Yorkton and District Horticultural Society

You might think that a group such as a horticultural society gathers once in a while to talk about gardening while sipping tea.

Well, think again!

Yes, it’s true we have monthly meetings (with amazing lunches thanks to our volunteer lunch committee!).  We also have interesting speakers or presentations at every meeting.

But we do so much more!

Did you know…hard-working volunteers from our group spend time weekly at the Solarium at the hospital, maintaining the plants, and making a beautiful and serene retreat for patients and guests to enjoy.

Did you know…hard-working volunteers from our group work in partnership with the City of Yorkton on the “Yorkton In Bloom” event, helping to promote making the city a greener and more beautiful place.

Did you know…hard-working volunteers help to plant, weed and maintain flowerbeds at the Heritage Place Seniors’ Complex and the Yorkton and District Nursing Home, providing a beautiful and homey touch in the flowerbeds that the residents can enjoy all season long.

Did you know…that the majority of our group comes together and puts on a beautiful flower and vegetable show every August.  This event is open to the public, showing you the best of the best in our gardens each year.  Join us to learn and be inspired!

Did you know…that we reach gardening friends on Access Communications with a “get to know us” show each year.

Did you know…that you can learn more about us regularly on-line at our beautiful website, www.yorktonhort.ca  Check it often because new info is always being added!

Yes, you can have tea at our meetings…but be prepared for an interesting and educational time as well when you gather with the great people of the Yorkton and District Horticultural Society!

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An exciting new book to add to your gardening library is “Growing fruit in Northern Gardens” by Bob Bors and Sara Williams.

This is a great guide for how to grow fruit in our climate, the book guides us through when to plant in various zones. The book includes information on all kinds of tree and vine fruits. It would be a great reference for all gardeners.

Details about the book can be read at the publisher’s website:

http://coteaubooks.com

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Don’t Miss It!  The 8^th Annual Seedy Saturday is on Saturday, February 24  at the Victory Church, 38 Bradbrooke Drive in Yorkton, from 12:30 till 4:00 PM.

Guests can visit  seed vendors and various booths, and there will be lots of interesting gardeners to chat with about this year’s garden.

Admission is a non-perishable food item.  Everyone is welcome!

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The 1st horticultural meeting of 2018 is Wednesday February 21  at 7:00 pm in the Sunshine Room at SIGN on North Street.

Guest Speaker – Maira Waechli (Florissima)– Creating a spring flower arrangement

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The 2018 Calendar of events in the above menu at the top of the page of click on the link Calendar of Events 2018.

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Summer’s done, and now comes the task of putting our gardens to bed for the winter!  It’s a feeling of satisfaction for a season well-spent, and a chance to evaluate this year’s garden. But first, some basics to get ready for winter.

• Clean up any dried up plants from your garden. If they were healthy, add them to your compost pile, if you have one. But if the plants were diseased in any way, dispose of them in the garbage. Be sure to rake up any diseased leaves and throw them in the garbage as well so they aren’t causing problems in your garden next year.
• If you like to trim back your perennials in the fall, now is the time.  But leave perennials that have seed heads: these provide winter interest in the garden, and also give the birds a winter treat.
• Pull out the spent plants from your containers, and stack the containers in an orderly fashion. Whether you empty them of soil or not depends on if you have a place to put the soil, or whether you prefer to have them with soil in place when spring comes.
• Be sure to put clay or ceramic pots in a garage or shed to avoid breakage.
• Clean your garden tools before putting them away for the season. The implements will last longer if they are cleaned and not given a chance to get rusty.
• Label your perennials, especially new plants that you added this year.  It’s so easy to lose track of where they are, and you don’t want to disturb them by mistake in the spring!
• Do not cover or wrap perennials or cedars until the weather turns cold. If you wrap them too early they could still form tender new growth which will be damaged when the real cold comes. Wait until the weather changes, for real, before your wrap any plants.
• Do not wrap plants in plastic; it has no insulation value. Use cardboard, burlap, or wrap meant specifically for winter protection.
• If you have any perennials in containers, plant them in the garden before winter. They will not survive above ground. I know there are exceptions, and I’m sure we all rejoice when we hear of a plant surviving the winter in this fashion, but most do not. Avoid the risk and give them a better chance to be here next spring.
• While it is nice to see a well-cleaned yard in the fall, try not to be overly enthusiastic! Remember that the beneficial bugs like ladybugs need a place to call home over the winter.  If you don’t leave any fallen leaves in your yard, the little garden friends will go to another yard, and in the spring you will wish they were there! So  leave the leaves under your shrubs or in your perennial borders. They will be good mulch for your plants, and winter homes for beneficial insects.

And one final note, be sure to keep a garden journal of what was a success and what was a failure in this year’s garden. Next spring, it will help you when it is time to plant!

Keep up with your daily garden tours good for the body, good for the soul!

   Debbie Hayward

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The October meeting of 2017 is Wednesday October 16  at 7:00 pm in the Sunshine Room at SIGN on North Street.

Guest Speaker: Sonja Pawliw  ” Creating and maintaining a Terrarium”

Member Participation:

Membership renewal and AGM tickets available

Bring Recipes to hand into Liz for booklet

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Thank you to everyone who helped in any way with the Yorkton and District Horticultural Society’s Fall Plant Sale last week; to everyone who brought plants, worked at the plant tables,  answered gardening questions, and of course, to everyone who came and bought new garden treasures!  This is still a fine time to plant new additions to our gardens; in fact, it might be easier on the plants because they can settle in without the high temperatures of just a few weeks ago.

When you are planting your new additions, be sure to plant them at the same soil level they were growing previously.  Take care not to plant them too deep or too shallow, so that the roots are not exposed.  Water them in well, this helps to eliminate air pockets around the roots and move the soil in comfortably securely around the roots.  Do not cut them back yet, let the leaves continue working to produce food for the plant.  And if your plant is more delicate in nature, you may want to give it some winter protection for this first winter until it is well established.  This can be achieved by mulch or leaves banked around the base of the plant, or even wrapping the plant in burlap and surrounding it with a cardboard box.

Happy planting!

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Friday, Sept. 22:  Fall Plant & Bulb Sale

Parkland Mall , Yorkton

9:30 AM to 5:00 PM

One day sale only!

Great selection of plants at great prices!

Gardeners on hand to answer your questions.

This is a good time to add plants to your garden!

Everyone is welcome!

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The September meeting of 2017 is Wednesday September 20  at 7:00 pm in the Sunshine Room at SIGN on North Street.

Guest Speaker: John Tropin  ” Beginning garden ponds including fish”

Check out the Page in the menu above to see the presentation information.

or click on the link : Beginning Garden Ponds

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