Greater Windsor Horticultural Society

2010 May/June Newsletter
by Louie Fiorino

Newsletter - May/June 2010

THANK YOU                                                                        

Special Thanks to the kitchen help,  April - Christine Lytle, Velma Quick, Eleanor Sfalcin and Denise Summerfield. May – Heidi Mark, Juliette St. Pierre, Mary Ann Casporowiez, Denise Summerfield, and that is where you will always find Georg and Edith Lukow, and Susan Melis helping too..Thank You to all of them for making the meeting a   little more special.

DOOR PRIZES

Recent door prizes have been donated by Audrey Bodnar, Louie Fiorino and Valerie  Kirkpatrick.

JUST A REMINDER

“Plant a Row-Grow a Row” has been a project the society is involved with. So when planting your garden this season remember to plant an extra row and come time to harvest, bring to the Food Bank.   The Unemployed Help Centre has 12x12 plots free if you donate a row.

WRSTEF

March 28th, Nancy Lariviere and Laura Wright attended the 49th Annual Windsor Regional Science, Technology and Engineering Fair , hosted at the  CAW Student Centre  at the University of Windsor. Together they presented awards to students showing excellence in the Horticultural or Environmental field of study.  Metals and gift certificates were given to Trevor Parent, a novice, grade 6(Grow with the Flow); Amina Nur, a junior in grade 7(Aquaponics); Grace Enns, an Intermediate grade 9 (Is Cucumber Growth Affected the The Increase of CO2 and O2) and Johnathan Natais grade 12(Want to Nuke That?)

DISTRICT MEETING-SATURDAY APRIL 17TH

Our President  Brenda Lehoux tied one of members, Marg Dudley for 1^st prize in the funky container category at the District Meeting in Sarnia.  She also won the Peoples Choice in the flower show.  Margaret  won 1^st and 2^nd in the Photo competition and Brenda took home 3^rd .  Congratulations to you both.

The Kiss of the sun for pardon,

The song of the birds for mirth,

One is nearer to God's heart in a garden,

Than anywhere else on earth. --Dorthy Frances Gurney

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

Well, spring has arrived with a vengeance! The lilacs are in full bloom and the early flowers are fading already. I hope everyone is taking time out of their busy gardening schedule to enjoy all the nice weather we’ve been having.

   The annual plant sale is coming this week-end ( 8 May ) and -Nancy Lariviere and her committee have been putting together some exciting changes for us. This plant sale will be a “not to miss” event. This year we have invited vendors aboard. They have all donated prizes for our raffle, and are also making available a whole new selection of plants that we usually don’t have at our sale. There is sure to be something for everyone!

  The garden at the Baby House Museum is receiving a face lift this year. The clean up phase is almost done and the planting has begun. If you would like to participate in the renovation just contact someone on the board. We’d love to have you!

     Four of our board members attended the Spring District 11 annual meeting in Sarnia. Immediate past President of the Ontario Horticultural Association , Ken Fink, brought greetings from the board and had lots of info. about what’s going on in the rest of the province.

      That’s all for now. Don’t forget to enter the flower show at our May and June meetings. See you all at the plant sale.

                                             Happy gardening ,  Brenda

CELEBRATING SPRING

The excitement of the first flower show was coupled with 'wear your Easter Bonnet,'  both were a big success and a lot of fun.  Thanks to all who participated.

VOLUNTEERS

Many will be shocked to find,

When the day of judgment nears,

That there is a special place in Heaven,

Set aside for volunteers,

Furnished with big recliners,

Satin couches and footstools,

Where there are no committee chairmen,

No yard sale or rest area coffee to serve,

No library duty or bulletin assembly,

There will be nothing to print or staple,

Not one thing to fold or mail,

Telephone list will be outlawed,

But a finger snap will bring,

Cool drinks and gourmet dinners,

And rare treats fit for a king.

You ask “Who'll serve these privileged few

And work for all they're worth?”

Why, all those who reaped the benefits,

And not once volunteered on earth.

-        Author UNKNOWN

ESSEX COUNTY ORCID SOCIETY

The New Essex County Orchid Society is growing and moving.   Since their first meeting just even months ago they have grown in leaps and bounds.  Visitors and new members are welcomed to join them at their new location  on the 3^rd Sundays of the month  at St. Stephen's Church Hall at 5380 Howard Ave. just south of Hwy 3, 1:30 p.m.

