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Gardeners' Corner at the

Calgary Horticultural Society
Poppies and Remembrance Day
The poppy became a symbol of remembrance in 1921, when it was adopted by the Great War Veterans' Association to recognize the sacrifice of soldiers (visit the Canadian War Museum/The Poppy to learn more). 

There are many species of poppies. The one symbolizing remembrance is the corn or Shirley poppy (Papaver rhoeas). The Coutts Centre for Western Canadian Heritage has a beautiful garden of these poppies which usually is in full bloom in June, around Father's Day. Closer to home, you can see them in the flower beds surrounding the Memorial Park Library. The photos shown are from those gardens and were taken on June 27, 2019 (Deborah Maier).To learn more about the different types of poppies and growing poppies, read Elaine Rude's article "Beautiful Poppies" (page 13) in the 2017 October/November issue of Calgary Gardening.
Poppies On Display for Remembrance Day
November is not when poppies bloom, but if you would like to see a spectacular display of poppies, stop by The Cathedral Church of the Redeemer. They have set up their display of knitted poppies. The poppies are strung throughout the trees on the south side of the church. Poppies also drape from the building and street lights, and surround the doors and the church monument. The church is located on 7 Avenue at 1 Street SE. It is a beautiful display that is worth the visit.
 
Calgary Gardening—Your Member Magazine
Did you know that most of the planning and article writing for Calgary Gardening happens over the next couple of months? With winter bearing down on gardens, the writers, who are gardeners too, now have time to research, investigate trends and write. Is there a topic you would like to see covered? Is there a writer you'd like to recommend? Is there someone you'd like to read an interview about? Send your suggestions to Julie Barringer, the magazine's Managing Editor, at editor@calhort.org. 

If you've missed an e-news announcing an issue or would like to reread an issue, they are available online (starting with the 2015 February/March issue). Use the Calgary Gardening menu under the Members Only section of our website (calhort.org) to access the magazine. You can download the PDF and add it to your digital library or print it. The 39 online issues cover many topics. Use the Article Index (also a menu item under the Members Only section) to find a specific topic, article or author. The Index displays links that will open the magazine.

With outdoor tasks completed, enjoy a good gardening read by downloading an issue of Calgary Gardening.
Roasted Garlic Meatballs
Looking for something different to cook this weekend? Perhaps you're looking for a potluck idea? Try making these roasted garlic meatballs. It's the final recipe for the food that was served by the ATCO Blue Flame Kitchen at our Garlic Fair and Growers' Exchange. These meatballs were extremely popular. Thanks to Grant Parry, ATCO Blue Flame Kitchen Chef Instructor, for providing the recipes.
Ingredients:

1 tbsp canola oil 
1 tsp onion powder  
1 cup pureed roasted garlic (see Chef's note)
1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs  
2 lbs ground beef 
1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme 
1/4 cup chopped parsley 
3 whole eggs 
Salt and pepper to taste   


 
Method:
  1. Preheat oven to 325 °F. 
  2. With gloved hands, combine all ingredients in a medium bowl. 
  3. Take a small piece and cook (fry) it to taste the seasoning. If it is satisfactory, form 1 1/2 oz balls, using either a scoop or gloved hands to form smooth, round balls.  
  4. Transfer meatballs to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. 
  5. Bake for 18 minutes.  
  6. Transfer warm meatballs to meatball sauce if desired.   
Yield: Makes about 16–20 meatballs

Chef's note: Roast the garlic the day before. You will need 50 to 60 cloves to create one cup of pureed roasted garlic. Drizzle the peeled garlic generously with olive oil and roast in a 400 °F oven until golden brown. Remove from oven and puree in a food processor until smooth. Cool and use in these meatballs or your favourite recipes.
The Society's 2020 Calendar is Available
Our calendar is packed with features for Calgary gardeners, including Society events, indoor seed-starting charts, “To Do” checklists and thoughts about gardening from local gardeners. Purchase calendars for family and friends and support the Society!

Calendars are available at the Society office (208 50 Avenue SW) and at Member Talks. Watch for them at local garden centres soon.
New Community Outreach Program
The Society wants to build its community outreach with the help of three dedicated volunteer teams. Each year, the Society receives requests to attend events, provide gardening presentations and support new gardeners. We receive more requests than can be fulfilled. With the help of these teams, the Society expects to improve our presence in the community and be able to fill more of these requests. See the Volunteer section at the bottom of this e-news for more details. The program is supported by TD Friends of the Environment Foundation.
Classes
2019 Course Calendar—New workshops have been added to the fall schedule!
See calhort.org | What's Happening for program details.
Check back often for updates.
Our programs are selling out, so book early to avoid disappointment.
Growing Under Lights
Thursday, November 14, 6:30 to 8:00 pm
Garden Retreat, 6510 1A Street SW
Cost: $25 members, $35 non-members
Register Online

Interested in indoor growing? This talk will get you started or advance your knowledge in the following topics: 
  • lights and accessories  
  • selecting indoor plants
  • starting from seed 
  • tips on watering and feeding your
    indoor plants 
  • preventing and controlling indoor pests
Instructor: Stacey Laursen
Pre-registration is required.
Registration will close on Monday, November 11.
 
Holiday Wreath Workshop
Saturday, November 30, 10:30 am to 12:30 pm
Garden Retreat, 6510 1A Street SW
Cost: $70 members, $90 non-members
Register Online

This workshop is always a seasonal favourite and a great way to spend fun time with friends! Create a fabulous door wreath in a unique natural style using seasonal greens and foliage.The holiday season will be even brighter when you welcome guests with a fresh green wreath you've assembled and decorated with your own hands! Learn assembly tips and choose a colour scheme, from classic red and green to woodland, that complements your home and holiday decor. All supplies are provided. (Wreath may not be exactly as shown.)

