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Gardeners' Corner at the

Calgary Horticultural Society
Reader Rock Garden Vandalized
The memorial plaque, donated by the Calgary Horticultural Society and installed in 1944 to honour Mr. Reader for his work in creating the garden, has been stolen. The plaque was mounted on a cairn that welcomes visitors to the garden. 

It was hoped that the plaque may have been tossed somewhere in the garden after being pulled off the cairn, but it has not been found during the spring clean-up. The Friends of Reader Rock Garden Society (FoRRGS) are appealing to the public to keep watch for this historic artifact and have it returned to the garden.

The benches in the upper garden were also vandalized and had to be repaired. FoRRGS asks garden visitors to keep an eye out for unusual behaviour around the garden and to report it to police.

Reader Rock Garden is a beautiful public park and National Historic Site. To learn more about this story watch this linked GlobalNews video.
Gardens of Inspiration: Alpine Gardens—Member Talk 
Thursday, June 4, 6:45 to 8:30 pm, Talk begins at 7:00 pm
Online—Zoom Cloud Meeting
Speaker: Cathy Kurio of CRAGS
(Calgary Rock and Alpine Gardens Society)

As gardeners, our inspiration begins with nature.  It is amazing to see what plants grow happily at the top of a mountain!  Many of us can't get up to see the alpines blooming, but we can admire the photographs taken by others, and begin to emulate the conditions under which these plants grow, so we can enjoy them in our own gardens.

In this talk, Cathy will start with some photos of exciting alpine gardens created by Mother Nature, and then move on to share magnificent alpine gardens created by gardeners.

Come and be impressed by gardens inspired by the Rocky Mountains and the gorgeous plants that grow there.

To join the Member Talk, visit the Members Only Section of the Website. Select the Member Talk item from the dropdown list. This will open the Member Talk page with information about Zoom Cloud meetings and it hosts the meeting link. Please sign in at least 15 minutes before the talk starts.You may visit the page at any time to set up Zoom on your computer. 
Registering for a Talk or Workshop?
Just a reminder, even our online talks and workshops have registration closing dates. A program must reach its set minimum registration target by that date to proceed. If the program is going ahead, the registration may be extended. The number of participants in our online program is a bit more flexible than for our in-person classes, but a maximum number of attendees is also set to ensure that our participants and the instructor can interact comfortably. If you are interested in a workshop, be sure to register early to avoid disappointment.

If you have any trouble trying to register online, call the office at 403.287.3469 (ext. 0) on Tuesday to Friday, between 9 am and 4 pm. Gail, the Society's administrative assistant, will return your call. If you call after hours and leave a message, your call will be returned the next business day. We are continuing to provide the same telephone support we've always had: telephone, choose extension 0, leave a message, and Gail will call you back.
Juniors Garden Club
Are your kids interested in learning more about gardening? The Society has partnered with Ag for Life to offer the Juniors Garden Club that will allow kids to do just that and explore, learn new skills, build confidence, and have fun.

The Juniors Garden Club exposes kids to a variety of fruits and vegetables and encourages taste testing straight from the ground. Kids will learn how to plant their own garden, choose which veggies to plant, and learn the basics from prepping the soil to planting seeds and watering.

To learn more about this program and to sign up, visit the Juniors Garden Club page on the Ag for Life website. The program started May 27 and runs for 14 weeks. Sign up for some garden inspiration.
Calgary Gardening—Plants continue to bloom at the Conservatory
The Calgary Zoo is starting to reopen, but for a few months now the conservatory has only been accessible to those who are entrusted with the care of the plants and animals living there. Read Boyd Nave's article Zoo Nooz: The Solitary Gardener for his reflection on this time in the garden without visitors.

The May issue of Calgary Gardening is posted on the Society's website. Visit the Members Only section of the website, log in, and enjoy reading about gardening.

Watch for the June issue of Calgary Gardening to be posted on the website on June 1.
Update—Supporting Our Community—Donate Seeds You Don't Need
We received a wonderful donation from the West Spring Cougar Ridge Community Garden for this program. They dropped off bags of the vegetable seeds that they didn't need after their gardens were planted. A HUGE thank you to that group for such a generous donation. The seeds were packaged with a seed starting tip sheet prepared by our knowledgeable horticulturist, Kath Smyth, and delivered to The Alex. Thanks to everyone who has donated seeds.

