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Newsletter of the Oshawa Garden Club
March 2012
Volume 20, Issue 3
March of the Bees
About OGC p.2Events p.7-8Meeting Report p.1President’s Report p.2Sunshine Cards p.2
Cathy Kozma, both a Master Gardener from the Toronto group,
and a member of the Toronto Beekeepers Co-operative, educated
us about bees as pollinators, in-particular Apis mellifera, the
Honey Bee, originally from Africa and Europe (and not native to
North America). We learned that only 10% of plants have pollen
that is small and light enough to be carried by the wind. The rest
have symbiotic relationships with pollinators such as butterflies,
birds, bats, hover flies, wasps, and the many types of bees, that
transfer the larger pollen grains from plant to plant. Of the
approximately 17,700 known species of bees worldwide, 900
reside in Canada, and about 250 can be found in the GTA. Some
common types such as Bumblebees, Leaf Cutter bees, and Mason
bees, are among the 90% that do not make honey. The majority
of bees do not even reside in hives. Since 2400 BC in Egypt, the
honey bees hive habitat made them an ideal candidate for
beekeeping. Due to it's antibacterial properties, still edible honey
has been found in the tombs of the pharaohs!
A couple of years ago an ad in Toronto said
“Good-looking, talented and otherwise
exceptional gnomes” sought for a St. Patrick's
Day Best Garden Gnome contest in Toronto. The Crowne Plaza Toronto Airport
Hotel was in search of Toronto's Best Garden Gnomes. An all-Irish panel judged
the entries during the hotel’s “Green With Envy” event and selected one winner
each night. The winning gnomes received a gourmet four-course dinner for
themselves and their owners. Presumably a good time was had by all, including
the gnomes, since nothing has been heard since. [Gnome film review, page 4.][see: Urbantoronto.com, March 2010.]
Cathy stressed that over 100 food crops need direct contact with bees to exist. Without them we would need to
resort to hand pollinating each flower, which is still done for apples and pears in China’s Hunan province and
other Himalayan regions. Cathy emphasized that gardeners should help the local bees by advocating for their co-
existence in our living spaces, supporting local beekeepers by buying local honey, and by creating bee-friendly
gardens. Gardens which attract a diversity of bees have a diversity of plants, with a succession of blooms, rich in
both nectar and pollen. The blooms are scented, and predominantly blue, purple, white, or yellow. It is also
important to have a constant source of water, with some less manicured areas and some bare soil.
- Continued top of page 3
Best Irish Garden Gnomes
St.Paddy’s Day:
Newsletter of the Oshawa Garden ClubMarch 2012 2
Opinions expressed by contributing authors may not reflect the
opinions of OGC members. Original articles, or excerpts, may be re-
printed from The Greenleaf as long as appropriate credit is given.
Minutes of OGC Board Meetings are archived in the OGC Library
and can be consulted by approaching the Library volunteers.
The Greenleaf
The Oshawa Garden Club372 King Street East, Oshawa, ON L1H 1E2
905-723-5557
www.oshawagardenclub.ca
All About Us . . .
Keeping Ontario Beautiful
www.gardenontario.orgOHA website ����
The Oshawa Garden Club is a volunteer organization
that promotes gardening within the community.
Programs organized through the year
encourage members to learn about the
basics of gardening or to improve their horticultural
knowledge. We welcome the novice and experienced
gardener. To find out more about OGC, please contact
Linda at 723-5557 or check our website at �
www.oshawagardenclub.ca. See the final pages for more
information on our meetings. Members are encouraged
to contribute to this newsletter. Please
send your submissions by email to
Debi Foster,
President
ISSN 1911-7817
From OGC’s President . . .2012 OfficersPresident – Debi Foster
1st VP – [vacant]
2nd VP – [vacant]
Past-President – Garry Lucas
Secretary – Linda Wylie
Treasurer – Iris Lucas
Pat Aasen
Nadia Bilyk
Cathy Brown
Ted Brown
Marney Carroll
Gloria McRae
Barb North
Karen Sciuk
Penny Tracy
Joan Whitney
Board of Directors
District 17 Director
Ongoing Committees
Bakers – Pauline Smith
Membership – Linda Wylie
Newsletter – Sally Grande
Plant Table – Faye Gosling
Maria Thompson
Publicity – Pat Aasen
Refreshments – Joan Whitney
Sharing Ideas – Pauline Smith
Imagination Station– Val Foster
Meeting Communications –
Barb North
The Greenleaf is published 9 times per year by the Oshawa Garden
Club [September through November and January through June.]