Instructor: Kath Smyth

Pre-registration is required.
Registration will close on Monday, November 18.
 
Holiday Doorstep Container Workshop
Saturday, November 23, 10:00 am to noon
greengate Garden Centres
14111 Macleod Trail SW
Cost: $75 members, $95 non-members
Register Online

A twinkling start to the season! Learn how to assemble a festive mix of fresh greens,
dogwood branches, sparkly accessories and a bow to make your home's entrance welcoming and glittery. All supplies are provided. Please bring pruners and gloves. (Container may not be exactly as shown.)

Instructor: Kath Smyth

Pre-registration is required.
Registration will close on Monday, November 11.
 
Festive Table Centrepiece
Saturday, December 7, 10:00 am to noon
Golden Acre Home & Garden
620 Goddard Avenue NE
Cost:$60 members, $70 non-members
Register Online

For those with early holiday parties, here's a chance to make a festive arrangement for your table. With a mix of fresh greens (which will last weeks when watered), berries and
baubles, it's easy to make an attractive centrepiece, even if you've never made one before. All supplies are provided. Please bring pruners and gloves. (Centrepiece may not be exactly as shown)

Instructor: Kath Smyth

Pre-registration is required.
Registration will close on Monday, December 2.

We have a new program for volunteers! See the details below.

 
There are plenty of opportunities to get involved with the Society and help grow our gardening community. Contact the Society's Volunteer Coordinator, Norm Cook, at 403.287.3469 ext. 1 or email volunteer@calhort.org if you would like to volunteer for a Society event, talk, class or course. All Society classes have volunteer monitors who help set up, introduce the instructor and assist class participants.

The Society is seeking volunteer assistance for the new community outreach program.
Sign up by November 14, as there will be training for all roles on Saturday, November 16, from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm. Visit calhort.org/Get Involved/Volunteer to learn more about each role.
Garden Mentor Team (six positions)
We are seeking a team of volunteers who are willing to help new gardeners experience success in their initial growing seasons and/or help people acquiring new gardens to evaluate their "next steps." The mentors will receive training to learn more about the Society, horticulture, water-wise gardening and the volunteer role. The garden mentors must be willing to go out to community gardens and/or homes in pairs to meet individuals and discuss their garden needs. This is a year-long commitment (4–6 hours training, minimum of 2 hours per month April to September).
Speaker Team (ten positions)
We are seeking a team of volunteers to deliver outreach talks/presentations to schools, clubs or community gardens on behalf of the Society. The volunteers will receive training to learn about the Society, water-wise gardening and presenting to groups. This is a year-long commitment and includes refreshing our existing presentations (6–8 hours training, 5–10 hours editing presentations, 3–10 hours practicing presentations, minimum of 3 presentations of 45–90 minutes each).
Brand Ambassador Team (six positions)
We are seeking a team of volunteers who have an artistic flair to create and provide leadership for the setup and staffing of Calgary Horticultural Society displays. The Society participates in a variety of community events, such as our Garden Show, Seedy Saturday, Aggie Days, Calgary Home + Garden Show, Mayor's Expo, Calgary Stampede and Library events. Our displays should be attractive and include activities suitable for each event. Volunteers must be comfortable engaging visitors at these events, promoting the Society and selling memberships. Training will be provided. This is a year-long commitment (4–6 hours training, 8–10 hours display creation, minimum 3 display shifts of 3–4 hours each).
Contact Norm Cook at 403.287.3469 ext. 1 or email volunteer@calhort.org if you would like to lend a helping hand in any of these positions. THANK YOU!
Open Gardens Coordinators (North)
The Society is seeking volunteers to help coordinate Open Gardens in the northern quadrants of Calgary. Open Gardens is one of the Society’s most popular member events. The coordinators recruit gardeners willing to be hosts and share their gardens with the Society members on a summer Sunday afternoon. For a full role description, visit this link: Open Gardens coordinator.

Contact Norm Cook at 403.287.3469 ext. 1 or email volunteer@calhort.org if you are interested in helping organize Open Gardens events.
Support the Society

Garden Journals

Stop by the Society office to purchase your copy ($20) of The Growing Journal. The Society's journal is a terrific tool to help keep track of your planning and the activity in the garden. The pages are undated, so you can journal at your own pace, without the stress of finishing an annual diary. It's a great gift for a gardener on any occasion. Purchase this gardening resource and support the Society.


Your Support Matters

The Calgary Horticultural Society has moved its online charitable donation portal to ATB Cares. This change means that your donation gives even more to the Society. ATB covers the transaction and credit card fees on donations made using ATB Cares. They also have a matching program that can add 15% to each dollar donated. Another benefit is you will not need to wait for a tax receipt. When donations are made through this portal, automatic tax receipts are issued to donors through the Canadian Online Giving Foundation. Your support matters. Thank you for supporting the Calgary Horticultural Society. Donate today.

If you prefer, you are still welcome to drop by the office (208 50 Avenue SW) to make a donation or call us at 403.287.3469 and we will be happy to assist you.

 
Tools Please! 
Do you have good quality gardening tools that you no longer need? Unfortunately, some community gardens have had their tool sheds robbed and are now in need of gardening implements. If you have tools that you can donate, please bring them to the Society office, Tuesday to Friday, between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm. 

Thanks for your support!
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Thanks—come grow with us!
Do you have a gardening question?  Do you need a new home for the collection of flower pots growing in your garden shed? 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 |2019| All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:
208 50 Avenue SW, Calgary, Alberta T2S 2S1
Phone: 403.287.3469

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