March 2105
Ah, spring! This season brings increasing daylight, warming temperatures, and the rebirth of flora and fauna. Lately I’ve noticed that it’s lighter driving to work, and lighter driving home which means spring is soon to come. March 20th can’t arrive a moment too soon and with this persistent cold weather it’s hard to believe it’s only a couple of weeks away.
February’s general meeting was well attended considering that it was one of coldest nights of the season. Your secretary Sue (that’ll be me!) and webmaster Ian gave a demonstration of our website showing everyone where to find it and what’s on it. We have a wonderful website with quite a bit of information and lots of pictures from our various functions.
Our guest speaker was Paul Bolland, co-owner of The Potting Shed. He talked to us about ponds and pond plants.
I know I learned a lot listening to him, and the first thing I’m going to buy this spring is a pond skimmer. Sounds like a great tool to help keep my backyard pond clean. Many of the plants he told us about sounded intriguing so I’ll have to go on a shopping spree when the weather warms up.
March’s guest speaker is going to be Lester Fretz who will be speaking to us about “Propagating Profitably”. His talks are always informative and entertaining. He had an article published in the newest edition of the Ontario Horticultural Society’s newsletter, The Trillium, entitled “Young At Heart”. To read Lester’s article, please go to http://www.gardenontario.org/gar/newsl.php to download a copy of the Trillium and you’ll find it on page 14.
Home and Garden shows will be popping up everywhere soon. Hamilton’s show is over with, but there is one coming up in Niagara Falls at the Scotia Bank Convention Centre, from March 27-29. I know I’m going to check it out this year—I’ve had it with this cold weather.
We are going to have a booth at our very own Lions’ Home & Garden Show which is held at the Dunnville Memorial Arena on April 17th and 18th. Please sign up at the meeting to help out at the booth. Volunteers will be needed for shifts on both days. This year we are keeping it simple so there won’t take much to set up and take down.
Our guest speaker for April will be Jack Kent who is also co-owner of The Potting Shed. He’ll be talking to us about lilies. I love lilies-they are one of my favourites. It’ll be interesting to see what new varieties he is going to reveal to us.
District 9’s Spring Forum (remember we hosted it in 2013?) is going to be held on Saturday April 25th at Balls Falls. This year it’s being hosted by the Lincoln Garden Club. There will be guest speakers (Lester Fretz is one of them), flower and photography competitions and vendors. For more information see our list of upcoming events.
Garden tip of the Month: Your seeds should be planted by now, and your tools should be cleaned up and ready to go. After that, the most important thing is to have patience. It’s hard to not to start working outside when the warm days finally arrive, but just remember: Mother Nature can be fickle and will always have the last say as to when spring is here to stay.
See you at the meeting!
Sue Mazi, DHS Corresponding Secretary.
Essential advice for the gardener: grow peas of mind, lettuce be thankful, squash selfishness, turnip to help thy neighbor, and always make thyme for loved ones. ~Author Unknown