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Gardeners' Corner at the

Calgary Horticultural Society
Centrepiece Workshop—A Learning Experience 
On December 7, the Society hosted, at Golden Acre Home & Garden, the last make-and-take workshop of the year. At this workshop participants created a centrepiece. A nice red floral dish filled with floral oasis was the base. Cedar and pine boughs were used for the main greenery, while silver fir and the broad-leaved evergreen, Oregonia, were used as the accent greens. Not only did participants learn how to cut, place and build up the greenery in their centrepiece, but they also learned how to make ribbon picks with cut ribbon, a floral pick and floral tape.

To make the ribbon pick, about 20 cm of ribbon is measured from the roll. At that point, the ribbon is folded and cut at an angle to make a swallowtail (creating the swallowtail right on the roll prevents waste). The single-pointed end of the ribbon is accordion folded around the floral pick, then held in place with the pick's wire wrap. To secure everything in place, it is then wrapped with the floral tape. Each person made three picks for their centrepiece. To add a splash of colour, pizzaz, and focus, the centrepieces were finished with three pine cones, artificial berries, ball ornaments and a candle. 

Sidebar photos, top to bottom: Janie with the gorgeous centrepiece she made that will adorn her table. Participants trim and sort their greens. Volunteers, Pat and Jessie, cut ribbon for ribbon picks. Kath Smyth, the instructor, talks about the workshop greenery and how to make a ribbon pick. (Deborah Maier)
Low-waste, Low-Cost Library Talks
The Society has partnered with the Calgary Public Library to offer free talks about making seasonal decor with greenery and cones from your yard, repurposed items and things you may have around your home. The idea is that seasonal decor can be beautiful, made at a minimal cost and not be wasteful. 
At Elaine Rude's Nose Hill library presentation, she created three decor pieces. The first piece was a centrepiece tray of fruit, nuts, candy and five candles. The candles were set in mason jars tied with a bit of ribbon. To make the holders sparkle, the two smaller jars were filled a quarter of the way up with sugar. The large jars were half-filled with water and fresh cranberries. It makes a lovely centrepiece with minimal waste. The food may be eaten, the berries and sugar around the candles can be composted, and the jars, tray and candles are reusable. Elaine also made a terrarium with a thrift store vase and a small doorstep greens container with a repurposed decorative basket. Each piece went home with one of the presentation's attendees. 

There is one more library talk on December 17. Verne Williams will be presenting. A piece in her decor will contain an amaryllis. See the classes section below for details.
December/January Issue of Calgary Gardening Magazine
The current issue of Calgary Gardening magazine is posted on the website. It has an interview with the recently retired Colleen McCracken, capturing her reflections about the Society and how she became a gardener. Visit Calgary Gardening under the Members Only section of the website to access the magazine.
Great Gifts for Gardeners
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.
Have you heard?
The Society has an ad on CHQR770 promoting the gift of membership—listen!. There are many benefits to being a Society member. Nicole was inspired to become a gardener by a friend. Maybe you're inspiring someone to take up gardening. Click this link to watch the video and listen to Nicole's story. The video is posted on Society's website under Membership.
Society Calendar
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). They are also available at greengate Garden Centres in the south (14111 Macleod Trail SW) and Golder Acre Home & Garden in the north (620 Goddard Ave NE).

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.

Office Closure

Be sure to stop by the office December 17–20 between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm if you want to purchase a gift membership, calendar, journal or program in person, as the office will be closed starting December 21. It will reopen on January 7 at 9:00 am. Online purchasing of programs—talks, workshops and courses, is still available over the break. 
Classes
2020 Program Calendar is Ready!
See calhort.org | What's Happening for program details.
Don't miss out on the popular programs, sign up today!
Low-Waste, Low-Cost Christmas
—Seasonal Greenery
Tuesday, December 17, 10:00 am to noon
Central Library, 800 3 Street SE
Instructor: Verne Williams
Register online

The Calgary Horticultural Society is partnering with the Calgary Public Library to offer these Seasonal Greenery demonstrations. Join expert gardeners to learn how to make a low-waste, low-cost holiday creation with a horticultural twist! One lucky attendee will take home the piece made by the instructor. Come see us at the library!

These demonstrations are free. Registration is required. You will need your library card and PIN number to register. Visit the Library's site, calgarylibrary.ca, click Browse programs, choose Register online and use "seasonal greenery" in the keyword search, and you will find the link to register for these events.

Decorative Terracotta Pots
Sunday, January 19, 1:00 to 4:00 pm
Society Office, 208 50 Avenue SW
Instructor: Elaine Rude
$50 members, $65 non-members
Register online

Come paint a decorative terracotta plant pot.

Join us for a fun workshop where we will turn an ordinary terracotta pot (8 - 10 inch) into a work of art using a variety of painting techniques.  The only requirement is creativity!