Sandy Rakestrow
Financial ReviewersLaurie Beier
Luba Samochin
Life has taught me that doing the responsible thing is not always
easy, nor will it make everyone happy. The present world
economic situation however, does illustrate what can happen when
a prudent approach to balancing income and expenses is not taken.
I am not the first president to note that the OGC membership fee
does not cover the basic cost of the meetings. In the past, the
shortfall (roughly $10/per person) was covered by fundraising
organized by a few dedicated volunteers, but new volunteers are
not stepping forward to learn the ropes and take the lead on these
projects. Members are also reluctant to support an increase of fees
to cover the actual costs. So, the dilemma arises—how can costs
be reduced with the fewest negative effects? The Board believes
that taking advantage of the Greenleaf on the website will provide
an excellent opportunity to reduce costs without affecting the
services the club provides to the members.
Beginning in September, paper copies of the Greenleaf will be
available only to those attending meetings. We are asking those
who do not attend the meetings to access the information on-line
rather than having a copy mailed to them. The Greenleaf will be
available on the website on the day of the meeting. Further
savings could be achieved if those who are comfortable accessing
the Greenleaf on-line choose to do so rather than picking up a
paper copy at the meeting.
Please fill out the form to let us know if you will be able to access
the Greenleaf on-line and if not, why. We have requested your
name on this form to ensure that we reach every member.For those
with family memberships each member should fill out a form. This
information will help us meet the needs of all our members. Please
help us walk an economically responsible, greener path. If you
have any questions regarding this decision please
contact me and I will be happy to address them.
Newsletter of the Oshawa Garden Club 3 The
Editor’s News If any of you have peeked into the world of digital
readers, then you are aware that many magazines
and newsletters are moving away from publishing
on paper. The goal is lofty: to spare resources by
saving the paper. We are all working toward
providing access to our newsletter content on the
OGC website. These are exciting times and we all
are a part of a major cultural shift. We can look
forward to more digital adventures in OGC.
Sally Grande
Greenleaf Editor
We cannot guarantee that all submissions will be
used. Please send your input by e-mail:
SUBMISSION DATE: March 28, 11 p.m.
Welcome New MembersPlease welcome our new members:
Karen Brown, Donna Genereaux,
Bryan and Lee Glover, and
Helen Vander Byl. Linda Wylie,
Membership & Club Secretary
Karen Sciuk
Board Member, Feature Writer
March 2012
The 2011-2012 Ontario winter has occurred in rare spurts.
The usual insulation provided by deep snow never
materialized. Thus, there are likely signs in our gardens of
heaving plants, due to frequent freeze thaw cycles. For
plants that have heaved gently press the plants down to soil
level when the soil thaws. Mulch around these plants with
decomposed leaves or a healthy covering of compost. Mulch
will also help to hold the plant in place. Be generous with
the covering in early spring.
Bulbs especially need the cold temperatures. The cold leads
to autumn dormancy. Upon receiving the early spring
warmth, they convert the built up energy and burst forth
with growth and reliable spring blooms. Watch carefully to
count the survivors. Be especially careful this year when
removing protective mulch and fall debris, since shoots will
have started and be close to, or at, the surface. Rake very
gently this year. If you did not have a chance to mulch
effectively, then a higher number of plants may not perform
as well as normal this spring. Monitor beds for any die-offs
and remove them.
Lights Go OUT March 31
For Earth Hour8:30 pm - 9:30pm
Gardening Tips for an Unusual Winter
Hearts and flowers graced the tables at the OGC February
“Valentine” Potluck. The 79 people who attended were very
well fed with a wonderful array of food choices. Delectable
dessert treats were available for those who came for just the
meeting portion of the evening. The enjoyable evening
ended with the centrepiece vases of red and white carnations
from the tables being awarded as door prizes.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to the success of
the event: the ever present and always amazing
set up crew, those who brought such delicious
culinary dishes and finally those who helped
clean up the tables.
Valentine Potluck Praise
The much talked about 'Colony Collapse Disorder'
plaguing the United States has not reached Canada,
although we may witness diminished bee
populations since their habitats are compromised
by mono-cultural crops, improper timing of
pesticide application, other environmental stresses
and viral disease. However, the potential spread of
the Varroa destructor mite has been limited by the
tight control of queen bee transport across the
border.
March of the Bees
For more information about bees in Toronto, or the
managed hives of the Royal York Hotel and others,
visit: http://www.torontobees.ca/
[continued from page 1]
Debi Foster,
President
Durham College and Parkwood have announced a
new partnership that will deliver curricula for the
college’s new two-year Horticulture Technician
diploma program, which is offered through the
School of Science & Engineering Technology to be
launched in September 2012.
