Helping Hands at Our Meeting
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We're still looking for people to help with some small tasks to ensure the smooth running of our next meeting — Monday, April 29, 2019.
Simply click here to see what tasks are available, and to sign yourself up to lend a hand. This is all done via a free, external website called Signup.
Alternatively, you can also send Maria Nunes an email at volunteers@parkdaletorontohort.com and let her know that you'd like to help.
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Pollinator Corridor Grant Application - Sorauren to High Park
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A Call-to-Action by Clement Kent
Front yards on highlighted streets needed by April 25th!
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The city has announced grants for making new Pollinator Gardens or Pollinator Corridor plantings. I'm working on an application for a Corridor which will connect Sorauren Park to High Park. The city will support corridor plantings so long as some conditions are met: all native plants with a long season of bloom; a minimum of a dozen plants per garden; all gardens in front yards where the public can enjoy them. People offering their front yards for these plantings have to provide their names and addresses for the grant form so the City knows it's legit.
We are looking for people who would like to help pollinators and get a dozen or more free plants on Wright, Fermanagh, High Park Blvd, Westminster, or any north-south street within half a block of one of these. I would need your permission by email (clementfkent@gmail.com) before April 25, 2019 with your name, address, and an estimate of how large a garden space you can offer, and whether it is shady, sunny, or in between. Planting would take place in May after the Plant Sale, and you would need to water the new plants and take care of them. Your will also get a small sign to explain to your neighbours how you are helping our native birds, bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. I hope we can find 15 or 20 people in the corridor to help us make this a reality!
Talk to your neighbours, please.
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Starting Seeds from Chile
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I don't grow as many plants from seeds as I did some years ago. Now I seldom grow more than 5-10 kinds, but I enjoy the process of getting them going immensely!
My friend the distinguished bee biologist Laurence Packer loves collecting in the mountains of Chile. Some of his photos of the fields of flowers that swathe the hillsides after a rain are spectacular. But I mostly grow plants from lower down, in the Mediterranean zone. One of my favourites is Schizanthus, a.k.a. Poor Man's Orchid, seen here (below) blooming on my back porch last June. I started the tiny, small as dust seeds on the surface of some soil at New Years, then transplanted them to flats in late January, and finally to pots in late March. They are living dangerously on the back porch now, exposed to our not infrequent freezes. But I have them against a south facing wall and sit a table or chair over them if it's forecast to go to zero at night. So far, so good! And two plants in the front porch planter box are beginning to bloom (April 12).
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Schizanthus is a true Mediterranean zone spring plant - meaning that it thrives in spring, then finishes when it gets hot. More a plant for Vancouver or San Francisco, I still cherish it for the perhaps six weeks of vigorous bloom I'll get before it goes to seed.
A second set of Chilean seeds were also tiny, but as Salpiglossis tolerates some heat I didn't start them until the end of March. They are sulking in my cool greenhouse right now. But in my front porch box, where they are protected from hot afternoon sun, they bloomed all the way until frost last year. The photo (below) shows some from a few years ago when I put them into the garden soil, but because I like to peer into the gorgeously veined blooms, I've taken to having them raised up in boxes or pots.
I've started some other interesting seeds but will talk about them in another article, as they are from Africa.
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House & Balcony Plants for this Fall
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At the last Hort meeting I announced that I was making cuttings of some of my better house plants, not for the May Plant Fair but for one of our Fall meetings. Two of our newer members said they were quite interested in this and thought many of their apartment dwelling friends would be too. So, I'm growing up little plants in pots this spring and summer so we can offer them to new members in the fall. If you know someone living in an apartment who likes a good window box or wants great indoor plants for next winter, mention this plan to them, and divide some of your best indoors greenery this spring so it has time to look great for the fall. We'll be announcing when we'll have the Indoors/Balcony Sale after our fall lineup of speakers is finalized.
My Neomarica gracilis is an extraordinarily good house plant, which summers out on our deck (photo below). Variously called "Walking Iris" or "Apostle Plant", it's in the iris family and is native to Central America. It has attractive long pointed iris-like leaves all year and is very happy in a bright window with regular watering. Then, somewhere between February and April, flower stalks grow up and open into fragrant white flowers with intricately patterned central blue veined centers. Each flower is only open during daylight hours, but a stalk will give several flushes of blooms before it finishes. Best yet, when the flowers are done, a tuft of little green leaves begins to grow at the tip of the flower stalk. In nature these then arch over elegantly and deposit their babies perhaps half a meter from the mother plant. It's these babies I've put in water and will be potting up for fall.
