Club Events
OGC Annual Plant Sale
07/05/12 10:24 PM
from Garry Lucas
Open to all on Saturday, June 2 from 9 AM to 3 PM. The sale will be held at the Northview Seniors Centre on Beatrice St. in Oshawa (see map). The sale will be in the upper parking lot, just follow the signs if you have never been there. In addition to member supplied plants there will be a wide selection of clematis available from a local expert. Many of these are not commonly available at nurseries.
The sale is later this year as some of you did not have time last year to divide large perennials due to the weather. There should be no problem with late cold weather this year. If you need a hand dividing or potting plants to donate or just for plant pickup, then contact us. We will come with a trailer of potting soil, pots, and willing workers to assist you. Of course, any plants you pot can be picked up or delivered the day of the sale.
This is the major fundraiser for your club and helps minimize dues increases. Donating plants or time are essential for a healthy club. Volunteers are needed to help with many tasks other than potting such as: labelling, phoning, selling, cashier, organizing, transporting, storing. Every little bit helps so, if you can assist on sale day or any day prior to that, let us know as above. I am potting and dividing most any afternoon the weather is clear. If you have an unused driveway or part of a backyard we need a place to store plants until the sale day.
Please note that we especially need plants that are not commonly grown or that are expensive at the nursery. Consider taking a small division or two off that special plant or rooting a piece of your shrubs so others can enjoy them, too. Excess seedlings are also welcomed and are popular when available.
The sale is later this year as some of you did not have time last year to divide large perennials due to the weather. There should be no problem with late cold weather this year. If you need a hand dividing or potting plants to donate or just for plant pickup, then contact us. We will come with a trailer of potting soil, pots, and willing workers to assist you. Of course, any plants you pot can be picked up or delivered the day of the sale.
This is the major fundraiser for your club and helps minimize dues increases. Donating plants or time are essential for a healthy club. Volunteers are needed to help with many tasks other than potting such as: labelling, phoning, selling, cashier, organizing, transporting, storing. Every little bit helps so, if you can assist on sale day or any day prior to that, let us know as above. I am potting and dividing most any afternoon the weather is clear. If you have an unused driveway or part of a backyard we need a place to store plants until the sale day.
Please note that we especially need plants that are not commonly grown or that are expensive at the nursery. Consider taking a small division or two off that special plant or rooting a piece of your shrubs so others can enjoy them, too. Excess seedlings are also welcomed and are popular when available.
April Presentation: Small Garden Design
25/04/12 05:59 PM
by member Karen Sciuk
April’s speaker, Frank Kershaw, an award winning horticulturalist with more than thirty-five years experience in the parks, environmental and horticultural fields, talked about design elements and techniques used to make a small garden seem larger and more dramatic.
Most modern, urban garden spaces need to be carefully designed with a smaller scale in mind. Mistakes are more obvious due to the emphasis on an inward focus. The spaces are often very intimate, enclosed by hedges, a trellis, an arbour. Vertical gardening becomes very important. Consider espaliered trees.
Terraced decks and patios create depth. There is usually room for a limited number of functions compared to larger, rural garden retreats. Creating a seamless transition from the home into the garden can give the impression of a larger space.
Similarly, co-ordinating the design from the front, along the sides, into the back creates continuity. Sinuous borders lead the eye along a more expansive journey. Clever use of reflecting pools, contrasting “proceeding” and “receding” colours, such as rich reds and yellows against cool blues and dark greens also tricks the eye. Forced perspective, an architectural trick, adds distance and expands the view.
Just because a yard is small, the plants do not need to all stay small. A few bold accents add grandeur and a lasting impression. Not only interesting plant specimens, but items such as mirrors, rustic urns, whimsical statuary, or wall fountains are good punctuation points. Finally, never forget to look out the window when designing the garden views.
