Plant-lovers from across the province will be making their way to Weyburn this summer to attend the Saskatchewan Horticultural Association's Annual Provincial Horticultural Show.
Plant-lovers from across the province will be making their way to Weyburn this summer to attend the Saskatchewan Horticultural Association's Annual Provincial Horticultural Show.
The gardeners will be in Weyburn to show off their prized plants on Thursday and Friday, Aug. 9 to 10 at Knox Hall, getting a head start on the Weyburn Wheat Festival weekend.
"We're hoping to see entrants from across the province, as well as our local people," said Weyburn Horticultural Society president, Grace Plonka.
This year's provincial show will differ from the last two provincial shows; entrants will be judged for quality and prizes will be awarded to the winners.
"It is a judged show; there are some non-judged shows, but we're hoping people who like judged shows will bring their plants from across the province," said Plonka.
"Our membership likes a judged show," added Plonka, "There are a number of people that like the critique and seeing how the plant compares to what others are growing," she added.
The critique can also be quiet helpful to gardeners, said Plonka, teaching them alternative ways of growing and presenting their plants at future shows.
"It makes you work a little harder next year," she said.
Plonka said those who are interested in entering the show but do not know how to prepare plants for judging should not be discouraged, as members of the horticultural society will be on hand to help gardeners with the staging of their plants.
"You don't have to be a horticultural association member to present at the show either; we like people to come and show us what they have been growing," she added.
The show is not restricted to flowers either, with a wide variety of classes up for judging. "It's everything, it's vegetables, it's fruits, it's houseplants, it's glads, sweet peas, dahlias, perennials, lilies," said Plonka.
Gardeners are required to grow their own plants for the show except in the junior competition category. "For the junior category, we like them to prepare their own exhibit, but they can go to their neighbour's or their grandma's garden and borrow some plants," said Plonka.
In terms of how Weyburn gardeners stack up against their provincial counterparts, Plonka has the faith in their skills. "Our local entrants are always high quality, we have ladies who grow very nice lilies, roses, and vegetables," said Plonka.
Even with the recent bout of wild weather Plonka still expects a good crop of plants at the show this year. "It just amazes me what people do come with considering that we have had hail."
The public will get a chance to check out the fruits of the gardeners labour as well, when the horticultural society opens their tea room after judging is completed on Friday afternoon.
Strawberry shortcake and tea and coffee will be served.
Each plant entered requires a show tag, which are offered at no cost, and can be picked up in advance by contacting June Cull, or at the registration held from 2 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, or 7 to 8:30 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 10. Judging will take place Friday morning.
Plonka is planning for 50 horticulturists to attend the provincial show, with many bringing multiple entries in different categories. The Saskatchewan Horticultural Association will provide the qualified judging staff for the event and is the parent body for all horticultural societies in Saskatchewan.
There will also be a provincial meeting of the Saskatchewan Horticultural Association during the event to discuss the group's past and upcoming activities.
Each entrant in the show will also be entered to win door prizes provided by local businesses.
Plonka also extended an invitation to all Weyburn residents to come and check out the show.
"We invite everybody in the Weyburn area to come and see the show; it has been a long time since we have hosted the provincials, so we welcome all the general public to come and see it."
