and celery started.

Here's your April planting guide for a November show:

🥦 Brussels Sprouts (Class 1 — 6 required) — Sow indoors now or buy young plants. They need 20–26 weeks to mature, so planting out in May–June will have them perfectly ready for November.
🥬 Cabbage (Class 4 — 2 required) — Sow winter varieties now for planting out in July. Look for varieties like 'January King' or 'Savoy'.
🌿 Celery (Class 6 — 1 head) — Start indoors now. Celery needs warmth to germinate, so a windowsill or propagator is ideal. Plant out after the last frost in late May.

Top tip: Firm the soil well around your Brussels sprouts when planting out — they need a solid anchor to produce tight, firm buttons! 💪

📅 WHA Winter Show: Saturday 21st November 2026
📍 St Paul's Parish Rooms, Reading Road, Wokingham
🌐 www.w-h-a.org.uk/shows

17/04/2026

🥕 April is the most important month for show vegetable growers — here's your sowing guide!

The Vegetable Section at our Autumn Show on 12th September is packed with classes, from a single leek to a full collection of six different vegetables. And the prizes are serious — the Premier Cup goes to the exhibitor with the most points across all vegetable classes!

Here's what to sow or plant this month:

🌱 Tomatoes — sow indoors now, pot on in May, plant out in June (Classes 22–24)
🌱 Runner & French beans — sow indoors mid-April, plant out after last frost (Classes 6 & 7)
🌱 Beetroot — sow direct outdoors now (Class 9)
🌱 Carrots — sow direct in prepared deep, stone-free soil (Class 17)
🌱 Parsnips — sow direct now; use cloches to warm the soil (Class 16)
🌱 Lettuce, radishes, cabbage — sow direct outdoors (Classes 8, 10, 11)
🌱 Leeks — if not already sown in January/February, sow indoors now and plant out in May/June (Class 21)

Top tip: For exhibition onions, if you haven't already sown in December–January, buy sets now and plant straight out. Focus on consistent watering and weekly feeding from May onwards.

There's also a Novice class (Class 4) and a Fun for All section — including the heaviest onion, longest runner bean, and heaviest marrow — so there's something for every level of grower!

📋 Download the full schedule at www.w-h-a.org.uk/shows

15/04/2026

Spring is finally here, and our 2026 Outings season is fast approaching! We still have a few seats left for our three wonderful trips this year, but they are filling up quickly. Whether you are looking to admire rare spring blossoms, experience a brand-new horticultural event, or enjoy late-summer garden colour, we have a fantastic day out planned for you.

Our season begins on Saturday 16th May with a visit to the beautiful Batsford Arboretum. Set in the Gloucestershire countryside, this 56-acre haven is home to over 2,850 named specimens and is particularly stunning in the spring.

Next, on Saturday 11th July, we are thrilled to be attending the first-ever RHS Badminton Flower Show! Set within the historic grounds of Badminton House, this inaugural event promises pocket gardens, expert nurseries, a Festival of Roses, and artisan shopping.

Finally, on Saturday 5th September, we will celebrate late summer at the RHS Wisley Flower Show. This is a wonderful opportunity to see the gardens in full spectacular colour, browse specialist nurseries, and view the National Dahlia Society Show.

Booking your place is easy. You can book by emailing us at [email protected], by visiting us in store on Wednesdays and Sundays between 10:30 and 12:30, or in person at our AGM tomorrow evening at 7:30pm. Please remember that a current 2026 membership is required for the members' ticket price, and we need a new Emergency Contact Form completed for this year's outings.

For full details, coach pickup times, prices, and to download the booking and emergency forms, please visit our website: https://www.w-h-a.org.uk/outings

We look forward to travelling with you!

14/04/2026

We love the beautiful bluebells at this time of year - and we love Pumpkin Beth's very handy calendar of when and where you can go and see some of the most glorious carpets of bluebells around the country. She keeps it up to date so it's a link worth bookmarking!

Have you seen my Calendar of UK Bluebell Garden Openings & Events? Here's a link: https://www.pumpkinbeth.com/2022/04/magnificent-bluebell-woods/

07/04/2026

🧶 Calling all crafters! The Winter Show is in November — but if you're planning to enter our Handicraft Section with a knitting, tapestry, embroidery, or patchwork piece, the time to start is right now.

Here's why: a beautiful handmade piece takes time, and that's exactly what makes it special! Here's a rough guide for a busy person working full time:

🪡 Tapestry on canvas (Class 47) — A medium-sized piece can take 30–80 hours of stitching. Start now and enjoy the process!
🧶 Knitting, crochet or felting (Class 46) — A simple hat or cowl: 10–25 hours. A larger piece: 40+ hours. Cast on today!
🧵 Hand embroidery (Class 45) — A detailed piece on fabric can take 20–50+ hours. The spring light is perfect for fine work.
🪡 Patchwork (Class 48) — Even a small piece (max 35cm × 35cm folded) takes 15–40 hours to cut, piece, and finish.

You don't have to be an expert — entries are judged age-appropriately and there are classes for all skill levels. The joy is in the making! 💛

📅 WHA Winter Show: Saturday 21st November 2026
📍 St Paul's Parish Rooms, Reading Road, Wokingham
🌐 www.w-h-a.org.uk/shows

What are you making? Share your progress photos with us! 📸

06/04/2026

Lovely write up of our Spring Show in Wokingham.Today - huge thanks to everyone who helped it out too part, and we were delighted to have so many visitors, both new and familiar!

We hope you all had a fantastic time, and look forward to welcoming you at our Autumn and Winter shows and our Pumpkin Festival later in the year, or on our outings and at our craft group and workshops throughout the year.

A RECORD number of families and visitors of all ages came to a Spring Show in St Paul’s Parish Rooms.Wokingham