For more on Frank Kershaw's delightful ideas, take a look at his chapter inside the new book Gardening from a Hammock, which is a compilation of advice given from many of our well-loved gardening gurus.
gardeningfromahammock.com
Most modern, urban garden spaces need to be carefully designed with a smaller scale in mind. Mistakes are more obvious due to the emphasis on an inward focus. The spaces are often very intimate, enclosed by hedges, a trellis, an arbour. Vertical gardening becomes very important. Consider espaliered trees.
Terraced decks and patios create depth. There is usually room for a limited number of functions compared to larger, rural garden retreats. Creating a seamless transition from the home into the garden can give the impression of a larger space.
Similarly, co-ordinating the design from the front, along the sides, into the back creates continuity. Sinuous borders lead the eye along a more expansive journey. Clever use of reflecting pools, contrasting “proceeding” and “receding” colours, such as rich reds and yellows against cool blues and dark greens also tricks the eye. Forced perspective, an architectural trick, adds distance and expands the view.
Just because a yard is small, the plants do not need to all stay small. A few bold accents add grandeur and a lasting impression. Not only interesting plant specimens, but items such as mirrors, rustic urns, whimsical statuary, or wall fountains are good punctuation points. Finally, never forget to look out the window when designing the garden views.
For more on Frank Kershaw's delightful ideas, take a look at his chapter inside the new book Gardening from a Hammock, which is a compilation of advice given from many of our well-loved gardening gurus.
gardeningfromahammock.com
March Presentation: "The Evolution of Whistling Gardens"
31/03/12 10:55 AM
from member Karen
Darren Heimbecker, the creator of Whistling Gardens, in Wilsonville, Norfolk County, Ontario, took us on a journey of the evolution of his property. It has changed over the past five years, from empty fields to six major gardens, containing one of the largest conifer collections in the world, with over 2,000 different species.
It was interesting to learn of his search for conifer “brooms” in his pursuit of developing unusual new dwarf cultivars. Besides evergreens, Darren grows a few hundred native and rare Carolinian trees, a few thousand perennials, and twenty-five varieties of Chinese dogwood. Some specimens to look for are Chinese Silver Leafed Cathaya, Bald Cyprus, Varigated Japanese Incense Cedar, Gotelli Creeping Blue Spruce, Japanese Snow Pine, Limeglow Spreading Juniper, Blue Spanish Fir, Variegated Cornelian Cherry, Hana Matoi Cutleaf Japanese Maple, Paperbark Maple, Summer Fun Chinese Dogwood. We witnessed the history of his labour, building stone walls and patios, intricate gazebos, a stone bridge, terraces. His vision and energy seem limitless!
Be sure to visit this intriguing place either on your own, or with the club's upcoming bus tour in June (see club calendar).
It was interesting to learn of his search for conifer “brooms” in his pursuit of developing unusual new dwarf cultivars. Besides evergreens, Darren grows a few hundred native and rare Carolinian trees, a few thousand perennials, and twenty-five varieties of Chinese dogwood. Some specimens to look for are Chinese Silver Leafed Cathaya, Bald Cyprus, Varigated Japanese Incense Cedar, Gotelli Creeping Blue Spruce, Japanese Snow Pine, Limeglow Spreading Juniper, Blue Spanish Fir, Variegated Cornelian Cherry, Hana Matoi Cutleaf Japanese Maple, Paperbark Maple, Summer Fun Chinese Dogwood. We witnessed the history of his labour, building stone walls and patios, intricate gazebos, a stone bridge, terraces. His vision and energy seem limitless!
Be sure to visit this intriguing place either on your own, or with the club's upcoming bus tour in June (see club calendar).
March Club Meeting: Seed Exchange Month
12/03/12 08:58 PM
Free Garden Stuff for You!
from Faye Gosling & Maria Thompson, Co-Chairs, OGC Plant Table
Our March 12th meeting (see Events) will be the seed exchange month. Get your seeds together and bring them in.
There will be a table for gently used garden magazines and anything pertaining to the garden that you no longer need and can donate. Please bring them in. Other gardeners would love to give them to a good home.
Everything will be free!!!
Start going through your old magazines, your book collections, your garden knick-knacks, etc. Remember: We want anything a gardener can use and you are willing to donate. Please come early and bring your own bags.