We are still collecting seeds to support Calgarians in need. If you plant your vegetable garden this weekend and have seeds left over, please donate them to our project. If your seed package has been opened, please place it in a sealed plastic bag. All seeds must include sowing instructions. Please only donate seeds that are less than two years old (one year for beets). Place your seed donations in the Society's mailbox at 208 50 Avenue SW.

Please help Calgarians grow fresh food by participating in our seed donation drive.
Supporting Our Community—Soil Sponsor
Thank you to Eagle Lake Professional Landscape Supply for their generous donation.
May Spring Flowers in Calgary—Open Gardens Video Visit This Sunday!
Sunday, May 31, noon
Online: Open Gardens Videos, under the Members Only Section of the website.

Our first virtual visit is of Joan Ganley’s Haysboro garden. There have been some renovations since our summer visit in 2018. The alpine garden, one of Joan's favourite features, is a spring highlight. Be sure to join us on the tour of this beautiful Calgary garden. The video will be available at noon on May 31. It will remain posted on the site for the Open Gardens season.

We do not have any gardens scheduled for June, but are looking forward to sharing tours of July gardens. Thank you to the hosts who are able to share their gardens with us.
If you're interested in being an Open Gardens host, visit What's Happening/Open Gardens on our website for details. Fill in the Submit an Open Garden form and one of our volunteer Open Gardens coordinators will contact you. If you're unsure if your garden is ready to be a garden on the tour, then note that in the form and a team member can help you decide.
 
Membership Has Benefits—Plan Ahead!
Are you looking for a birthday, Father's Day, or special celebration gift? You can sign up for a gift membership online.

With the gardening season underway, we understand you may be eager to have the gift recipient enjoy the benefits a membership card can access, but please allow time for us to process the application. The online purchase receipt can be used as proof of membership for in-person member discount shopping until the membership card arrives in the mail. 

If you want to sign up for a class and purchase a membership online, allow 24 hours from the time of the membership purchase until you attempt to purchase the class at the member rate. If you need to register more quickly, call the office at 403.287.3469 ext. 6 and leave a message. Both purchases can be made at the same time by phone. Phone messages are checked during office hours, Tuesday to Friday between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm.
Spring Plant Share—Extended until June 22
We've been receiving a lot of feedback from our Plant Share participants that they would like to continue the online sharing opportunity into June, as they are still working in their gardens and will have more plants to share later. Responding to this request, we are keeping our Spring Plant Share Facebook group and forum topic active until Monday, June 22. See below for participation details.
  • We have created a forum topic dedicated to member-to-member plant exchanges. It will be accessible from the Members Only section until June 22. Members can post about the plants they have to share and/or are looking to acquire. Visit the Plant Share page here. 
     
  • We have also created a private (members only) Facebook group. If you are a Facebook user and a Society member (we confirm membership status before admitting anyone into the group), then you may want to join our group to post information about plants you have to share and plants you want.  2020 Society Plant Share. We have over 70 (and growing) members in this group.
Feel free to participate in both. Once you connect with someone to share plants, you will need to coordinate using private messenger (PM), how and when the plant exchange will take place.

Please follow COVID-19 guidelines when conducting member-to-member plant exchanges, including following this tip from the City: "Sharing bulbs/cuttings or plants? Create a "sharing zone" where you can put plants. Leave them there for 24 hours before having your neighbour pick them up."

May you have a successful Spring Plant Share!
Community Gardens
Community Gardens
Many community gardens have started operations. They have hand and tool sanitation protocols in place. To ensure physical distancing can be practised, many gardens have visitation schedules. The first week of June is popular for planting warm season crops such as beans and squash. Be sure to check the rules for your community garden before heading to your plot.

Visit calhort.org/Resources/Community Gardens for more information for Community Gardeners.
Classes
Visit the What's Happening Calendar for Program Details
To see the calendar, visit calhort.org | What's Happening.
Need help registering? Call the office at 403.287.3469, ext.0 and leave a message for Gail.
Vines—Gardening on the Up Spaces
Monday, June 8, 7:00 to 8:30 pm
Online—Zoom Cloud Meeting
Cost: $15 for members, $25 for non-members
Register

Growing up rather than out is a good way to save space in the garden. You also get to enjoy lots of great vine plants such as clematis, honeysuckle, peas, pole beans, and roses. Adding a trellis or some other vertical structure to your garden also gives you a whole new dimension of visual interest. 

You can put vertical interest into even the tightest of spots, and there are climbers to suit every situation.

This class shows you how to select a suitable climbing plant for your garden. We will discuss planting, fertilizing, how and when to prune, ideas about how to support your plants, and how to keep them tidy.