This family-friendly workshop is for ages 8
and up. Registration is for one adult who may bring a child at no additional cost. 
All supplies are provided (one pot per registration).

This is a new hands-on workshop for the Society. Be one of the first to give it a try! 

Registration for this workshop closes on Monday, January 13.
Growing Edible Mushrooms in Your Backyard
Saturday, January 25, 9:30 am to 12:30 pm
Society Office, 208 50 Avenue SW
Instructor: Tara Stephens and Meghan Vesey from Fungi Akuafo
$45 members, $60 non-members
Register online

As you start to plan your garden, consider adding mushrooms into the mix. Now is a great time to start planning, acquiring supplies and generally learning about what to do. 

This workshop is a 3-hour introduction to cultivating mushrooms in your backyard. This workshop will include an overview of fungi ecology, a discussion on how to choose which species to grow, instructions on how to inoculate woodchips and log stacks, and tips to care for your new fungi friends.  

Registration for this workshop closes on Monday, January 20.
Celebration of the Holidays Open House
Friday, December 20, 1:00 to 4:00 pm
Society Office, 208 50 Avenue SW

Come join us!
Take a break from the bustle of the season with the Society staff and board to chat about gardening and enjoy some refreshments.
Please drop in!
Photographing Plants with a Phone Camera
Sunday, January 26, 1:00 to 3:30 pm
Golden Acre Home & Garden
620 Goddard Avenue NE
Instructor: Jillian Logee
Cost: $30 members, $40 non-members
Register online

Back by popular demand!

Plants offer some of the most beautiful photo opportunities nature has in store. With smartphones at the ready, you never have to miss a shot! In this workshop, participants will learn how to set their smartphones for optimal photographs and how to control and direct light effectively. Using simple and inexpensive equipment with a DIY flair, you'll learn how to create beautiful floral images suitable for printing, sharing and displaying. SLR and compact cameras are welcome, too!  

Registration for this workshop closes on Monday, January 20.
Sustainable Garden Design
10 Weeknights—Mondays and Wednesdays starting Monday, January 27, and ending Monday, March 2, 6:30 to 9:30 pm (excludes February 17, Family Day) 
Ground Cubed Landscape Architects,
6020 2 Street SE (Suite 25, Building B) 
Instructors: Jeremy Zoller, Michelle Edworthy, Mike Dorion and Mike Light
Cost: $300 members, $350 non-members  
Register online

Students will create a finished home garden design based on ecological principles such as water-saving, closed loops and habitat creation.  

Participants will learn: 
  • Technical design skills, such as drafting and site analysis  
  • Differences and similarities between sustainable design systems such as permaculture, xeriscaping and food forestry  
  • Water movement through soil and around properties; hardscaping to direct and/or store water  
  • Best practices for building a greenhouse  
  • How to build and amend soil while considering the soil biology  
  • Plant selection based on water needs, habitats, niches, wildlife value and personal goals  
Participants will have the opportunity to present their final design to fellow students and instructors for comments and suggestions. 

Registration for this course closes on Monday, January 20.
2020 Program Calendar
Michelle, the Society's Program Coordinator, has been finalizing details for the Society's talks, workshops and courses. Watch What's Happening on the website for program updates. New offerings are being added regularly. Visit the website and watch this e-news for scheduled programs.
Support the Society

Donating in lieu of presents?

The Calgary Horticultural Society is a registered charity dedicated to cultivating Calgary’s gardening community. If your gifting plan is to make a donation in lieu of presents, we would be grateful to be your charity of choice. Donations enable the Society to engage Calgarians in Gardening for Life—every donation is appreciated. Thank you for supporting the Calgary Horticultural Society. Donate.

If you prefer, you are 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.

Volunteer with us in 2020!

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. We're preparing for events such as the Calgary Home + Garden Show, Seedy Saturday, Aggie Days and our own Garden Show! These events are successful because our volunteer community helps out—Come Grow with Us! 
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.

Open Gardens Garden Scout
In an effort to support our Open Gardens 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.
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.
Be an Open Gardens Host
The holiday season is upon us, but the Open Gardens coordinators are working towards to the launch of the Open Gardens season! The Open Gardens dates are selected: May 24, June 7, July 5, July 19, August 9 and September 13. We already have three gardens on the tour list for 2020. If you're interested in being a host, visit What's Happening/Open Gardens on our website for details. Fill in the Submit an Open Gardens form and one of our volunteer Open Gardens coordinators will contact you.
 
Save the Date!
The Society's Garden Show will be April 25 and 26, 2020, 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. We've started planning. If you're interested in being part of the Garden Show team, contact Norm at volunteer@calhort.org or call 403.287.3469 ext. 1.
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.

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208 50 Avenue SW, Calgary, Alberta T2S 2S1
Phone: 403.287.3469

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