2024 Speakers (7:00pm) & Walkabouts (6:00pm)

Feb 13-Zoom-Lynne Patenaude, Invasive Species–what can gardeners do?

Escaped garden plants are the number one source of invasive plants in Canada. Learn which
 common garden plants can escape and invade surrounding natural areas, which native alternatives offer similar beauty, and if you have invasive plants in your garden, how to choose the best option for control.

 

 

 

Mar. 12 Anna Mizyn, Blooms for butterfly’s

With the increased pressure on the natural habitat our pollinators and butterflies need all the help they can get – Anna will focus on plants that do best in our area and what will assist in attracting the butterflies to your gardens.

Anna plans to bring along several potted perennials for sale as well. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to learn more about the relationship between plants and butterflies.

Apr. 9 – Ken Brown, Vertical Vegetables

Space is a major concern when growing vegetables. At this meeting Ken will show you as many innovative ideas as he can to maximize the use of limited space. He calls these techniques, Vertical Vegetables. There are lots of vegetables that can be grown up, instead of out, such as peas, cucumbers, zucchini etc. There are some that are as decorative as they are useful and Ken will share some fun ways to include vegetables in your landscape.

May 14- Tony Spencer, Wildscaping: Explorations in Naturalistic Planting Design

Wildscaping is about using plant-driven landscape design to create and sustain dynamic garden spaces, filled with beauty and wildlife, to rekindle our relationship to the natural world. Join host Tony Spencer for an encounter with some of the international designers, innovations, issues, and landscapes leading the way – along with a look at his own experimental design projects – to inspire garden-making with a sense of purpose on the wild side.

Aug. 13-Walk about Sanctuary Flower Fields with Kelly Convery

Kelly, a former  Peterborough paramedic , has turned her love of flowers into a business  at  Sanctuary Flower  Fields in Ennismore. She grows all her seasonal flowers from seed and offers a variety of services including floral design, U-Pick and her fields provide excellent opportunities for photography- so, bring your camera for this private farm tour!

Sep. 10- Annie Scherz-Natural inks

Creating and using Natural inks isn’t that complicated. You can throw almost any pigment-rich base ingredient into an old pot with some basic ingredients and you have ink! These ingredients can be berries, vegetables, flowers, leaves…the resulting ink can be used to dye paper or fabric! Join us this evening for a hands on demonstration and open your eyes to new ways to look at your garden!

Oct. 8-Laura Keresztesi-Rain Gardens | Green-Up Coordinator, Neighbourhood & Residential Programs.

Do you ever worry about flooding when it rains? Curious about what happens to rain after it hits the ground? Interested in techniques to reduce runoff and keep water clean?  As climate change progresses, so too do more frequent and high-volume rain storms. Laura will share information on designing and installing rain gardens. These gardens can be both practical and beautiful!

Nov. 12-Emma Murphy Over the Garden Gate – Touring Some Special English Gardens.

In May 2022 Emma and her husband Grant traveled to southern England — not only to see many of the famous gardens (Sissinghurst, Great Dixter etc.) but also some lesser known beautiful private gardens. She’ll share with us her experiences meeting the people behind these private gardens in Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Sussex; some information about the UK’s National Garden Scheme; and of course, lots of lovely photos!