The District 5. Comm-Post

Transcription

1 The District 5 Comm-Post Volume 2, Issue 3, Winter 2015 Keeping Ontario Beautiful Inside this issue: From the District Director 1 Get the Jump on Spring 2 & 3 Upcoming Events 4 to 7 Growing Tips 8 & 9 District 5 Club News 10 to 12 Newsletter Deadlines 12 District 5 Executive Director Nancy Serrick Assistant Directors Gloria Broks Tina Forrester Malcolm Geast June Morton District Director Intern Cindy Scythes Treasurer Ellen Power Secretary Dawn McEachern Supplies Trudy Tatangelo Past Director Nikola Warnock Hello District 5! This is my last note to you in our newlynamed District 5 Comm-Post since my days as District Director are numbered. Yes, I ll be finishing my last term at our District AGM on April 18, What a gift this has been, to be your Director. I ve loved all of it, and there have been many aspects: the people, the work, our goals, our achievements, the good times and even sometimes the not so good times, but that s okay. From all of that, we grow. I have been staunchly supported by the rest of the executive, Nikola Warnock, Malcolm Geast, Gloria Broks, June Morton, Tina Forrester, Cindy Scythes, Dawn McEachern, Ellen Power and Trudy Tatangelo, who have offered ongoing help, advice and wisdom for which I will always be grateful. Cindy has been nominated to replace me and I can say with confidence that our executive will provide her, any elected or appointed individual in fact, with that same underpinning, as will the rest of the District. I m sure of it. I have been so appreciative of the many kindnesses shown to me by all members of D5, the encouragement at every turn, the ideas and suggestions, the willingness to all work together, the laughter and fun, and the creativity. Think of it! A compelling new logo that defines us beautifully, an appealing new newsletter with an intriguing new name, a handsome new mug that everyone loves. We ve got it all. Now we re going forward with new leadership, with exciting challenges ahead of us like our hosting of the 2017 Convention. I wish every one of you in D5, executive, presidents, members, nothing but the best now and for many, many years to come! Take care, Nancy

2 Page 2 The District 5 Comm-Post Volume 2, Issue 3, Winter 2015 Get the Jump on Spring - February 21, 2015 Toronto Botanical Garden OHA District 5 Director Nancy Serrick and Secretary Dawn McEachern On February 21st, Get the Jump on Spring - a joint venture produced by the Toronto Botanical Garden and OHA District 5 - was a great opportunity for gardeners to meet representatives of local garden clubs, horticultural societies and environmental organizations, plus learn from various presentations and demonstrations. Bonus - there was a market place to tempt gardeners longing for warmer weather and also a flower show.

3 Volume 2, Issue 3, Winter 2015 The District 5 Comm-Post Page 3 Get the Jump on Spring Floral Design Competition Winners From District 5 Class 1 - Bride 2nd Heather Sinopoli - Riverdale 3rd Barb Elend - East Gwillimbury HM Ellen Power - East Gwillimbury HM - Sandra Theberge- East Gwillimbury Class 2 - Groom 1st Heather Sinopoli - Riverdale 3rd Sandra Theberge - East Gwillimbury HM Ellen Power - East Gwillimbury HM Barb Elend - East Gwillimbury Bride - Heather Sinopoli Class 3 - Tying the Knot 2nd Heather Gray - Leaside Garden Club 3rd Joan Rogers - East Gwillimbury HM Alexandra Lazarevski - Scarborough Class 4 - Happily Ever After 1st Lynn Smith - North York Class 5B - Fairy Ring 2nd Kristen Huang (age 11) - North York Groom - Heather Sinopoli Tying the Knot Joan Rogers Happily Ever After Lynn Smith Fairy Ring Kristen Huang

