There’s more to this group than gardening
Ontario Horticultural Association cultivates education and friendship
People who share an interest in being outside amongst the greenery should be interested in this: The Ontario Horticultural Association (OHA) is in your neighbourhood and it’s looking for new members.
The OHA is a coalition of community-based societies and garden clubs from across the province.
To introduce you to the OHA, I have reached out to Nancy Serrick and Malcolm Geast, who are both are very active in the organization.
There are benefits to joining the OHA or any local member horticultural club: Education: “Members are encouraged to learn about all aspects of nature,” Serrick says. “The OHA offers a wide variety of programs; some are driven and organized by local member orgs and others are offered during the annual meeting that’s coming up in Kitchener this July.” Beautification: “We work in our communities to enhance landscapes and gardens in public spaces,” Geast says. Each community-based group is given guidelines to create their own public beautification programs. Volunteers often help to maintain public gardens. Members also plan, plant and maintain many of the gardens seen across the province at the entrances to towns and villages — think about that when you travel this summer. Ideas are shared on the website gardenontario.org. Friendship: Both Serrick and Geast mention meeting other like-minded people and developing wonderful relationships. There are many opportunities to join OHA activities and each is an invitation to meet people and share common interests in gardening. There are several committees where enthusiastic participation is encouraged, including fundraising, conservation and youth programs.
Who should join? If you have an interest in gardening of any kind and if you enjoy meeting new people, this organization could be for you.
The OHA covers the gamut, from vegetable and herb gardening to ornamental plants and container gardening.
The OHA website tells the story of an active and dynamic organization committed to supporting communities and its member organizations. To join, all you have to do is sign up at your local garden club or horticultural society. Find a list of member organizations at gardenontario.org,
As it says on the website, “Do you love gardening? Are concerned about Ontario’s environment? Whether you are a new gardener looking for support or an experienced one who is willing to share what you know, there is a place for you in OHA. Even gardeners who have moved from homes into apartments and no longer actively garden are most welcome as volunteers.”
The cost of joining a local club varies between $10 and $20 annually.
Diane Ward is district officer for the Stouffville Garden Club. She said her greatest enthusiasm is for the opportunities to connect with kids through local schools.
“I am finding a much greater appreciation (by kids) for the community than we realize. At one event, kids picked veggies, washed, cut and ate the fresh salad,” she said. “Thirty kids eating salad together was a miracle!”
The OHA provides grants to deserving clubs that range from $250 to set up a “Seedy Saturday” seed exchange to reduced rates on insurance for community gardens. It has also done a great job of honouring those who have served in various roles in the OHA with nine separate awards, some of which recipients have earned since the inception of the organization in 1906.
Even with a pedigree that goes back more than 100 years, the OHA has stayed relevant and current. Today, its focus is on food gardening and the environment.
If any of this piques your interest, I urge you to sign up. You will discover gardening is anything but a sol- itary pastime. “We are not private clubs and welcome newcomers always,” Nancy says. Mark Cullen is an expert gardener, author and broadcaster. Get his free monthly newsletter at markcullen.com. Look for his new bestseller, The New Canadian Garden, published by Dundurn Press. Follow him on Twitter @MarkCullen4 and on Facebook.