Plant supports can also be used to add height and an architectural element to the garden. You will learn how to use a variety of natural materials to combine visual interest and practicality when creating plant supports.

Instructor: Kath Smyth

Registration closes Thursday, June 4.
Bringing Back the Bugs!  
Attracting Pollinators, Other Insects, and Birds to Your Garden 
Thursday, June 11, 6:30 to 9:00 pm
Online—Zoom Cloud Meeting
Cost: $25 for members, $35 for non-members
Register

We have all read, heard, and witnessed the decline of many species that are so essential to sustaining a sound ecological environment. Be it your garden, the neighbourhood, or the larger community around us, it is our duty to work towards reversing this trend.

Creating a welcoming garden for all the critters that are so necessary to our world is one way, and it is a very constructive way to contribute to the larger efforts to stem the insect crash of our times.

This workshop will look at the down-to-earth design and cultural practices that we can use to make our gardens oases of habitat for pollinators, other beneficial insects, birds, and other life.

Topics include:

  • overview of the situation
  • roles of insects, soil macro life, birds, and animals in the garden
  • the beneficial ones and the not-so-beneficial ones
  • creating habitat
  • cultural techniques to sustain the habitat
  • managing the garden to avoid using man-made pesticides

The instructor will demonstrate building a bumble bee nesting box and provide plans for building your own.

Instructor: Janet Melrose

Registration closes Monday, June 8.
More Yard Smart Perennials: Grasses, Bulbs, and Groundcovers 
Monday, June 15, 7:00 to 9:00 pm
Online—Zoom Cloud Meeting
Cost: $15 for members, $25 for non-members
Register

Plant material plays an essential role in the development of a water-wise landscape. Trees and shrubs create the framework, while perennials provide seasonal interest and colour, wildlife value, and crucial water retention. The key is in choosing plants that are hard and low maintenance, and that will thrive in your climate and the conditions specific to your site.  In this talk, we will cover a wide variety of perennial grasses, bulbs, and groundcovers to get you started, and will take a look at successful planting combinations. 

Instructor:  Jane Reksten

Registration closes Thursday, June 11.
Practical Irrigation for the Home Gardener 
Saturday, June 20, 9:30 am to 12:30 pm
Online—Zoom Cloud Meeting
Cost: $30 for members, $50 for non-members
Register

Do you want to learn the most effective and beneficial way to irrigate your garden? Drip irrigation is a DIY watering system that saves water and benefits your plants by distributing water more effectively. Plants are watered gradually and close to their base, which is where moisture is needed most.  

Installing a drip irrigation system does not have to be complicated or expensive when you learn from our experts. In this workshop, you will learn how to assemble a drip irrigation system and how to test your water pressure to find out its capacity for irrigation. Learn how to determine if your system should be above or below the surface and how to use timers.  

Instructor: Kath Smyth and Tom Martin

Registration closes Wednesday, June 17.
Are you a Water-wise Gardener?
Then enter our Yard Smart Gardening contest. 

The contest runs from May 16 until September 15, 2020. A winner will be selected at random on the 16th of each month for the months of June, July, August, and September, from the entries received in the period between draws. You may enter only once during each draw period. The prize for the June 16 draw is $25 of Blue Grass Bucks. The Society will use the information collected from the contest submissions to help with program planning and water-wise gardening awareness. 

Want to learn more about creating a water-wise garden? Then sign up for a Design Your Yard workshop. See the Classes section for dates and more information.
Tea with Kath—Facebook Live
Tuesday, June 9, 2:00 to 3:00 pm
Format: Facebook Live
Cost: Free, registration is not required

To have the video automatically display on your Facebook page, we recommend that you visit our page, like and follow us, search for us on your "Add a Friend" list, and send us a friend request by selecting the "Add a Friend" button next to our name.

Submit Your Questions
You may message questions in advance using Messenger (Message Host button) on the Facebook Event post. Be sure to start your question with "Could Kath answer". That way we're sure to know it's a question for this event. 
Design Your Acreage 
Saturday, June 13 and Sunday, June 14, 1:30 to 4:30 pm
Online—Zoom Cloud Meeting
Cost: $65 for members, $95 for non-members
Register

The joy of having unlimited space to garden is soon tempered by the realities of acreage gardens. Wildlife, water, soil, exposure to the elements—where to begin! These are some of the challenges to address when starting to design a landscape.   

Whether starting from scratch or looking to reimagine an established acreage, this talk will outline the design process and inspire you to create a resilient and beautiful landscape that can handle the challenges of country life. 

