Sunday 30 June 2013

Edenwold Up Close: An Update

An update to our post Edenwold Up Close:

The Nature Conservancy of Canada is providing transportation and lunch to conservation volunteers to come help out in a bioblitz at the NCC Edenwold property on Saturday, July 13!

Wear a hat, some good hiking boots and meet the bus at 7:50am at Victoria Park. We hope to leave at 8am sharp!

Please RSVP
at conservationvolunteers.ca or email Sara.Burns@natureconservancy.ca or phone (306) 347-0447.

See you there!

Monday 24 June 2013

Taming the Wild


There are many considerations to moving wild plants into your garden. First and foremost are the rules around moving plants in the wild. You should never dig plants from public spaces or from private property without permission. Then you have to consider invasive plants that are not native to our area which, despite their beauty, often threaten our local ecosystems. Finally, wild plants can be very temperamental to move. But when you find the right opportunity and the right plant, the results can be awesome.

Prairie Coneflower blooms in late June-July and can be found growing in the wild all over the Qu'Appelle Valley. It does not multiply quickly though and it would not take many of us digging to make it disappear. So we do not dig it.

I was fortunate two years ago, when a neighbour was building a barn, to have the opportunity to rescue three plants. They are very pretty when blooming but can be leggy when they are not. They were extremely difficult to move and I had to baby them for an entire season while they looked sick and a little hopeless. Although I was rewarded with masses of blooms in year two, by year three, I find I only have one plant left. Surprising considering how many seeds those masses of flowers dropped. No self-seedlings have appeared.

Lady Slipper, an early June bloomer, is another I have been able to try. Another friend building on their property, this time further North, had moved one to their city lot instead of squashing it with the new shed. When it started to multiply last year, I begged and was handed a shovel. Having learned from the Prairie Coneflower experience, I dug the largest root ball I have ever dug. I could not even fit the root ball in a bucket and had to use a plastic bag to transport it instead. When I got into my garden with it, I dug a huge hole, filled it with compost by about half and then plopped the root ball into it. I watered like crazy and crossed my fingers. No luck was necessary. The Lady Slipper took hold immediately and never skipped a beat, in spite of the fact that it was in full bloom when I dug it. I didn't want to wait in case the offer came off the table. Happily, she has returned to my garden this year!

This article was originally published in the RHS monthly newsletter, Let's Get Growing! June issue. If you would like to receive our newsletter in your inbox, click here to sign up!

Sunday 23 June 2013

Our Members Rock!

We would like to extend a hearty thank you to all of our member volunteers who make our events such a success!

First, from our President, Charlien Britton: "I would like to thank Ken McDonald and Jill Vaisey for organizing the annual plant sale at the Golden Mile Shopping Centre. Many thanks to the volunteers that gave their time and plant material we had a very successful sale without such dedicated members our sale would not be run so smoothly. A special thanks to our corporate sponsors’, The Plant Ranch, Cherry Lane Greenhouse and Doorn’s Greenhouse, for all the plant material donated for the sale. The winner of the planter basket, donated by Doorn's was Carol Reyda of Regina. Many thanks to the Golden Mile Shopping Centre for providing us with the venue to hold our event."

RHS would also like to thank all the volunteers who came out to lend a hand at our Annual Members Only BBQ. Despite the weather, we all had a wonderful time and it would not have been possible without all of you and your hard work!

Friday 21 June 2013

Annual Members BBQ

On June 20, members of RHS gathered at the Senior Citizens Centre for our Annual Members BBQ. We would like to thank all the members who braved the storm that left all the flooded intersections, in order to attend! The rain had stopped by the time our BBQ kicked off and, although we ate indoors, a good time was had by all.

Thank you also, to all of the RHS members who volunteered at this event and helped make it so much fun for all of us. The food was wonderful and our President, Charlien, did an amazing presentation of planting garden vegetables in containers. An excellent idea for all the urban gardeners who are often pressed for ground to dig. Winners of the garden pot and salsa pot created by Charlien were Yvonne Casson and Olivia Shumski.

Thursday 20 June 2013

Identity Crisis

This iris photo just in from the yard of member Hazel MacMurchy. Isn't it beautiful? Anyone know what it is? There is a possibility it is 'War Chief' but we are not sure.

Saturday 15 June 2013

Edenwold Up Close!

Brought to you by...
Saturday, July 13, 2013
Edenwold, East Parklands Natural Area

Closest Town: Edenwold, Saskatchewan
Meeting Time: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Meeting Location: Details to be provided prior to event.
Transportation provided to the site.
Special Feature: Native grasslands, wetlands and woodlands

Join NCC Saskatchewan staff as a Conservation Volunteer at the Edenwold Property in the beautiful East Parklands Natural Area. Help us identify plant and animal species while we document many of the property’s unique features. NCC’s Edenwold 1 and 2 properties comprise 640 acres (259 ha). Lend conservation a hand while experiencing native grasslands,woodlands, wetlands and viewing many wildlife species.

The Nature Conservancy of Canada would like to thank the Imperial Oil Foundation for generously supporting this Conservation Volunteers event.

You may be hiking considerable distance so be sure to wear good hiking books and a hat. Also grab your binoculars and any bird or native plant books you wish, as you enjoy the East Parklands. Eat a hearty breakfast, pack a lunch and drinking water. NCC will add to this with complementary snacks and beverages.

If you have reference books, binoculars or other field equipment for data collection, you are encouraged to bring it. GPS units would also be helpful and appreciated. Tools and gloves will be provided.

 Free to attend but please RSVP online by clicking here!

Wednesday 12 June 2013

Annual BBQ - Members Only

Calling all members! Our annual BBQ is coming up next week on Thursday, June 20. We are holding it at the Senior Citizens Centre from 6-9pm. We are planning a really great time and hope you all can make it. It will be an evening of food, fun and frivolity. Food provided by RHS, fun and frivolity to be provided by our members :)
All you need to bring is yourself and your partner! We hope to see you there.
 

Thursday 6 June 2013

Facebook Spotlight

We take questions on Facebook! We thought we would share one here.

Our Facebook friend, Tim, came upon these beauties near his workplace and posted this picture. We were able to help him identify the plant and provide him with a link to more information.

Check out this and other questions on our Facebook page. Give us a like and post your question!