As gardeners head into the new year, they often reflect, remembering successes of the past growing season as well as the ‘not so greats’ that may have graced their gardens.
For them, January, after the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, is the perfect time to search eagerly through the seed catalogues and dream about the bumper crops they’ll have in 2011 and the colourful garden scapes they will create.
They also pour through landscape book after landscape book, wondering how they could apply these interesting ideas to their own properties.
The Elora and Salem Horticultural Society understands these yearnings and has planned a couple of happenings for January and February – for all levels of gardeners, beginners to experts – to help channel their daydreams and thoughts.
On Jan. 26, at 6:30pm at Heritage River Retirement Community in Elora the Society will hold their annual general meeting and potluck supper.
Member Anne Tinker will be on hand to provide us with a presentation on her trip to Butchart Gardens on Vancouver Island, BC.
This should prove very fascinating as this 130 acre, worked out quarry site, is truly one of the ‘loveliest corners of the world’.
Everyone is welcome to join us. Bring one potluck item and your own dishes and cutlery; refreshments will be supplied.
On Sunday, Feb. 6 the Society will host its 14th Annual Garden Conference, between 9am and 3pm at the Wellington County Museum and Archives (located on County Road 18 between Elora and Fergus).
In keeping with the Society’s mandate to provide educational opportunities for the community, the conference, will feature many fascinating topics, from growing the ‘tried and true’ to incorporating the ‘new – nice and naughty’ in our gardens.
Speakers on board are: Lorraine Roberts – ‘Gardening for Birds and Butterflies’; Denise Jupp – ‘Growing Tried and True Plants for our Growing Area’ ; Shawn Watters – ‘Golf Course Landscape Architecture: The Environment and Planning Process’; Andrea Braun, Barry Vanderveer and Megan Crosland from LittleTree Horticultural Ltd. – ‘Anything Goes! How to Incorporate the New, the Nice and the Naughty into your Established Gardens’. Representatives from the Orchid, Rock Garden, Rhododendron and Day Lily Societies will also be on hand to showcase their particular interests.
Guiding particpants through the day’s events will be Master of Ceremonies, renowned garden humourist and columnist, David Hobson.
The goal of the Society is to provide the public with a chance to learn fresh gardening ideas, ask questions and talk with the professionals.
Sponsoring this event are Cedar Spring Nursery Ltd., Grand River Natural Stone Ltd., LittleTree Horticultural Ltd., and Wright Landscape Services. All proceeds are utilized for horticultural-related projects within the municipality of Centre Wellington.
Pre-Registration is required as seating is limited. The cost, $35 per person, includes a hot lunch.
Don’t be disappointed. Send a cheque, payable to the Elora and Salem Horticultural Society, c/o A. Graham, Treasurer, P.O. Box 295, Elora, ON N0B 1S0. For further information contact: eshs@live.ca or call 519-846-5533.
Organizers are hoping these 2 opportunities will help you to scratch that gardening itch.