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From the valley of the Nile comes the "Nile Lily" or Agapanthus, another top-notch house plant which is great outdoors on a balcony from April to October. As often happens, the common name is a misnomer, as it's from the same family as daffodils or the huge "Amaryllis" bulbs that bloom in winter. Agapanthus is almost hardy here, but not quite in my garden. So I keep it in pots and enjoy the large clusters of blue or white flowers. They are unpredictable about when they'll bloom; the one pictured here (below) was in full flower indoors in Hort member Anne Freeman's home in March. The leaves are attractive all year. Last year white and blue varieties bloomed outdoors at my place in midsummer, were pollinated, and set seed abundantly. I've just sprouted the seeds and will have perhaps a half dozen young plants for our fall sale.
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I'll also be dividing my Night Blooming Cactus and some of my succulents, but more about them another month.
So start potting up interesting plants for window or balcony and bring them (in splendid form, it goes without saying) to our sale at one of the fall meetings.
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Parkdale Seedy Saturday took place last month in our monthly meeting home, Bonar-Parkdale Presbyterian Church. Our Hort and other organizations had display tables full of pamphlets, books, food, and of course seeds!
Special thanks to our volunteers Ruth Dobb, Manuela Neto, Vanessa Barnes, and Ron Charlemagne. Also, thanks to volunteer coordinator Maria Nunes, Anne Karpynczyk for transporting our supplies, and event organizers Greenest City and Toronto Urban Growers.
We look foward to participating in this engaging community event again next year!
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Community Events & Announcements
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In support of Toronto's Every Tree Counts campaign, a partnership between Toronto Parks and Trees Foundation and the City of Toronto to reach 40% tree cover in Toronto (there are rumours that they may increase this percentage!), it's time to get serious about planting trees. Lots of them!
Do your part! Request a free tree! Here are your options:
- Free for your residence or business FRONT YARD (Toronto only)
The City of Toronto owns a portion of land between roadways and private property, known as the public road allowance. A property owner can submit a tree planting request for the City-owned road allowance in front of their home or business. The City’s Urban Forestry staff will then visit the site to confirm the right tree species and determine the ideal planting location. The City will come and plant your tree for you. Tree planting takes place in spring or fall. Species available for planting on the City’s road allowance are listed in the Street Tree Brochure PDF.
The City can only plant these trees within your property's public road allowance area.
To Register: Visit their website here or simply call 311.
- Free for your residence BACKYARD (Toronto only)
Register with Toronto Parks and Trees Foundation (TPTF) for a free small tree! This community-based partnership makes it easy for Toronto residents to get no-cost native trees for their backyards. You must collect your free tree from one of many community events taking place within Toronto. Collection, transportation, and then planting will be up to you. www.treeforme.ca
You can only plant these trees on your own private property.
To Register: Visit their website here.
- At a subsidized price for your residence, multi-unit, or business BACKYARD or fenced-in side yard (Toronto, Ajax, & York Region)
Register with LEAF (Local Enhancement & Appreciation of Forests) for their subsidized tree and shrub planting program. You pay the subsidized price of only $150 - $220 per tree, plus native shrubs are also available for $30 each and eastern white cedars are available for $50 each. With this service, you will receive a 30-minute virtual consultation with a LEAF arborist to create a basic planting plan and help you prepare for your site consultation, a site consultation with a LEAF arborist at your property to select species and planting locations, your choice of 5 to 8 foot tall native deciduous trees OR 2 to 4 foot tall native evergreen trees, delivery and full planting service, mulch and planting/care guide!
LEAF can only plant these trees/shrubs on your own private property.
To Register: Visit their website here.
http://www.everytreecounts.ca/
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Community Environment Days + Compost Days
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Community Environment Days are held every year from April to September to help reduce the amount of reusable, recyclable, or household hazardous waste going into landfill.