from Faye Gosling & Maria Thompson, Co-Chairs, OGC Plant Table
Our March 12th meeting (see Events) will be the seed exchange month. Get your seeds together and bring them in.
There will be a table for gently used garden magazines and anything pertaining to the garden that you no longer need and can donate. Please bring them in. Other gardeners would love to give them to a good home.
Everything will be free!!!
Start going through your old magazines, your book collections, your garden knick-knacks, etc. Remember: We want anything a gardener can use and you are willing to donate. Please come early and bring your own bags.

March 12th Club Meeting Information
12/03/12 08:58 PM
from Barb North, Communication Chairperson
Hello Garden Club Members:
Here is the information for the March 12, 2012 meeting.
Doors are open at 6:30. Please bring a mug.
The speaker will be Darren Heimbecker at 7:30. He is from Whistling Gardens and will be speaking on growing some of the rarest, most unusual and newest ornamental trees.
Plant Table - will feature a seed exchange so gather your seeds and bring them in. A table will be set up for gently used garden magazines and anything pertaining to the garden that you no longer need and wish to donate - magazines, tools, garden kick-knacks. Everything will be free. Recycling at its best. If you have plants to donate please bring them along.
Imagination Station - The March theme will be "Hooray for Hollywood". Using one of the nominees of the Golden Globes and Oscars as the basis of the design, create the best picture using live florals.
Raffle - A basket loaded with honey products donated by last month’s speaker, Cathy Kozma, and 2 trees donated by this month’s speaker will be rattled off. Tickets will be 1 for $3.00 and 2 for $5.00.
Please come and join us for coffee, tea, cookies, great speakers and lots of interesting gardeners.
Hello Garden Club Members:
Here is the information for the March 12, 2012 meeting.
Doors are open at 6:30. Please bring a mug.
The speaker will be Darren Heimbecker at 7:30. He is from Whistling Gardens and will be speaking on growing some of the rarest, most unusual and newest ornamental trees.
Plant Table - will feature a seed exchange so gather your seeds and bring them in. A table will be set up for gently used garden magazines and anything pertaining to the garden that you no longer need and wish to donate - magazines, tools, garden kick-knacks. Everything will be free. Recycling at its best. If you have plants to donate please bring them along.
Imagination Station - The March theme will be "Hooray for Hollywood". Using one of the nominees of the Golden Globes and Oscars as the basis of the design, create the best picture using live florals.
Raffle - A basket loaded with honey products donated by last month’s speaker, Cathy Kozma, and 2 trees donated by this month’s speaker will be rattled off. Tickets will be 1 for $3.00 and 2 for $5.00.
Please come and join us for coffee, tea, cookies, great speakers and lots of interesting gardeners.
February Presentation: Cathy Kozma and “The Importance of Bee-ing”
12/03/12 08:51 PM
by member Karen Sciuk
Cathy Kozma, pictured left, both a Master Gardener from the Toronto group, and a member of the Toronto Beekeepers Co-operative, educated us about bees as pollinators, in-particular Apis mellifera, the Honey Bee, originally from Africa and Europe, and not native to North America.
We learned that unlike self-pollinating plants, 90 % of cross-pollinating plants need assistance from other organisms. Only 10 % have pollen that is small and light enough to be carried by the wind, the rest have symbiotic relationships with pollinators such as butterflies, birds, bats, hover flies, wasps, and the many types of bees, that transfer the larger pollen grains from plant to plant. Of the approximately 17,700 known species of bees worldwide, 900 reside in Canada, and about 250 can be found in the GTA. Some common types such as Bumblebees, Leaf Cutter bees, and Mason bees, are among the 90 % that do not make honey. The majority of bees do not even reside in hives like the Honey bee, that has made them an ideal candidate for beekeeping, since 2400 B.C. in Egypt. Honey, still edible, due to it's antbacterial properties, has been found in the toombs of Pharohs!
