“The Newsletter”October 2007

Close up of the Creative Design“End of Day” by Lisa Robinson and decorated hat by Theresa Cullum - photos by Lisa In this issue: Apple Donation ...3 Autumn Show Photos ...6 Award Winners ...4 Becoming a Master Gardener ...3 Calendars for Sale ...8 Dates to Remember ...3 General meeting & Pumpkin Show ...5 Guest Speaker ...5 Herbal Interest ...7 Squirrels & Bulbs ...2 Web Site of the Month ...7

Rudbeckia, hirta ( Black-eyed Susan )

Editor: Hermina Hubert Phone: 692-1442 herminahubert@yahoo.com.

Membership: Claire LiinamaaPhone: 524-0670clairel@persona.ca. Visit our web site:http://groups.msn.com/sudburyhorticulturalsociety

Dedicated to the beautification

of the Sudbury region and the preservation of our environment

SQUIRRELS & BULBSDo you have a Squirrel problem? Are these cute, furry devils eating your bulbs? Read on for 5 great ways to deal with Squirrels. There is little doubt that autumn is a busy time forSquirrels and Gardeners. Unfortunately, sometimesboth are busy in the same garden. While squirrelsare stocking up for winter and burying nuts, theyare also digging up and even eating some of yourfreshly planted bulbs. Below we have outlinedwhat we have found to be someof the most effective solutions.

1. Plant bulbs they don't like!

Crocus tomasinianus - althoughcrocus are often considered asquirrels favourite food, thereare some they tend to ignore.Two varieties of "Tommies"are, BARR'S PURPLE andRUBY GIANT. These are one ofthe best "naturalizing" crocus;early flowering and spreading. Eranthis (winter aconite) - avery early-flowering treasure thatworks well in the lawn.Eremurus (foxtail lily) - these grow from scary,spider-like roots to 1.5m - 3m (5' - 9') giants,making them one of the most spectacular spring flowers. Fritillaria - these are famous for their "skunky"smell. A smell squirrels hate in spite of thebeautiful flowers these bulbs produce.Galanthis (snowdrops) - these harbingers of springare the first bulbs to bloom. Squirrels ignore them.Narcissus (daffodils) - a favourite of ours thatbloom every spring and will increase over time.Perfect for naturalizing in the lawn. Squirrels havebeen known to move them, but never eat them.Species Tulips - some of the most delightful tulipsare in this group. For some reason Squirrels leavemost of these alone.

2. Plant deeply.

Tulips actually grow better if planted deeply. Thiswould be 25 - 30cm (10 - 12") deep for the regular10 - 12cm bulbs. Fortunately squirrels are a littlelazy and won't be keen to dig this deep.

3. Bar the gates.

Once your bulbs are planted, you can put wiremesh, boards, even lawn furniture over the area to

keep the squirrels out until theground freezes.

4. Acti-sol Hen Manure

This is a natural fertilizer madefrom Hen manure using aEuropean technology to turnwhat was once an environmentalproblem into a useful gardenfood with the added benefit ofREPELLING SQUIRRELS.Simply scatter Acti-sol on top ofthe soil after you've planted yourbulbs and again in the spring. Itsan unscented (for humans), easy

to use, 4-4-2 granular fertilizer. Acti-sol is made inQuebec and rigorously tested to meet both theCanadian and Quebec regulations.

5. Get a Jack Russell Terrier Provided you don't mind a little wear and tear inyour garden, a Jack Russell is one of the bestsolutions around. These dogs absolutely LOVE tochase squirrels and are more than a match for thesefurry devils. While Jack Russell ownership is onlyfor energetic folk, you may be able to borrow aneighbours.

Printed with PermissionGarden Import Newsletter.

Friends are Like FlowersThat Never Fade

Become a Master Gardener !

The Sudbury Horticultural Society is offering a newbursary to an eligible candidate who is interested inpursuing the education opportunity offered throughthe Nova Scot ia Agricultural Co llege(www.nsac.ns.ca ). Successful completion of the fouronline courses within a three year period will lead toMaster Gardener Certification. The MasterGardener in Training (MGiT) must also fulfill anannual volunteer commitment of thirty hours with theSudbury Master Gardeners.The SHS will reimburse the bursary recipient 70% of the cost of tuition immediately following thesuccessful completion of each course. In order toenter the program, Master Gardeners of Ontario alsorequires the successful completion of an eligibilitytest.Applicants must also have been Society members ingood standing for a period of at least three years. Thesuccessful applicant will provide an article based onhis or her studies for each SHS newsletter during theduration of the bursary.Interested members must submit a brief coveringletter and resumé no later than Oct. 31st to LindaHugli - lhugli@hotmail.com . For additional

information, contact Linda at 693-2476.

Are you still reading this in black & white ?The Newsletter is much more fun in vivid colour.Access live links and save paper by joining now

to receive The Newsletter by e-mail. Click onclairel@persona.ca

and send Claire your address or sign up at thenext SHS meeting or show.

Dates to Remember ! October 2 - Executive meeting 7:00, Red Oak Villa October 8 - Thanksgiving Day October 28 - “Pumpkin Show” and General Meeting at CNIB Guest Speaker: Tina Hansen “English Country Gardens” October 31 - Hallowe’en

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A Story of Generosity and Many Apples

The bushel of large crispy apples brought to the general meetingon Sunday was donated by Frank and Joanna Zufferli. Theirglorious garden not only provides family, friends, and the foodbank with fruit, but also the bears ! Unfortunately, there is nophoto, so you will have to picture a bear lying on his back, with abranch pulled down in order to bite into the apples. When thewildlife is that entertaining, you don’t mind sharing.We would like to thank the Zufferlis (Mr. Zufferli pictured right)for their generosity. Linda delivered the apples to the Food Bank.It is not too late...donations are always accepted.

