The Minden and District Horticultural Society hosted more than 120 gardeners from 17 Ontario horticultural societies to conduct business and talk plants Oct. 19 in Minden.
Long-time member Elinor Kernohan said, “this is only the second time in 45 years the Minden group has hosted this event. The last time was about 25 years ago.”
Delegates from as far away as Cobourg and Port Hope were able to take in the fall colours on their drive north and enjoy a locally-catered lunch.
Society president Connie Walker from Carnarvon said, “volunteers had been working for months to organize this important event for people in the gardening community and our efforts were well received.” Walker singled out Carolyn Perks for her contributions to the success of the event.
In addition to the camaraderie, many came to hear keynote speaker, Paul Zammit. Zammit is a professor of horticulture and environmental studies at Niagara College, and well-known garden expert on CBC Radio One.
He challenged his audience to learn to work with the garden by rethinking what is beautiful.
“People come to gardens for more than just pretty plants. They come to relax, to meditate, to photograph insects, and to engage in lifelong learning,” he said.
To support wildlife and the food web that all life requires, he encouraged his audience to stop tidying up their gardens. He asked them to rethink some of their garden practices such as deadheading, bagging leaves, and growing for size and bloom.
“Deadheading your flowers gives you more blooms, but don’t forget your garden also feeds the birds and insects,” he said. He urged his audience to do their best to grow more native plants and avoid invasive species.
He added, “not to worry what the neighbours think and practise chop and drop composting where organic matter is left where it is pruned, rake whole leaves onto garden beds because shredding your leaves kills beneficial caterpillars and other life forms.”
The Minden and District Horticultural Society meets monthly to conduct business and hear from guest speakers. With more than 70 members, the society puts on a well-attended monthly speaker series in the County. Its meetings are open to nonmembers for $5 and new members are welcome. No experience required. The Youth Garden Club organizes fun and educational events for very young gardeners. Volunteers put in most of the plantings in Minden village and along the Riverwalk with support from the Township of Minden Hills. They also redid garden beds at the Minden Legion.