Cathy stressed that over 100 food crops need direct contact with bees in order to be produced. Without them we would need to resort to hand-pollinating each flower, like in the production of apples and pears in the Hunan province, China or other Himalayan regions. She emphasized that we gardeners should help the local bees by advocating for their co-existence in our living spaces, support the local beekeeper organizations by buying local honey, and in particular create bee friendly gardens.
Gardens that attract a diversity of bees have a diversity of plants, with a succession of blooms, rich in both nectar and pollen, that are scented, and predominantly blue, purple, white, or yellow. It is important to have a constant source of water, with some less manicured areas and some bare soil. It was interesting to discover that the much talked about 'Colony Collapse Disorder' plaguing the United States has not reached Canada, although we may witness some diminished populations as a result of habitat loss, too many monoculture crops, improper timing of pesticide application, other environmental stresses and viral disease. However, the potential spread of the Varroa destructor mite has been limited by the tight control of queen bee transport across the border.
For more information about bees in Toronto, or the managed hives of the Royal York Hotel, the Toronto Botanical Gardens, the Evergreen Brickworks , and others, visit: http://www.torontobees.ca/
We learned that unlike self-pollinating plants, 90 % of cross-pollinating plants need assistance from other organisms. Only 10 % have pollen that is small and light enough to be carried by the wind, the rest have symbiotic relationships with pollinators such as butterflies, birds, bats, hover flies, wasps, and the many types of bees, that transfer the larger pollen grains from plant to plant. Of the approximately 17,700 known species of bees worldwide, 900 reside in Canada, and about 250 can be found in the GTA. Some common types such as Bumblebees, Leaf Cutter bees, and Mason bees, are among the 90 % that do not make honey. The majority of bees do not even reside in hives like the Honey bee, that has made them an ideal candidate for beekeeping, since 2400 B.C. in Egypt. Honey, still edible, due to it's antbacterial properties, has been found in the toombs of Pharohs!
Cathy stressed that over 100 food crops need direct contact with bees in order to be produced. Without them we would need to resort to hand-pollinating each flower, like in the production of apples and pears in the Hunan province, China or other Himalayan regions. She emphasized that we gardeners should help the local bees by advocating for their co-existence in our living spaces, support the local beekeeper organizations by buying local honey, and in particular create bee friendly gardens.
Gardens that attract a diversity of bees have a diversity of plants, with a succession of blooms, rich in both nectar and pollen, that are scented, and predominantly blue, purple, white, or yellow. It is important to have a constant source of water, with some less manicured areas and some bare soil. It was interesting to discover that the much talked about 'Colony Collapse Disorder' plaguing the United States has not reached Canada, although we may witness some diminished populations as a result of habitat loss, too many monoculture crops, improper timing of pesticide application, other environmental stresses and viral disease. However, the potential spread of the Varroa destructor mite has been limited by the tight control of queen bee transport across the border.
For more information about bees in Toronto, or the managed hives of the Royal York Hotel, the Toronto Botanical Gardens, the Evergreen Brickworks , and others, visit: http://www.torontobees.ca/
January Presentation: Tips for Growing Winning Roses Organically from A to Z
14/02/12 09:03 PM
by member Karen Sciuk
Shari-Lyn Safir introduced us to a colourful array of her favourite roses, encouraging us to try some here in zone 5, as they also survive further north in her zone 2b Thunder Bay gardens. Instead of buying potted roses whose roots will have been pruned to fit the pots, she advised us to find bare root plants grafted onto hardy multi-flora root stocks for 30-50% of the price.
To plant, dig a hole 3 ft. deep by 3 ft. wide if possible, to enable the roots to be spread out over a mound of black earth. The graft union should be 6 in. below the final soil surface to protect the grafted portion from the freeze-thaw cycles of our winters. Back fill the hole in one-third increments with a 1:1:1 mixture of black earth, manure ( e.g. sheep ), and well-aged garden compost ( not mushroom ). Water well each time, tamping down to remove air pockets. Throw in 3 banana peels for a dose of potassium, tea and coffee grounds to boost the acidity, and garlic bulbets to deter aphids. For the first 2 weeks pile black earth above the canes to encourage root growth over vegetative growth, followed by slow and careful removal.