50-50

Draw in March was won by Mary Ann Casporowiez of $36.50.  April, George Lukow took home $39.50

MONTH OF MAY

Don't forget your membership card , Maria Pap will be bringing in May premiums to all paid members.

MAY FLOWER SHOW

                                  Plants

Class   Flower – Specification

1. Tulips – Single specimen-one color, variety
2. 3 Tulips – 3 specimen-mixed colors
3. Daffodils or narcissus – single specimen-1 color
4. 3 daffodil or narcissus – Three specimen mixed colors
5. Spring flowers – One bloom or stem
6. Spring flowers – 3 blooms, sprays or stems of the same variety.
7. Shrub or tree – One spray or stem
8. Shrub or tree -Three sprays or stems of the same variety.
9. Any Cactus
10.  Any other succulent

                         Arrangements

Class    Specification

1.      Arrangement using any combination of flowers – any foliage.

2.      “Spring Bouquet” Flowers of one color – any foliage.

3.      Miniature not to exceed 5 inches overall.

4.      “Simple Elegance” Arrangement of three blooms,  live material only.

Support material may be used.

Invitational Class

For those who do not wish to enter into competition, but would like to display any plant or flower.

THINGS TO DO IN MAY

Construct lattice for vines

Transfer bedding annuals to outdoor cold frame

Check trees for tent caterpillars & other insects

Plant frost-sensitive flowers (Petunias, dahlias, glads etc.)

Remove faded flower heads of tulips & daffodils

Prune shrubs and trees after flowering

Plant vegetable garden, strawberries and raspberries

Harvest asparagus

JUNE FLOWER SHOW

                                   Plants

Class   Flower – Specification

1.      One Hybrid Tea Rose – any color

2.      Three Hybrid Teas Roses – 3 different colors in one container

3.      Floribunda Rose – one spray

4.      Climbing Rose – one spray

5.      Miniature Rose – one bloom, any color

6.      Miniature Rose – one spray, any color

7.      House Plant – judged on foliage

8.      House Plant – judged on flowers

9.      African Violet – single flower

10.  African Violet – double flower

11.  African Violet – miniature

12.  Peonies – double, any color, one bloom,in one container

13.  Peonies – 3 blooms, one color, one container

14.  Peonies – 3 blooms, any color combination, in one container

15.  Peonies – one bloom, any color, single or Japanese

16.  Annual – one bloom, stem or spray

17.  Annual – three stems, different varieties

18.  Shrub or Tree – in a vase or bowl

19.  Any Flowers Not listed – judged on merit

20.  Iris – one stalk, any color

21.  Iris – 3 stalks, any color combination

22.  Lilies hybrid – one stalk

23.  Lilies Hybrid – 3 stalks, any color combination, in one container

24.  Day lilies – one stalk

25.  Day lilies – 3 stalks, any color combination, in one container

26.  Delphinium – one staff  any color

27.  Delphinium – 3 staffs, any color combination, in one container

28.  Perennial – one single stem, spray, any color, except Roses, Peonies, Iris, Lilies, Day lilies or Delphiniums

29.  Perennials – container of one variety, except Roses, Peonies, Iris, Lilies, Day lillies or Delphiniums

Invitational Class

For those who do not wish to enter into competition, but would like to display any plant or flower.

                      Arrangements

Class    Specification

1.      Using Roses and Rose foliage only

2.      “Symphony” foliage, you may use any foliage or greens

3.      “Garden Riches” wicker basket or container using a variety of flowers

4.      “June Bride” white flowers only,  white vase any foliage

5.      Miniature not to exceed 5 inches overall.

6.      “Summer Day” arrangement, using 5 flowers only, one color

RULES – Exhibits will be judged according to the Horticultural   Judging Standards Publication #34. Decisions of the judges will be final. The Society will provide the entry tags. All exhibits in the specimen classes must be arranged by the exhibitor. Entries in the design classes must be grown by the exhibitor. Entries in the design classes must not contain arti-ficial material, but accessories are allowed. Exhibitors must not enter more than one item per class.

THINGS TO DO IN JUNE

Prune evergreens and hedges

Use grass clippings and compost on garden to conserve moisture and control weeds

Irrigate lawns and gardens as required

Thin annuals and vegetables

Treat annual flowers (water soluble 20-20-20 e.g)

Stake tall growing perennials

Pinch back garden chrysanthemums

Remove faded rose blooms

Weed vegetable gardens and flower beds

  The best fertilizer is a gardener's shadow.

                                              ~UNKOWN