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Gardeners' Corner at the

Calgary Horticultural Society

Introduction to Greenhouses: Highlights
It was a full room at Stacey Laursen's Introduction to Greenhouses talk. More people wanted to attend than we could accommodate, so we're working on arranging another presentation for sometime later this year. Watch calhort.org/What's Happening and this e-news for updates.Here are some key takeaways from the talk.
  • Decide how you want to use your greenhouse to determine which type you need—cold (used year-round coastal BC), cool (extends the season, works to -5° C for cool-season crops) , warm (typically for plants such as cucumbers/tomatoes some heating) or hot (specialty growers such as year-round tropicals).
  • Greenhouses may be cold frames, hoop houses, lean-tos or free-standing structures.
  • Single pane glass is not recommended as there is no insulating value and it has a breakage risk.
  • Place in the sun—greenhouses should get at least 8 hours of sunlight
  • Having the roof at a perfect angle to the sun is not required.
  • Be aware of the potential effects of humidity on the frame of your building.
  • Insulating the lower portion (60 cm) of the walls at the beginning of the season can increase temperatures in the greenhouse and enable growing two weeks earlier.
  • Ensure that there is drainage in the greenhouse to address watering and condensation runoff.
  • Make sure the greenhouse has access to water, even a hose from the house will work
  • Venting is required as the greenhouse will heat up in the sun quickly. 
  • A max-min thermometer is the only greenhouse gadget that you really need. Place it at the same height as the plants. It is critical for helping you understand what is happening in the greenhouse. Record the information daily for a year. 
  • Greenhouses are an attractive home for plant pests. Be sure to clean it out and wash thoroughly every year.
  • When you open the greenhouse in the spring, place a flowering plant inside. The plant will attract beneficial insects to help control the pests and encourage pollinators to make regular visits to the greenhouse.
The sidebar photos. Top to bottom: Stacey Laursen introduces the talk; A mercury max-min thermometer—a key tool for understanding what is happening in the greenhouse; Bubble wrap—a good insulator for the lower sides of the greenouse (Deborah Maier); Greenhouse in the garden (Pixabay) 
Soil: The Basis of Successful Gardening
Understanding your soil is important to gardening success in Calgary. The February/March issue of Calgary Gardening features a new contributor, Gerta Harrity. Her article, Soil: The Basis of Successful Gardening, Gerta outlines the properties of good garden soil and provides tips for improving and maintaining soil quality. To read Gerta's article, log into the Members Only section of the website and select Calgary Gardening to access the current issue (February/March) of the magazine.
The Society is pleased to announce that the 2020 Calgary Horticultural Society Garden is presented by greengate Garden Centres. Watch for an opportunity to save at greengate Garden Centres with your Garden Show ticket after the Show. We are excited to have such important continued support from this long-time Society corporate member.
Photo Competition "Garden Superheroes"
As you may be aware, the Calgary Horticultural Society Garden Show happens during Calgary Expo (Calgary Comic & Entertainment Expo). We thought we could have a little fun with this overlap and make a call for "Garden Superheroes" for our photo contest. Do you have a heroic plant that shows it's super-strength with outstanding performance or blooms every year? Or perhaps, it's a fantastic plant that you can call on to lift your spirits? Maybe your garden superhero is a lady bug that conquers the evil aphids! Share your imagination and photography talent by sending us your best "superhero" photo. 

Visit calhort.org/What's Happening/Garden Show 2020/Photo Contest for details on how to enter. The photo contest will close on Wednesday, April 1 at midnight. Online voting to select the ten favourite photos from the entries will open on Friday, April 3 and close on Sunday, April 19. Voting is open to everyone visiting the Garden Show photo contest page. These ten favourite photos will be displayed at the Garden Show. The winner will be selected by "people's choice" voting at the Show. 

 

Container Competition "From the Kitchen"
The Garden Show's ever-popular event, the Container Competition, is back! If you enjoy container gardening and being creative, then this Show activity is for you. Use any kitchen item such as a colander, old teacup, kettle, lunch box or baking tray as a unique container. Add plants, cut flowers, greens and decorations to make an original design.

Visit calhort.org/What's Happening/Garden Show 2020 for details on how to enter. Winners are selected by "people's choice" voting at the Show, making it fun for Show attendees as well as for the competition's entrants.

 


April 25 and 26 | Max Bell Centre
Save the Date!
 
Buy Tickets!
Advance tickets are now available online.
Select Garden Show Tickets on our homepage to access the ticket information.
Prices remain the same as last year.
Members Advance $10
Non-member Advance $12

Note: online tickets are subject to a service fee.