When the forsythias are in bloom it's time to prune out dead, diseased, and damaged wood, as well as any canes smaller in diameter than a pencil. Open up the interior to ensure good air circulation leaving 3-5 canes in an open vase or bowl shape. Hybrid Teas can be pruned back by half every year, and down to 6 in. if producing show blooms. Grandifloras, Floribundas, Austins should be left alone for 3-4 years, and reduced by a third in subsequent years. Let ramblers ramble, and climbers climb! However more climbing canes will be produced if the original canes are bent or wound horizontally on their supports. Dead head frequently until mid October.
Transplanting is best done in the early spring of March/ April, keeping as much of the root ball intact as possible.
Alfalfa pellets or cubes are a great rose fertilizer. Use 3-4 per bush covered in manure, or soak to make alfalfa tea, starting at the end of April and ending by August the 1st. Epsom salts sprinkled once per month help green up the leaves, and ease the basal breaks of suckers. If showing, time the application for one week before the show, and prune stems to a 5-leaf leaflet.
Roses thrive on neglect so water infrequently i.e. a 3-5 gallon soak once per week is sufficient, and encourages deep roots. To avoid Black Spot be sure NOT to water overhead or at night. Recipe for Rust and Blackspot 1 gallon or 4.5L of water 1 tbsp baking soda 1 tbsp vegetable oil 1 squirt of mild dish soap Spray once every five days wherever you see evidence of disease.
To discourage pests and attract predators such as lacewings plant dill, parsley, fennel, wild carrot nearby. Aphids and sawflies can be handpicked, but if you're squeamish the following recipe works well. Recipe for Aphids: 1 gallon or 4.5L of water 7-8 crushed garlic cloves Place crushed garlic in water and let stand for 24 hours. Strain the mixture and spray where you see aphids. (Squishing them with your fingers is also an effective option)
For winter protection, mound pure black earth over the canes once the ground has frozen, and cover the earth with shredded autumn leaves away from the protruding canes. To prevent the leaves from being blown away cover the entire mound with composted manure. Once spring arrives worms will get to work mixing the leaves, manure, and black earth, and the mound will be reduced without having to remove it.
For more information visit the Canadian Rose Society: www.canadianrosesociety.org
Shari-Lyn Safir introduced us to a colourful array of her favourite roses, encouraging us to try some here in zone 5, as they also survive further north in her zone 2b Thunder Bay gardens. Instead of buying potted roses whose roots will have been pruned to fit the pots, she advised us to find bare root plants grafted onto hardy multi-flora root stocks for 30-50% of the price.
To plant, dig a hole 3 ft. deep by 3 ft. wide if possible, to enable the roots to be spread out over a mound of black earth. The graft union should be 6 in. below the final soil surface to protect the grafted portion from the freeze-thaw cycles of our winters. Back fill the hole in one-third increments with a 1:1:1 mixture of black earth, manure ( e.g. sheep ), and well-aged garden compost ( not mushroom ). Water well each time, tamping down to remove air pockets. Throw in 3 banana peels for a dose of potassium, tea and coffee grounds to boost the acidity, and garlic bulbets to deter aphids. For the first 2 weeks pile black earth above the canes to encourage root growth over vegetative growth, followed by slow and careful removal.
When the forsythias are in bloom it's time to prune out dead, diseased, and damaged wood, as well as any canes smaller in diameter than a pencil. Open up the interior to ensure good air circulation leaving 3-5 canes in an open vase or bowl shape. Hybrid Teas can be pruned back by half every year, and down to 6 in. if producing show blooms. Grandifloras, Floribundas, Austins should be left alone for 3-4 years, and reduced by a third in subsequent years. Let ramblers ramble, and climbers climb! However more climbing canes will be produced if the original canes are bent or wound horizontally on their supports. Dead head frequently until mid October.
Transplanting is best done in the early spring of March/ April, keeping as much of the root ball intact as possible.
