Gardeners endure hot temperatures for seed swap
SWELTERING heat in Edible Guernsey’s greenhouse at St Peter’s did not put off eager gardeners from heading there to pick up seeds, plants, tools or books as the charity held its third seed swap yesterday.
This was the last event at the greenhouse this season, since already the temperature in the building was becoming unbearable.
Edible Guernsey treasurer Guy Hendry said that it was already preparing for its next big event, a Halloween pumpkin plucking and carving session which
is being organised in conjunction with the Guernsey Rotary
Club.
‘We’ll also keep going with members’ meetings and the community garden,’ he said.
Among the eager visitors to the greenhouse were Andre and Nikki Quevatre who had brought up some lemon geraniums to share, and were going home with a garden dibber and some tomatillo plants. ‘We’ve had some surplus and we’re having a look to see what we’ve not got,’ said Mr Quevatre.
Michelle Bihet was pleased to have found some cherry tomatoes to add to her raised bed, which she made out of old wooden pallets and which already boasts such staples as spring onions, chillies, peppers, peas and courgettes. She also won a mushroom kit
in the raffle.
‘I brought up a load of seed packets,’ she said.
‘All kinds of seeds, which I’ve had from magazines or which people have given to me.
‘It’s a fantastic idea.’
It may have been less busy than previous gatherings, but the woman whose Facebook post had sparked off the event was delighted at its success.
A bout of insomnia had led to Lizzie Roper thinking about having too many seeds from her garden’s plants but would have liked some different varieties for herself.
Her Facebook post led to Mr Hendry making contact
and that led to the first swap in March.
‘It was a hideous success,’ said Ms Roper. ‘People were smiling and saying how much
they loved it. The last one had even more people and raised even more money.’
