Book signing, garden tour draws crowd
Peach trees bearing fruit, eight-foot-high rhododendrons, garden beds and rock pathways down to a lake view are just a few of the serene vistas the community enjoyed while touring through the landscaped one-acre property of Donna and Duff Evers of Hammonds Plains on Sunday, Aug. 28.
As active members of the Atlantic Rhododendron & Horticultural Society (ARHS), the Evers’ welcomed the public to their garden and to a book signing to support authors and friends Todd Boland and Jamie Ellison selling Gardening for Acidic Soils, which was just released this spring by Boulder Books.
Todd Boland flew from Newfoundland, especially for the book signing. Already an author of several gardening books that have become standard references for Maritime conditions, he was pleased to see the turnout.
“I couldn’t believe the response!” admits Boland. “People
showed up with copies of my older books to sign. At one point, we ran out of copies and had to bring in more. It was wonderful!”
Jamie Ellison, Boland’s co-author lives in Canning and is well-known across the province for his plant expertise and as a teacher of horticulture at the NSCC Kentville campus.
When asked why they decided to do a book about soil,
Ellison’s response was immediate: “Because soil is at the very heart of your gardening success.”
Donna Evers agrees. “I’ve read their new book and agree with everything they’re advising. I’m learning now why something didn’t flourish. It all comes down to soil conditions and working with what you have. I recall when we first moved here 28 years ago, we brought in many loads of soil to get the garden started. It really is the basis for everything you want to grow.”
ARHS president Jim Sharpe and his volunteer crew of club members directed traffic, signed up new members and even provided live entertainment with Roslyn Duffus on the bagpipes.
“We love welcoming new people to the ARHS,” adds Sharpe. “As a member, you can learn more about gardening from our monthly presentations by local and international speakers. Every spring, you’ll also have access to our plant sale of rare and unusual rhodos and companion plants.”
Gardening For Acidic Soils is in stores now or available online.
For more information about the ARHS, visit atlanticrhodo.org.