Plant School at Parkwood
Newsletter of the Oshawa Garden Club 4 The
Val Foster
Committee Chair
Imagination StationImagination Station
March 2012
Garden FilmsThe greatest love story ever told,
starring...garden gnomes? In the
animated film "Gnomeo & Juliet,"
Shakespeare's revered tale gets a
comical, off-the-wall Disney makeover. With original
songs by Elton John, the film features the voices of
James McAvoy and Emily Blunt
as Gnomeo and Juliet. These
lovers have as many obstacles
to overcome as their quasi
namesakes when they are caught
up in a feud between neighbours.
But with plastic pink flamingos
and thrilling lawnmower races
in the mix, can this young
couple find lasting happiness?
For the travelling gnomes among us, there is a Gnome
Reserve in North Devon, England, which is home to
more than 1000 garden gnome statues. The reserve is a
4-acre garden with roughly 250 labelled species of wild
flowers, herbs, grasses and ferns. The owner/founder is
also an artist with a great imagination. For more see
� www.gnomereserve.co.uk
For the travelling gnome . . .
Our February 13 meeting theme was “Masks of Mardi
Gras”. Design had to contain a mask with the floral
components complementing the colours. No artificial
plants allowed.
In 1st place was Vida Ycas-Abell, 2nd place Val
Foster, 3rd place Debi Foster. Honourable mention
went to Marian Vink.
The March theme is “Hooray for Hollywood”.
The Golden Globes and Oscars have arrived
at the OGC. Using one of the nominees for
best picture as the basis of the design, create
your ‘best picture’ using live florals. Please
include a label with the name of the movie.
April is spring and some of the first flowers to bloom
are tulips, therefore April’s theme is “Tu Lips are
better than one”. Design is to incorporate cut tulips.
Potted tulips cannot be used nor any other type of
flower. Greenery as an accent is acceptable.
The Imagination Station is becoming a must see at the
monthly meetings. Go designers, go.
In case you've been living on Mars for the past year, a
quick recap: The economy is in the tank, green is good,
vegetable seeds are outselling flowers for the first time
in more than 50 years and the US First Lady has been
cultivating a kitchen garden on the White House lawn.
Gone is the unwritten law of the 1950s that you must
have a polished garden out front, with any freaky
horticultural shenanigans hidden in the backyard. Today,
you can flaunt your botanical adventures in the front yard.
If that isn’t motivation enough, research shows that kids
are more likely to eat food they grew themselves - no
more dinnertime bargaining over a bite of broccoli. For
more, see The Globe and Mail, March 25, 2011 [Trail, Gayla. “What to know about growing your own veggies”].
Veggies are front runners!
Our project at Lakeridge
Health Oshawa has ended. For
the past two years we provided
therapy for patients on the
Integrated Stroke Rehab Unit
Healing Hands Project[Name change coming soon]
Ann Couch
using plants and plant material. This was a very
rewarding project for the OGC volunteers and for the
patients involved.
I have recently been contacted by two other facilities,
Ontario Shores in Whitby, and Hillsdale Estates in
Oshawa, to provide this service to their residents. We
are in need of more OGC volunteers to meet this very
worthwhile initiative.
If you can commit a couple hours once or twice a
month or even less often, please contact me at our
garden club meetings or phone at
905 725-1015 or email me at
Thank you!
Newsletter of the Oshawa Garden Club
Please Note: If you make a purchase during your
visit, you must present your OGC membership card
and a form (available at the membership table at any
meeting) which has been pre-signed by OGC’s
current President.
Garry Lucas, Chair
Sharing Gardens Tour
Sharing Gardens Tours 2012
5 The
Is there anyone in the club who can predict the weather?
If you can, we need you, since this winter's crazy up-and-down
weather makes it impossible to guess how our spring and summer
gardens will grow. Accordingly we are now planning an Early
Summer Tour on Sunday, June 24, 2012. This year we will
gather in the Peony Gardens on Arena Street, north of Ontario
Motor Sales, at 12:30 p.m. We will leave as a group at 1:00 p. m.
As a bonus the roses should be at their peak.
The Late Summer Tour will be on Sunday August 21, 2012 and
we will meet at the Peony Gardens at 12:30 p.m. Gardens are
usually at their most colourful at this time of year.
I should emphasize that the tours are a terrific opportunity to
enjoy a diversity of gardens, while sharing knowledge and
experience with like-minded gardeners.Those who are interested
in sharing their gardens, should contact Garry Lucas
at 905- 668-6368 or Ted Brown at 905-579-5620.
Happy digging!
Need a ride?Some of our members would love to
come to our meetings at Lviv Hall but
are unable to drive at night or drive at all.
