Gardens are very much a part of Peel’s heritage as our bi-annual ’ Secret Gardens’ has demonstrated over the years.

Not surprisingly, a large number of gardeners and fellow enthusiasts arrived at the Centenary Centre, many clutching specimens in sealed bags, as requested.

The event was billed as Ian Smith and Friends.

They were certainly all friendly!

Ian was working for the government in 1966. He progressed to chief forester starting the Arboretum at St John’s in Millennium Year before working for Mr and Mrs Bigland at St John’s.

He is now assists retired people with their gardens.

Steven Whittaker worked in Sir George Dowty’s gardens then went to the Forestry Board where he met Ian.

He took the opportunity to go to college and worked in garden supplies, various garden centres and nurseries.

His own business was called The Secret Garden. You may recall that he used to have a plant stall at our own Secret Gardens events.

He is still a professional gardener.

The third member of the team, Graham Newson, went to college and worked in London, including the Chelsea Flower Show.

He returned to the island and works for Douglas Council. He said how much he enjoys his work.

This is apparent from the results on the promenade and public squares.

These may well owe much to his Chelsea experience. We and our visitors certainly benefit from his experience..

The team had a number of demonstration plant specimens with them, starting with sweet peas.

These are rewarding for scent, colour and masses of flowers, provided well fed, with lots of water and picked regularly.

We learned how to grow these from seed and how to pot out with fish and bone meal.

I was pleased when Miracle-Gro was strongly recommended as I have used this for years.

We’re accustomed to using ericaceous packs, when appropriate but I was not familiar with pellets.

Should daffs be left to die back naturally? We were advised that if we wanted decent bulbs for next season, they should be dead headed, well fed and left to die back naturally. The traditional date for cutting back, including tulips, was June 24 but with global warming, this is now June 1. When will governments take note of all these warning signs?

Lawns should be well-raked with a spring rake to remove moss and dead material then well fed. This should continue for the garden throughout the growing season.

We are well informed on hanging baskets and learned that cornflowers and marigolds (plants, not gloves!) prefer poor soil and no fertiliser.

The sick plant surgery was both useful and amusing. We finished up with salads and vegetables. What a great evening!

Peel’s Secret Gardens, 2020, is on July 11 and 12. Ring Vicki Gillings on 844891.

Next meeting is ’Peel’s Sunset Path’ with Frances Coakley tomorrow (Wednesday) at 7.30pm in the Centenary Centre. This covers tourism from Gib Lane to Traie Fogog. Meetings are open to all.

John Slater