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Gardeners' Corner at the

Calgary Horticultural Society

Living Walls and Moss Murals
Last Member Talk (November 7), Jo Young not only talked about houseplants but also covered living wall systems and creating displays using moss. 

Regarding living walls, she noted that in many of the best systems the plants are in individual containers. The containers are hidden from view by the structure or cover material of the display. Keeping plants in containers makes the system easier to maintain as plants can be readily swapped out if they develop an issue. If needed, watering can also be addressed on a per plant or per row plants. Some of the large wall systems are soilless and provide water and nutrients hydroponically.

Using moss to create displays captured a lot of interest from those in attendance. While the mosses used are dried, they look like a living plant display. The different textures and colours of moss can be used to create a beautiful mural. Since the moss is dry, the plant display may be placed in any room, even a bathroom without a window. The moss can tolerate, and even benefit from, the changes in humidity that may occur in a bathroom (some moss may become soft or less brittle with increased humidity). There were questions about the moss collecting dust, but Jo stated that she had never seen any dust on moss in her displays. She also said that compressed air could be used to "dust" the moss if it was needed.

Sidebar photo: Red spathe Anthurium planted in a living wall at the Devonian Gardens, November 2018 (Deborah Maier).
Designing with Moss
If you would like to create your own moss display, it's quite simple. The dried moss is glued to a hard backing such as Coroplast (corrugated plastic sheeting). This backing is available at hardware and craft stores. Dried moss is available from craft and dollar stores.

Find an interesting frame or decor piece to frame your design. Thrift and discount home decor stores are good sources for the frame. Plan the design (include some novelty items such as light driftwood, small stones or glass beads), glue the material in place and frame—you will have a unique low-maintenance plant display for your home.

Sidebar photos: Moss and materials used to make moss wall displays brought to the Member Talk by Jo Young (Deborah Maier).  A clock decorated with moss by Greenery Calgary (Greenery Calgary). To see more of their creations, visit @greenerycalgary on Instagram.
Plan to Attend!
The next Member Talk is Thursday, December 5, 6:30–8:30 pm.
NEW VENUEHaysboro Community Association, 1204 89 Avenue SW

Traditional Plants of the Season
There are many traditions surrounding the wonderful plants that are part of our winter festivities. Yet we often do not know the history of these plants that contribute to the wonder, awe and spirituality of the season.  

Join Janet Melrose, Calgary’s Cottage Gardener, as she provides a slide show and demo featuring the traditional plants that ultimately express the affirmation of hope and faith in ourselves and in the renewal of life. 

You are invited to bring a small plate of treats or snacks to share as part of our seasonal social before the talk.

Catch Kath on the Radio!
The Society's Horticulturist, Kath Smyth, will be guest hosting on CHQR 770's Let's Talk Gardening on Sunday, November 24 from 9:00 until 11:00 am. She's planning her show lineup to bring you timely and seasonal topics. Call in to 403.974.8255 with your gardening questions. 
Save the Date!
The Society's Garden Show will be April 25 and 26 at the Max Bell Centre. We will be building on last year's experience to enhance the show! Save the date and plan to attend. 
Calgary Gardening—Your Member Magazine
Thank you to everyone who has sent in article suggestions. We're still accepting proposals for topics and authors. Send your ideas to Julie Barringer, the magazine's Managing Editor, at editor@calhort.org
Not sure what's already been covered? Use the Article Index (a menu item under the Members Only section) to find a specific topic, article or author. The green text in the Index are links that will open the magazine to the article. Perhaps it's time to enjoy a good gardening read by downloading an issue of Calgary Gardening.
New Community Outreach Program
The Society hosted the first gathering of the community outreach volunteers on Saturday, November 16. The volunteers were treated to a presentation on the Society's history by Kath Smyth, as well as on other Society information. After the presentations, the volunteers divided into their specialty areas (Speakers, Garden Mentors, Brand Ambassadors) for further discussion and to brainstorm ideas for moving forward. While the program has been launched, we're still welcoming more volunteers. Contact Norm Cook at 403.287.3469 ext. 1 or email volunteer@calhort.org if you're interested in joining this program.. The Community Outreach program is supported by TD Friends of the Environment Foundation. Visit Get Involved/Volunteer on the website for more information about volunteering.
Give the Gift of Membership 
It's a gift that gives throughout the year— free member talks, garden centre and workshop discounts, 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. If you come into the office (208 50 Avenue SW) to purchase a gift membership, the recipient will receive a gift package with some little extras.
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.

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.
Classes
2019 Course Calendar—Sign up for our seasonal workshops before they close!
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.
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
Online registration is closed. Please call 403.287.3469 to check availability. 

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 with your own hands! Learn 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.
Call 403.287.3469 to check availability
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.

2020 Program Calendar
Watch What's Happening on the website for program updates. January may seem a ways off, but we're already planning next year's schedule. As soon as details are finalized, the new programs will be available for call-in or online registration. Coming soon: Decorative Terracotta Pots; Growing Edible Mushrooms; Photographing Plants with a Phone Camera; Sustainable Garden Design; Cacti and Succulents: Jewels of the Home; and the one that launches the new gardening season, Kickstart Your Garden! ...and more.

We have a new volunteer role! 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.
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.

NEW! Open Gardens Garden Scout
In an effort to support our Open Garden Coordinators and find new gardens to share with our members, we've added the role of Garden Scout. Are there great gardens in your community? Do you pass by interesting gardens in your travels about the city? Do you like initiating gardening conversations? Then sign up to be a Garden Scout. The role of Garden Scout is to find gardens and initiate a conversation about the garden and/or provide a card that invites gardeners to consider being an Open Gardens host. Contact Norm Cook at 403.287.3469 ext. 1 or email volunteer@calhort.org for more information.
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.

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?  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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