The Yorkton and District Horticultural Society board of directors recently had a meeting to plan our speakers and events for 2017. Even when there is snow on the ground we keep on “thinking gardening”! Plans are still being finalized, but there is an exciting year ahead!
It’s not an easy task to plan an agenda for a whole year. There are dozens of topics that could be chosen for our meetings: what to pick? We have informal criteria that we examine for our topics. Is it something that would appeal to local gardeners? Have we had similar speakers before? Have we had any special requests? Does the speaker live in proximity to Yorkton to make it feasible for them to come? Do the speakers have time to come? The list goes on!
We find it is very helpful if gardeners tell us about a topic that they would particularly like to learn more about: it’s something for us to explore!
Of course, you all know that you don’t have to be a member to attend our meetings. If you are interested in the speaker we are having on a certain night, you are more than welcome to come and sit in. Our goal is to encourage gardening and gardeners, so don’t be shy, come on in! If you decide you would like to join the group, wonderful!
Gardening has changed a lot over the years, but I know there are lots of interested gardeners around. We chat all the time! Maybe the days of two acre gardens are gone for many people, but for those of you with stunning new homes or acreages, you bring a different kind of challenge to gardening. Even with limited space on a city lot, you can do amazing and beautiful things! Other gardeners may be able to make some recommendations. You will find that most gardeners can’t wait to talk gardening with you!
Another observation I have made: gardeners are mostly open-minded and flexible and adventurous about trying new plants. How could it be otherwise? Mother Nature flings all kinds of surprises are us constantly, we always have to adapt or perish.
With all these things in mind, gardening is a terrific hobby where there is always something new to learn, and great people who share this common interest. So I will keep you in the loop about what is going on in the coming year!
The holidays are quickly approaching, so if you want to make something special, I’d like to tell you about a beautiful “au naturel” holiday decoration. Before we all get flustered, I am talking about an “au naturel” decoration that uses nature’s ingredients, something you can set in a bowl on your coffee table! I saw a beautiful picture of a lovely clay bowl with pine cones, cinnamon sticks, dried orange slices, and dried apple slices. It looked totally enchanting, totally natural! It is easy to dry apple and orange slices: cut them in approximately half inch slices (across the fruit) put them on baking sheets lined with parchment paper, and put them in a warm oven (200 degrees). Turn them gently every half hour or so for two to three hours. (It takes time: this is a craft for a snowy afternoon with nice Christmas music playing!) You will be able to tell they are done when they look dried out. Let them cool, then assemble them with the other ingredients into bowls or bags for gift-giving. Use pine cones, cinnamon sticks, bay leaves, whole cloves, juniper tips. Delightful, and a wonderful way to keep on enjoying nature indoors.
Have a great week! See what’s new with the hort society at www.yorktonhort.ca
