Your Community Gardening Society

“Where Gardeners come to Bloom”  We meet at the Nestleton Hall the first Tuesday of every month, except for March which will be the second Tuesday, at 7:30pm. There are no meetings in January and February.

Membership is open to anyone who loves learning how to start a garden in any container or plot of land to any seasoned gardener who wishes to expand their knowledge, all in a warm and friendly environment.

For the low price of $20 single membership, $25 family (two adults at the same address) you will get far more out of the meetings with speakers, seasonal gardening tips and more.

Just click on the ”Membership” tab above for our form.



Read up on the events at our club and get some gardening tips – from our own Helen Nicolaou in The Standard, February edition.

We have weathered the snow storms of January. I hope everyone has been keeping safe and hasn’t experienced any winter-related injuries. The days have been getting longer and moods are lifting as we get ready for another exciting gardening season. I am looking forward to our first meeting at Nestleton Community Hall, Tuesday, March 14 at 7:30 pm. The evening will include a “Sweet and Savoury” potluck tasting to enjoy during the meeting. Provided by our talented members, the food must be easily served with no heating required. Libbi Hood will be sharing a visit of her trip to Kent, England’s historic Scotney Castle. The District 17 AGM is being held April 29th, hosted by Cannington Horticultural Society. The theme for this year is “Embracing Diversity” A World of Variety for the Future. Tickets are available to purchase at the meeting.  Reserve your seat for an informative day of speakers, floral and photo competitions; lunch is included.

 The Board has been working diligently to confirm this year’s speakers.  The 2023 yearbook is being completed with updated schedules for flower, vegetable and photo classes. The flower schedules can help you focus on new plant choices. When planted in your garden they can be the perfect compliment to summer bulbs and perennials that are already established and in need of some summer annual brilliance. The second benefit is selecting those specified annuals or vegetables in this season’s competition. Keep your camera ready just in case a photo opp unexpectedly presents itself while you happen to be on an outing. Ensuing photos can be submitted to this year’s photo competition.

 On a recent trip I attended The Venice Florida Orchid Show. I was in awe on the variety and how elaborate the tropical hybrid orchids are. With 400 members overall, they certainly put on an impressive show and club display this past weekend.  The Florida climate is perfect for growing orchids outdoors throughout the year and the variety of orchids available at the show could only be appreciated in person. And amongst mature orchids for sale was an educational table  showing the steps on growing orchids from a seed pod, germination within a flask, 3 stages of replants to separating the plants after approximately 18 months into community pots and in the final stage the orchids were transplanted into individual pots for another 12-18 months. The entire process takes 4-7 years from germination to finally see the germinated seed produce a flower. So remember this when you buy that beautiful orchid in full bloom from your favourite garden centre the process involved to nurture an orchid till it is ready for purchase and display to enjoy in your home.
 Orchid enthusiasts are aware, but only a few know there are over 50 native species in Ontario. Over 74 and 3 exotics are known throughout Canada, growing in terrains, from mountains, prairies, wetlands, farmlands, forests, and tundra. Some are quiet showy like the Pink Lady’s Slipper while others have small but delicate flowers like the Ladies Tresses, with fragrant scents of spice, vanilla and raspberries. To view and appreciate these exquisite wonders in nature some research is required from the orchid website: Native Orchids of Canada. Best to book a local naturalist guide on an educational outing as orchids are on the endangered list. When observing native orchids care is needed as extensive root systems are easily damaged by foot traffic or from heavy backpacks placed a metre away. Stay on trails and capture the beauty by camera and telephoto lenses.  These species are extremely vulnerable and are threatened due to poaching, development, pesticides and climate change. Hybrids exist today due to the diverse species in the wild.

Pine Ridge garden Club of Scugog- Where gardeners comes to Bloom

See more photos …tap the ‘photos’ tab at the top of the page.

Visit the Ontario Horticultural Society’s Winter edition of Trillium, click below:

https://docs.google.com/viewerng/viewer?url=https://gardenontario.org/wp-content/uploads/2022-23-winter-trillium.pdf&hl=en

To view this publication click on the link.
httpshttps://issuu.com/torontobotanicalgarden/docs/trellis_final_nov_2022/4?ff&showOtherPublicationsAsSuggestions=true

Check out the new activities at the Toronto Botanical Garden : https://torontobotanicalgarden.ca/

https://gardenontario.org/shows/