Sept. 2012 Hello everyone! Labour Day has arrived so it’s time to put away the white shoes and purses. Summer is finally winding down, and with the days getting shorter it’s time to start thinking about preparing our gardens for (oh my goodness I hate to say it!) winter.
I would like to take this opportunity to welcome Lori Maracle as our new Vice-President. She brings fresh ideas, lots of gardening knowledge and lots of energy to put that knowledge to work. She spear-headed the organization of teams to plant Dunnville’s flowerbeds in May and the town has looked beautiful all summer long. Volunteers are always welcomed and needed to help with the planting, maintenance and fall clean-up of the beds. Lori has also started writing articles for the Dunnville Chronicle. Articles will be published at least once a month, if not more, so please take the time to read them. They are very informative and entertaining. Betty Ballanger, our preceding Vice-President, is still on-board as our 2nd VP and will still be organizing and running our Ways and Means draw each month. Betty does such a great job raising money each month and works very hard for the DHS.
Unfortunately we have had to cancel our annual Flower and Vegetable Show which was scheduled for September 22nd. A scheduling conflict has made the Optimist Hall unavailable for that day. We would like to apologize to anyone that this may have inconvenienced.
Part of one of the oldest and largest beautification programs in North America, the Dunnville Horticultural Society’s Trillium Awards Program has been an institution since 1975. Hundreds of Trillium Award recipients later, the program continues to generate civic pride. The Trillium Awards Program recognizes those residents who, by landscaping and maintaining their property, have contributed to a more attractive neighbourhood and community. We had well over 50 nominations this year. 15 residential homes and 5 commercial properties receive awards each year. Property owners can be awarded a maximum of 5 awards, and commercial properties can receive a maximum of 3.
The Trillium Awards for 2012 have been awarded and announced. Hopefully you saw the pictures of the winning homes in the Dunnville Chronicle. They are: 39 Oswego Park, 2623 Northshore Drive, 124 Mohawk Point Rd., 7253 Rainham Rd., 787 Marshall Rd., 128 Concession West, 907 Cedar St., 128 Forest St. W., 97 Haldimand Rd. #17, 530 Broad St. W., 444 Broad St. W., 438 Broad St. W., 408 Ross Avenue, 205 Oak St., 315 Brace St., and the 5 businesses who won were Grand River Kayak, Ballard-Minor Funeral Home, McDonald’s, Kingdom Hall, and Haldimand War Memorial Hospital’s Courtyard Memorial Garden. Congratulations to all of our winners. Your hard work has certainly not gone unnoticed.
Our next General Meeting is Thursday, September 20th and our guest speaker is Leanne Dykun from Blooming Designs. She’ll be talking to us about flower arranging. I’m sure this will be a very informative and entertaining evening for us. Our general meetings are open to anyone so please bring a friend. There is no cost for non-members to attend and everyone is welcome.
Garden Tip of the Month: Fall is a great time to plant trees, shrubs, bulbs, and perennials. Plants that are planted this time of year enjoy warmer soil temperatures and ideal growing conditions that allow roots ample to time to establish themselves before winter. Use starter plant fertilizer when planting. Plants and trees that provide colour this time of year include Hydrangeas, Butterfly bush, Hibiscus (Rose of Sharon), Hydrangeas, Potentillas, and Viburnums.
Happy Gardening! 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