Gardeners, start your grow-ops!
I don’t believe anyone senses the approach of spring more acutely than a gardener. This is why late February is such an opportune time to organize events that cater to this awakening. These functions provide a welcome opportunity to get away from award shows and dreary politics and spend a few hours feeling as though spring has already arrived, despite what the groundhog predicted.
On Saturday, Feb. 25, Waterloo Region’s Seedy Saturday takes place at the Kitchener Public Library, 85 Queen St. N., from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. It’s a joint initiative of the Kitchener Master Gardeners, the Kitchener Public Library and gardenKitchener, the snappy new name of the Kitchener Horticultural Society.
You’re sure to get your money’s worth because it’s free to the public. With 24 vendors and information booths, there’ll be more than enough seeds and garden wisdom to go around. Among them, REEP Green Solutions will be on hand to answer all your questions on addressing climate change, residential energy efficiency, and how to deal with storm water around the garden. If you’re new to gardening and thirsty for more knowledge, District 19 of the Ontario Horticultural Association will help guide you to an association or garden club in your area.
Meanwhile, for an on-the-spot opportunity for plant and garden information, take in one or more of the seven presentations on topics that range from butterfly gardening to creating a healthier yard. For peony growers, Darren Heimbecker of Whistling Gardens and a propagation expert will explain every aspect of the seeding, grafting, and dividing of peonies.
Dugald Cameron, retired owner of the sorely missed Garden Imports, will share his passion for tuberous begonias and spring and summer flowering bulbs. I want to hear more from him about Eremurus. It’s known as foxtail lily and I intend to plant more this spring. I say this every year and I forget, so I slipped this in as a reminder. More on Seedy Saturday at www.kitchenerhs.ca. To find Seedy Saturdays in other communities, see www.seeds.ca/events.
If Saturday in the garden at the library isn’t enough, Sunday, Feb. 26 is A Day in the Garden presented by the Guelph-Wellington Master Gardeners. Held at the Victoria Park East Golf Club, 1096 Victoria Rd. S. in Guelph, it’s another event I never miss. This one will cost you $50 and it’s well worth it — lunch is included.
The theme is “growing up,” and will focus on unique ways to get your garden off the ground. If your beds are full and your lawn is rapidly diminishing, growing up is an opportunity to produce even more in your garden. There’s nothing wrong with morning glories but if you’d like to try something different, Frank Kershaw will be speaking on Vines for Urban Spaces. If you want vines with veggies, Ken Brown will be speaking on, yes, Vertical Veggies. Ken is the former Toronto Zoo horticulturist who researched and supervised tropical habitat installations for the animals. If he can keep monkeys happy I’m sure he has no problem training tomatoes and squash.
The third speaker is Robert Pavlis, who runs an excellent website debunking garden myths at www.gardenmyths.com. His presentation is on building and planting
troughs. You might assume trough gardens are typically quite close to the ground. Not at all. When planted with succulents, they’re a wonderful option for the challenging conditions of a 10th-storey balcony. Succulents are one of the latest trends and they’re easy to grow. To register: 519-824-4120 ext. 56714, mgguelph@hotmail.com or see online information at guelphwellingtonmastergardeners.wildapricot.org.
With all that talk about plants and seeds, I hope Ontario Hydro is prepared for all those seedy grow-ops starting up.
To chat with local gardeners, share tips, swap seed, or discuss vertical gardening, see Grand Gardeners on Facebook at www.facebook.com/groups/Grandgardeners/.