Note: We expect paper tickets to be available at the office by the first week of March.
Calling Exhibitors and Sponsors!
Don't miss out on a great opportunity to present your business directly to gardeners! There are still some prime booth spaces available—be sure to make one yours. If you are interested in having a trade show booth, please contact Nisha at gardenshow@calhort.org

Do you know a business that would be of interest to gardeners?  Is there a workshop you'd like to participate in? Send Nisha an email at gardenshow@calhort.org and let us know! Check out the Exhibitors list under Garden Show 2020 on the website to see who's booked to come.
Community Gardens
Community Gardeners—It's that time of year!
Community Gardens leaders have been sending out notices recruiting gardeners to sign up for plots. If you're looking for a Community Garden, check out the Society's "Find a Community Garden" directory on our website under Resources.

If you lead a Community Garden, please review your listing. If you require an update, use this Community Garden directory survey link so we can update your profile. If you're using social media to recruit gardeners, be sure to tag the Society so we can share your posts. Happy gardening!
Community Gardens Event
Tuesday, March 10, 6:30 to 8:30 pm
Winston Heights Mountview Community Association
520 27 Avenue NE
Facilitated by the Calgary Horticultural Society
Sponsored by the City of Calgary
Cost: Free
Register to attend on Eventbrite.

Join the Calgary Horticultural Society and volunteers from community garden groups across the city for an interactive discussion about the challenges faced by community gardens and how to overcome them. Let's launch the community gardening season!
Classes
New Year, New Programs! The 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! Online registration is always open.
Grow Your Own Food
Wednesdays, March 4, 11, 18 and 25
6:30 to 9:00 pm

CKE Community Centre, 1015 73 Avenue SW
Instructor: Kath Smyth
Cost: $140 members, $185 non-members
Register online

It's healthy, smart, cool and best of all—you're in control. Discover and take advantage of your above-ground growing spaces to create efficient and healthy sources of fresh food.

Using advanced raised-vegetable-gardening techniques, discover that food gardens are not only sensible options in today's world, but also attractive garden accents.

Topics covered include:
  • soil health
  • planting techniques
  • crop rotation
  • high-value crops
  • container growing
  • space maximization
  • season extension
This course uses a variety of approaches to learning: lectures, learning activities, readings, exercises and class discussion. Participants are expected to actively engage in learning and are encouraged to share experiences and ideas that promote discussion and understanding of course concepts.

A special thank you to Eagle Lake Professional Landscape Supply for donating soil for this workshop.

EXTENDED! There is still some space in this class, so the registration deadline has been extended. Registration for this course closes on Monday, March 2.
Growing Tomatoes and Peppers
Saturday, March 7, 9:30 am to noon
Society Office, 208  50 Avenue SW
Instructor: Elaine Rude
Cost: $40 members, $60 non-members
Register online

Learn how to grow tomatoes and peppers from seed in the Calgary climate!

This workshop will cover:
  • selection of seeds/varieties
  • plant maintenance: soil, watering, supports, pruning
  • maximizing yield
Participants will seed some plants to take home.
Registration for this course closes on Monday, March 2.
Design Your Yard: Principles—Member Talk
Thursday, March 5, 6:30  to 8:30 pm
Haysboro Community Association,
1204 89 Avenue SW
Speaker: Verne Williams
Cost: Free for all. Bring a friend!
Pre-registration is not required

Join us as we take an inside look at the Society's Design Your Yard classes offered in conjunction with the City of Calgary. We will provide an overview of the fundamentals of garden design, from concept to scale drawings, thinking not only about aesthetics, but also function and practicality. Whether you have an old yard that needs rejuvenation, or are starting with a blank slate, this Member Talk will help you decide if one of our design classes will help you create a great new space to enjoy.

This talk is sponsored by the City of Calgary.


 
Calgary Home + Garden Show—February 27 until March 1
Visit us at the Calgary Home + Garden Show booth 640. Our theme at the booth is "Gardening Tools and Templates." If you go, you'll have an opportunity to enter to win two tickets to the Society's Garden Show on April 25 and 26.  

Use this direct ticket link with the promo code CALHORT to save $5 off the price of an adult ticket.
Spring Tree and Shrub Care
Saturday, March 7, 1:00 to 4:00 pm
Society Office, 208  50 Avenue SW
Instructor: Jean Daoust
Cost: $45 members, $60 non-members
Register online

Looking for tips and tricks on how to care for your trees and shrubs this season?

Learn more about how to manage and amend your soil for woody plants, plant biology and how to use integrated pest management to mitigate pest problems. Also, learn more about when and how to prune your shrubs.

Weather permitting, part of this workshop will include practising pruning cuts so be prepared to go outdoors. You may wish to bring a pen, notebook and gardening gloves, as well as a small handsaw and hand pruners if you have them.

Registration for this course closes on Monday, March 2.
Create Your Healing Garden 
Thursday, March 12, 6:30  to 8:30 pm
Society office, 208 50 Avenue SW
Instructor: Melanie Isles
Cost: $30 Society members, $40 non-members
Register online

Do you know how fun and easy it can be to grow medicine in your garden?

