Dunnville Horticulture Society

May Program Night Minutes 2019

May Program Night
May 16 2019
Our President Deb Z welcomed the 78 members and guests out this evening, especially new people. She explained that the video playing was from the recent ‘burn’ done at the Thompson Creek Project.
She reminded everyone to help themselves to beverages as well as purchase ‘Ways and Means’ tickets. The money from this goes to help pay for the rental of the hall. At the back of the hall are a variety of items. Newspaper clippings, coming events, etc for members to read.
She reminded everyone about important dates coming up:
• Planting day is May 25 at 8am. Volunteers are needed to help plant that morning. Please sign up at the back of the room. Bring your gardening gloves and trowels.
• Mayor’s Gala is the evening of May 25. Volunteers are needed to help that evening.
• Fall members only garden tour: Sept 14th
• Fall Forum is Sept 27th.
• Summer weeding. Volunteers are needed to take care of the flower beds in town all summer/fall. Please sign up to take care of a bed. Speak to Nelly (our weeding coordinator) if you have questions.
Thompson Creek Project Update: Ducks unlimited regularly has fundraising dinners, Deb represented DHS at the most recent dinner and showed those attending what DHS is doing at Thompson Creek. Wild flower seeds are going to be planted as soon as the land dries out. Signage for this project is being prepared and will be installed by the fall. The ‘Grand Opening’ will happen in the fall on Sept 18 2019.
Gloria thanked Leitha, Rose Allen, Pat Anderson, Ellen Gunther for bringing in tonight’s amazing snacks. Gloria asked for June snack volunteers which are: Joan King, Kim Christoff, Pauline Phillips, MaryEllen Page, Cheryl Brown.
Guest Speaker: Adam Koziol from Earthgen, was introduced by Deb Z. He spoke about the interesting topic of Truffels. After a very informative 45 minutes, Deb asked Nelly to draw 10 names to win the Rose Draw. The winners are:
1. Betty Ballenger
2. Evelyn Wardell
3. Reg Wilson
4. Joan King
5. Gloria Hunter
6. Barb White
7. Hellen Eddle
8. Dan McKay
9. Kim Dickie
10. Larry Page
Deb Z reminded everyone again to sign up to volunteer. Next month Loretta Shields will be talking about backyard birds and how to keep them. She thanked everyone for coming tonight, especially those who are on the board, who help behind the scenes. Susan and Morgan who help with Tech. Ways and Means draws then took place, which raised a total of $70.45 for this evening. The kitchen donation tin raised $78.60. The last few remaining plants from the plant sale were sold and brought in an extra $57.00

Dunnville Hort Society’s May Update

To The Haldimand Press

DUNNVILLE—I love this time of year, when the garden centres swing their doors wide open. It’s my therapy to walk among the colourful plants, drinking in the earthy aroma! It’s exciting to peruse the aisles, scoping out what is new and interesting, and planning out just which corner of my garden I can squeeze in something else. Every year I strive to create a colourful masterpiece in my own little corner of the world.

At last month’s Dunnville Horticultural Society (DHS)’s program night, we enjoyed a screening of the movie “The Gardener”. It left us mesmerized and inspired! This month, on May 16, we will welcome Adam Koziel of Earthgen. He will be sharing his insights on growing truffles in Haldimand County … yes, truffles!

We are excited to see how things are progressing with the rehabilitation work at the Thompson Creek Eco Centre. The controlled burn went extremely well, and we look forward to the planting of wildflowers over the coming weeks. This area is an ecological gem and it will be exciting to watch the educational component come into fruition this year.

Special thanks to Debbie Thomas and Dan McKay, who are co-chairs on the project. Together with Haldimand County and Ducks Unlimited Canada, this multi-faceted project is moving forward as planned.

