Dunnville Horticultural Societies Oct program didn’t disappoint the 63 in attendance. It was a full night of activities. A live auction was held consisting of a antique lawn mower donated by Velma Shirton; purchased by Kim Dickie. A solid pine, blue martin house built by DSS students was purchased by Richard Egger. Windecker Woods Flower Farm donated 6 beautiful bouquets, lucky recipients were randomly drawn from the sign in sheet. The annual “Fun Flower and Vegetable show,” was held. As always very imaginative creations were displayed. 8 categories reflected the groups talents for gardening and designing. ”Most Unusual Vegetable” went to Susan Milligan with a puff ball the size of a basketball. She also won “Fright Night” with her decorated pumpkin. The “Hats Off” category went to Marilyn Stavinga, “Hang it High” went to Gloria Hunter. “Annuals” to Angela Latham, “Perennials” to Gloria Hunter. Lester Fretz took “Best vegetable” We at DHS joked last month, that the Jr Gardeners displays were so good, it would intimidate our members, luckily we were proved wrong. Next up was our guest speaker Jeff Bokma from Vermeer’s Garden Centre. His topic was very timely “How to Prepare Your Garden for Winter” DHS members kept him busy with questions. “What to prune back now as opposed to spring?. How to mulch, fertilize and with what? Why it’s important to leave certain plants, grasses and shrubs standing over winter to provide shelter and food for birds. Bulbs you can still plant well into November for spring beauty. DHS held its annual fall flower bed cleanup Sat Oct 20th, done in record time. We had over 30 volunteers come out starting at 9am. Consisting of DHS members, 4H Jr Gardeners and DSS students acquiring volunteer hours. A huge thank you goes out to Mike Lessard and his son Caleb from Paul’s Outdoors. For a third year they brought a large landscape trailer that held everything easily. They also took care of disposal. Such a time saver, as in the past DHS members made multiple trips with personal pickup trucks. Thank you also to Sweet Retro-spec surprising our volunteers with hot chocolate
While they worked and to Flyers for hosting this very hardy, slightly soiled group when the job was done providing muffins and hot drinks. A Big!! Thank you to Steve Elgersma. Worried it would rain Saturday, he went out most of Friday pulling and piling annuals making Saturdays cleanup day much easier for everyone. DHS is grateful to everyone that participated. On Nov 1 DHS volunteers will be out completing their final task of 2018. Decorating the town pots and planters for the winter season. On November 15th starting at 6pm. DHS will hold its AGM, Potluck Supper Christmas Celebration, including a food drive for the Salvation Army. Guest speaker Geoff McDonald of Bains Road Cider Company, will provide a seminar on “Creating Ciders & Fruit Wines including a Tasting Event.” visit www.dunnvillehortandgardenclub.org or contact DHS Pres. Debbie Thomas 905 774 3064 for information.