- Bring items you wish to safely dispose of: paint, primers, stain, turpentine, glue, household cleaning products, drain cleaners, bleach, motor oil, gasoline, windshield fluid, propane and helium tanks/cylinders, air fresheners, swimming pool chemicals, compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), batteries, syringes, medical sharps, medication, aerosol cans, lighter fluid, pesticides and other gardening chemicals, and cooking oil.
- Bring reusable and recyclable items: clothing, small appliances, non-perishable food items, and electronics.
- Get free compost! 15 kg bags of City compost will be available for your garden. Limit of two bags per household, while supplies last.
- Learn about various community environmental programs and not-for-profit organizations which will have display booths set up.
Compost Days — New this year, the City is hosting a number of dedicated days for the distribution of free City compost. To collect your compost, you'll need to bring your own shovel and containers.
The compost is created from the yard waste and organic materials collected at the curb, throughout the City of Toronto. The majority of the finished compost comes from the yard waste program, while five to ten per cent may come from the Green Bin program. Before leaving the facilities, the compost is tested to ensure quality and provincial requirements for safety. The compost acts as an excellent soil amendment and is safe to use in gardens and on lawns.
Hosted by the City of Toronto & Ward 4 — Gord Perks.
ENVIRONMENT DAY 1
WHEN: Saturday, April 27, 2019 — 10am to 2pm
WHERE: Sir Casmir Gzowski Park — 1751 Lake Shore Blvd W (east of Ellis Ave).
ENVIRONMENT DAY 2
WHEN: Saturday, July 27, 2019 — 10am to 2pm
WHERE: Sorauren Avenue Park — 289 Sorauren Ave.
COMPOST DAY 1
WHEN: Saturday, April 20, 2019 — from 10am, while supplies last.
WHERE: Masaryk-Cowan Community Centre — 220 Cowan Avenue.
COMPOST DAY 2
WHEN: Saturday, April 27, 2019 — from 10am, while supplies last.
WHERE: Runnymede Public School — 357 Runnymede Road.
COMPOST DAY 3
WHEN: Saturday, May 25, 2019 — from 10am, while supplies last.
WHERE: Indian Rd Public School — 285 Indian Rd Crescent.
Questions about any of these events can be emailed to Councillor Gord Perks's office at councillor_perks@toronto.ca or call 416-392-7919.
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Earth to Tables: A Short Film Series and Discussion on Food Sovereignty
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The Earth to Tables Project, an intergenerational and intercultural exchange of food activists, has produced short videos and photo essays exploring food sovereignty practices in Indigenous and settler communities in Ontario, Quebec, and Mexico.
Dates for the next two screenings are now set! Each will be followed by discussion of the critical issues they raise and how they relate to the experiences of participants.
Hosted by Parkdale Neighbourhood Land Trust — Parkdale Free School.
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THE SOIL IS ALIVE + THE ALCHEMY OF AGROECOLOGY
“The Soil is Alive" Muskoka organic farmer Dianne Kretschmar is in conversation with Fernando Garcia, an urban agriculture trainer in Guadalajara, Mexico, about the critical importance of the soil. Do we understand the soil and fungal networks? Are we over-cultivating?
“The Alchemy of Agroecology” Ethnobotanist Fulvio Gioanetto and Purépecha medicinal plant expert Maria Cacari share their knowledge about how local “weeds” can be used both as medicines and as organic inputs (fertilizers and herbicides) in agroecological farms in Ontario and Michoacán, Mexico. How can we create our own organic inputs from the natural material around us?
WHEN: Tuesday, April 23, 2019 — 7 to 9pm
WHERE: Parkdale Activity-Recreation Centre — 1499 Queen Street West Toronto, ON M6R 1A3.
COST: Free! Registration is recommended. Click here to register.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/earth-to-tables-a-short-film-series-and-discussion-on-food-sovereignty-tickets-59510059189?aff=ebdssbdestsearch
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WHY FARMERS MARKETS
"Why Farmers Markets?" The first farmers market in Toronto was started by the late Elizabeth Harris to sell the organic vegetables of Muskoka farmer Dianne Kretschmar. Now Elizabeth’s daughter Anna Murtaugh and Adam Royal are almost self-sufficient in food on the Gaspé peninsula in Quebec, where they helped start a bilingual farmers market. What connections do farmers markets create? Are they only for the rich?