Alfalfa pellets or cubes are a great rose fertilizer. Use 3-4 per bush covered in manure, or soak to make alfalfa tea, starting at the end of April and ending by August the 1st. Epsom salts sprinkled once per month help green up the leaves, and ease the basal breaks of suckers. If showing, time the application for one week before the show, and prune stems to a 5-leaf leaflet.
Roses thrive on neglect so water infrequently i.e. a 3-5 gallon soak once per week is sufficient, and encourages deep roots. To avoid Black Spot be sure NOT to water overhead or at night. Recipe for Rust and Blackspot 1 gallon or 4.5L of water 1 tbsp baking soda 1 tbsp vegetable oil 1 squirt of mild dish soap Spray once every five days wherever you see evidence of disease.
To discourage pests and attract predators such as lacewings plant dill, parsley, fennel, wild carrot nearby. Aphids and sawflies can be handpicked, but if you're squeamish the following recipe works well. Recipe for Aphids: 1 gallon or 4.5L of water 7-8 crushed garlic cloves Place crushed garlic in water and let stand for 24 hours. Strain the mixture and spray where you see aphids. (Squishing them with your fingers is also an effective option)
For winter protection, mound pure black earth over the canes once the ground has frozen, and cover the earth with shredded autumn leaves away from the protruding canes. To prevent the leaves from being blown away cover the entire mound with composted manure. Once spring arrives worms will get to work mixing the leaves, manure, and black earth, and the mound will be reduced without having to remove it.
For more information visit the Canadian Rose Society: www.canadianrosesociety.org
Potluck Dinner - Monday, February 13, 2012
12/02/12 08:15 PM
Hello Garden Club Members:
Here is the information for the February 13 Pot Luck Dinner:
• Doors open at 5:00pm - Dinner starts at 6:00pm
• Please bring your own plate, cutlery and mug and remember to put your name on your pot luck dish and serving utensil.
• Only Tea, Coffee and Water will be supplied.
NOTE: If you are planning to attend and have not let us know, could you please contact us.
We need to know the number of people coming in order to set up the proper amount of tables. Also, if you did sign up but forgot to mention that your partner or friend is coming as well let us know. All are welcome.
Here is the information for the February 13 Pot Luck Dinner:
• Doors open at 5:00pm - Dinner starts at 6:00pm
• Please bring your own plate, cutlery and mug and remember to put your name on your pot luck dish and serving utensil.
• Only Tea, Coffee and Water will be supplied.
NOTE: If you are planning to attend and have not let us know, could you please contact us.
We need to know the number of people coming in order to set up the proper amount of tables. Also, if you did sign up but forgot to mention that your partner or friend is coming as well let us know. All are welcome.
- Speaker is Cathy Kozma at 7:30 Topic is "The Importance of BEE-ing”. Cathy will have honey and soap for sale.
- Imagination Table - This month's theme for your floral arrangement entry is "Masks of Mardi Gras". The design must contain a mask with the floral components complementing the colours. No artificial plants allowed.
2011 OGC Christmas Social
05/12/11 11:54 PM
December 5, 2011
from member Pat
The 2011 Christmas Social was a wonderful event to end the year for the garden club members. It was great fun, the scrumptious food, lively entertainment, Christmas games and prizes made for a really enjoyable evening. The committee thanks the garden club members who came out to support this event, for their donation to the Sweet and Savoury potluck and the food drive for Simcoe Hall Settlement House.
“Sentimental Journey” was the lively entertainment for the evening, they played a variety of music that actually enticed a few people to get up and dance.
The Santa Costume game was the hit of the evening. Each table dressed a Santa with limited supplies and all the costumes were fantastic. It was very hard for the committee judges to select the best Santa. The best Santa was from table 7; each person at that table received a prize for their creative work. Each of the Santa’s took home the poinsettia that was the centre piece on their table.
The evening ended with the draw for the lovely Gift Basket, as well as a Chocolate Sleigh and a Poinsettia.
