Wasaga Beach Garden Club December 2014 December's birth flower is the narcissus which embodies the idea that you want your beloved to stay just the way they are. The other December flower is holly, which symbolizes your wish for domestic happiness. Please mark your new 2015 calendar for our next General Meeting Special night and a special time: 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 8, 2015 at the Lighthouse Community Church. This is the second Wednesday in April and the time is a half hour earlier. Special guest speaker will be one of Canada's best known gardeners, Mark Cullen! It s been an eventful year at the Wasaga Beach Garden Club and we thought it would be fun to do a pictorial newsletter. The following pictures were taken at some of the events. We hope you were able to take part in some of the events and that you ll enjoy these picture memories. TOUR of the ANGUS TREE SEED PLANT Established in 1923, the Ontario Tree Seed Facility: collects seed from about 50 different native species stores over 9.5 billion viable seeds supplies seeds to smaller nursery operations, large forestry companies and the public maintains a seed bank of native tree species from across the province provides seed for reforestation By keeping the highest quality seed and maintaining a sufficient inventory on hand, the plant helps ensure upgraded forest trees through genetic improvement. Exterior of Plant Although the Ontario Tree Seed Plant has been in operation at the same location since 1923, the front portion of the current processing plant (shown here) was constructed as part of major upgrade in 1962.
Members starting the tour Cedar Cones Eastern White Cedar is one of many conifer species collected by the Ontario Tree Seed Plant. The cones will dry on trays for a few months then the seed will be removed from the cone. Cedar is the only conifer species picked with some green to ensure the cones do not fall through screens while being processed. Dryer Once extracted and cleaned, seed is dried on screens in a drying cabinet which blows room temperature dehumidified air across the screen trays. For most conifers the target moisture content is five per cent for optimum long-term frozen storage. Old Clipper Still in Use Today Fanning Mills are used to clean debris from seed. This unit is the last of three which were purchased in 1947. The other two have been retired and continue to be utilized for parts to keep this remaining fanning mill in operation. A modern replacement for the old Clippers has recently been put in to service. 2
Barrels of Seed Seed is packaged in sturdy plastic-lined fibre drums for shipment to seeding projects across Ontario and around the world. ANNUAL PLANT SALE On May 24 th we held our Annual Plant Sale. Apparently there are no existing pictures of the potting up days or the day of the sale. We were all working too hard to think of taking pictures. The day was a beautiful one and we had another successful plant sale. Even Mayor Patterson stopped by to purchase plants for his garden. If anyone does have any pictures of the potting up days or the plant sale we could use them for our archives. Volunteers planting our little hypertufa gardens for sale at the plant sale 3
CLUB PICNIC JUNE 22nd It was a warm one but we managed to keep cool under the covered picnic area at the Klondike Sports Park. The food was delicious and we all enjoyed lunch A good game of Bocci Ball was enjoyed after lunch for those who wanted to brave the sun. 4
OK, get out the ruler. We need a measurement here. I m sure my ball is closest. JULY 6th FIRST ANNUAL GARDENS of the BEACH TOUR The day was perfect and the gardens were looking their best. Our visitors were serenaded by John, one of the home owners. 5
A shady retreat for two. Our volunteers were generous with their time as always. Ready for a garden party. L'OCCITANE one of our kind sponsors offered a relaxing hand scrub to our guests. 6
We also had donations of plants, magazines, gloves and hose nozzles. Every one of our guests went me with a gift. Every garden was unique and had something special to offer. Some were shady and cool, sunny and bright, rugged or tranquil. All the gardeners we met had created their own haven in their own special way. What an inviting place to sit and enjoy a nice cool drink and a chat with friends. 7
HYPERTUFA WORKSHOP SATURDAY AUGUST 16 We have some very creative members in our garden club with so many great ideas. So much concentration 8
We get very dirty but we have a great time. Dragon flies and a pine tree Spheres made from globe lamp shades. Hypertufa mixture pressed into a hosta leaf will create a beautiful stepping stone. 9
VISITORS NIGHT WITH FRANK FERRAGINE We had almost one hundred guests on visitor s night. Frank did his presentation on Power Plants ; 49 plants you can find in your garden to promote overall health. Our door prizes were drawn for, and we had a book signing. 10
WE HAVE A CLUB BANNER We have proudly displayed our new banner at our last few meetings and it was proudly displayed at the October District 15 Fall Seminar. 11
CONTAINER CONTEST The prize for a single container was won by Marg Pilson The prize for multiple containers was won by Maureen Andersen. Congratulations ladies. 12
PLANTING DAFFODILS Do we look cold? Yes we were but we planted faster because of it. 2000 bulbs were planted in the new garden beds on Mosley at Beach Area One in half an hour. When you see these yellow flowers waving at you in the spring, think of us. Then we all went to McDonalds for a nice hot cup of coffee. 13
CHRISTMAS DINNER AND 2014 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING The banquet room was decorated beautifully as always. Your Executive for 2015 was installed by District 16 Director, Russ Talbot. Entertainment for the evening was provided by Jim Kinnear known in the Georgian Triangle as the 'Pianoguy'. If you were with us at the party, thank you for joining us. If you couldn t make it, were sorry you missed a great evening and we hope to see you at next year s Christmas Dinner. 14
It has certainly been a busy and fun packed year. The Wasaga Beach Garden Club is a very active club and it looks like next year will be another year of enjoyment. Your executive is already working and planning for the upcoming year. Hope to see all of you back in 2015! Contributions to the Newsletter Including recipes, gardening tips and pictures should be forwarded to Eva Caulfield by email: evacaulfield@gmail.com Visit our web site at http://www.gardenontario.org/site.php/wasagahs and Like Wasaga Beach Garden Club on Facebook 15