Westville and Area Gardening Club learns about dahlias

The Westville and Area Gardening Club met in the cafeteria of the Walter Duggan Consolidated Elementary School on May 16 with 17 in attendance and one off-site member, Mary K. MacKinnon on speaker phone. We believe this to be a first in our club’s history. Mary K. read her minutes by speaker phone all the way from Fort McMurray, Alta.

Mary K. will also look into a shortened version of what was originally decided to be put on the plaque. She will keep the club informed what Nelson Monuments can come up with. It is hoped the plaque have raised letters. President Margie Beck was hoping to have the plaque in place by July 1 if possible.

Ross Cameron spoke about the care and planting of dahlias and canna lillies. He stresses that both dahlias and Canna lilies have to be dug up and taken indoors in the fall. Come planting time in the spring he advises to leave a part of the old stem or it will not flower – plant in a hole three to five inches deep and bury just enough to cover the top of the bulb and pile earth around the stem as it grows.

Ross cautions that deer will eat the dahlias. Also, do not follow the “old wives tale” that we plant when the buds on the trees start. He waits until the frost is gone. If you are interested in showing your dahlias then you must note that if there are two shoots, one must be removed. Earwigs love the dahlia’s flowers, to remedy, mix one teaspoon of Dawn dish soap with water and apply to the blooms. Also a handy tip: he puts a single hole in the screw top of a Smirnoff Vodka bottle that he finds on his property, sometimes in the ditch, and fills it with water and uses this as a means to water the tender plants.

Another tip when planting the bulbs: place a twig or branch to mark the plant and when it comes for staking the plant from the wind, you know just where to put the stake without harming the plant. As dahlias and canna lilies grow, for tying, use plastic coated electrical wire, garden ties or even panty hose.

In the fall Ross takes as much of the soil off the bulbs as he can by washing them and putting them out to dry. He stores them in a cool dry, dark area and keeps types/colours in the same container. He prefers storing these bulbs in banana boxes. Canna lilies are similar regarding care and planting as dahlias.

A social time followed and door prizes were distributed.

There was a special land mark celebrated by Jim and Maureen Notley – it was 50 years ago since they arrived in Canada landing in Dorval on the “Brain Train.” Another milestone was Dianna Mannion’s anniversary.

Old business

Darren Martin will put a permanent finish on the structure in Acadia Park soon. Margie asked if anyone was willing to help transport the plants she transplanted from her yard. Donnie Gordon offered his truck and will come over the night before the plant sale to load up his truck.

Margie noted that the hummingbirds have arrived and they are attracted to the grape hyacinth and the flowering quince in her yard. Isabel Kennedy added that she has some trees and bushes and that if we dig them up we can have them also for the park.

Our next meeting will be held June 20, 7 p.m. Everyone is welcome and we love to share our gardening do and don’ts. Submitted by Anne L. Palmer