Upton St Leonard’s WI: with speaker Aidrian Bull

THE mystery was solved of dead brown patches of grass in and around the verdant lawn by unexpected speaker Aidrian Bull, retired modern languages teacher as he lay the bare facts before us.

Regaling us with science and biology, which I loved at school, Aidrian explained how grass and plants under sunlight transfers warmth into starch and sugar, energy for the plant into chlorophyll, known as photosynthesis, so our lawns and fields should reflect various greens, but all is not what it seems; underneath the soil lurks a predator known as leather jackets and another the chafer grub.

Leather jackets are formed when ‘daddy-long legs’ lay eggs that fall into the soil forming a chrysalis; laying dormant later hatching into maggots which feed on the roots of grass and plants, hence we have dead brown grass in and around edges of lawn.

Digging up patches of turf carefully you can remove the pests and reseed the affected area, another treatment is nematodes.

Difficult weeds are Yarrow, Trefoil and Speedwell, easy weeds are Daisy, Clover and Selfheal.

Clover gives 12 per cent of nitrogen into the soil which all plants need, and lawns should be aereated, scarified and raked; all dead leaves should be removed and used for compost if good quality.

Mowing lawns regularly with a rotary mower at ideal height of 1½” helps the grass to keep healthy and strong.

Varying direction of cut with sharpened blades on mower will keep lawns in tip top condition.

Every gardener needs a friend and Aidrian has ‘Archie’ a seven year old Snoutzer dog who keeps him company on his gardening exploits.

A warm round of applause followed this well informed talk with a vote of thanks from Marlene.

The president welcomed all ladies and Josie and myself received birthday cards.

Our Autumn, ‘Oktoberfest’ hosted by Shurdington Group is on Friday, October 28, 7.30pm Carisbroke Road, Hucclecote, £4.50.

Shoe box items collected next month.

Members are asked to think about joining the committee at next month's AGM.

We meet again in Upton St Leonard’s Village Hall on Monday, November 7, at 7.30pm for the AGM and a Quiz, all ladies very welcome.