Days are longer, the sun is warmer and people are looking forward to a summer of planting, watering, weeding, relaxing and harvesting. In other words, gardening. To kick start the season, a number of different organizations have planned horticultural events and sales. Mark one, two or all of them on the calendar and enjoy.
The Lacombe and District Garden Club’s next meeting is Tuesday March 20th from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Lacombe Memorial Center. Their speaker for the evening, Christine Cornelius, is talking on hardy fruit bushes. Christine has worked for Parkland Nurseries and Garden Centre for many years and is a wealth of information. She will be able to help you plan your orchard. There are many bushes that readily grow in the area and provide an abundance of fruit.
The Lacombe and District Garden Club always welcomes new people and new members.
Rethink Red Deer will be hosting an EcoLiving Fair and Workshop March 24 from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. at the Learning Commons in Red Deer College.
On the gardening end, expect to find a Heirloom Seed Exchange, a farmers market as well as demonstrations and workshops.
The fair is free and open to the general public. For more information please email karissa@rethinkreddeer.ca
A little farther afield but worth the drive is the Calgary Horticultural Societies annual Garden Show which is held at Spruce Meadows just south of Calgary. It is early in the season and weather can be variable.
The event is held in large tents as well as permanent buildings. Dress for the weather. This year the event is on April 14 and 15 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The cost for a ticket is $15 which includes parking, demonstrations, exhibits and speakers.
Sign up early for the speakers as popular ones can become full. For more information go to www.calhort.org/garden‐show
For those that do not want to drive, join the Red Deer and District Garden Club in taking a coach to the event.
They will leave Red Deer at 8 a.m. and depart Spruce Meadows at 5 p.m. Cost of the trip is $47, which includes admission. As they need 30 or more people on the bus, people who wish to use public transport must sign up by March 15.
The Alberta Dahlia and Gladiola Society hold a tuber and corm sale every year in Red Deer an April 7 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Bower Place in Red Deer. The majority of the tubers are $4 for members and $5 for non-members with more than 100 varieties of locally grown tubers available. There are a few available from the Trial Gardens for $10.
There are 12 varieties of Gladiola corms at 50 cents each. The corms are superior to the ones that can be purchased in mesh bags. Expect healthy plants with large flower heads. These corms are the same many that are on grown locally and on display in the fall at the Alberta Dahlia and Gladiola Show. The sale of corms and tubers supports the Alberta Dahlia and Gladiola Society.
The Red Deer and District Garden Club is hosting Dr. Ken Fry, a well-known entomologist and popular speaker. The title of his presentation is Bugs 101: The Good, the Not‐So‐Good, and the What‐the‐Heck‐Are‐You‐Doing‐Here? This gentleman is the go to “bug” person in Alberta and will be able to answer your bug related questions.
His presentation will take place at the Margret Parsons Theater at Red Deer College on April 12 from 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Early Bird tickets are $15 until March 15. After this date they will be $20.
Tickets are available at the Red Deer Museum and Art Gallery as well as at Garden Club Meetings. The next Garden Club Meeting is March 15 at 7 p.m. at Kerry Wood Nature Centre. New people are always welcome.
The above activities should interest seasoned and beginning gardeners.
Linda Tomlinson is a horticulturalist that lives by Rocky Mountain Houe. She can be reached at your_garden@hotmail.com