CLIFFORD – Spring is a busy time for any gardener but the Clifford and District Horticultural Society (CDHS) volunteers have been doing double duty this spring.
In partnership with the Town of Minto, the CDHS hosted a free six-week introduction to gardening for Grades 1 to 6.
About 40 students participated in the “Let it Grow” program, which started in April. Students participated in hands-on projects and parents provided comments on feedback forms stating their children are eager to work in their own gardens.
‘Let it grow’ – Paisley Forester, a participant in the Clifford and District Horticulture Society’s “Let it Grow” program, learns how to make a bee home for her garden. Submitted photos
Students learned about water and soil, growing a garden, how to make new plants from cuttings and seedlings, and built bee homes and a place for butterflies to grow from a caterpillar.
Town of Minto landscape coordinator Paul Judge said the municipality was pleased to support the “Let it Grow” program and thanked the volunteers who shared their time and experience with these young green thumbs.
“This opportunity tied in perfectly with the Canadian Council’s Year of the Garden 2022, which encourages all Canadians to participate in the act of gardening on any scale,” said Judge.
CDHS held a very successful Spring Flower Show with 143 entries.
The Clifford Community Hall was filled with a colourful display of tulips, narcissus and spring flowers.
There were also entries for craft/hobby and photography. Judges gave first, second and third awards in 47 classes.
The “Best of Show” award went to Jean Yenssen for her rex begonia.
The Town of Minto sponsored a special “Year of the Garden 2022” award for any arrangement of flowers, foliage and spring stem in any red container.
First place went to Ethel Weber for a creative display of greenery, vegetables (asparagus, corn, carrots), cantaloupe, allium and red carnations in a red bucket. Second place was awarded to Eleanor Litt and third to Jean Yenssen.
CDHS volunteers also participated in Earth Day, cleaned up and planted in public gardens, did a membership drive and planted white spruce trees in the Clifford Rotary Park.
“Thanks to the CDHS, spring has definitely sprung in the Clifford community,” society officials state.
Community clean up – Clifford and District Horticultural Society volunteers Isabel and Don Senek braved wet weather to clean up and plant in a public garden outside the Clifford Post Office.
-Submitted by Susan Thurston