The Columbine

Newsletter of Gardening Kingston

May 2023

Co-Chair's Message

Spring flowers are in bloom everywhere, including the tulips, daffodils and hyacinths in my gardens. Garlic has sprouted and I suspect many of you have started seeds and monitor them daily. In early April, I returned home from a trip to Portugal where the grape vines and flowers were already in bloom. It had been exciting to think about how we would be preparing for the gardening season at home.

We’ve had some major changes in our organization in the past few weeks and “where one door closes another one opens”. Change can be scary however it’s also an opportunity to stimulate new ideas and provide growth... click here to read more.

Call for Portfolio Volunteers

A few hours of your help can go a long way to support the board members and provide interesting activities for all of our members... read more here.

May In-person Meeting

Thursday, May 11 at 7:30 p.m.
New Location: Holiday Inn - Kingston West

Planting for success
Presented by Mary Ann van Berlo

We have one chance to get our plants off to a good start – so planting them properly is highly important. Much research and observation have changed the recommendations for the planting of trees and shrubs as well as perennials. Mary Ann will tell us why root washing and root pruning are important steps to ensure the vigour and longevity of your transplant. She’ll also explain why staking and amending the soil in the transplant hole is no longer recommended.

Learn. Grow. Share.

June Social Event Sneak Peek

Come and meet your fellow gardeners and representatives of a few local businesses and organizations that can help you in your gardening endeavours! There will be treats and a silent auction. Watch for more details in the June newsletter.

Gardening Kingston’s
54^th Annual Plant Sale
May 27, 2023

This plant sale is open to the public and we need you! We need your plants! Click here to read the instructions and time to bring your plants and other gently used gardening items to our new location at the Holiday Inn Express Kingston West. The sale is starting earlier this year – please bring your plants as early as possible, so we have time to add prices.

A poster for the sale can be found here. Please forward it to family, friends and neighbours, or maybe even print it and post it in a favourite store close to you!

Notice that KASSI, the Kingston Area Seed System Initiative, will also be at the sale.

Thanking you in advance for your contributions to make this sale a success.
And of course, do come and purchase too…

Volunteer Hours 2023
Your Chance to Win!

The winners of last month's draw for $10 vouchers redeemable at our spring plant sale on May 27, are Madison Dubuc and Chris Wolfe.

For the next draw, submit any new volunteer hours by May 31 for your chance to win a $10 gift certificate for Made in the Shade.

Volunteer Hours Form

Rewilding microbial communities: a roadmap for urban ecosystem health

Thu, May 25, 2023 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

Join ecologist and author Dr Jake Robinson to learn about Invisible Friends - how microbial life shapes our city and our wellbeing. Presented by 1000 Islands Master Gardeners. For more information and to register for this free virtual talk, click here.

News from Garden Ontario

Interested in seeing what other horticulture societies in the province are doing? Follow the link to find the Trillium newsletter archive and the rest of the latest news from Garden Ontario.

Gardener's Journal

Gardening Kingston Members share their stories.

Learn along with them.

Question mark made out of plant material

Your Journal Entry Here!

Journal Topic Suggestions

June Newsletter
what's in your rain garden?
Deadline May 25, 2023

September Newsletter
your showy flower favourites
Deadline August 31, 2023

Send your images and stories to the Editor. Please provide captions for the images, credit, and written permission for newsletter use if you were not the photographer.

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