Roehampton Garden Society

Monthly Archives: April 2024


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Behind the Privet Hedge

A book by Michael Gilson

This book is about one of the main founders of the RGS, Richard Sudell.
Sudell was a pioneer of suburban gardening who has now had a book written about him and his considerable (and often overlooked) influence on one of the ways our nation revitalised itself after the terrors and destruction of the First World War.
As we showed in our Centenary Exhibition at Putney Library in June 2022, Richard Sudell not only lived on the Roehampton (now Dover House) Estate, but he also encouraged the tenants of the new houses to convert their scrappy garden patches (and the allotments) to create open spaces to grow fruit, vegetables and flowers.
“Behind the Privet Hedge” is published by Reaktion Books in May, priced £16.95. It is available to preorder: https://reaktionbooks.co.uk/work/behind-the-privet-hedge
There is also an interesting article in the April edition of “Garden Answers” about the book and our famous pioneering founder.

Jackie Savage.


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Plot Inspections – what you need to know

The aim of these inspections is to ensure plots are cultivated to a reasonable standard. We will contact you individually after the inspection if work needs to be done. The aim is to give guidance and encouragement but if there have been problems with cultivation in the past the team will take this into account. With many people on our waiting list we must ensure that allotment plots are not being wasted.

April Plot Inspections

What the plot inspection team will expect to see:

April Inspections

  • Weeds removed
  • The soil prepared ready for cultivation
  • Fruit trees – apple and pear – pruned
  • No excessive amounts of rubbish
  • The grass cut on the paths between plots. Please do not use weed killer on paths
  • There are no obstructions to the paths

November Plot Inspections

What the plot inspection team will expect to see:

  • the plot has been tidied up for the winter
  • weeds are under control and particularly not likely to invade any neighbouring plots
  • paths are not obstructed and are well maintained. Main paths – 45cm wide, paths between plots 30cm wide. Grass cut and no overhanging branches
  • rubbish has been cleared or bagged up ready for the November collection. Date TBC. No bonfires are allowed.

For your information

  • The normal width for paths on your plot is about 300mm (1 ft) between plots and 450mm (18 inches) for communal paths
  • perimeter plots only – 450mm (18 inches) path against neighbours’ fences. Needs to be easy to clear to enable neighbours to maintain their fences.

If there are any temporary circumstances which are preventing you being able to cultivate your plot please let us know by email to rgs.sw15@gmail.com giving your phone number so that the site secretary can contact you.

Site 2:                                          Susan Bennett
Site 3: plots 50 to 100              Nina Buchan
Site 3: plots 101 to 127              Richard Standen


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It’s time for softwood herb cuttings

There’s a lot of satisfaction in having a variety of herbs around – not relying on the supermarkets. Now is the right time to take cuttings from Rosemary, Thyme and Sage plants to last throughout the year. The RGS recommends a ‘plastic bag’ greenhouse to shield cutting from draughts, particularly for ‘window sill’ growers.

Soft growth on Rosemary – ideal for cuttings.
Sage cuttings – growing well at 4 weeks old.
Cuttings thriving in a plastic bag ‘greenhouse’
  1. Prepare a pot with moist, well drained compost – a mix of peat free with grit or vermiculite, or a specialist cutting compost.
  2. Take short cuttings, 5-10 cm long from the soft new growth, remove lower leaves and put at least 3 cm into the soil. Use a rooting hormone if you wish, but most cuttings will take at this time of year without this. You can put 4 or 5 cuttings around the side of a single pot.
  3. Water well and allow to drain.
  4. Place the pot in a plastic bag which will seal at the top. This isn’t always necessary if you have a greenhouse or cold-frame. Close the bag partially – leave a small ventilation hole.
  5. Leave in a warm place – greenhouse or cold-frame is ideal, but a windowsill works. Watch for too much moisture build up – open the bag to avoid this.
  6. After 2-3 weeks remove the bag and leave in a sheltered, temperate, place. Remember to water and you should see new growth within a few weeks.