Master Gardeners of Ontario
Serving Ontario for Over 25 Years
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In this Issue....
Brugmansia
Mike Pineau, Peterborough
Bundling Up
Edythe Falconer, Ottawa-Carelton
Defiance
Crystal Trojek
Past President, Master Gardeners of Ontario
Have a Safe Pruning Spring
Alexandra Wiens, Prince Edward County Master Gardeners
M.Y.O.B.
Tom McCavour, Simcoe County
Natives vs Aliens - Challenging our Ethics
Astrid Muschalla – Etobicoke
It’s a messy topic but one worth sorting through in our minds as we talk to the public about plant choices, especially in the face of extreme climate variables like this winter. We hear from many scientists, like Dr. Douglas Tallamy (author Bringing Nature Home), that biodiversity is an essential and non-renewable natural resource, yet few are thinking like this. It’s argued that selecting for ornamentals creates fragmented and small populations which are vulnerable and can lead to local extinctions. We are also learning that we can turn this trend around but we need to share our spaces. The trouble with planting an alien though, is that it’s not really ecologically equivalent to a native because aliens are poor at supporting other life forms (aka ecosystems services). In other words, non-natives don’t usually form functional communities, which also include the soil microbiology. Read more...
Baby It's Cold Outside
Kevin Kavanagh – Norfolk
At South Coast Gardens (www.southcoastgardens.ca), anxious clients are beginning to ask what they can do about plants that are starting to show wear and tear from a winter known for its punishing pre-Christmas ice storm, record-breaking -40⁰C windchills and the bone-chilling cold associated with the Arctic weather phenomenon now popularly known as a ‘Polar Vortex.’
While some of the news headlines may seem more media hype than cold reality, temperatures over the past three months do, in fact, show this to be a below normal winter across the southern Great Lakes Region (and beyond). With this in mind, I’ve prepared some reflections on the kind of winter it’s been (to date) and offer some insight and tips into ways to help recover plants damaged by the prolonged cold. Here is a link to Kevin's full article.
While some of the news headlines may seem more media hype than cold reality, temperatures over the past three months do, in fact, show this to be a below normal winter across the southern Great Lakes Region (and beyond). With this in mind, I’ve prepared some reflections on the kind of winter it’s been (to date) and offer some insight and tips into ways to help recover plants damaged by the prolonged cold. Here is a link to Kevin's full article.
Message to Master Gardeners in Ontario
Jane Beck, President MGOI
Your Board has taken this direction to heart. Your Education
Committee launched the new MGOI Reference Manual, a comprehensive study guide
and educational resource for any Master Gardener. This is an extraordinary
example just how the Board can support and add value to the entire
organization. And, it’s just the
beginning. Your Board is considering
every aspect of what we do and how we can do things better or more effectively.
We met in January and will meet again in March to chip away at this huge
undertaking. You will be kept informed
about the progress made. Many small
improvements can make a big difference. The small things we will simply go
ahead and ‘do’; the bigger issues, we will be asking for your ‘thumbs up’ agreement
to proceed. Changes must make sense to the majority. Stay tuned for the new and
improved.
MGs in Action
Haliburton
The Haliburton County
Master Gardeners are working with the Coalition of Haliburton Property
Owners Associations (COHPOA) on a Shoreline Restoration Project. We have developed a 52 page PDF document on Native
Shoreline Plants that will be posted on their website. Future plans in this area include a
presentation to the association for February of 2015.
We are developing a Group
Presentation on Pruning, which will include a 15-20 minute power point ‘Introduction
to Pruning’. This will be followed by
four small group pruning workshops including roses, clematis, flowering shrubs,
conifers, and fruit trees. Presentations will be held at:
- Norland Horticultural Society, April 16, 1:00 p.m., Pioneer Baptist Church
- Bobcaygeon Horticultural Society, May 15, 7:00 p.m., Knox Presbyterian Church
- Minden and District Horticultural Society, October 7, 7:00 p.m., Minden Community Centre
In addition, individual
members will be making presentations for the Minden and District
Horticultural Society on various topics including; Hosta of the year,
Accessible Gardening, Permaculture, Vegetable Growing, Garlic Scapes, and Propagating
Christmas Cacti. The same member will
also be available to give gardening advice during their meeting break.
We have completed a plan
to rejuvenate the Village Garden Green in Minden and have submitted an
application for a grant from the Ontario Horticultural Society to help to cover
the cost.
Our focus will soon be on
our Annual Plant Sale to be held on May 31 at the Village Green in Minden.
On July 12, we will be
doing an Advice Clinic for the Bobcaygeon Garden Tour from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Our on-going project
is to maintain and update our website with information from all of our
presentations over the last four
London Middlesex Master Gardeners – Seedy Saturday Success
Cheryl Losch, London Middlesex
Stubborn Old Man Winter didn’t deter record attendance at the London Middlesex Master Gardeners 7th Annual Seedy Saturday.
