WATERLOO GARDENERS
WELCOME GARDENERS!!
The Waterloo Gardeners, also called the Waterloo Horticultural Society, is a community group of amateur gardeners who have a passion for gardening. We are a volunteer, non-profit, organization in Waterloo Ontario. Since 1895, Waterloo Gardeners has offered seminars, workshops and other activities that promote the love of gardening in our community. Our programs and activities are for anyone who has an interest in gardening.
The Waterloo Gardeners, also called the Waterloo Horticultural Society, is a community group of amateur gardeners who have a passion for gardening. We are a volunteer, non-profit, organization in Waterloo Ontario. Since 1895, Waterloo Gardeners has offered seminars, workshops and other activities that promote the love of gardening in our community. Our programs and activities are for anyone who has an interest in gardening.
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CURRENT EVENTS
September 21 Waterloo Region School Food Project https://www.waterloohort.org/events.html September 3 - 30 Tower Garden Contest www.waterloohort.org/events.html September 27 Monthly Meeting Camino de Santiago Trail Follow this link for pictures taken by one of our members who is walking this historic trail www.waterloohort.org/pictures.html |
As the days get shorter and summer comes to an end, it is time to get back to our monthly meetings. We hope everyone had a chance to participate in our summer events including the June Bus Trip, July Garden Tour and August Flower and Vegetable Competition and Garden Fair.
Our next meeting is September 27th when our speaker, Dugald Cameron, will talk about Fall Bubs. For more information please follow this link. www.waterloohort.org/about-us.html Tonight our theme is Fall & National Tree Day - Please wear Fall colours. We will also be selling our 2020 Membership. Light refreshments will be available throughout the evening. The Ontario Horticultural Association held it's annual Convention July 19 to 21, 2019. James Graham, who attended this event, has summarized his experience in Convention Report. If you would like to find our more about the Convention, please see below for his full report. Below are some pictures from the August 17th Flower and Vegetable Competition and Garden Fair. |
CONVENTION REPORT - JAMES GRAHAM
The Ontario Horticultural Association annual convention was held in Windsor this year with beautiful views of the Detroit River. For many people it was their first experience with the heat and humidity of Southern Ontario. Even some of the bus tours were cut short so people could return to the hotel because of the incredible heat.
The first plenary speaker, Kim Hopper an agriculturalist for Chatham Kent talked about agriculture in that municipality and the area. Ninety percent of Chatham Kent is agricultural land and they are the largest producers of food crops in Canada. They are the largest growers of tomatoes in Ontario and second largest growers of asparagus in Canada. Fewer acres are devoted to grazing for animals as the land is too valuable in this area. They currently are experimenting with growing rice and ginger. He stated there is enough food to feed the work but corruption and waste result in a short fall. Canadians waste more food than anywhere else in the world, and most is wasted in the home. Meanwhile plant scientists are trying to develop new plants that are drought resistant and can be grown in harsh conditions. Mention was made of the excellent tomatoes grown in greenhouses in Elmire and while their cost is no more than imported produce, people seem reluctant to buy them.
Pickles were of interest to Mr. Hopper. He said so many come from India, but a pickle factory is being established in Wallaceburg near the cucumber fields. Leamington Gleans – a non-profit organization utilizes as much as possible from various sources like a tomato field where the contract between the farmer and the producer has been filled and which would normally be plowed under even though there are still good tomatoes to be picked. There is also a similar group in Cambridge which makes dried soup mixes. So many consumers are convinced that a bruise or a nick on a piece of fruit is so bad that it is discarded. It certainly wasn’t like that in Grandma’s day!
I attended an interesting seminar on Hostas where we learned there are hundreds of named varieties – some are the same hosta with a different name, and some are different hostas with the same name! Some hostas can change colour according to the amount of sunlight available going from green to yellow to white. Plantaginata or Royal Standard is the only fragrant hosta and it usually blooms around Labour Day. It needs heat to open and usually does so – sometimes it is called the August Lily. Once a hosta flowers it sets more eyes and can be divided sooner if it gets the sunlight needed to cause this. Shiny leafed varieties are more likely to survive sun burning but will need to be watered. For hostas in the sun – June Fever was a recommendation. Apparently, years ago Longfolia was the hosta of choice in Chicago and is now known by the slang term “Chicagoweed” of course I have that one.
In another seminar recommendations include cinnamon as a healing agent for damaged plants and to encourage rooting, Epson salt to benefit tomatoes, extra nitrogen to speed up composting, Irish spring soap to discourage rabbis and deer- the change in smell may cause them to not recognize food. Since most bugs are attracted to the colour yellow try using a piece of yellow paper with Vaseline on it to trap bugs.
The drive to Windsor was interesting. Many of the fields Kent, Essex and Lambton Counties did not get planted because of the wet spring. Along the St. Clair river and its tributaries which are running very high, the drains meant to take water out of the fields are now wicking water into them. Thus, these fields are benefiting from the extra moisture during this hot dry summer.
It was interesting to note the lack of trees and shrubs along the 401 in Essex and Kent possible due to the Emerald Ash Borer. The vegetation increased closer to London. What a great stretch of land to begin a planting project.
Our Mission
To provide education, resources and networking opportunities to promote the love of gardening, floral design, civic and environmental responsibility.
To engage in activities to learn more about gardening so that our work takes on the quality of play and our play to stimulate creativity.
To provide education, resources and networking opportunities to promote the love of gardening, floral design, civic and environmental responsibility.
To engage in activities to learn more about gardening so that our work takes on the quality of play and our play to stimulate creativity.
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We are affiliated with the Ontario Horticultural Association of Ontario. http://www.gardenontario.org
Please visit us on Facebook and Youtube.
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