March 2019

The Strathcona Gardener Growing with the Community

www.strathconacountygardenclub.ca

strathgardenclub@gmail.com

President’s Message

Hello, Fellow Gardeners! I am writing this message on February 17 th and it is cold and I am miserable and I keep dreaming of spring and my gardens, but I cannot start my seeds for another three weeks. And spring is definitely NOT around the corner! Hopefully, when I get to see you at our March 14 th meeting, that will change. However, while I can hope, I can also live vicariously through those of you who are already planting those seeds indoors and watching those tiny seedlings pop up from under the soil. One of these early planters is John Vandermuelen, a garden club member who, with Elaine, grows a garden of which I am envious. John starts his geraniums from seed, between Christmas and New Years, so they are up, and so are the coleus and balsam and leeks and lettuce. The Vandermuelens are fortunate to have a sunroom so their 75 plus geraniums and countless leeks and I have no idea how many coleus and lettuce, have a cool place to grow slowly, with the possibility of sun if nature permits. John has some tips for promoting seed germination. He does use LED lights (the red LED to promote seed germination and the blue LED light to promote growth of the plants). And both red and blue come in one bulb. Instead of heating mats, he puts his 4” by 6” seed trays over the heat registers in his home or on top of the hot water tank … a novel idea. He is a firm believer in the words of Bob Sproule of Salisbury Greenhouse and attended many of Bob’s talks to learn about germination and growing plants from seed. By the end of March or early April, John moves all those plants to a small greenhouse in his back yard. The plants get lots of light through the roof, and the concrete floor and a wall keep the plants so warm that a heater is not needed. John has promised to invite me over for a look and see, which I would love, and am I sure he wouldn’t mind if the rest of you came along, as well. By the way, this weekend is tomato weekend, and John is planting over 40 varieties. And what is the Hutlet family, also garden club members, up to this cold, February weekend? Last year the Hutlet children grew 1000 tomato plants and sold out. So, this year, they decided to strive for 1400 tomato plants. They have seeded half so far, and soon, the rest. And they are also growing herbs galore. The plants will be under growlights into March, and then they are off to the two greenhouses (one new this year). The green houses are not heated so every evening, the plants need to be carried back to the house if there is risk of below zero temperatures. The reason why the Hutlet

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tomatoes are so healthy, with thick stems and dark green colour, Corine says, is because the seedlings grow in the cold (but not too cold). Corine’s favorite tomatoes are the Sun Sugar and the Bush Beef Steak, but she has also become partial to Brad’s Atomic Grape, a traditionally bred and newer variety. Did I mention, they are growing 42 varieties this year? These healthy plants are so reasonably priced that I sometimes wonder why I grow my own? While I do go to the Hutlets for many tomato plants, I realize that I am addicted to growing my own. What a great pleasure to see those tiny seedlings break through the soil and gradually form into mature plants with flowers! I have also been invited to the Hutlet farm soon to enjoy the newborn lambs.If you were at the February meeting with Heather Anhorn from Lee Valley Tools, you would have heard that she became so frustrated trying to grow broccoli (the attack of the cabbage moths!) that she has given up trying. Well, I have a solution for her, and it’s from Lee Valley, itself! Lee Valley sells a green shade cloth with which I have had great success. Broccoli grows better in cooler temperatures and the shade cloth creates shade to lower the temperature of the air around the plants, as well as the soil. Its tight knit weave also is very effective at keeping out the cabbage moths. So when I plant those little broccoli plants at the May long weekend, I am picking broccoli heads by the end of June and continue until the end of August.I am anticipating an excellent meeting on March 14 th. Our guest speaker is Sharon Wallish Murphy. If Sharon wasn’t actually born at the Wallish Greenhouse, she definitely spent her formative years at the greenhouse. Many of us had a chance to meet Sharon last year when we had a tour of the greenhouse. She is quite delightful and will be speaking on two topics: the introduction of technology to the Wallish Greenhouse and how to deal with the Scarlet Lily beetle. I hope to see you all at that meeting.Finally, I am pleased to welcome four new members to our garden club. Welcome Laverne Schram, Ann Chunick, and Cindy and Earl Enright. May the club be as good for you as it has been for me.Take care to all. Donna Reimche

Next Meeting

March 14 Sharon Wallish Murphy, Wallish Greenhouse7 - 9 pm “Technology in the Greenhouse” and “The Scarlet Lily Beetle”

Location Council Chambers in the Community Centre. Everyone please note the Community Centre Parkade is NOT open. There is an image on the last page of this Newsletter showing parking options,one of which is the new parkade in Centre in the Park. We can also park at Salisbury Composite High School.

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Our Seed Exchange will continue in March and wraps up in May. Here’s the drill: you bring a package (or 5 or 10) of seeds and you get to take a package (or 5 or 10).

In May, any remaining seeds are up for grabs.

Bring your own REUSEABLE / RECYCLABLE mug (and beverage if you wish one) for a chance to win a Tim Horton’s card. We also appreciate donations for the raffle table.

Upcoming Events

2019 Regular MeetingsApril 11 Dora Berry, Natures Element

“Edible Design and Kitchen Gardens”May 9 Joe Gadbois, Greenland Garden Centre

“The Collectors’ Garden”June 13 Cory Newton, Salisbury Greenhouse

“Trees and Shrubs”July 11 TBASep 12 Bob Stadnyk, Greenland Garden Centre

“Bulbs” Note: this meeting will be held at Greenland Garden CentreOct 10 Annual General Meeting and Speaker TBA

2019 Special EventsMay 25 Annual Spring Plant Sale at Smeltzer House

Drop off plants from 12 – 1 pm; sale from 1 – 3 pmJuly 13 Garden Club Bus Tour (see last page of Newsletter for details)

Olds Botanical Garden and Trochu ArboretumNov 28 Annual Christmas Potluck Social at Log Cabin

Community Events Calendar

March 9 Sherwood Park Seedy Saturday11 am–4 pm Glory Lutheran Church, 22577 Highway 16

Sep 20 Garden Club and Strathcona County Library will Co-host Night at the Movies: 6 Primrose. More details will be announced later.

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Garden Club Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/StrathconaCountyGarden Club/

Membership Perk$Our local greenhouses recognize your Strathcona County Garden Club Membership Card:

Apache Seeds Arch Greenhouses (regular priced plants) Aspen Ridge Greenhouse Cal’s Grower Direct Cal’s Whitemud Garden Centre

Cannor Nurseries Salisbury Greenhouse

Parking is also available at Salisbury Composite High School

Bus Tour to Olds and Trochu

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The Olds Botanic Garden /Trochu Arboretum tour on July 13 will cost $30 / member. What a deal! The Garden Club is providing a generous subsidy of the total cost. In March and April, members will be able to sign up. The tour must be paid for in advance. If not all the seats are filled by members, May and June will be open to friends or extended family at a cost of $40 / person. Brenda will have a signup sheet at the meeting.

Departure time is 8:00 am sharp and we expect to return about 6 or 6:30 pm. We will travel in comfort by coach bus (GoCoach Charters Go Coach). The Olds Botanic Gardens and Constructed Wetlands (Botanic Gardens ) is an amazing place to visit. Comprised of three phases, it has something of interest for everyone regardless of the season. Our tour will be 2 - 21/2 hrs. The Trochu Arboretum (Trochu Arboretum & Gardens | Alberta Canada) tour should take about 1 - 1 1/2 hr. Both tours will be guided and admissions are included in the $30 cost. You will be responsible for your own lunch. More details will be provided when available.

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