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President's Message
by Toby Barratt
Another year of blooms has come and gone. For me it seems I am hardly able to appreciate one season’s flowers before the next season starts to bloom. Old Man Winter certainly caught a lot of us off guard. We all thought we had lots of time to get the last bit of garden clean up done. We had lots of nice snow for excellent insulation of our plants. Hopefully we will have more snow but only in small doses. I hope my Rhododendrons and Magnolia tree survive these yo-yo weather systems!
Last summer, on my holiday out west, I was able to tour Edmonton’s Devonian and Botanical Gardens. What a horticultural treat tucked into the prairies so close to a large urban area.
There are so many new plants on the market and gardens are changing all the time. Horticultural groups need to change with the times. This year one of the changes will be a mini Ottawa Blooms exhibition at the Kanata Lawn and Garden Show. Instead of the summer District 2 show, District 2 will become part of this new effort. In anticipation of this early April show please nurse your houseplants and succulents and start bulb plants early. The executive and I will keep you informed about the opportunities to show your plants.
We had another successful year both horticulturally as well as financially. Thanks to five members - Lori, Doreen, Myrna, Sandy and Judy - who took part in the summer District 2 show in Perth. Judy and Sandy also did design arrangements and everyone came home with some prizes. Good work everyone! The picnic this year was held at Ria and Paul Ralph’s on their charming covered bridge (no ‘rain day’ needed!). It is a beautiful spot and it was a treat to tour their gardens. The tour to the Pembroke area to pick blueberries and visit the nursery was also a hit. As well, our flower shows and guest speakers are always fun, informative and friendly.
This year I would like to have an extra effort put into increasing our membership so please phone and invite your new and old neighbours, relatives and friends. If each of us brings in one new member we could hit the hundred mark.
I would like to thank the executive and everyone one who helped make the Pakenham Horticultural Society successful. Many hands make for fewer weeds in the garden, eh!
Respectfully submitted,
Toby Barratt
President (2008-04-17) |