We will discuss a wide array of topics specific to acreage design, such as: beginning the design process; working with the land; implementing the design in stages; implementing fire safety, methods of collecting, storing, and distributing water; creating attractive shelter belts; protecting plantings from wildlife; managing weeds; installing and maintaining native prairie plantings; and procuring hardy woody material.

There will be plenty of time to answer participants' questions.

Instructor: Elaine Rude

Registration closes Tuesday, June 9.
Rainwater Harvesting
Sunday, June 14, 10:00 to 11:30 am
Online—Zoom Cloud Meeting
Cost: $15 for members, $25 for non-members
Register

If you are curious about capturing and using rainwater on your property, then this is a class for you! Join Andrea Rocchio (Water Harvesting Canada) to learn about the following:  

  • Active rainwater capture: calculations, options for collection containers and how to hook them up, how to set up an overflow, best practices for cleaning and maintenance 
  • Passive rainwater capture: directing the water flow on your property, using raised or sunken beds, swales 
  • Rain gardens: what do they do, how to construct a basic rain garden, and a few plant choices 

Instructor:  Andrea Rocchio from Water Harvesting Canada

Registration closes Thursday, June 11.
Garden Coaching 
Thursday, June 18, 7:00 to 9:00 pm
Online—Zoom Cloud Meeting

Join us virtually in the garden for this monthly demonstration where we coach you though the practical tasks required each month in your garden. 

Watch a video on some garden tasks as they were performed by staff and volunteers in the garden. Learn more as horticulturist Kath Smyth adds tips and tricks and answers some questions related to the topics at hand. 

The topics for June include: 
  • bug of the month 
  • on-going garden chores, including composting, thinning
  • pruning evergreens 
  • what to do with spring bulb foliage 
  • deadheading 
  • watering 

Instructor: Kath Smyth

This is a Society member event. Registration is not required.

To join the Garden Coaching meeting, visit the Members Only Section of the Website. Select the Garden Coaching item from the dropdown list. This will open the Garden Coaching page with information about Zoom Cloud meetings and it hosts the meeting link. Please sign in at least 15 minutes before the talk starts.You may visit the page at any time to set up Zoom on your computer. 
Create a Mosaic Succulent Pot 
Wednesday, June 24, 7:00 to 8:30 pm
Online—Zoom Cloud Meeting
Cost: $15 for members, $25 for non-members
Register

Succulents thrive in our summer climate; they are easy to care for and they add a lot of interest to any container collection. Combining succulents in intriguing arrangements of colour and texture is very popular. Creating mosaic style arrangements in a pot-within-a-pot adds a whole new twist to the possibilities. With a little creativity, imagination, and a variety of cuttings, a mosaic succulent pot is a quick, easy, and fun arrangement to make. In this workshop Elaine Rude will demonstrate how you can make a beautiful mosaic pot of your own.  

If you would like to make a planter during or after the class, you will need the following supplies: 

  • a large container (at least 12 inches across) either shallow or regular depth 
  • a small container  
  • a variety of small succulents (potted or cuttings) such as Echeveria; Aeoniums; Graptoveria; aloes; string of pearls, dolphins, bananas; sticks on fire 
  • cactus potting soil
  • decorative rock  

Instructor: Elaine Rude

Registration closes Thursday, June 18.
Design Your Yard
Not sure what to do with your new yard? Need to reimagine your mature yard? Learn how to create a well-thought-out, functional yard in this multi-day workshop.  Homeowners will work on scale layouts of their own properties and complete step-by-step tasks to create a design that meets their needs.

Two people residing at the same address may attend this workshop at no additional charge, with the requirement that they work on ONE yard plan together. Names of both participants must be provided at the time of registration.

Participants will learn how to:
  • work through the process to develop a yard design
  • apply basic design principles and techniques for creating a beautiful, environmentally responsible, functional yard
  • calculate volumes of soil and mulch and access available resources in the community (such as free compost from the City)
  • irrigate their yard
  • select plants at a garden centre to fulfill their design's requirements 
Participants will need:
  • property dimensions - Real Property Report (RPR)
  • graph paper, ruler, pencil, and eraser
  • wish-list requirements
  • photos from your wish list
 

 
This workshop is sponsored by the 
City of Calgary

Cost: $75 members, $100 non-members
Registration is open for the following online Zoom Cloud Meetings:
Design Your Yard: Wednesday Nights Online
Wednesdays, June 3, 10,  and 17
6:30 to 9:00 pm
Register
Design Your Yard: June Tuesday Nights Online
Tuesdays, June 9, 16,  and 23
6:30 to 9:00 pm
Register
Watch the What's Happening calendar for additional workshops opening soon!