4 Page 4 The District 5 Comm-Post Volume 2, Issue 3, Winter 2015 Upcoming District 5 Tour June 11-15, 2015

5 Volume 2, Issue 3, Winter 2015 The District 5 Comm-Post Page 5 District Six, a Carolinian district, lies at the northern-most reaches of the Carolinian zone. Comprised of 21 societies, the district covers a large geographic area from Acton in the north, Oakville in the east, Port Dover in the south and Paris to the west. July 3, 4 & 5, set your navigational devices to 777 Garner Road East, Ancaster and head to Redeemer University College to enjoy a fun-filled 2½ day OHA Convention. District 6 volunteers have some cool activities in store for you! Details on the OHA s website, gardenontario.org Aurora Garden Fair Sunday, May 24, 2015: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aurora Town Park The Aurora Garden Fair showcases great outdoor living, our environment and the love of gardening. Our event theme is From the Ground Up. Meet us at the marketplace explore a variety of vendor s and exhibitor s booths. Stay awhile for the music, displays and demonstrations; grab a bite to eat and mingle with old and new friends. Our aim for this community event is to promote the benefits of developing outdoor spaces and gardens, and encourage a buy local point of view within our community. Our AGHS booth provides information, while our own vendor component within the Fair is our annual Plant Sale. Our inaugural event last year was a highly successful day with large crowds and happy patrons. We benefitted in garnering our Society much publicity, advancing our recognition in the community, and the event provided a substantial financial return. Please join us this year. See for yourself whether this idea may be something your Society could undertake in your hometown. Check out our website at

6 Page 6 The District 5 Comm-Post Volume 2, Issue 3, Winter 2015 Beach Garden Society Plant Sale Saturday, May 16, 2015: 9 to 11:30 a.m. Adam Beck Community Centre Riverdale Horticultural Society WORMS April and May, Riverdale Horticultural Society will once again be selling large - really large - bags of worm castings to the public this April and May. Prices will probably be the same as last year: $15 (large), $9 (half bag) or $5 (quarter bag). Pick-up dates and locations to be announced on our web-site soon or through our order desk: rhswormcastings@gmail.com Volunteers taking a break between loading cars with bags of worm castings, April 2014.

7 Volume 2, Issue 3, Winter 2015 The District 5 Comm-Post Page 7 The Greater Toronto Water Garden Society Plant Sale May 24, 2015, 11 a.m to 2 p.m. Banbury Community Centre, Don Mills The Greater Toronto Water Garden Society is holding their annual plant sale on May 24, The sale will feature a wide selection of aquatic plants (water lilies, marginals, tropicals) and garden perennials. Join them for this spring event at the Banbury Community Centre located on 120 Banbury Rd. in Don Mills from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. FREE ADMISSION The Greater Toronto Water Garden Society Tour July 26, 2015, 10 a.m to 4 p.m. - rain or shine Brampton area The Greater Toronto Water Garden Society sponsors a water garden tour in different regions in the Greater Toronto Area each year. This year the tour will be held in BRAMPTON on July 26, It is selfguided and includes approximately 8 gorgeous water gardens. The tour runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (rain or shine). If you are interested in hosting your garden on the tour or you want to buy tickets contact Jim at or go to our website ( for details. Tickets are $10.00 per person before April 30 and $12.00 thereafter.

