St. Catharines Horticultural Society is a member of District 9 of the Ontario Horticultural Association

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1 General Meeting Date: Monday, March 21, 2016 Time 7:00 PM Grace Mennonite Church Location: 677 Niagara St. (between Linwell and Lakeshore) Refreshments for the March meeting will be provided by Lenora Broughton, Waneta Ramsay, Hilary Sandman, and Gerard Schouwenaar. Thanks to Marie Starrs, Marlene Cunningham, Linda Anderson and Denis Fallat for the February meeting refreshments. Happy Easter In this Issue: February minutes Society News President s Report Membership Report Upcoming Events Membership Form Volunteer Hours form 2016 Lester Fretz Propagating Your Plants Lester has been an avid gardener for most of his life. Since being given his own garden plot at age 4, Lester continues to impress neighbours on how much you can grow in a small area. Urban farming is a productive and hospitable pastime for Lester. Cherry and stake tomatoes, zucchinis, parsley and oregano grow among beautiful dahlias in his front yard along side the sidewalk and transformer box. It is possible to grow fruits, vegetables and flowers in a limited city setting. Not only is it a pleasurable and productive experience, it has also created many new friendships. Lester and his wife Mary, have embraced the following saying: "We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give." We look forward to having Lester share his knowledge on propagating plants. St. Catharines Horticultural Society is a member of District 9 of the Ontario Horticultural Association stchort@gmail.com 1

2 Minutes of the February 15, 2016 Meeting President Janice Harte opened the meeting at 7 p.m. Donna van Weenen introduced the guest speaker Jim Lounsbery of Vineland Nurseries, Beamsville. Jim gave very informative presentation on the tools required for pruning, pruning tips and methods and a live demonstration. He was able to answer many questions during and after his presentation. Before the break, Janice thanked those who provided refreshments and everyone who works at the meeting to make it a pleasant experience for all. Business and reports: Minutes: Motion to accept the minutes of the January 2016 General Meeting as printed. Donna van Weenen/Moira Myers Carried Newsletter: Janice introduced our newsletter editor Linda Olsson and congratulated her on a great first issue. Seedy Sunday: Sandy Martin brought us up to date on the plans for Seedy Sunday being held Sunday, March 6 th at Dunlop Drive Seniors Centre. Speakers are NIC Insect Control--The importance of Mason and Solitary Bees, Trish Rybski Home Economist-talk and demonstrate different ways to use herbs in cooking, Mary Pomfret--Seeds of Diversity Seed Saving, James Graham-Past President of the Ontario Horticultural Association--How to get the most out of a small back yard garden and Mary Jane Clark-Vineland Research The Good, The Bad and The Beautiful Insect Management strategies for your garden. Seedy Sunday Volunteers: Janice reminded members to see or call Gwen Simpson if you wish to volunteer. B.M. E. Gardening: Donna van Weenen gave a very short history of the church and the reasons why the Society has undertaken the upkeep of the gardens at the church. A list for volunteers was circulated. Three opportunities are available for members to tour the church. Donna promised to these to the members since they are all before the next meeting. Pruning Courses: See Janice Harte or Sandy Martin if you are interested in taking a course on pruning Spring Forum- District 9: Will be held April 30 th 9 a.m.-3 p.m. in Grimsby. Details will be in the newsletter Draw: Winner of $46.00 was Trish Fagan. March meeting: March 21 st. Lester Fretz will present Propagating Your Plants Meeting adjourned at 9:10 p.m. Submitted by Donna van Weenen, Secretary Attendance: 38 members 3 visitors Inclement Weather Alert! For those new to our group and as a reminder to our members, if Niagara College and/or Brock University s night classes are cancelled, then you must exercise your judgement on the whether or not to attend our meeting that night. 2