Even here in our chinook zone we can grow many easy, useful and even beautiful plants; instructor Melanie Isles has over 70 herbals growing in her urban garden in Calgary.  Whether you want to add a few plants to an existing garden, or devote a whole section to medicinal plants, come and learn about planting and harvesting botanical medicines for first aid, winter wellness, and for building and nourishing health and vitality.

Registration for this course closes on Monday, March 9.
Tea with Kath 
Tuesday, March 17, 2:00  to 3:30 pm
Society office, 208 50 Avenue SW
Speaker: Kath Smyth
Cost: Free for Society members, $20 non-members
Register online

Come join Horticulturist Kath Smyth for a cup of tea and gardening-themed conversation.

Topics for March will include (as time permits):
  • the moons
  • pruning
  • potting up bulbs
  • seed starting.
Pre-registration is required.
This event is free for members however we ask you to pre-register as the office space is limited.  If you are unable to attend after you have registered, please be kind to others and let the Society office know.

Registration for this course closes on Monday, March 16.
Multiply Your Indoor Garden—Propagation 
Saturday, March 14, 1:00  to 3:00 pm
Garden Retreat, 6510 1A Street SW
Speaker: Cathy Kurio
Cost: $40 Society members, $50 non-members
Register online

Do you have a favourite plant in your home?
Would you like to increase the number of your favourite plants without the cost of buying more?

Learn about various types of propagation, including leaf and stem cuttings, root division, layering and bulbs. Get hands-on experience with a few methods of propagation that are easy to do at home.  We will talk about how to root succulents too.

Come prepared to handle soil.  You will take home an assortment of your potted-up cuttings.

Registration for this course closes on Monday, March 9.
The Society has tickets for the Calgary Home + Garden Show to give away. You must be able to pick them up Friday, February 28 between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm. Limited quantity, available while supply lasts.
Design Your Yard—Pineridge
Back by popular demand—the Design Your Yard workshops! 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

Sundays, March 22 and 29, and April 5
from 1
:30 to 4:00 pm
Pineridge Community Centre (Pineridge)
6024 Rundlehorn Drive NE
Register Online

This is one of several Design Your Yard workshops being planned this year. Other locations where we anticipate workshops include: Crestmont, Cranston, New Brighton, Livingston, Pineridge and Scenic Acres.
We will provide further information as it becomes available.
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Thanks—come grow with us!
Join the Show!
Be part of the Garden Show team!
The Society's 2020 Garden Show is on April 25 and 26, at the Max Bell Centre. We are building on last year's experience to enhance the show and the planning has begun! 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. Save the date and plan to attend.

Decor Team Volunteers
We are looking for volunteers to help plan and set-up the decor for the Society's Garden Show. If you are interested in helping on this project, c
ontact the Society's Volunteer Coordinator, Norm Cook, at 403.287.3469 ext. 1 or email volunteer@calhort.

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 with set up, introduce the instructor and assist class participants. We're preparing for events such as:
  • Seedy Saturday
  • Aggie Days
  • Casino
  • Garden Show 
  • Open Gardens
  • Community Outreach
  • Workshops, talks and courses
These events are successful because our volunteer community helps out—Come Grow with Us!  Visit Get Involved/Volunteer on the website for more information about volunteering.
Volunteering with the Society on a Group Project?
If you are part of a Society volunteer team and want to meet at the Society office, please call 403.287.3469 ext. 0 to book an area. There are classes, workshop prep and follow-up, membership activities and meetings happening in our limited space. Whether you want a spot for one or a dozen, call ahead to ensure that we can accommodate your plan. Please note that the kitchen is reserved for lunch between noon and 1:00 pm daily. Thanks!
Specific Help Request—Aggie Days
Program Assistants
  • April 1 to 3 from 9:15 am until 2:30 pm to help at the school program
  • April 4 and 5 from 9:45 am until 1:00 pm or from 1:00 until 4:15 pm to help at the family weekend program 

Specific Help Request—Casino Volunteers
Elbow River Casino, April 20 and 21
  • Evening shifts: 7:00 pm to 3:30 am
  • Count Room: 11:00 pm to 3:30 am
Contact the Society's Volunteer Coordinator, Norm Cook, at 403.287.3469 ext. 1 or email volunteer@calhort.org if you are able to fill one of these volunteer requests.
Be an Open Gardens Host
Open Gardens will be here soon. The dates are May 24, June 7, July 5, July 19, August 9 and September 13. Gardens on the tour need to be interesting, but perfection is not required. We welcome all types of gardens: food, xeriscape, low or high maintenance, half a duplex or acreage, showcase or a work-in-progress. Your garden and story should captivate the visitor for at least a 15-minute visit. 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 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.
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) to purchase the gift membership and you can take the membership card home.

New Year—Start a Plan with a Garden Journal

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 plans and the 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.

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 the enhancement of 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.

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.

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.

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

Phone: 403.287.3469


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