2014 RHS Members Christmas Potluck and GRIN Showcase

'Tis the season to be merry, enjoy a meal with friends & Grin. And during last nights RHS Christmas Potluck and GRIN showcase at the Regina Floral Conservatory, that's exactly what we did!

We started the evening of with a presentation by Denis Simard, Manager for the Queen City Eastview Community Associations Inc (QCECA). QCECA was our very first recipient of the GRIN grant and they did a fabulous job, if I do say so myself. Denis presented a slideshow which included; photos showcasing the use of the funds, this year's gardens and the growing season and finished it off with a few fun facts. With the help of the grant they were able to use these funds for various items including; new hand tools, gloves, repairing a ride on mower, a locker system, key less access to the garage and fencing along with motion detectors for the gardens. The QCECA were able to maintain 30 garden plots with 42 gardeners and from the photos, everyone could tell they took pride in their plants and plots. Denis ended his presentation with a few ideas they have in mind for next years growing season and with volunteers, a little help and the passion they have, anything is possible. On behalf of the RHS, I'd like to thank Denis for taking the time on such a chilly night to come out and present a job well done. We know that you've set the bar high for following recipients. If you'd like more information on QCECA and what they offer you can visit them at Eastview Community Centre - home or in person at the Eastview Community Gardens.

Denis Simard QCECA Manager

Denis Simard  & Denise Mlazgar RHS President

 Following the GRIN showcase it was time to enjoy a fabulous potluck supper while visiting with fellow members and friends. This year's meal included a wide array of items, some I have never tasted before, but as a foodie, I enjoyed every bite! A few of the items that teased my taste buds were, curry squash, sweet & sour pork, sushi, shepherds pie and many others that I didn't recognize, but enjoyed non the less. After the main course there were a few fantastic sweets as well and if you have a sweet tooth, whats Christmas without a little dessert?! I do encourage anyone that was present last night to share your recipes by submitting them to either publicity@ reginahortsociety.com, or on our RHS Regina Group Facebook page at .reginahortsociety

Once supper was done and everyone was satisfied, Denise Mlazgar, RHS President, had everyone using a little imagination and gardening knowledge during her "Name the Garden Gadget" game. Although no one was able to get all the items correct, we all had fun creating a few new names for the items that even the most seasoned gardeners didn't know, like the "hole digger-upper". At the end of the game there was a prize for the most correct answers and of course a door prize. We then had some time to finish up some visiting, engage in a couple more conversations and enjoy a self tour around the conservatory if you weren't able to take in its glory at the beginning of the night. The Regina Floral Conservatory once again has put on a spectacular Christmas display along with many other beautiful plants, trees, flowers and fruits. If you'd like to visit the conservatory on your own, maybe during the day, please visit them at Regina Floral Conservatory - Home for hours and event listings.

Junior Gardeners

We then wrapped the evening up and everyone was in a great mood. Laughs were heard through out the conservatory along with some pitter patters and giggles from a few junior gardeners that joined us this year. It was great to see the turnout of members even in the bitterly cold weather and hope everyone got home safe! I would like to take the time to thank the Regina Floral Conservatory for hosting us, Denis Simard for presenting the GRIN Showcase and everyone that helped plan the event along with everyone that participated. 

 From our homes to yours Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!

AGM 2014

AGM this year was held Oct 30, 2014. The new Bylaws were brought to attention and approved by all. Annual elections took place and they also went very well, with all positions being filled. Please welcome back some familiar faces along with some new ones. 

Our 2014 RHS Board Members;

President - Denise Mlazgar
Past President - Charline Britton
Vice President - Jill Vaisey
Treasurer - Kathie McFarland
Secretary - Dawn Trask

Directors:
Communications - Carmen Leibel
Education - Susan Nadon
Membership - Alan Mlazgar
Publicity - Darcel Hancock-Parisian
Social - Beth Graas
Special Events Coordinator - Ken MacDonald

Appointed:
Special Advisers - Bernie Zaharik
Sandra Shiels
Web Manager - Danielle Carrier

And many others who have volunteered to help on these committees. A huge THANKS to all!!!