Saturday, March 8th welcomed us with damp, cold temperatures and the threat of freezing drizzle. By 9:30 am, people were lined up out the door for an event that began at 10. The message was loud and clear – “Let Garden Season Begin!” And begin it did. There was something for everyone at Seedy Saturday. Seed vendors, a seed exchange, sprouts, herbs, plants, books, garden decor and lawn care, to name just a few.
The London Middlesex Master Gardeners did not disappoint. A day filled with standing-room only presentations and demonstrations delighted attendees and taught many new ways to look at how they work, and play, in their yards and gardens. Coordinator Dorothy McGee shared her knowledge of growing from seeds using recycled material. One new gardener in attendance assisted with the demonstration and took home an egg carton filled with newly planted Brandywine tomato seeds that she will be able to nurture and enjoy during the eventual heat of summer. Sara Ragalyi taught us how to test and improve soil conditions, including the best options for amending both clay and sand, and offered suggestions for plants that would thrive in varying grades of garden soil. Jennifer Grant demonstrated how a “Better Lawn IS Possible”, with tips and easy techniques to enhance grass growth and vibrancy, and Rosemarie Szalich shared natural and easy-to-use remedies for garden pests, and those nasty weeds that seem to grow no matter what the weather delivers.
The favourite by far was, “Gardening Vertically and in Any Little Space”, a visual discovery presented by Ron Rossini on how anyone can make the most of their space and increase yields, regardless of the size, or location of the patch. By growing upward using walls, trellis’ and various support structures everyone can experience the glory of gardening all season long.
As people left the event, the enthusiastic feedback was tremendous. “This year’s Seedy Saturday was the best ever,” was a common accolade. I also do believe I heard someone say, as they bundled up and ventured back out into the bitterness of the dull, cloudy day, “Spring has arrived.”
Stubborn Old Man Winter didn’t deter record attendance at the London Middlesex Master Gardeners 7th Annual Seedy Saturday.
Saturday, March 8th welcomed us with damp, cold temperatures and the threat of freezing drizzle. By 9:30 am, people were lined up out the door for an event that began at 10. The message was loud and clear – “Let Garden Season Begin!” And begin it did. There was something for everyone at Seedy Saturday. Seed vendors, a seed exchange, sprouts, herbs, plants, books, garden decor and lawn care, to name just a few.
The London Middlesex Master Gardeners did not disappoint. A day filled with standing-room only presentations and demonstrations delighted attendees and taught many new ways to look at how they work, and play, in their yards and gardens. Coordinator Dorothy McGee shared her knowledge of growing from seeds using recycled material. One new gardener in attendance assisted with the demonstration and took home an egg carton filled with newly planted Brandywine tomato seeds that she will be able to nurture and enjoy during the eventual heat of summer. Sara Ragalyi taught us how to test and improve soil conditions, including the best options for amending both clay and sand, and offered suggestions for plants that would thrive in varying grades of garden soil. Jennifer Grant demonstrated how a “Better Lawn IS Possible”, with tips and easy techniques to enhance grass growth and vibrancy, and Rosemarie Szalich shared natural and easy-to-use remedies for garden pests, and those nasty weeds that seem to grow no matter what the weather delivers.
The favourite by far was, “Gardening Vertically and in Any Little Space”, a visual discovery presented by Ron Rossini on how anyone can make the most of their space and increase yields, regardless of the size, or location of the patch. By growing upward using walls, trellis’ and various support structures everyone can experience the glory of gardening all season long.
As people left the event, the enthusiastic feedback was tremendous. “This year’s Seedy Saturday was the best ever,” was a common accolade. I also do believe I heard someone say, as they bundled up and ventured back out into the bitterness of the dull, cloudy day, “Spring has arrived.”
Events
April 11, 12 and 13 –The Peterborough Garden
Show, organized by gardeners for gardeners. Friday 5:00 p.m. to 9: p.m.; Saturday 10:00
a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Evinrude Centre, 911
Monaghan Rd. Peterborough Admission $7, children 12 and under free when
accompanied by an adult. The Show is jointly organized by the Master Gardeners and the Peterborough Horticultural Soc. Visit www.peterboroughgardens.ca for more
information.
May 31 – Mississauga MG
Annual Plant Sale – for full details please refer to our website www.mgmississauga.mgoi.ca
Saturday, June 7 from
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. – Niagara-on-the-Lake Shaw Guild Garden Tour. Tickets: $20.00. This annual fundraising garden tour will
reveal seven more magnificent secret gardens in the lovely Old Town area
of Niagara-on-the-Lake. Many varieties of plants, trees, and
perennials nestled around historic homes, or looking over the Niagara River
will be yours to enjoy along with the courtyard and balcony gardens of a
condominium complex. Some gardens are more formal with trimmed
hedges and walking paths throughout while others ramble over large estate
acreage. Master Gardeners will be on site to answer questions.