May is a very busy month for DHS, as we also hold our annual Plant Sale on May 11. Why not consider dividing some plants and donating them? Labelled and potted plants can be dropped off at the municipal parking lot beside the bridge on Friday, May 10 between 5 to 7 p.m. We will also have a section for garden art and tools. As this is our biggest fundraiser of the year, we count on you to come out and support us. Remember us when you are doing your spring cleaning!

Finally, our Planting Day is coming up on May 25. Mark this date in your calendar and come out and join in the fun! It’s a gratifying experience to work together to make our town beautiful. We will meet downtown beside the bridge.

2019 marks the 90th anniversary of DHS. I’m sure the founding members of our society would be pleased to know that all these years later, their vision and goals continue to be carried out.

Join us and see what our club is all about. You are sure to make new friends and learn something great … not to mention enjoy some excellent refreshments!

So, come on out to our next Program Night! DHS meets every third Thursday at the Optimist Club Hall, 101 Main St., from 7 to 9 p.m. Or visit us online at our Facebook page or website dunnvillehortandgardenclub.org.

For questions or comments, contact myself at 416-566-9337 or debzyn@gmail.com.

   Deb Zynomirski is the DHS president.

Controlled burn makes way for rehabilitation project in Dunnville

A controlled burn was carried out near Robinson Road in Dunnville on Thursday, April 25, 2019. The burn was required as part of the Thompson Creek Parkland Restoration Project.

DUNNVILLE—In May 2018, Haldimand County Council awarded an $11,550 community partnership grant to the Dunnville Horticultural Society (DHS) to bring the Thompson Creek Parkland Restoration Project to fruition.

Part of this Haldimand County-DHS-Ducks Unlimited Canada partnership project required that a controlled burn be conducted on the parkland adjacent to Robinson Road. The burn took place on Thursday, April 25, 2019.

The Thompson Creek Parkland Restoration Project aims to rehabilitate the wetlands and grassland, create naturalized walkable pathways and establish a Carolinian Arboretum Education Centre/outdoor classroom.

The purpose of the controlled burn was to clear the grassland site of accumulated debris, halt the growth of invading shrubs and rejuvenate the native tallgrass ecosystem.

Shown in photo are DHS Thompson Creek Reboot Co-chairs Debbie Thomas and Dan McKay. The pair were very pleased with the result of the burn and have great expectations for the space which will include sitting areas and brand new signage. —Haldimand Press photo by Valerie Posthumus

Let Someone else do the Work of Downsizing Your Garden

Planting season is fast approaching, and plant sales are a great way to bring some new additions to your garden. - Julia Lovett/Metroland

Moving? Downsizing? Are you unable to care for your garden due to lack of time or getting older? Well this might be a solution to your problem: Have a BYOS (bring your own shovel) yard sale.

Let others do the digging and dividing and you keep just a small division for your own downsized garden.

Check with your local horticulture clubs to see when they are having their annual plant sale to raise money for their garden projects in the community.

Our own Dunnville Horticulture Society plant sale is coming up on May 11, so you can start planning your plant donations. Just make sure they are potted well in advance and labelled.

I’m sure the members would like to add a few new plants to their gardens as well. You might be surprised at how many of your neighbours show up with shovels in hand, having watched your garden flourish from a distance.

And because others are doing the work for you, you could always put up a sign saying, “Free plants.”

Also, why not join other gardeners and would-be gardeners at our next program night on May 16?

Our special speaker will be Adam Koziel of Earthgen, sharing his expertise on growing truffles in Haldimand. This is an exciting and emerging foray in agriculture in our area, so you won’t want to miss it.

The Dunnville Horticultural Society meets every third Thursday at the Optimist Club Hall, 101 Main St. from 7 to 9 p.m.

Visit us any time online at our Facebook page or at www.dunnvillehortandgardenclub.org

For questions or comments, contact president Deb Zynomirski at 416-566-9337 or debzyn@gmail.com.

 

- Marlene Link is a member of the Dunnville Horticultural Society.

Controlled Burn Completed in Dunnville

Dan McKay’s prediction is that the tall grass in the Thompson Creek Parkland will start to grow immediately now that the controlled burn on the site has taken place.