Hydroponic Gardening Educational Event - "Thinking outside the Soil"

B & B Hydroponics gardening 'Guru' Darin Wheatley, presented attendees to the wonderful world of Hydroponic gardening.

He introduced his topic by reminding us of the 5 key elements of life; Earth, Fire, Water, Air & Nutrients. Darin and his daughter brought many items to our event to help demonstrate the application and products for each key factor.

The audience learned about plant propagation techniques and some indoor lightning options for the year-round gardener. We all left with a greater understanding of hydroponics systems and indoor techniques. A good number of us intend on following up to see the 'Guru' at his shop for more expert advice and supplies.

Darin has been running B & B Hydroponics retail store since 2002. Working in the hydroponic industry for more than 13 years, Darin teaches as well as continues to learn from a great number of hydroponic enthusiasts. Over the years he has gained a vast amount of knowledge, growing all types of herbs, vegetables and other specialty plants, using indoor hydroponic equipment and supplies.

Please feel free to visit their link which provides more photos and useful links on the topic. .
https://www.facebook.com/bbHydroponics

Saskatchewan Green Trades Conference

The 2014 Saskatchewan Green Trades Conference is Coming Nov 6th-7th, to the Saskatoon Inn!

Click here for more info...

October Learning Series

October Learning Series with Master Gardener Sheila Bonneteau

Join Master Gardener, Sheila Bonneteau, and learn tips on windowsill gardening, houseplants and starting plants from seed.

Tuesdays, October 14-28  |  7:00-9:00pm

Session 1: Windowsill Vegetable Gardening
Harvest fresh herbs, greens and sprouts throughout the year from an indoor garden.  Revel in the flavours of summer in the dead of winter with this instructional course.
Day:      October 14

Session 2: Houseplants as a Winter Hobby
During the winter months, maintaining indoor plants can be as rewarding as outdoor gardening. Master the steps to success for growing healthy and rewarding houseplants.
Day:      October 21

Session 3: Seed Starting Made Simple
Learn step by step how to beat the winter blues by starting your own seeds! Get a jump on the next season, have endless cultivar choices and take great pride in growing your own transplants at a fraction of the cost.
Day:      October 28

For information about LLC courses, including registration, please call 306-585-5748 directly.

Sponsor Spotlight: Plant Ranch

Fall Specials: Roses, shrubs and trees

20% to 30% OFF!

Plus! New this year - Bulbs for Fall Planting.

Plant Ranch  |  13th Ave, west of the Lewvan, Regina
306-525-1352  |  www.plantranch.ca

Composting - and you thought you knew all there is to know!

Thursday, September 25, 2014
7:00pm
United Way of Regina
1440 Scarth Street
Non-Members $5 at the door.

Brie Bennett is the Waste Minimization Specialist at the City of Regina where she is responsible for organic waste management programs, as well as outreach and education for the Waste Diversion Services branch. We can all learn from Brie - her knowledge, her expertise and her compassionate support of green practices.

Join us at 7 pm at the United Way, 1440 Scarth Street on Thursday September 25th!

Notice of AGM

NOTICE

OF

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

October 30, 2014  |  7:00 pm  | United Way Building, 1440 Scarth Street, Regina

A major agenda item for this year’s AGM is the RHS bylaws, which have been updated and modernized by your Board.

The project to review and modernize our organization’s Bylaws required that we pay close attention to the Saskatchewan Non-Profit Corporation Act, under which we are incorporated. The aims and objectives of the RHS are the same. We clarified a number of items to ensure that they were fully consistent the legislation, added some points to clarify our corporate responsibilities, simplified some sections, and updated others to better reflect current practice. We also looked at the organization’s fee structure. While the fees are unchanged, a fee schedule is now included as an appendix to the Bylaws.

As required by the Non-Profit Corporations Act, changes to Bylaws must be ratified by the membership at an AGM, and must be provided for review at least 30 days before that meeting. Therefore, click here to view the modernized Bylaws of the RHS. They will be formally presented for your ratification at our upcoming AGM, which begins at 7pm, Oct 30, 2014 at the United Way Building, 1440 Scarth St., Regina.