Thanks to everyone who made this evening possible.
Check out our 2011 Christmas Social photos.
from member Pat
“Sentimental Journey” was the lively entertainment for the evening, they played a variety of music that actually enticed a few people to get up and dance.
The evening ended with the draw for the lovely Gift Basket, as well as a Chocolate Sleigh and a Poinsettia.
Thanks to everyone who made this evening possible.
Check out our 2011 Christmas Social photos.
November Presentation: Alliums
14/11/11 10:59 PM
November 14, 2011
from member Karen Sciuk
Mary Hinton and Susan Shepherd, two of our Durham Master Gardeners, discussed many interesting facts about both edible and ornamental alliums.
This diverse genus that includes garlic ( A. sativum ), chives ( A. schoenoprasum ), onions ( A. cepa ) and leeks ( A. ampeloprasum ), as well as those grown just for their striking globe-like flowers ( A. caeruleum, A. hollandicum, etc.), are all ultimately edible. Although we tend to think of them planted in the rows of a vegetable garden, or in punctuating clumps of a formal perennial border ( A. sphaerocephalon, A. giganteum x A. stipitatum), they also lend themselves well to the drifts of a naturalized garden ( A. moly, A. zebdaneanse ) or the rock garden ( A. cernuum), even in containers ( A. karataviense ) or a Japanese garden ( A. senescens spp. glaucum).
They are low maintenance, despite needing regular watering and the reduced competition of a weed free area, due to their disease and pest resistance. An added bonus is their resistance to deer, and their attractiveness to bees and butterflies. They even make lovely cut and dried flowers ( A. christophii, A. caeruleum ).
from member Karen Sciuk
Mary Hinton and Susan Shepherd, two of our Durham Master Gardeners, discussed many interesting facts about both edible and ornamental alliums.
This diverse genus that includes garlic ( A. sativum ), chives ( A. schoenoprasum ), onions ( A. cepa ) and leeks ( A. ampeloprasum ), as well as those grown just for their striking globe-like flowers ( A. caeruleum, A. hollandicum, etc.), are all ultimately edible. Although we tend to think of them planted in the rows of a vegetable garden, or in punctuating clumps of a formal perennial border ( A. sphaerocephalon, A. giganteum x A. stipitatum), they also lend themselves well to the drifts of a naturalized garden ( A. moly, A. zebdaneanse ) or the rock garden ( A. cernuum), even in containers ( A. karataviense ) or a Japanese garden ( A. senescens spp. glaucum).
They are low maintenance, despite needing regular watering and the reduced competition of a weed free area, due to their disease and pest resistance. An added bonus is their resistance to deer, and their attractiveness to bees and butterflies. They even make lovely cut and dried flowers ( A. christophii, A. caeruleum ).
October Presentation by Charlie Dobbin - “The Big Chill”
17/10/11 10:01 PM
October 17, 2011
from member Karen Sciuk
Charlie Dobbin, host of 'The Garden Show', Zoomer Radio 740 AM, and former co-host of 'One Garden Two Looks', HGTV, entertained us with an informative checklist of the annually necessary tasks for preparing our gardens for the winter:
from member Karen Sciuk
- Over-seed/reseed grass in September
- Mow 1.5” short, and mulch or bag fall leaves, to discourage winter mould
- Top-dress lawns with 1” top soil, triple mix, or compost and a high P- root stimulating fertilizer as late as November
- Leave tender perennials but decompose annuals by chopping in-situ or removing to composter
- Cut back perennials that are prone to mushiness but leave seed heads for the birds and winter interest
- Lift tender bulbs, let air dry, wrap in peat/ newspaper and store in a dark, cool, frost-free area e.g. Cannas, Callas, Begonias, Dahlias
- Plant spring bulbs: Narcissus and Allium early, Tulips as late as November; out-smart the squirrels by planting deep, covering with planks once frozen, chicken-wire mats
- Wrap dark barked tree trunks and those with SW exposure to protect from winter sun-scald
- Give evergreens a deep late water to protect them from winter dehydration, every 7-10 days if the winter is mild
- Loosely wrap only those evergreens exposed to salt spray or extremely harsh winter winds
- Shade Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Pieris if not planted as an understory
- Wait now to prune trees and shrubs until dormant in November-December, or next February-March our late winter/ early spring
- Mulch root zones of trees, shrubs, perennials after a few hard frosts and the ground is frozen
- Disinfect pots and repair, repaint, sharpen tools
- Roses are drought tolerant once established, and love a hot S or W wall; they thrive on neglect!