3 Society Contact Information President s Report Will March go out like a lion or a lamb? I am so ready to welcome spring. Perhaps the wonderful guest speakers at Seedy Sunday, March 6 will inspire you to plan great things in your garden. The speakers, vendors and displays assist in the promotion and education in areas of gardening, horticulture and environment. Thanks to Sandy for organizing this event and to all those volunteering. Next year will be the 160th anniversary of the St. Catharines Horticultural Society. Ten years ago, Jack Kent of "The Potting Shed" developed a special lily for our 150th celebration. We are asking all past and present horticultural members for a cutting of this beautiful lily. We plan to sell them as a fundraiser next year. Please make arrangements with board members so that we can plant it at Gerard's farm. We as a society are so grateful to Gerard for donating this land. At our March meeting Denis will explain what is happening at the farm. If the winter blahs continue, why not visit "Canada Blooms" in Toronto from March 11 to March 20. You can enjoy past gardens at "Canada Blooms" on your computer. To further inspire you, March's speaker will tell us how we can stretch our money by propagating our plants. At 84, Lester Fretz proves that gardening keeps you young at heart. Many of us have downsized and Lester is living proof that no space is too small to plant and grow flowers and vegetables. Yours in gardening, Jan Harte Mailing Address P.O. Box Bunting Rd St. Catharines, ON L2M 6P0 stchort@gmail.com Society President Janice Harte janharte@msn.com Membership Chair Jacquie DeForest jacquiedeforest@gmail.com Membership Fee $20.00 Membership Report - Memberships are due now Jacquie De Forest, our new Membership chair, would like to remind you that you will not receive the newsletter if you have not renewed your dues. By joining the Society, members learn from expert speakers, take part in workshops, and visit garden shows. Society members also obtain discounts at various garden centres. As a Society, we promote the beautification of our city, donate funds for parks and public spaces, provide bursaries for horticultural students at Niagara College, help sponsor the St. Catharines Trillium Awards, and provide community service. Most important of all, we have the opportunity to meet with our fellow gardeners. Yearly dues are $ New members at the February meeting were: Melissa D Addio, Joe D Addio and Barb Spiers. Welcome! Pruning Course coming soon We are offering a course on pruning to members. It will involve 3 sessions. There will be a small fee to cover hall rental and instructor fees. Reserve your spot with Sandy Martin or Jan Harte, or stchort@gmail.com Copies of the Trillium are available from the OHA website at Executive Members 2016 Jan Harte, President Denis Fallat, Past President Diana Tullis, Treasurer Donna van Weenen, Secretary Directors Marie Starrs Diane Morley Sandra Martin Marlene Cunningham Irene McArthur Joan Kooger Jacquie De Forest Elizabeth Janzen Auditors Joyce Ramsey Christine Andres Newsletter Editor Linda Olsson magdansk@yahoo.ca Newsletter deadline last day of the month Articles and/or photos from members are welcome 3

4 Volunteer Table At the March meeting, the Board decided to set up a volunteer table. The sign-up lists will be here. Hopefully this will save confusion of passing around the clip boards with sign-up lists. The table will be at the back near the refreshment table. Do you like photography? The society is looking for someone to be our photographer at society events. Photos are for the newsletter and archives. Knowledge of digital cameras is a must. Message to all Members: We d like to have you share your gardening knowledge with your fellow members. You love gardening and you have little secrets or tips that make your garden great. Write a few lines about your gardening know-how and to us for submission in the next issue. An article will be published in each issue of the Chrysanthemum Chronicles, just like the one below from Denis Fallat. For the April issue, tell us what you do to prepare for perennial planting, or other tips you have for early spring gardening. Send to: magdansk@yahoo.ca Understanding Seeding Soil is very important and can be purchased in bags (usually 11 litres) called Seed and Starter Mix or something similar. The peat moss and perlite must be of fine grind or the roots struggle to grow correctly. The soil is fluffy and not compacted. It holds moisture but does not stay soggy, which can happen with a growers mix, triple mix, etc. Proper mix does the trick. This is important before seeding, otherwise the roots cannot grow correctly or absorb the right amount of moisture. Then press the seeds into the soil creating a small hole but no more than 1/4 inch deep. Then add a light sprinkling of soil to cover the seeds. Happy Seeding! Submitted by Denis Fallat Open-Line Garden Show Remember to listen to our own local garden show with host Bruce Zimmerman on "Open-Line Garden Show Saturdays 8-9 am on CFBU FM (Brock Radio) & streaming live online at cfbu.ca. TV Gardening Programs of Interest: 80 Gardens with Monty Don - Thursdays, 7 pm on TVO P. Allen Smith s Garden Home - Saturdays, 9:30 am on PBS Buffalo Garden Smart - Saturdays, 10:00 am on PBS Buffalo Garden Wisdom - Wednesdays, 8:00 pm on PBS Buffalo 4