South Saskatchewan Lily Society Fall Seminar

South Saskatchewan Lily Society Fall Seminar: Lilies, The Orchids of the Perennials

presents Dr. Brian Bergman, hybridizer and exhibitor of top Canadian lilies

Sunday September 28th, 9am - 2pm
At Queen City Eastview Community Centre, 615 - 6th Avenue




Meet Dr. Bergman!

Come out and meet Dr. Bergman at the BULB SALE
Saturday September 27th
At the Golden Mile Shopping Centre
9am - 4pm

Everyone welcome!
Cost $10
includes lunch, silent auction and door prizes

Sponsor Spotlight - Brenda Klarer, RMT & Bowen Therapy

Brenda Klarer is a Registered Massage Therapist and Certified Bowen Therapist. Brenda's community commitment shines with her sponsorship of RHS in 2014 and, she is the founding sponsor of local charity, The Wile E. Foundation.

Bowen Therapy is appropriate for anyone, any age, from newborn to the elderly because there is no forceful manipulation. It can be beneficial in assisting recovery from traumatic injury and management of chronic illness.

 

Bowen Therapy involves gentle, yet powerful movements on muscle and connective tissue. These movements prompt soft tissue release, sending neurological impulses to the brain. Because the impulses travel through the internal nervous system pathways, they stimulate whole brain responses, which address every system in the body - internal organ systems as well as musculo-skeletal structure.

 

If you are experiencing pain, stress, fatigue or just want to feel better, contact Brenda!

Every body does better with Bowen.

Annual Bus Tour 2014

Our annual bus tour was a resounding success and went off without a hitch! Everyone had a great time and kudos have been rolling in ever since. Thanks to Charlien for all her hard work in planning another great RHS event!

Received in email...

 Charlien,

Thank you for the wonderful garden tour.  I did not think you could surpass the tour of 2013 but you did.  I am amazed at your ability to plan the trip and to make it such an enjoyable day.

Leta


Hi Charlien,

Just wanted to thank you for all the hard work you put into yesterday's
tour. The highlight for me, and for Cathy, was the Solar Garden...what
amazing succulents and the  tea was lovely...we will definitely be going
back there. The 2 babies I bought are safely tucked into new pots in their
special soil mix and I am expecting them to be drama queens in my garden and
house for many years to come.

Ciao, Gail

Sponsor Spotlight - Waxy's Bobcat

Waxy's Bobcat Landscape Supply Center is Regina's premier full service landscaping material supply center, offering a complete line of equipment services. Our customers enjoy our personable service, quality work and extended business hours. We encourage you to check out Waxy's for your landscape material and equipment needs!

Sponsor Spotlight - Windsor Plywood Regina

 

Windsor Plywood Regina are the experts you need to know! With all your renovation needs covered, they are serving up great service everyday!

You can always view their current promotions on their website and as we approach summer, there couldn't be more going on. eFlyer pricing is in effect until June 30 with an emphasis this month on products that enhance your outdoor living. And we all love our outdoor living!

If you have been thinking of working on your deck or building a deck, you will be interested in their Product Spotlight on Rhino Deck - composite decking with outstanding function and amazing beauty.

For the handy among us, check out their My Windsor Project Contest. It is easy to enter, judging is in 5 categories and there is $4500.00 in store credit to be won. Entry deadline is September 30.

Windsor Plywood Regina  |  www.windsorplywoodregina.com  |  920 Bower Crescent (map)

SHA Bus Tour 2014

 Saskatchewan Horticultural Association is pleased to announce their 8th annual Bus Tour!

 Friday July 18th & Saturday July 19th

The tour will be centered around the Weyburn, Estevan and Windthorst areas. While in Estevan we will see some amazing gardens, the Roche Percee sandstone formations, taking part in the Shand Energy tour in Estevan, and partaking in an ourdoor theater.

At Weyburn we will visit gardens, the largest silver collection in Canada at the Soo line museum and see Heritage Village. We will finish off this tour at Windthorst with more gardens and a tour of a commercial organic greenhouse.

For more information and a registration form:

email denisemlazgar@hotmail.com or call/text at 306-331-9181.
Hope to see you there! 

Sponsor Spotlight - The Wine Cellar

The Wine Cellar is an award winning vint-on-premise and beer & wine making supplies retailer.

