If you are ready for a little gardening holiday, you still might be able to take part in the Saskatchewan Horticultural Association Annual Bus Tour. This is a three day “gardener’s getaway” that takes place July 17, 18 and 19. Saskatoon is the base for this tour which goes to local gardens as well as places of special horticultural interest such as the greenhouses, orchards, test plots, and Patterson arboretum at the University of Saskatchewan; a micro green grower, Meewasin, a grower that specializes in cut flowers for market sales, and much more! I’m not sure if there are still spaces available, but you can check by calling Denise at (306) 331-9181.
Please get out your calendars and mark down Tuesday, August 11! That’s the day of the Yorkton and District Horticultural Society “Annual Fruit, Flower, and Vegetable Show”, 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. at St. Gerard’s Parish Complex. Please mark that date on your calendar! The show gives you a chance to see a wide and beautiful selection of plants and floral displays, and you can also enjoy tea and dainties and a good visit! What a lovely way to spend a summer afternoon! Please plan to join us, and bring a friend!
Flower shows have always been an important part of any horticultural society. For our own Yorkton group, the first “flower show” was a display set up at City Hall on September 7, 1906.
I think it was a real testimony to their efforts and enthusiasm to take the time to set up such a display, and a testimony of support from the City to have this display in City Hall. It was a gesture from both groups that in the new prairie community of Yorkton, it was important to take time to “stop and smell the roses”, literally!
Since then, flower shows have taken various forms over the years. Some societies have a “judged” show, where horticulture judges come in and peruse all the entries, looking for the best possible example of each variety of flower, fruit and vegetable. They study the size, shape, and color of each specimen. Gardeners can’t put in just one perfect specimen: to prove consistency of excellence, the gardener must enter three or five of one item!
Some societies have the “non-judged” show, where gardeners still strive to show the “best of the best” from their gardens, but there is no set amount required for each entry. Many horticultural societies opt for this type of show because members appreciate the more relaxed atmosphere of a non-judged show, and everyone feels comfortable to share the beauty of their garden, thus hopefully having more members take part.
Either way, a flower show is an excellent learning experience. Visitors can see varieties of flowers, fruits and vegetables that they might want to try in their own gardens or planters. At our show, I have often seen guests jotting down the names of roses or flowers as they stroll through the exhibits. There are beautiful displays, too, sure to inspire you to rush home and arrange your planters in a new way, or give you an idea for planting next year! And there are many flower arrangements that will give ideas for displays at home.
Gardening, whether on a large scale or in a few planters, is a joyous hobby that everyone can enjoy for their entire life. It’s relaxing, healthy, and rewarding in terms of growing your own produce, or simply growing plants that bring joy to your soul. And there is always something new to learn. Learning keeps everyone youthful and vibrant!
So please join us on Tuesday, August 11 at St. Gerard’s Parish Complex: it will be a great afternoon! Have a lovely week! www.yorktonhort.ca