% August Exhibition - 2007 - Show Trophy Winners %

Most points in Section A - Plants in potsRoyal Bank Trophy

Most points in Section B & C - Cut FlowerSpecimensLougheed Award (presented by Karen Halverson)

Most Points in Section D - Vegetables & FruitsLambert & Mossey Family Trophy

Best Entry in Section E - Photographic Documentary20 Additional Points

Most Points Section F - Floral DesignRoger Mitchell Trophy

Best Floral DesignBetina Hansen Award

Best Display Section G Hermine Calyn Trophy

Most Point Section H - PhotographyHugli Trophy

Most Points OverallAgnew Trophy

CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYONE !

Carol Skanes and Georgette Mitchell page 4

The Cornett’s & The Vettoretti’s tie:18 Points each

The Vettoretti’s74 Points

The Vettoretti’s58 Points

No Winner

Tina Hansen - 76 Points (3rd Year)Carol Skanes - 36 Points

Tina Hansen

Hermina Hubert

Lisa Robinson53 Points

The Vettoretti’s 150 Points

Frank and Giovanna Vettoretti earned themost points overall in the August Show.

Library Book Donation

On Sunday, there was a display of thenew books (photo below) that we aredonating to the public library this year.Be sure to make use of them during thelong, winter days while our gardens areasleep.

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& Pumpkin ShowSunday, October 28th

CNIB York Street

Guest Speaker: Tina Hansen “ English Country Gardens ”

Enjoy coffee and desserts from 1:15 pmwhile socializing with friends.

This is the show that highlights not only pumpkins...but also baking and preserves of all kinds !

Please bring many entries.

Entries can be placed between 10:00 and 11:45 am.Check pages 70 and 71 in the yearbook for details.

Convenor: Carol Skanes

Browse through the many Magazines & Miscellany at the White Elephant Table

Door Prizes and 50/50 DrawFree admission for members !

Introducing theGuest Speaker

Tina Hansen is well-known to allof us. She has been an active memberon the board, involved with theJuniors, and has done an excellentjob judging our entries at variousshows. Last January, Tina received“life membership” in the society, anhonour given only to those who havededicated many years to the society. Tina is also dedicated to her familyand church, and volunteers at theolder adult centre at the YMCA..Time for herself has includedtravelling to England, visiting familyand the wonderful “English countrygardens”.

Advisory Council Meeting Blind River,

Saturday, Nov. 3. Call Claire for more details.

Autumn Show Photos by Lisa Robinson

(Left) The Vettorettis’ peppers (If you don’t get thisby email, you are missing the fabulous colour.)

(Right) Chris Nash, Kay Tones,and Marg Munt

(Below) Hermina, Claire,and Camilla greet guests

(Left) ChrisNash, ColombeCharest, andTheresa Cullum

(Above) Guest speaker, Ron Lewis (Below) Aline Dupont’s creative design

(Above) A design in a glass tea pot by Chris Nash

(Left) Ron Liinamaa judges the photo entrieswhile Carol clerks.

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Now that we have been reassured that appletrees do grow in our climate zone, you may want to seehow many plants you can actually grow successfullyhere. The following site makes it easy and fun. Searchby colour, blooming time, attributes (drought resistant,fragrant, etc.), or shade, and numerous varietiesappear for your perusal. Also, there is information about heritage perennials,edible plants, design tips, an impressive picture gallery,and on and on. There simply wouldn’t be enough roomto mention everything, so I will leave you to explore. www.northerngardencollection.com

Name a flower for each of the followingdescriptions:1. A farewell sentiment2. A delicious bird song3. An amiable man4. A lady with a shiner5. A dairy product and a drinking utensil 6. A place to kiss 7. A girl living between two mountains8. The result of Cupid's dart9. Infant's respiration10. A jungle girl11. A yellow stick12. Many groups of sheep13. A vehicle and one's country14. Quick to anger15. A girl and a precious metal16. What Cinderella's step-sisters should have advertised for.

Answers:1. Forget-me-not 2. Trillium 3. Sweet William4. Black-eyed Susan 5. Buttercup 6. Tulips7. Lily of the Valley 8. Bleeding Hearts 9. Baby's Breath 10. Tiger Lily 11. Golden Rod 12. Phlox 13. Carnation 14. Snap Dragon15. Marigold 16. Lady's Slippers

Herbs & other useful plants

Almost every garden is an herb garden, even if itwas not planned, because the definition of an herb isvery broad. Most gardeners describe an herb as a plantthat can be used in cooking, perfume or medicine. Thedictionary definition is “any seed plant whose stemwithers away to the ground after each season’sgrowth.” Chances are that most plots will contain atleast one of these, however defined. In the ornamental garden, it is the Lady’s Mantle( Alchemilla spp) in mounds of scalloped leaves andchartreuse flowers. Medieval alchemists valued theLady’s Mantle (hence it’s botanical name) andmarveled at its ability to collect small drops of dew inthe folds of its leaves each morning. Its common namerefers to the shape of the leaf (a mantle is a coat orcape in the Germanic tongue) and to the plant’s use intreating “female health problems”. Meander through your garden and, even if you donot grow culinary herbs, you may find one that fits oneof the categories of “herbs”. - Hermina

WEB SITEof the

MONTH

Gisele’s Greenhouses Hanging Baskets Patio Planters Bedding Plants Perennials Excellent Selection of Trees & ShrubsSpring Seed Selection available inApril 219 Lavallee Road, Chelmsford, Ontario (705) 855-6621 gisbellefeuille@hotmail.com

Open 7 days a week starting in May.“From Our Garden to Yours”

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Please support our society by buying this wonderful calendar....the photosare by our very own members and are simply gorgeous to view all year.

They also make great, inexpensive gifts !