“We’ve been wanting to do this burn for many years,” he said.

McKay is the project co-ordinator on the Dunnville parkland restoration project, working in conjunction with a number of other partners, including Haldimand County, the Dunnville Horticultural Society and Ducks Unlimited Canada.

“Controlled burns remove unwanted, invasive species and dead thatches that have accumulated over the past 20 years,” he said.

While there have been a few accidental spot fires over the years, the fire on April 25 was the first controlled burn on the site in decades.

Lands and Forests Consulting was contracted to do the burn, with Haldimand County Emergency Services being consulted and firefighters from Dunnville and Hagersville stations on standby.

“We had to do a few modifications, but we kept the burn within the boundaries,” said Jason Sickel, the burn boss on site. “We had to account for a late wind shift.”

Now that the burn has been done, a 20-acre plot of native wildflowers will soon be planted, and some trails and signage will be put in.

“The intention is to have this as an outdoor education site for local schools and the public,” McKay said.

Those wishing to get involved in the project, either by volunteering or donation, can contact the Dunnville Horticultural Society.

Letter to the Editor

Dunnville Horticultural Society (DHS) would like to say Thank you.

First to the community for supporting DHS efforts with our vision for the Thompson Creek Project Reboot. Also for the understanding and patience leading up to the very successful prescribed burn held April 25th as part of the rehabilitation of the Thompson Creek Wetland and Tallgrass Prairie section of the project. The planning and coordinating of this took considerable time, effort, resources and manpower to pull off  both safely at the optimal time and to provide the needed results to move this project forward. DHS vetted several prescribed burn specialists before contracting Lands & Forests Consulting. We couldn’t have been more pleased with Jason Sickle’s professionalism along with his skilled burn team for executing a well planned and flawless burn. Thank you to Haldimand County for your continued confidence in DHS by providing a 35% CPP grant towards our total project budget and for coordinating assistance from Haldimand County staff and employees.Thank you to both Dunnville and Hagersville Fire Depts for providing on site standby with both equipment and manpower. Thank you to EMS for being at the ready. Thank you to Haldimand employees for setting up the road/trail closures and staying on site. A Very Big Thank you to all DHS members for believing in and providing support .

 

DHS Thompson Creek Reboot

Co-chairs Dan McKay and  Debbie Thomas

 

DHS/4H Junior Gardeners 2019 Program

Welcome Junior Gardeners
Along with your information package, seed kits and live plants please be reminded of the expectations for growing your garden
– garden to be labeled with your name to identify it for inspections
– you will be judged on your gardens overall appearance, as to spacing, weeding, watering and staking
2019 Program as follows
  • Wed May 8th 7pm–  meet at Gwen Schaffer’s 4778 Rainham Rd, Selkirk pick up your seeds, live plants and receive program overview and expectations
  • Sat May 25th 8:45 meet at the Dunnville Bridge parking lot to assist with DHS annual planting day
  • Sat June 22nd Field trip 10am TBA
  • Wed July 10th 6pm-8pm meet at Judy’s Plants and Garden Centre 765 Bains Rd South Cayuga for a hands on workshop “all about Honey Bees”
  • Wed Aug 8th 6pm-8pm meet at Judy’s Plants and Garden Centre 765 Bains Rd South Cayuga for a hands on workshop on “Birdhouses, make your own”
  • Thurs Sept 19th Achievement and Awards night including a Flower and Vegetable show at the Optimist Hall, Dunnville entries in by 6:30pm as program begins 7pm.
Flower and Vegetable Show Categories
1-largest sunflower, head only
2- a plant animal
3- a decorated pumpkin
4- a 4″x6″ unframed photo of your garden with you in it
A first, second and third will be awarded in each category
For information contact Rita Vandervliet ritavdvliet54@gmail.com or Gwen Schaeffer schaefferg@optionsdsl.ca or Debbie Thomas debbie.thomas@gmail.com