Tickets can be ordered at the Shaw Festival Box Office 1-800-511-7429.
Saturday, June 21 – 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., rain or shine. Peterborough and Area MGs 25th
Anniversary Garden Tour featuring 10 Peterborough gardens, each with a special
feature. A ‘specialty plant’ sale, art
and music in the gardens and there will even be urban chickens. Tickets are $20.00, which are available at
selected members of the Garden Route.
For more information: www.peterboroughgardens.ca/tour
Sunday June 22 –
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Big Brothers Big
Sisters Heart of Northumberland Garden Tour – 8 beautiful country gardens north
of Port Hope and Cobourg – Tickets $30.00 or $25.00 for 10 or more. Buses
welcome. Birdhouse Boutique. Lunch will be available for purchase. For further information: 905-885-6422 Big Brothers Big Sisters
Office or 905-377-9803 Helen
Lackey (MG) and BBBS Board Member
M.G.O.I.
Summer Workshop - July 19, 20
The registrations for this year’s
M.G.O.I. Summer Workshop are already being received by the Niagara Parks School
of Horticulture. There is a great deal of interest in this year’s program,
which is:
- “Biological Communication: The
Mechanism for Success”
- “The Life of the Tropical Houseplant:
Examining the origins and production culture of the household tropical
A brief Program Outline is on the
M.G.O.I. website at www.mgoi.ca,
under “Latest News” on the home page and in the news blog under
“Workshops”. We are only able to have two instructors this year, and so
are limited in the number of participants, no more than 40. For this
reason, if you wish to attend the workshop, we would recommend registering as
soon as possible. The cost for the workshop is $250.00, and we are
pleased to be able to tell you that the Board has approved the request to give
each Master Gardener and Master Gardener in Training $50 .00 upon completion of
the workshop, to help offset their costs in attending.
Although the workshop is held
in July when the weather is very hot, consideration is given to having a
flexible schedule, and often the indoor sessions are held at the hottest time
of the day. In addition, tents are set up throughout the gardens, with
seating and each station has a cooler with ice and water to make sure everyone
stays hydrated when outdoors.
A group rate has again been
negotiated with the Niagara College and Residence Centre, which is $84.95 plus
taxes a night, based on a two-night stay. This price includes a
continental breakfast. For further information or to make a reservation,
please contact mparente@stayrcc.com or by telephone
at 1-877-225-8664.
Be sure to mention that you are with the Master Gardener group to be assured of
the reduced rate.
If you would like to receive
registration information, or have any questions about the workshop, please
contact June at streadwick@sympatico.ca or by telephone
at 905-934-6137.
June Streadwick
Master Gardeners of Ontario Inc.
Milestones
New MGiTs
Durham – Gale D'Souza
Haliburton – Susan Kellar
Peterborough –
Mike Pineau
New MGs
Durham – Ingrid Janssen
Grey County –
Margaret-Ann Brennan
Haliburton – Milka Hider
Niagara – John MacLean, Ruth Moffatt
Toronto – Linda Attridge, Anne Avery, Diana Bavington, Joan
Bostock, Petra Donnelly, Wendy Halse, Adrienne Hanbidge, Mary LeQuoc, Laurie
Manoim, Patty McKnight, Brigitte Richter. Jacqueline Tilford, Paula Wolfson
5 Years
Grey County –
Rebecca Baker
Lanark – Gerda Franssen, Paul Pietsch, Victor Wark
Toronto – Josée Couture, Cathy Kozma, Alan
Malcolmson, Christine March, Doryne Peace, Sylvia Sarkus, Sheila Smith
10 Years
Grey County –
Jackie Campbell
Haliburton – Anna Holloway, Eileen Hughes, Liz
Lilley-Case, Pauline Plooard
Toronto – Barbara Anderson, Jane Beck, Dawn Bell,
Eyman Ellen
Peterborough –
Chris Tewsley
Quinte Tweed – Alice Lumley
15 Years
Toronto – Catherine Park
20 Years
Brantford – Irma Nicolle
Toronto – Anne Kotyk
25 Years
Toronto – Ann Johnson, Anna Leggatt, Alice Wikaru
Transfers
Niagara – Dan
Cooper (from Toronto)
Retirements
Durham – Beth Cook, Joan Kerr,
Susan Shepherd
Celebrations
Celebrations
On Thursday, March 13th, Mississauga Master Gardeners celebrated their 20th Anniversary with dinner at the Mandarin restaurant. Certificates of Recognition were presented to founder members: Shirley Daniels, Errol Falconer, Marie Pearson. Philip Stuart was unable to attend and he received his certificated at a later time. Shirley Daniels was also presented with a Certificate of Appreciation for her Dedicated Leadership and Outstanding Service in support of the founding of the group.
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