WINONA HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

NEWSLETTER February 2014

Presidents' MessageHello everyoneThe weather network is forecasting milder temperatures this week, giving us some relief from the extreme low temperatures -- hopefully +2 as you read this. For months now we have been taking steps to survive these extremes. We know it is only temporary, but how will these low temperatures affect our gardens on a longer term basis after the thaw?

What I've discovered is that there is good and bad news. The good news is that these extreme temperatures will likely be hard on invasive species of insects such as the gypsy moth and emerald ash borer, reducing their numbers. We may also have fewer mosquitoes. All good news. According to Susan Dudley, a McMaster University biologist, this also extends to plant life. "I think it has been a better winter for our native flora than our invasive flora." (The Hamilton Spectator, p. A 3, February 15, 2014) Non-native invasive species are not accustomed to dealing with these conditions and will have a harder time surviving them.

On the Ontario Horticultural Association website, (gardenontario.org), I found an article by Peter Dennet from 2007 called “The Warmth of Snow”. Peter carried out his own experiment about snow as an insulator. Using a temperature sensor placed below 9 inches of snow, Peter found that in cases where the air temperature stayed between 0 and -25, temperatures under the snow remained between -2 to -4.8. Therefore, Peter concluded that '....based on this small experiment, I would say that in a typical winter in our area, provided there is good snow cover before the severe cold arrives, ground level temperatures under the snow are unlikely to go much below –5º no matter how low the outside temperature." That is good news for plant life laying beneath the snow in a typical winter, but this winter has not been typical with temperatures going down to -40 in some areas. Hopefully, Peter's findings will be consistent even with these lower temperatures.

The Spectator article also stated that "...the deep freeze has turned Cootes Paradise into nearly solid ice that has pushed fish and other water life out of the marsh for the winter." The good news is that harmful species such as carp, who create problems that kill plant life, have also moved out and they can be blocked from returning to the marsh.

The bad news is that the consensus is that there is really no way to determine what the negative effects of the long term cold temperatures and layers of snow will be until the final melt. In my searches I found lists of concerns. On the Canadian Gardener website,

(http://www.canadiangardening.com/), one gardener, Ian, stated that "..exposed shrubs such as hydrangeas, lilacs may not bloom due to the damage of the flower buds or have tip die-back on their stems." Ian was also optimistic though reminding us that "...plants are pretty resilient and may come through with slight damage". Another gardener wondered what would happen to the shrubs that she planted in the fall that hadn't yet had the opportunity to develop established roots. What will be the effects of the many broken branches on trees from the ice storms?

We will have to be patient to see what the effects are in our gardens and neighbourhoods. Other good news...as of February 19th, there are only 19 days until Daylight Savings begins and only 29 days until the official first day of spring.

J

Jane and Gerrie, February 19, 2014

Photo - Ryan Inch

Coming Events/Notices

ROYAL BOTANICAL GARDENS680 Plains Road, Burlington

Savage Gardens, Nature's Ninjas – January 18 to April 13, 2014 10 am – 5 pmCombining science, botany, art, humor, and hands-on activity, Savage Gardens reaches all ages with its rich components. Four monumental sculptures render viewers bug-sized, while interactive and interpretive elements educate and entertain. Meet the creatures that utilize some unusual and amazing defensive strategies to ward off predators and protect themselves. Our special demonstrations bring you eye to eye with a variety of live animals from around the world! Orchid Society Annual Show – March 1 (12 noon – 5 pm); March 2 (10 am – 5 pm; andRBG Centre photographers only 8 – 10 am) Displays and exhibits; painting, photograph and plant sales.Jazz Brunches – Sunday, March 9 and Sunday, March 23 10 am Gardens CaféFeaturing the musical magic of Michael Maguire on Mar 9 & the dynamic tones of Steel River Duo on Mar 23.Adults $20 Children (4 – 10) $12 Reservations recommended 905 527-1158 X 302Outdoor Living & Garden Show – March 28 – 30Ideas and inspiration for every level of gardener.Did you know about the RBG's Gardening Information Service?Get answers to your gardening questions:

by phone: 905 527-1158 X 226; fax: 905 577-0375; or e-mail: grow@rbg.ca

For program information call 905 527-1158 or visit their website www.rbg.ca

SEEDY SATURDAY – February 22 11 am - 4 pmPioneer Memorial Church1974 King Street East, HamiltonSales, swaps, gardening workshops, kids' activities, refreshments and a chance to win great prizes!Vendors will include Tree and Twig Heirloom Vegetable Co.; Seeds of Diversity, Canada or bring some seeds to trade and find something exciting and new to grow this year! For more information go to hcgn.ca/seedy