You can use their newly renovated, state of the art facilities to create your own wine! Start by adding the yeast to begin your wine. Then go back to bottle and take it home. Easy!

Their experienced staff is there to care for and nurture your 'nectar' in their environmentally controlled wine making room.

They offer top quality products made by Vineco International Products and Winexpert, as well as equipment and supplies necessary to make wine and beer at home.

Wine is their passion. Knowledgeable staff is there to share that passion with you, whether you are a seasoned connoisseur or new to the world of wine.

The Wine Cellar | 1646 Albert Street (map) | thewinecellarregina.com

Spring Plant Sale!

Saturday, May 17
9am - 4pm
Golden Mile

The Spring Plant Sale is fast approaching!

We are again asking for donations of potted perennials, bulbs, extra bedding plants, house plants, shrubs and trees. We appreciate your efforts to pot up your plant donations as we have very little space at the mall, making it difficult for us to pot them up at the sale.

The Spring Plant sale is a major fundraiser for RHS! 

We are concerned, with this cool spring, that it may affect the donations for our sale. Please look and see what you can part with and pot up for the sale. Funds raised are used in support of our educational projects and events. Help keep garden education affordable in our community, donate your potted up spring divisions!

Plant Drop Off
Friday, May 16 5-8pm | Saturday, May 17 prior to 8:30am
Golden Mile Shopping Centre (map)

Thanks for your support!

Swing In 2Summer Winners!

At the recent Swing In 2Summer trade show held in Regina, RHS offered two door prizes at our display booth :

Winner of the Gardeners Basket
Sue Cousins of Regina

Winner of the Sunblaster Gro-lite
from B&B Hydroponics
Sue Hunchuk of Buffalo Pound

Congratulations to the winners and thanks to all who stopped by, purchased a membership, purchased plants, or watched the presentations and demonstrations, by members of the RHS. Thanks too, to the volunteers who helped set up and staff the display. Great job! 

Freedom Gardens Craven

RHS relies on its' Corporate Sponsors to keep our events and memberships affordable for all gardeners in the community. We encourage you to visit our Corporate Sponsors often!

Freedom Gardens, is owned and operated by Shelley Paysen and located in Craven, adjacent Wolf's General Store on Highway #20. Freedom Gardens offers a full line of trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals, pond plants, peat moss, soils, fertilizers, insecticides, giftware and more. They also offer flower arrangements for weddings and funerals, corsages and boutonnières for all occasions as well as Christmas table centers.

You can reach Freedom Gardens by taking a drive to visit their beautiful greenhouse or by email at info@freedomgardenscraven.com.

B&B Hydroponics & Indoor Gardening

RHS relies on its' Corporate Sponsors to keep our events and memberships affordable for all gardeners in the community. We encourage you to support our Corporate Sponsors for your garden needs!

Darin Wheatley is the owner/operator of B&B Hydroponics and Indoor Gardening, in business since 2002.

They have a large customer base, with many dedicated indoor gardening enthusiasts, hobbying and working a wide variety of indoor projects including all the ponics: hydroponics, aeroponics, aquaponics and also many indoor lighting options including HID, fluorescent, LED, plasma as well as aquarium lighting, reptile substrates and lighting, propagating machines, air filtration, pest control and so much more.

They carry an assortment of starter trays, pots, saucers, plant nutrient programs as well as soils and soil additives. With the long Saskatchewan winters, what better and rewarding hobby than growing your own herbs, greens and veggies as a family project, growing and knowing exactly what you are nourishing yourselves with.

B&B Hydroponics & Indoor Gardening has been called Regina's best kept secret. They have everything for the indoor and outdoor gardening guru hidden deep within.

Visit Darin and the gang today and "Grow Your Own Way!" 

B&B Hydroponics & Indoor Gardening
1404 Cornwall Street
Regina, SK S4R 2H7
(306) 522-4769 (306) 522-4799
Like B&B on Facebook!

Herbs and Medicinal Plants

Join us Thursday April 24 at 7 pm
for a presentation by Connie Kehler of SHSA Specialty Ag.