- Prevent Black Spot, a soil-born fungus, by mulching to minimize splashing onto foliage
- In our zone bury the graft union of Hybrid Teas, Grandifloras, Floribundas at least 2” below soil surface at planting; this ensures that the grafted portion survives winter-kill; pile protective mulch only after ground is frozen
- Prune grafted varieties: 18” or to the “knees” after a hard fall frost, and to the “ankles” in the spring
- Prune shrub roses back to 2-3', either after a hard fall frost or late winter/ early spring
- Prune climbers and ramblers only to avoid winter wind damage
- Prune for good air circulation
September Presentation - Explorations in Flower and Garden Photography
12/09/11 10:06 PM
from member Karen Sciuk
Marilyn Cornwell speaker
Photograph what you love. Let the image tell the story “about” not just “of” your chosen subject matter. This was the main take-home message from Marilyn Cornwell (www.marilyncornwell.com) who followed her passion to become a full-time photographer. She gave us lots of tips for capturing artistic renderings of our favourite things and memorable places. Isolate your subject to make it clear. Simplify by avoiding hot/busy spots, or black holes. Choose backgrounds that are not distracting by walking around the subject matter to find the best view, the correct distance. Avoid the “bullseye”; placement off-centre or top or bottom works better. Look for contrast between reds and greens. Overcast skies give the best light. Do not be afraid to crop your final image to improve the placement or enhance the detail. Remember the rule of thirds and the two-thirds scale.
Marilyn also gave us a photographic tour of some marvellous world gardens. She made it clear that many of these places were designed by those very aware of perspective. Many of these gardens guide visitors to the best locations to take pictures with good composition. Amateurs cannot help but take marvellous panoramic photographs. Our own Parkwood Estate is one such garden - in particular the Italian Garden and the Formal Garden.
Marilyn Cornwell speaker
Photograph what you love. Let the image tell the story “about” not just “of” your chosen subject matter. This was the main take-home message from Marilyn Cornwell (www.marilyncornwell.com) who followed her passion to become a full-time photographer. She gave us lots of tips for capturing artistic renderings of our favourite things and memorable places. Isolate your subject to make it clear. Simplify by avoiding hot/busy spots, or black holes. Choose backgrounds that are not distracting by walking around the subject matter to find the best view, the correct distance. Avoid the “bullseye”; placement off-centre or top or bottom works better. Look for contrast between reds and greens. Overcast skies give the best light. Do not be afraid to crop your final image to improve the placement or enhance the detail. Remember the rule of thirds and the two-thirds scale.
Marilyn also gave us a photographic tour of some marvellous world gardens. She made it clear that many of these places were designed by those very aware of perspective. Many of these gardens guide visitors to the best locations to take pictures with good composition. Amateurs cannot help but take marvellous panoramic photographs. Our own Parkwood Estate is one such garden - in particular the Italian Garden and the Formal Garden.
2011 Strawberry Social
27/06/11 09:16 PM
June 27, 2011
The annual Strawberry Social of the Oshawa Garden Club always brings a pleasant inauguration to the formal gardening season and signals a break in club meetings which resume in September.
Local musicians, Melanie (classical guitar) and Joanne (flute) entertained OGC members and guests as the silent auction and sale of used gently books preceded the splash of strawberry desserts.
Irma and Marion, posing with desserts.
The annual Strawberry Social of the Oshawa Garden Club always brings a pleasant inauguration to the formal gardening season and signals a break in club meetings which resume in September.
Irma and Marion, posing with desserts.