STRATFORD GARDEN FESTIVAL “ Beyond the Garden Gate” – February 27 to March 2, 2014Stratford Rotary Complex353 McCarthy Rd, StratfordPresented by the Lung Association and sponsored by Orr Insurance and InvestmentTickets $9 (or $20 for a 4-day pass) For more information contact the Lung Association at dherman@on.lung.ca or call 519 271-7500.

SUCCESSFUL GARDENING SHOW – March 6 – 9 pmMetro Toronto Convention CentreCelebrate the beginning of Spring! OHA Plant & Floral Competition Theme: Let's Dance!Adults $15 Seniors & Youths (9-18) $12OHA volunteers needed. Contact Barb O'Malley at 905 278-1958 or tom.omalley@sympatico.ca

CANADA BLOOMS “Wild!” - March 14 – 23 10 am – 9 pm (Sunday 10 - 5)Direct Energy Centre, Toronto“Connecting people to nature, Canada Blooms creates inspiring and engaging fantasy gardens that bring people back year after year.”Get started on your spring garden – info at canadablooms.com

WHS NEXT MEETING – Wednesday, March 19, 7:30 pmSt. John's Anglican Church Hall, Winona Gerten Bason, of the Hamilton Naturalists' Club, will talk on birds and butterflies and how to attract them to your garden.

GUELPH ARBORETUM WORKSHOPSUniversity of GuelphInformation on Arboretum workshops is now available through their e-newsletter or on The Arboretum website (http://www.uoguelph.ca/arboretum/educationandevents/workshops.shtml). To receive the newsletter send an e-mail to arbor@uofguelph.ca and write “subscribe to newsletter” in the subject line.Upcoming workshops include pruning, wildlife habitat gardening, gardening fundamentals and more.

Tonight's Speaker Marilyn Cornwell, who hails from Grimsby, Ontario, describes herself as an artist and photographer who explores two realms – the wonder and magic of gardens and plants in the natural world, and the everyday “decays” in the urban environment.In the garden, Marilyn focuses on capturing its atmosphere, spirit and beauty, through evocative images that preserve precious garden memories. She seeks out the essence of plants and gardens through the seasons and in the fine details of colour, texture, pattern and form. Marilyn is herself an expert gardener, whose own garden inspires her work, and is often the setting for her floral portraits. In the other realm, which she calls “Urban Extraction”, Marilyn explores such things as peeling paint, rust, bruised metal, and wasting paper and fabric. She creates abstract images that fascinate the viewer with their origin and source. Having transitioned from a career in information management, IT and business consulting, Marilyn once saw patterns in the organizational routine of the work day. Now she looks to the artistic side of life for patterns and inspiration. You can get to know Marilyn better, and see samples of her work at www.marilyncornwell.com where you can also access her blog: blog.marilyncornwell.com. “Redbubble” is the purchase site for prints, calendars, greeting cards, etc. You can also arrange to receive a daily or weekly e-mail, featuring Marilyn's excellent photography.

Marilyn has shared her passion with horticultural societies and garden clubs since 2009, when she began this second career in photography. She enjoys public speaking and brings enthusiasm and energy in her presentations. Tonight, through her skilled photographer's eye, Marilyn will take us on a whirlwind tour of some of the great public gardens that are virtually in our own backyard. Many are within easy driving distance, including the Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington, the Toronto Botanical Garden and the Music Garden in Toronto, the Peony Garden and McLaughlin house in Oshawa, and Spindletree in the Kingston area, with more in the Niagara Peninsula. We are sure to be fascinated, and inspired to seek out these “garden treasures” on our own.Welcome Marilyn Cornwell!