WHEN: Tuesday, April 30, 2019 — 7 to 9pm
WHERE: Parkdale Activity-Recreation Centre — 1499 Queen Street West Toronto, ON M6R 1A3.
COST: Free! Registration is recommended. Click here to register.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/earth-to-tables-a-short-film-series-and-discussion-on-food-sovereignty-tickets-59510095297?aff=ebdssbdestsearch
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Gardening for Kids with Emma Biggs
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13-year-old Emma Biggs raised over 130 tomato varieties in her Toronto garden in 2018—gardening in containers, in straw bales on a driveway, in a neighbour’s yard, and on her garage roof.
Emma helps kids find the fun in gardening (and helps adults remember how much fun gardening is too!). She blogs about tomatoes, and is the co-host of The Garage Gardeners Radio Show and the From Dirt to Dishes gardening channel on YouTube.
At this talk, Emma will tell you how much fun she has in her own garden, with 100+ tomato varieties, giant tomatoes, and unusual crops that my friends think are really cool. And then she’ll give you more ideas and stories about what draws young people into gardening.
Hosted by Friends of Allan Gardens & Allan Gardens Park and Convervatory.
WHEN: Wednesday, April 24, 2019 — 7 to 8:30pm
WHERE: Allan Gardens Park and Conservatory — 19 Horticultural Ave., Toronto, ON M5A 2P2.
COST: Registration is required for this FREE event! A small donation, however, of $5-$10 is much appreciated and goes towards volunteer-based initiatives like the Spring Into Gardening Speaker Series and other new educational programs led by the Friends of Allan Gardens.
Click here to register for Gardening for Kids with Emma Biggs.
https://www.facebook.com/events/386817135484317/
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Earth Day Family Celebration
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Come celebrate Earth Day at Toronto Botanical Garden. Help plant the Teaching Garden, create nature crafts, listen to nature-themed stories, ride the blender bike and more!
Drinks and snacks will be available for purchase. Lug a mug and water bottle to help us reduce waste at this event. Stroller accessible.
Hosted by Toronto Botanical Garden.
WHEN: Saturday, April 27, 2019 — 12 noon to 3pm
WHERE: Toronto Botanical Garden — 777 Lawrence Ave E, North York, ON M3C 1P2. All activities take place in the Teaching Garden. Park in the TBG lot and then follow signs through Wilket Creek ravine to the west side of the creek to access the Teaching Garden.
COST: Free! Registration is recommended. Click here to register.
https://torontobotanicalgarden.ca/enjoy/special-events/earth-day-celebration/
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Community Stewardship Program for Toronto's Ravines
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This year’s City of Toronto Community Stewardship Program will start soon — in and around the end of April, 2019. Find the ravine you would like to steward and attend the orientation day.
Beechwood Wetland: Tuesdays 6 to 8 pm
Crothers Woods: Mondays 6 to 8 pm
Don Valley Brick Works Park: Mondays 6 to 8 pm
Humber Bay Butterfly Habitat: Wednesdays 6 to 8 pm
Milne Hollow: Thursdays 10am to 12 noon
Nordheimer Ravine: Tuesdays 6 to 8 pm
Riverdale Park East: Wednesdays 6 to 8 pm
Hosted by the City of Toronto.
WHEN: Starting at the end of April, onwards, at various times and locations depending on which ravine you wish to steward. To find out when and where the orientation day will take place, please email greentoronto@toronto.ca
COST: Free, but you must register! To register, and/or for more program info, please email greentoronto@toronto.ca
NOTE: Participants must be 14 years of age or older unless accompanied by a legal guardian.
https://www.toronto.ca/community-people/get-involved/volunteer-with-the-city/community-stewardship-program/?fbclid=IwAR0tjVfwBcDVaCUsF_aW_SZkE94qcgba9R0T_pV2vu0oQzawH4wy7XCGiwE
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The community organization Green Parkdale & Roncesvalles invites you to a spring clean up at Sunnyside Beach. Joining this effort are friends, families, neighbours, children, canoers, kayakers, dog walkers, nature enthusiasts, and YOU... all uniting to revitalize our west-end beach!
Bags for waste and recycling will be provided.