8 Page 8 The District 5 Comm-Post Volume 2, Issue 3, Winter 2015 Growing Roses - a challenge! By Gloria Broks Growing Tips With today s concern about the environment and the banning of chemicals to control fungal diseases, growing Roses in Ontario has become a challenge. There are natural controls that I have used but without much success. Then I had the opportunity to speak with Harry Jongerden, the new Executive Director of the Toronto Botanical Garden. He was head gardener at the Stratford Festival Gardens and had great success growing Hybrid Teas without chemicals. He gave me some advice and then I discovered he had written a book in 2002 about the gardens: This Other Eden - The Gardens of the Stratford Festival of Canada. In the book there was quite a good description of how they managed to work in the garden without chemical spraying, especially on roses. I have gleaned that information from the book by season - pertaining to rose growing and how to avoid blackspot, mildew and aphids on rose plants. Chrysler Imperial Spring: Remove protective hilling from the plants. Prune any dead branches, thin and shape the plant to avoid crossed branches. Spray bare branches of roses with mineral oil or Dormant Oil before the buds break. Make sure that there are no leaves showing and that the buds are tight. This inhibits disease as it smothers the fungal spores. Summer: Beginning in June, use the age old method of spraying the rose bushes every 10 days with compost tea. This controls powdery mildew and black spot by keeping the fungal spores in check as it is a natural fungicide. It coats the susceptible plants with microorganisms that fights the disease. You can buy commercial Compost Tea Bags but Harry s recipe, he feels, is more effective. If you use the tea bags, never heat the water you add to make the tea as it will kill the microbial activity you are trying to encourage. For aphids a natural spray using garlic, rhubarb or hot pepper will discourage the insects. Fall: Hill the rose bushes using well-aged manure or compost as winter protection. When removed in the spring, it becomes their fertilizer. Harry s Compost Tea- a natural fungicide 1. Mix 1 part well-rotted manure or compost* to 5 parts water in a clean barrel or tank (plastic garbage pails with tight lids are best). 2. Keep at C (60-75 F) for 3-8 days (longer if it really smells). 3. Stir well 2 or 3 times for a few minutes during this period. 4. Filter through a double layer of cheesecloth or a 200 mesh filter. Keep the liquid for spraying. 5. Spray, until drenched, any plant susceptible to fungal diseases such as powdery mildew, moulds, black spot, botrytis etc. * Research has shown that compost made from hardwood bark mulch is the most effective starter for your compost tea. But there are commercial fertilizers available made from animal dung. Avoid products with synthetic nitrogen and don t use poorly composted materials of your own. Remember, well rotted!

9 Volume 2, Issue 3, Winter 2015 The District 5 Comm-Post Page 9 Natural Home Recipes for the Garden From Garlic Spray: Discourages chewing insects, mildew, leaf spot, rust and other spore diseases Chop 2 whole cayenne peppers, one onion, one whole bulb of garlic in a food processor. Place the pulp in a one gallon container of water and let sit for 24 hours. Strain it into a another container, keeping the mash that you can bury beside your infected roses to discourage insects. Transfer the liquid to a sprayer, add a few drops of dish detergent (not clothes detergent) and spray infected plants (repeat after it rains). Rhubarb Insecticide: Highly poisonous - kills aphids, spider mites, June Bugs and fungal diseases Boil a bunch of rhubarb leaves in a pint of water for 20 minutes. Cool and strain the liquid. Add a few drops of dish detergent and put in a sprayer. Warning: do not spray edible plants and keep away from children and pets. Apple Cider Vinegar: For Black Spot Pour 1 Tbsp. of Apple Cider Vinegar in one gallon of water. Put in sprayer and use in early morning so the sun does not burn the leaves. Lady Bugs: For aphids and other insects Purchase live lady bugs from a nursery. (They are kept cool and dormant.) Release in your rose beds to eat insects. To keep them in your garden and not in your neighbour s garden, provide a source of water or they will leave. Homemade Lily Cages By Heather Sinopoli At the District 5 AGM in April 2014, I was lucky to get three packages of lily bulbs. When I arrived home I realized that my lilies had been attacked very badly by lily beetles in 2013 and that I probably would have the same problem again, if not worse. Not willing to give up on a free gift, I decided to be proactive and keep those darn bugs away from my plants. So using eight old stakes, some bits of wire, a piece of used window screening plus a package of new plastic netting, I was able to rig up two cages to keep the bugs out yet let water and sunshine in. It worked! My only disappointment was that I didn't see any lily beetles anywhere in my garden last year.