Connie will touch upon the role of the SHSA- particularly in its research and support for producers in the industry of what is grown, collected, processed as spices and botanicals for the world.

Connie will describe some healthful, beneficial and culinary qualities of herbs and spices, the opportunities and risks of growing these crops commercially and what you need to know to introduce these botanics into your garden and home.

We hope to see you there!

Fertilizing Seedlings

If a little is good, more... is NOT better!

What you need to know about those little seedlings that you have been waiting to sprout:

When a seedling germinates and sprouts unfolding its' little green leaves, wait a bit to fertilize and start them growing. Those first leaves are cotyledons, all the nutrients needed  for germination are contained in the seed itself. Make sure to keep them from drying out!

When the second set of leaves appear, the "true" leaves, then you can transplant and fertilize. Use a dilute fertilizer mixture, as full strength will burn the tiny roots and your plant will die!
Use your fertilizer of choice be it granular or a liquid. Remember to take the recommended amount per litre/gallon and cut in half, then you can feed when you water. Most products are for feeding every 7-10 days (check the label). There are Eco friendly fertilizers available such as fish or seaweed. Get a descented brand if using in your home - you'll have all the neighbourhood cats at your door otherwise.

Most commercial growers use a feeding formula such as 20-20-20, they prefer 15-30-15. Transplant fertilzer 10-52-10, is available too, it will promote root growth. Its all up to your preference.

Remember the plant's roots need to breath so over watering is a no-no, and don't leave them standing in water for any length of time because just like us, they will drown!

Good luck! Enjoy, cuz' Spring is here!

originally published in the RHS April issue of Let's Get Growing!

U of S Spring Gardening Workshops

 

 April 4 to 6

Join Horticulturist and CBC Radio host Lyndon Penner

for a series of Spring Gardening Workshops.

Click to Register

View details and complete U of S Workshop Listing

 

Saving Seeds from Legumes Webinar

 Seed Savers Exchange is hosting a webinar!

 Saving Seeds from Legumes

 March 25th

If you're interested in saving seeds from your garden this year, getting started with legume crops such as beans, soybeans, and peas make it easy. In this webinar we'll discuss all the necessary details, from how your legumes are pollinated to threshing and winnowing after harvest.

Click to Register Now!

Seedy Saturday

Seedy Saturday 2014 was a very successful day.  Hosted by St. Mary’s Anglican Church, Seedy Saturday brought 386 avid gardeners out in the frigid Regina weather to learn and share our passion for gardening.  The Regina Horticultural Society (RHS) was pleased to be one of the exhibitors this year and we shared our ideas on how to make our community a better, warmer place through our individual and collective efforts in our gardens. Seedy  Saturday was also the launch site of the RHS new grant offering, GRIN, Growing Roots in our Neighbourhood. GRIN was very well received and we are expecting some interesting and innovative proposals as a result.

February Educational Event

Gardening in Regina Soils - Organically
presentation by Tim Van Duyvendyk, Dutch Growers Home and Garden.

The cold weather did not prevent about 40 people from attending our event on February 27th. Attendees learned about a variety of products and techniques to build, replenish and help maintain a beautiful garden, a lush lawn and healthy trees and bushes in harmony with our environment.

All the attendees were nodding when Tim identified their soil types; he outlined what to look for in terms of porosity, organic material, nutrients and the pH level. Tim detailed ways to improve our soil by using organic material: what types of products to look for, such as those bearing the OMRI seal and about including non-synthetic fertilizers, soil adjusters and other additives. Did you know that your blue spruce could use a boost of aluminum sulphate to increase its lovely hue? Did you know that your compost needs lots of nitrogen to produce high heat in order to break down all that organic material? Saskatchewan gardeners need at least two composters to have a ready supply in our short growing season. Did you also know that organic and carbon-based matter make better fertilizer as they are released more slowly and more completely into the soil, without any added salt? How about using rhizomes to boost seedlings and transplants? Have you heard about the benefits of using corn gluten for the best lawn maintenance?

All the questions and more will be answered in our next newsletter, thanks to Ken MacDonald. We would like to thank Tim for sharing his insights and his expertise, and for helping us make informed choices about growing our gardens organically.