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!

Extending the Season!

I am experimenting with a purchased cold frame to extend our growing season

 

I anchored the cold frame in early October in one of our garden beds. I prepared the soil by adding compost, but kept the kale and some small carrots that were already there. As I anchored the base, I also ensured that it was level. That way, the top pieces would fit better.  After seeding with a variety of lettuce and radish, I build up a bit of soil on both the inside and outside of the cold frame walls. Over the course of the next few weeks, I added leaves and grass cuttings to insulate inside and out, but I added some rigid Styrofoam pieces outside as well.

 

As the weather grew colder,  I covered the unit with a transparent clear plastic sheet. Last week, I topped that with some landscape cloth, to see if I could use that to heat the inside garden during the day. So far, so good

 

We are enjoying a fresh salad every day. The only drawback is that the leaves are very fragile once they are plucked, and have to be prepared right away. Oh, but the taste is wonderful!

 

We will most likely harvest everything before the end of the month. We will use this again in early spring.

 

shared by member Susan Nadon

New Gallery Photos

New gallery photos are posted. From nostalgic images of winter gardens to morning glory that were blooming last October, members have shared some of their garden photos with us. Check them out by clicking here!

This photo was taken by our membership director, Alan Mlazgar in his garden on January 4, 2013. The gallery version is much larger and stunning in detail.

Thank you to all the members that share their photos with us! We love to browse garden photos.

Anyone still harvesting?

A little while ago, member Denise Mlazgar sent in these photo's. Sharing her harvest and the fun that her daughter Chanelle and grandson, Aidan had while helping put the garden to bed for the season. For me, little Aidan reminds me of all the things I loved about gardens when I was a child.

 

I look at these and then out my window, where pots of daylily and bags of iris rhisomes still need to be planted, and I wonder... is mine the only garden not ready for winter?