10 Page 10 The District 5 Comm-Post Volume 2, Issue 3, Winter 2015 District 5 Club News 90 years and a name change! East Gwillimbury Garden & Horticultural Society East Gwillimbury Gardeners, previously Mount Albert Garden & Horticultural Society, has a lot to celebrate our 90 th anniversary and our new legal name. Thanks to research by OHA historian Malcolm Geast, we now know that, although a meeting may have been held earlier, the official founding date for Mount Albert Garden & Horticultural Society is March 24, That year the society received $75 in provincial grants. The OHA report at the end of that year shows that the society got off to a great start with 93 members, holding competitions for the best home garden and vegetable garden and conducting flower shows every two weeks in store windows! District 5 Director Nancy Serrick and East Gwillimbury Gardeners President Valerie Liney At that time Mount Albert was the only town of any size in the rural township of East Gwillimbury. Our members now come from all of East Gwillimbury and beyond and we maintain public gardens throughout the area. To better reflect this, our members voted at our AGM in November 2014 to change our legal name to East Gwillimbury Garden & Horticultural Society. OHA and OMAFRA have approved this change. For everyday purposes, we are East Gwillimbury Gardeners and we will continue to offer the same great programs, speakers and love of gardening that began 90 years ago. We celebrated the beginning of our 90 th year with a 1920s fashion show and Gardeners Tea Party at the Temperance Hall in Sharon on May 10, About 70 guests, many dressed for the occasion, were transported back to the time of the flappers with daring new fashions that displayed legs and arms for the first time. Our models, who thoroughly charmed us, were members of the society and friends and family members. Fashion History Productions provided the authentic costumes and narrated the program. In true 1920 s style we enjoyed tea, sandwiches, scones and tasty treats made by the ladies of Mount Albert United Church, served by hort members. Thanks to a $200 tree grant from District 5 and the workforce of the Town of East Gwillimbury we have been able to plant a beautiful commemorative silver maple tree at the new children s playground in Queensville. The many tasks involved with a name change a new logo, changing all our materials, signage and making sure that all our community partners and the public are informed, are giving us an opportunity to really think about our brand and what we represent. It is an exciting time and there is a lot of good energy in the society. Our 11 active Junior Gardeners, under the leadership of Russ Burton and Marie Nicolle, are off to a great start and eager to see the spring bulbs they planted at the Millennium Garden in the fall.

11 Volume 2, Issue 3, Winter 2015 The District 5 Comm-Post Page 11 North York Garden Club 2014 AGM On Monday, November 24, 2014, the North York Garden Club held their AGM with a pot luck dinner and were entertained by the Earl Haig Secondary School Madrigal Singers. East York Garden Club 2014 AGM East York Garden Society held their AGM on Thursday, November 20, A pot luck dinner was held as well as their photo contest and awards ceremony. Malcolm Geast presented the photo award of the year to Susan Ellis.

12 Page 12 The District 5 Comm-Post Volume 2, Issue 3, Winter 2015 OHA Memoriam Book Exactly 20 years ago, in 1995, the OHA In Memoriam Book was born. Alex McIntosh, Director of District 5 at the time, initiated the book in memory of his wife, Margaret Newell. Alex and Margaret were members of Lake Simcoe Gardeners and both Past Presidents. Alex became an Assistant Director, then served as Director from 1994 to Eventually he moved to Niagara-on-the-Lake but he never lost touch with his D5 connections. It is with regret that we announce that Alex passed away on February 23, 2015 at the age of 91. The book he championed is an important part of the OHA. Having the name of a gardener you know, horticulturist, flower-lover, any of those wonderful people, written in the book requires a small donation of $25, although anyone is welcome to donate a larger sum if they wish. Those donations are maintained in an OHA Fund, which has grown significantly since its inception, and every year tree grants, originally $ now $200.00, are made available to all of the OHA s Societies and Garden Clubs across the province. Many of our D5 Societies have been able to plant trees thanks to Alex and his In Memoriam Book. Quite a legacy! District 5 Newsletter Deadlines A BIG Thank You to all of you who contribute photos and information to this newsletter! YOU make this newsletter what it is. Spring/Summer 2015 Issue: May 22, 2015 Fall 2015 Issue: September 22, 2015 Winter 2016 Issue: February 22, 2016 Please send photos and information to: tina.forrester@gmail.com