March 2012 The days are finally getting longer and it’s a real treat to drive back and forth to work in daylight. Spring is getting closer by the minute! Many gardens around town have spring bulbs peeking up already and I can hardly wait to see my crocuses again.
Were you able to attend our General Meeting on February 16th? If so you were able to see our wonderful new venue, the Dunnville Optimist Hall. There is so much more space. It’s easier to access (no stairs) and the tables are always set up so there is less time spent setting up and putting away. Soon we will have DHS signs posted outside on the building.
Please take a moment to look at our website, especially the “Upcoming” and “Agenda” sections. We are going to have a booth at the Dunnville Home & Garden Show in April, and we are hosting a plant sale in May. Please plan to attend, as I know these events are a lot of fun.
A bus trip to Canada Blooms has been arranged for Saturday March 24th. The bus leaves Dunnville at 8:30 a.m. and returns at approximately 6:30 p.m. The cost of the trip is $40 for DHS members and $50 for non-members. Non-members will be issued a membership for insurance purposes. The ticket will include your bus trip and admission to Canada Blooms. This also covers admission to the National Home Show, which is on at the same time at the same location. Please contact Debbie Thomas at (905) 774-3064 if you wish to purchase tickets. Tickets are being sold on a first come first served basis. Please call early so you won’t be disappointed.
Do you order seeds from a catalogue? Vesey’s Seed House is now advertising that it is time to order pepper seeds.
They have a great website at http://www.veseys.com They have a great inventory of bird feeders and gardening supplies as well.
Karin Vermeer from Vermeer’s Garden Centre in Welland is our guest speaker for this month. She is going to teach us about therapeutic horticulture. It should prove to be an interesting evening. Our March meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 15th at 7:00 p.m.
Garden Tip for March: Weeds: Once the weeds in your garden go to seed you can be fighting that weed seed for up to 7 years or more (dandelions are notorious for the seven year seed life). Most weeds can be simply pulled or cultivated out of the garden while they are young. If you know you can count on several sunny days, Roundup is a good product to apply. It is still available in Ontario and after 7 days is no more toxic than table salt. The leaves of the weed carry Roundup directly to the roots thus killing the entire plant. It doesn’t leach through the soil. If you don’t want to use Roundup then old-fashioned “elbow grease” will work. March is also a good time to clean out your birdhouses. Even though the rent is free, the birds are fussy.
See you soon!
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