CHERITON Fitzpaine Garden Club had a very interesting and informative talk by Rev Ian Johnson, a retired Anglican Priest, who has a fascination for productive gardening.

Ian told us some amazing facts about soil: There are more living things in one handful of soil than the entire human population of the earth; all living things live in the top two and a half inches of soil; only one 32nd of the earth’s surface is capable of growing plants; 90 per cent of living things in the soil are of value to gardeners and in a drought, worms gather together in a knot for self-preservation.

Ian had brought a sample of recently matured compost, and demonstrated a shredder he uses to render it into smaller pieces.

He is an enthusiastic volunteer at Knightshayes garden, but explained that due to a lack of volunteers, in the National Trust Walled Garden, there is only one strip being worked at a time.

Our next meeting will be held at the Parish Hall at 7.30pm on Thursday, November 17, when members may make Christmas Wreaths. Cost £10 for materials.

Mary Nunn