5 Mark the Date Canada Blooms March Enercare Centre, Toronto Plant Sale - Saturday, May 14 Monday, April 18 7:00 pm Grace Mennonite Church Speaker: Jack Kent, The Potting Shed Society Garden Tour - Sunday, July 10 District 9 Spring AGM - Saturday, April 30 District 9 Fall Forum - Saturday, October 1 Christmas Social at Sweets Cafe Monday, December 5 Please Note: Membership fees are due now! *print clearly in block letters St. Catharines Horticultural Society 2016 Membership Name: Address: City: Prov: Postal Code: Phone Number: address: Please Check: Renewal New: Areas of Interest: Please check all the areas you are interested in. Plant Sale 50/50 draw Flower Show Garden Tour Seedy Sunday Sponsorship Greeter Snacks BME Church Kitchen Helper Publicity Farm Goodwill 5

6 Coming Soon PLANT SALE Saturday, May 14, a.m. to 12 noon Bill Burgoyne Arena, Linwell Road Volunteers needed Volunteering at the BME The Society has made the B.M.E. Salem Chapel Gardens, 92 Geneva St. our city beautification project. The city s only national historic site, visited by bus loads of American tourists each year needs to be kept looking its best throughout the gardening season. We are looking for two types of volunteers Work Party as many people as we can muster. Lots of hands make less work for everyone and it gives you a chance to know other members. Depending on the work and people available could be 2-3 hours each time. At this time, this is our plan: - spring cleanup, top dressing, pruning and the general work we all do to get our gardens ready in spring. A second party for planting, possibly the end of May - fall putting the garden to bed late September or early October general cleanup of the gardens - smaller groups may be required from time to time if needed Monthly Volunteers looking for up to four people each month to keep the gardens weeded and tidy. You will need to commit to at least twice a month. You will meet your team members and decide what days and time you will work. Since we now have a spring work party and the field of weeds next door is gone, the job should be easier. If you can help in this way please drop by our VOLUNTEER TABLE at any meeting. We will give you all the details and instructions. Remember NO ONE WORKS ALONE. It Feels Like Spring at Rice Road Greenhouses and Garden Centre 1361 Rice Road, Welland, ON We re back with new STORE HOURS: Open Wednesday to Saturday 9 am to 5 pm. Closed Sunday totuesday. 6

7 Mark Your Calendar District 9 Spring AGM Canada Blooms 2016 Enercare Centre Toronto The Niagara-on-the-Lake Horticultural Society is planning a trip to Canada Blooms. DATE: Wednesday, March 16 9:00 am: Bus departs Virgil Meridian Arena (Four Mile Creek & Hwy.55) with a stop in St. Catharines (525 Welland Ave. near NO Frills) at approx. 9:20 am. 5:00 pm: Bus returns to Arena (earlier for St. Catharines) Departure from Toronto TBA COST: Bus with ticket included $37.00 This is a good deal so get your name on the list and your cheque or cash to: Sue Lusted, our District 9 President wants to remind everyone about the Spring AGM on Saturday, April 30 from 10:00 to 3:00 at St. Andrew's Anglian Church Parish Hall. The guest speaker is Lizzie Matheson, renown floral designer. Not only is she informative but also entertaining. She has a wonderful sense of humour and will dazzle you with her fantastic floral designs. The board will be organizing car pools, so if you can't drive, you can still attend this wonderful presentation. A $20.00 fee will cover your costs for the entry fee to the flower show, the speaker and a luncheon. Please support your District 9 Executive. April 30 th, :00 am 3:00 pm St. Andrews Church Parish Hall 7 St. Andrews Ave., Grimsby, ON Speaker: Lizzie Matheson The Pleasure is Mine Fee: $20.00 District 9 Fall Forum October 1 st, 2016 Grace Mennonite Church 677 Niagara St. St. Catharines, Ontario Marla Percy 25 Colonel Butler Cres., RR3, NOTL, ON L0S 1J0 For queries: or marlparle@hotmail.com 7

8 Mark Your Calendar 8

9 St. Catharines Horticultural Society - Volunteer Hours 2016 Name: Plants for Farm & Executive Meetings Executive Duties Planning Plant Sale Garden Tour BME Gardens Special Events Newsletter & Website Kitchen & Baking Garden Tour Plant Sale Farm Work Other November December January February March April May June July August September October Total Hours 9