If you would like to attend any of the general meetings and
need a ride, please contact the club secretary at �
March 2012
in Hamilton. The Ontario Ministry of
Agriculture [OMAFRA] feels that 2012 will be a
critical year for tracking movement of this pest into
Ontario. They have enlisted the Master Gardeners of
Ontario to help with positive identification of this
pest in home gardens. Residential gardeners
typically discover new pests long before it becomes
apparent to commercial growers. To find out
more, or to report a sighting, contact Durham Master
Gardeners at [email protected].
Dangerous BugSightings of the Brown Marmorated
Stink Bug , a potentially serious threat
to Ontario, have already occurred
If you are interested in helping
with a guided walk (1 to 2 hours
in length) of the OVBG, please
contact Debi Foster for more
details 905-720-2642 or email
Debi at [email protected].
Jane’s Walks
Jane Jacobs
Pauline Smith
Bakers: Thank you!
We would like to give a big thank you to
those who brought homemade treats to recent
meetings:
January - Pat Bilenduke, Bev Coe,
Joanne Hawthorne, Mary Hubbard
and Joan Whitney
March - Karlene Biddle, Pat Dodds,
Ruby Marcinkowski,
Janice McRae and Margaret Perkin
Newsletter of the Oshawa Garden ClubThe 6
I know it is an early reminder, but the
Oshawa Garden Club will hold it's Annual
Plant Sale on Saturday, June 2, 2012.
Garry Lucas
June 2nd – OGC Plant Sale
March 2012
Book Review: Garden RoyaltyJust published last month, a new book entitled
Queen Elizabeth in the Garden creates the image
of many of the lost gardens of England.
Author, Trea Martyn,
offers a new spin on the
familiar subject of the
rivalry between two of
Elizabeth’s most
powerful courtiers:
Robert Dudley, the
dashing Earl of
Leicester, and William
Cecil, Baron Burghley,
the older and cleverer of
the two men.
When the queen would go on her long trips, her court would
be entertained and be accommodated by the landed gentry.
Often competing with each other, estate owners would
bankrupt themselves constructing elaborate gardens.
Unfortunately for us, not a single authentic Elizabethan
garden survives.
The red KORcasima rose will be the Official Rose of the 2012 Ontario Horticultural
Association Convention, as well as the 1812 Rose for the Bicentennial Celebration. The rose
is sold exclusively by the 2012 OHA Convention Committee and the District 9 Societies. It
is a Floribunda – “Old Fashioned”, scented, and has a height of 3' - 4‘, very large and full
crimson red blossom, and is good to zone 5.
OHA Official Rose of 2012
This rose is a repeat bloomer, disease resistant, and hardy. An order form is available online at
http://www.gardenontario.org/gar/newsl.php?news=238 –or– at the OGC website. The deadline for ordering is
March 15, 2012.
Spring is just around the
corner. It seems everywhere
you look there is litter. Must
be Pitch-in time! We will be
looking for volunteers to help
clean up Kinsman Valleyview
Park, along the creek area, on
… Pitch-in
Pauline Smith
Committee Chair
Saturday, April 21 at 9:30 a.m. A sign-up sheet will
be at the entrance table at the next meeting,
or call Pauline Smith, 905-728-0370.
This is three weeks later than previous years to
allow more time to divide and pot your excess
plants. If you need a hand dividing and potting to
donate plants, please mark your calendar in May
to contact us. Donating plants or your time, even
for any small task ( i.e. organizing, labelling,
potting, selling, cashier, phoning, publicity) is
welcomed. You even get to socialize with other
gardeners. If you wish to help, please contact
Garry at 905-668-6368 or by email to the
Plant Sale Committee at �
Irish Word Game
Find: CELTIC IRELAND PATRICK
RAINBOW POTOFGOLD IRISH
GREEN SHAMROCK DUBLIN
LEPRECHAUN
Shari-Lyn Safir has served as
President of the Canadian Rose
Society as well as President of The
Greater Toronto Rose and Garden
Society. Get tips on what and where
to buy, how to plant, prune and
fertilize roses.
2012 OGC Events
The Importance of Bee-ing
February 13, 2012
Cathy Kozma, from the Toronto
Bee Keepers Co-operative, will
explain why gardeners need to
know about bees, how to support
them and tips on designing a bee-
friendly garden.
March 12, 2012
Propagator and owner of Whistling
Gardens in Wilsonville, Darren
Heimbecker will focus on growing
Small Garden Design
April 9, 2012
Frank Kershaw, an award-winning horticulturist with
almost forty years experience in the parks, horticulture and environmental
fields, will describe the design
elements and techniques used to
make a small garden seem larger
and more dramatic.