Please bring a drinking mug, garden gloves, and your enthusiasm for a litter-free beach!
Hosted by Green Parkdale & Roncesvalles.
WHEN: Saturday, April 27, 2019 — 11am to 1pm
WHERE: Meet on the steps of Palais Royale — 1601 Lake Shore Blvd W, Toronto, ON M6K 3C1 (Lake Shore Blvd at the foot of Roncesvalles).
COST: Free! Please register so that organizers can prepare supplies to welcome you! Click here to register by sending them a note via their online form.
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Roncesvalles Avenue's 16th Annual Spring Cleanup
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As part of the Clean Toronto Together campaign, two teams of volunteers will start at either end of Roncesvalles Avenue, cleaning up garden beds and tree planters as they work their way towards each other to meet in the middle. Join the effort!
Bags for trash and recycling will be supplied, as well as plastic gloves.
NOTE: Our very own Parkdale & Toronto Hort supported Garden Project (The Dundas Roncesvalles Peace Garden) will be part of the cleanup effort, at the north-most end of Roncesvalles.
Hosted by RoncyWorks and the Roncesvalles Village BIA.
WHEN: Sunday, April 28, 2019 — 11am to 1pm
WHERE: There will be two meeting spots — choose whichever is most convenient for you.
SOUTH END of Roncesvalles: Meet at 10:50am sharp outside of the Howard Johnson Inn (just north of the McDonalds at Queen Street).
NORTH END of Roncesvalles: Meet at 10:50am sharp in the Dundas Roncesvalles Peace Garden (Dundas & Roncesvalles intersection).
COST: Free! Please register so that organizers can prepare supplies to welcome you! Click here to register.
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Ontario Rock Garden & Hardy Plant Society's Plant Sale
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We're officially into Plant Fair season! Here are some details about this particular sale. But try not to get too carried away. Our own Plant Fair is less than a week after. :)
- Beautifully grown plants – rare and familiar – from our members’ gardens.
- Lovely flowers and foliage for sun and shade.
- Choice shrubs and select perennials from specialty growers.
Hosted by Ontario Rock Garden & Hardy Plant Society.
WHEN: Sunday, May 5, 2019 — 11am to 2pm.
WHERE: Toronto Botanical Garden (in the Floral Hall) — 777 Lawrence Ave E, North York, ON M3C 1P2.
COST: Free!
http://www.onrockgarden.com/page/super-plant-sale
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This event is coming up FAST! Watch for our dedicated Plant Fair email coming soon!
Hosted by us — The Horticultural Societies of Parkdale & Toronto.
WHEN: Saturday, May 11, 2019 — 10am to 2pm
WHERE: Roncesvalles United Church (same spot as last year) — 240 Roncesvalles Ave., Toronto, ON M6R 1M3
COST: Free!
https://www.facebook.com/events/242048920046917/
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Toronto Island Garden Tour 2019
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This garden tour favourite was cancelled last spring due to the immense flooding experienced... so we are especially pleased to report that it is indeed back this year! Hurray!
- Visitors stroll and exchange garden fact and lore.
- Enjoy touring artists’ and plant lovers’ private gardens.
- An inspiring diversity of garden styles and plant life - native and cultivated - abounds.
- Soaring Cottonwood trees, ‘snowing in June’, always amaze.
- Willow Square is a superb creation.
- The pebble mosaic and the Victorian Landing Station transform the entrance to the WIA on Ward’s Island.
- An amazing and memorable ferry ride from the 'big smoke'.
Hosted by all volunteers of the Toronto Island Community.
WHEN: Saturday, June 1 & Sunday, June 2 — 12 noon until 5pm.
WHERE: Toronto Island (Ward's Island). Be sure to catch the Ward's Island ferry specifically. You can check ferry times & prices here: www.toronto.ca/parks/island/ferry-schedule.htm
The Ward’s Island ferry departs from the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal at the foot of Bay Street at Queen’s Quay.
COST: $10.00 (cash only, please). Garden tour tickets and maps are available in the white gazebo at arrival on Ward’s Island. All funds are used for community landscaping projects.
www.torontoisland.org
Questions can be emailed to annekotyk@yahoo.ca or bjsimmons@sympatico.ca
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