THE garden club had a most interesting evening with Roger Parsons from Chichester, when he spoke on sweet peas.

Roger is a professional horticulturist who specialises in the growing of sweet peas.

He holds a national collection of these beautiful flowers and naturally was the ideal person to guide members through the best way to cultivate these plants up to show standard.

He outlined a number of ways to help growers in their quest for perfect specimens with long stems.

He suggested planting in 5” root trainers, not soaking the seeds, or 6-8 in a five inch pot, no more than 5mm deep.

Coarse multi-purpose compost should be used, not firmed down but lightly sprayed. The pots should then be overwintered in a greenhouse or cold frame, ready for transplanting in April.

He brought along a number of lovely photographs and seeds so that members could purchase their favourites.

The next meeting is on November 27 at 7.30pm in the Cowesfield Room at the Memorial Centre and is the AGM.

The club will discuss plans for the year ahead and it is a chance for members to put their suggestions to the committee.

As it is the last meeting of the year, members are reminded to bring along a small plate of light bites to enjoy with a glass of wine.