OGC Plant Sale !!!!!
June 2, 2012
Shade Gardening - Beyond HostasMay 14, 2012
Linda McLeod, of Cedar Lane Gardens,
Fenelon Falls, will speak on the
challenges of shade gardening – and
more than hostas!
HorticulturalPlayground
Underused Shrubs for
June 11, 2012
Brothers Jon and Scott Story own The Garden Path
garden centre in Orono and Greenbelt Services and will
talk about border shrubs and new plant introductions.
the Border and New Plant Introductions
June 25, 2012 – Strawberry Social
History and Culture of Orchids September 10, 2012
Wayne Hingston of the
Southern Ontario Orchid
Society will outline the history
of orchids and modern methods
used to grow them successfully.
Ornamental Grasses
October 15, 2012
Don and Margaret Real maintain
“Reality Gardens, Sunderland. Don
will show how to use and grow
ornamental grasses. Various grass
families will be highlighted.
Stay tuned for more on this
wonderful annual event.
November 12, 2012
Scott Turner will use materials found
in nature, indoor and outdoor
Christmas decorating techniques will
be demonstrated.
Festive Holiday Decorating
from Field&Garden
some of the rarest, most unusual
and newest ornamental trees.
Newsletter of the Oshawa Garden Club 7
Christmas Social
December 10, 2012
All OGC meetings take place on a MONDAY at LVIV Hall, 38 Lviv Blvd, and
start at 7:30p.m. unless stated otherwise.
February 13, 2012
The
Growing Winning Roses Organically January 12, 2012
Meeting review
on page 1.
Potluck at 6:00 p.m.
March 2012
Building of Canada'sNewest
8Oshawa Garden Club
April 12-15, 2012
20th Annual Successful Gardening
& Home ShowSee� www.internationalhomeshow.ca
The
April 5-7, 2012Evinrude Centre, 911 Monaghan Rd.
Please note: The title, date and location of many events, OGC
and beyond, are listed on our OGC website � www.oshawagardenclub.ca
OGC Notice Board and Area Events
Please be aware that various club photographers will be taking photographs during
meetings and other events. OGC reserves the right to use these photos in the club
newsletter and website. If you have any concerns, please feel free to let the
photographer know your wishes.
Photos at meetings
The Ontario Rock Garden and
Hardy Plant Society
Hardy Plant Sale at Toronto Botanical Garden, Floral Hall, 777 Lawrence Avenue East. For details, see � www.onrockgarden.com
March 16 - 25, 2012 - Direct Energy Centre.For details see � www.canadablooms.comor 416-447-8655 or email: [email protected]
Sunday, April 1, 2012, 8:30am to 4pm
Hosta Forum – Ontario Hosta SocietyRBG - 680 Plains Road West, Burlington. Cost: $60 - Includes light lunch & beverages. Ontario Hosta Society, 69 Strachan Street, Port Hope, ON L1A 1H8. For more info, see � www.rbg.ca
Location: McCaskill's Mill Public School 85 Albert St, Cannington
For more information, please see �http://canningtonhorticulturalsociety.50webs.com/
Saturday, April 28, 2012, 9am
Sunday, May 6, 2012, 12noon – 4pm
More on Roses: Heritage Roses
Sunday, April 1, 2012, 2pm to 3pm
With Beryl Harris, Rose Expert and Master GardenerRichters Herbs, Goodwood, OntarioAdmission Free. For details, see � www.richters.com
(Jack Kent)
March 14 - Working with Ornamental Grasses
March 21 - Planning & Planting for All Seasons
(Paul Zammit)
Calvary Pentecostal, 401 Croft St.E. Port HopeAdmission: $15 or $40 for the series of 4:
March 28 - A Naturalist’s Garden
(Martin Galloway)
April 11 - The Untamed Garden
(Sonia Day)
March 14 – April 11, 2012 at 7:30pm
Northumberland Big Sisters & Big Brothers
This year the City of Oshawa will be participating in Jane’s Walks. The Oshawa Valley Botanical Gardens has been suggested as one of the sites for a walk. If you would be interested in helping put together a guided walk (1 to 2
March 2012
200 additional parking spaces at the Kinsmen Sports Centre (777 Sherbrooke St.). Passenger shuttle buses to the Evinrude Centre will run every 15 minutes. For details, see � http://peterboroughgardens.ca/
Saturday & Sunday, May 5 and 6, 2012
Jane’s Walks
hours in length) of the OVBG please contact Debi Foster for more details 905-720-2642 or email Debiat [email protected].
Please see www.oshawagardenclub.cafor additional events or for details
