Charlbury Garden Society

This project focuses on growing plants to help the preservation of bees and other insects. It will be in 3 parts - each part to coincide with the society's shows. This is how it works:

Most entries will need to be prepared well in advance, so there are three 'help' sessions during the year being held at Hilltop Garden Centre (who are supporting this project); these are Saturday 29 October 2011 from 10am-12.30pm for the Spring Show; Sunday 26 February 2012 from 10.30am-12.30pm for the Summer Show and another date not yet set for the Annual Show. At these sessions we will give out help sheets and advice for the growing activities. The plants that you grow will be exhibited in the children's section of the three Shows during the year.

Each entrant will be given a Groovy Growing Points card. Points can be collected at each show for entries. Prizes will be awarded at each show and the Godden Trophy will be awarded at the Annual Show to the child who has gained the most points over the year.

There will be two age groups for judging the children's categories: 4-7yrs and 8-14yrs.

To register for the project contact Wendy Clifford on 01608 811006 or email wmf.clifford@virgin.net; or come along to one of our Help sessions at Hilltop Garden Centre. We will be able to keep you informed of all dates etc. once you have registered.

Spring Show - 14 April 2012
Class A: Pot of spring bulbs I have grown myself
Class B: Posy of spring flowers
Class C: An 'Egg Head' planted with grass seed or cress
Class D: Minibeast Activity 1

If the bulbs flower too early, take a photo of them. If they are a bit late then bring them into the warm a couple of weeks before the show to give them a boost.

To make an 'Egg Head': (start this 3 or 4 weeks before the show)
1. Boil an egg and remove the top of the shell and all the insides.
2. Fill the eggshell with damp cotton wool (or similar material) and sprinkle grass seed on top.
3. Keep the seed watered and watch it grow.
4. As it gets longer, you can trim it or cut the grass into any style you wish.
5. Decorate the shell with a face - you could add a colour or glasses and stand it on a napkin ring or in an egg cup.

Summer Show - 23 June 2012
Class A: 'Mr Potato'
Class B: A pot of wild flowers I have grown myself from seed
Class C: 4 pods of broad beans
Class D: A bowl of salad vegetables I have grown myself
Class E: Minibeast Activity 2

To make 'Mr Potato':
1. You will need a large potato, cocktail sticks, dried fruit, vegetables, card
2. Make your potato into a person by adding a face, arms, legs, feet etc. You may use card to 'dress' your potato and could even use wire or pipe cleaners to make glasses.

Annual Flower and Produce Show - 8 September 2012
Class A: 3 long runner beans, to be judged for overall length
Class B: A pot of herbs I have grown myself
Class C: A monster made of vegetables and/or fruit
Class D: A small collection of vegetables I have grown myself (at least three different types)
Class E: A vase of flowers I have grown myself
Class F: Minibeast Activity 3