Online Edition
Oro-Medonte Horticultural Society News
- Details
- Category: October/November 2010 - Thanksgiving Issue
- Published on Friday, 01 October 2010 00:00
by Judy Smith
The signs all around are telling me that our early spring and early summer are to be followed by an early winter. The geese have been practicing with this year’s young for some time now, taking off, landing, flying in formation, changing leaders. They are getting ready for their southward journey. The trees in my yard are plentiful with walnuts and acorns; berries are abundant. Squirrels and chipmunks are busy hoarding for the future. Last season I remember few walnuts and acorns.
The garden harvest is plentiful. We have been eating wonderful corn for over a month. Seems to me this year’s snow may well come early, stay late and result in much blowing and shoveling. The good thing will be that all the lovely marginally hardy plants in the garden will survive winter well.
Seeds are early as well. Now is a good time to gather seeds for our seed exchange, or to grow more yourself. It is important to ensure that the seeds are dry before sealing the storing packet. Remember to label. Too often seeds gathered and not labeled, turn out to be a mystery when planting time comes. Some seeds require alternating temperatures for germination. There are seed indexes on the web for more information.
You could prepare a small plot in your garden. Plant short rows of perennials you want to start, label them well and leave them to the alternating temperatures that will come over the winter. If the mice don’t eat all the seeds, you will have small plants in the spring. Asclepias, Baptisia and Coreopsis succeed this way. When you are cutting back for the winter, leave seed heads standing for the birds, and for winter interest.
This is a good time of year to divide and move early blooming perennials and shrubs. Remember to water well until freeze up. Look around at the gardens that appeal to you, or what you see growing in the wild. Can anything you see fit into your garden plan?
Check your yearbook for our Society fall programming. Everyone is welcome, meetings are always held at the Oro-Medonte Arena, situated on the southbound lane of Highway 11 South at Line 4, entrance off Line 4. Our meetings begin at 7:30 pm.
On October 18, join Sandy Agnew when he speaks on Creating Zero Waste, an important consideration for all. On December 6, Diane Greenfield will teach you to Create Swags out of Natural Material; there will be more about this workshop at the meetings and in the newsletter. This is a hands on workshop, Diane will bring the materials. There will be a cost of seven dollars. You may watch and not participate if you wish. It will be necessary to phone me to register to enable enough materials to be brought.
Hope to see you at the meetings. If you have any questions please call Judy at 722 7637.
Late Breaking News: Congratulations to the Oro-Medonte Horticultural Society who have won Ontario Horticultural Society Awards this year: Youth Leader Award, accepted by Sonya Shellswell; Environmental Award, accepted by Ron Nelsons, Sandy Agnew, Edna Caldwell, Jean Ellis, and Janis Hamilton. Congratulations! Editor.