Registered participants will receive an email inviting them to the meeting the week before the class.
 



Master Gardener Program Registration is Open!
Do you want to take your gardening knowledge to the next level? This multi-week course is tailored to gardening in Calgary. To learn more, visit What's Happening/Master Gardener!
Shopping at a Garden Centre this weekend? Visit the garden centre's website to read their shopping guidelines before visiting the centre. Try going later in the day as it may be quieter then. Plan for a crowd, be prepared to wait, and allow two garden cart lengths between you and other shoppers. Please only touch what you intend to purchase. May you find the plants that you want for your garden.
Video Resources: Growing Fruit in Calgary
The Society is adding videos to our YouTube channel. We have recently added a three-part video series, hosted by Jennifer Hoglin, about growing fruit in Calgary. Be sure to visit our channel regularly to see what's new. You can find the Society's YouTube channel by visiting youtube.com and searching for Calgary Horticultural Society.
NEW! Ask a Gardener!
As part of expanding our online services, we have launched a new resource—our Ask a Gardener service. 

As Calgary's best source for local gardening information, our gardeners are ready to answer your Calgary and area gardening questions. Ask a Gardener is supported by our team of volunteer Garden Mentors, Master Gardeners, and Master Gardeners in Training. We value your questions and will respond as soon as possible. Visit the Ask a Gardener page under Resources on our website to submit your gardening questions. Anyone may submit a question to Ask a Gardener. 
Ask an Expert—For Members Only
Members, do you have a gardening question? Then this service is for you! You will find Ask an Expert under the Members Only section of the website. Submit your gardening questions to access in-depth gardening knowledge. 
Gardening FAQs
We've updated our website and added a page of frequently asked questions (FAQs) on gardening topics. The questions and answers posted on Gardening FAQs are common questions submitted to our Ask an Expert service (available in the Members Only section of the website). Topics include advice such as what to plant around conifers and managing pests such as slugs.

Questions?

If you have questions about volunteering with the Society, contact Norm at volunteer@calhort.org.
Volunteers are a valued resource of the Society. The safety and well-being of our volunteers is important to us. We are mindful of all the Society's future events and how the changing situation may affect them. Decisions about these event plans will be made closer to these event dates.
Support the Society

Membership—a Gift that Blooms Year-round
It's a gift that gives throughout the year—free Member Talks, workshop discounts, merchant discounts including garden centres, online resources, e-news, e-magazines, and Open Gardens tours. Gift memberships may be purchased online—visit Membership/Join the Society and scroll to the bottom of the page, or come to the office (208 50 Avenue SW) when it reopens to purchase the gift membership and you can take the membership card home.
Membership Update
Due to the current challenges facing our members and community, the Board has decided to postpone the membership fee increase. Just a reminder that the "Bring a Friend" benefit is now in effect. A member may register and bring a non-member guest to a Society event for the member price. Please note that the Society is no longer offering a family membership.

Start a Plan with a Garden Journal

The Society's journal is a terrific tool to help keep track of your plans and activity in the garden. The pages are not dated, so you can journal at your own pace without the stress of finishing an annual diary. It's a great gift for a gardener for any occasion. Purchase this gardening resource and support the Society. When the office reopens, stop by to purchase your copy ($20) of The Growing Journal.

Help Us Grow!

The Calgary Horticultural Society is a registered charity dedicated to cultivating Calgary’s gardening community. Your support helps us continue our mission to enrich the lives of Calgarians by supporting gardening and enhancing the environment through our programs of talks, workshops, and courses. Donations enable the Society to engage Calgarians in Gardening for Life—every donation is appreciated. Thank you for supporting the Calgary Horticultural Society. Donate online.

You are welcome to drop by the office (208 50 Avenue SW) when it reopens to make a donation, or in the meantime, call us at 403.287.3469 and we will be happy to assist you.
Spread the word! 
Invite your friends to subscribe to this e-news. Forward this email and ask your friends to subscribe by clicking this JOIN link. 
Thanks—come grow with us!
Do you have a gardening question? Did you find a great source for unique seeds you'd like to share? Log in to the Members' Forum, choose a topic and let other members know. We look forward to hearing from you!
Copyright Calgary Horticultural Society | 2020 | All rights reserved.

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Phone: 403.287.3469

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