Baby, It's Cold Outside . . .so what can we do inside to keep from

going stir-crazy?? Here are a couple of suggestions.December's ice storm brought down many trees and live limbs, but some people found a silver lining in the destruction. They cut budding branches off the fallen ones, and forced them into bloom. You can still do that now, if not from December's supply, then by cutting new ones. Betty Denny found these instructions in the Gardener's Journal.“Force indoor blooms on branches of fruit trees, forsythia or magnolia. Prune branches with plump buds into at least 2-foot lengths. Cut off bottom of each stem on a slant. Stand in warm water for 30 minutes, then in cold water with some charcoal and put in a cool dull corner for 3 days. Arrange in a vase and move to a sunny window in a warm room. Expect blooms in a few weeks. To extend the blooming period, change the water daily, and mist the blossoms occasionally. Gather new branches every 2 weeks for 2 to 3 months of bloom. Choose a warm sunny day.”

Another suggestion is to start something exotic! Seeds from many warm-climate fruits can be planted and grown into houseplants. Our family is trying to grow a lychee plant – here's how.

“Lychee Fruit like so many other tropical fruits, is not a natural for indoor gardeners. It's more of a novelty plant and will be unlikely to ever bear fruit or grow to maturity (unless you have a greenhouse). Still, it can be fun to sprout these seeds if you happen to get one and grow the attractive little tree.To sprout seeds, cover them with potting soil, keep warm and moist, and wait for sprouts to emerge (which can take weeks). Once they've sprouted, move to a sunnier spot after a few weeks. “

Planted on January 31, so far, ours have not sprouted, but we'll keep you posted!

Lychee fruit and seeds

Seeds are laid flat in pot of soil, then covered with more soil.

Photos - Ryan Inch

District 6 Logo Contest WinnerAs announced at the District 6 Breakfast Meeting on February 1, the winner of the District 6 New Logo Contest is

The Dogwood design was the clear favourite, capturing a large majority of the votes submitted by our societies.Congratulations to Sandra Williamson of theGeorgetown Horticultural Society for coming up with the design!

Request for InformationWe are trying to compile a complete membership list, to include phone numbers, home and e-mail addresses. This information will be used for the sole purpose of keeping you informed on Society business and will not be shared with any other person or organization, without your permission. If you haven't already supplied us with this information, please do so in person tonight, or by e-mail to Joy (potsherds@gmail.com). Thanks for your help.

Gardens Central MagazineWhen we can't be outside gardening, we can at least dream, and gardening magazines are a good way to do that. You can find Gardens Central (in our area) on newsstands or online as an e-newsletter. It's fun and informative, just the thing we need to keep us inspired during the long, cold winter.Both formats share tips for indoor and outdoor gardening, and great articles on plants and wildlife. The January/February issue has features like “Flooded with Perennials”, “Hardy Hazelnuts -Fantastic Filberts”, “Not Your Grandmother's Petunia Tree”, “Windowsill Herb Garden” and “What's in Your Feeder”, as well as some of this year's hottest new plant picks (with pictures!). Often the online site will have additional material that was not included in the magazine due to

space limitations.Pick one up at the store, or go to the online site www.gardenswest.com/qry/page.taf?id+66 to read selected articles or buy a subscription. Either way, it's a morale-boosting experience.

Just a sample of one of their 2014 plant picks:

Tried and True Atlantis Brokali (Organic)is a unique hybrid cross between Calebrese broccoli and kale. Small, well-formed main heads, delicious side shoots and fantastic flavour are part of the attraction. To find a retailer go to: www.tried-and-true.com. JB

Members' CornerAs always, we welcome your comments and suggestions. Who would you like to have as future speakers? What kind of topics or activities interest you? Share gardening tips or pictures of your yard or garden. Please, drop us a line, send an e-mail or talk to one of the Board members. Here are some of the names:

Gerrie Loveys, Co-president 905 662-8369 loveysg@gmail.com

Jane Donaldson-Mooij, Co-president905 547-0056 bluebird@bell.blackberry.net

Greta Carpenter, 1st Vice-president905 544-8643 gretacarpenter@gmail.com

Jane Donaldson-Mooij, Secretary905 547-0056

Krys Moraal, Treasurer905 643-4592 krysm@yahoo.com

Joy Brunel, Newsletter Editor905 643-3073 potsherds@gmail.com

Mailing address: WHSP. O. Box 10596, Hwy # 8Winona, ON L8E 5R1website: www.gardenontario.org/site.php/winona