Master Gardeners of Ontario
Serving Ontario for Over 25 Years
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Mosaicultures Internationales Montreal 2013
Diane Marchese, Guelph and Wellington County
The largest exhibition of horticultural art in the world, staged every three years in a city selected by an international committee, this year's theme was Land of Hope, which aimed to illustrate the beauty and fragility of life on earth. This year the Montreal Botanical Garden hosted and what a perfect venue it was! Read more...What I Learned At The IMGC
Tena van Andel, Toronto
With giddy anticipation and five bottles of local Seattle wine, fellow Toronto Master Gardener, Elizabeth A. Stewart, 998 other Master Gardeners and I walked the gangplank of the Westerdamn ready to experience an International Master Gardener Conference at sea. Lesson one – don’t call it a ‘gangplank’, it’s a ‘gangway’ and don’t spell Westerdam with a ‘n’. This will make the crew frown. Read more...
A Gardener’s StaycationEdythe Falconer, Ottawa-Carelton
Les Jardins d’Emmarocalles
My Staycation included a group trip to Les Jardins d’Emmarocalles near Ripon, Quebec – about an hour’s drive from downtown Ottawa. Although the five-acre garden is only six years old it has already expanded to include more than 1500 daylily cultivars and a thousand varieties of perennials. Divided into twelve different sections or sub-gardens it is aesthetically pleasing and educational with each garden representing a different style and different growing conditions. Read more....
Great Gardens of England
Joy Cullen, Nothumberland
In July 2013, two Northumberland Master Gardeners and two friends embarked on our first Road Scholar trip “Great Gardens of England and Hampton Court Flower Show”. This was a well-organized excursion with a small group of compatible travellers which included all meals, entry fees and had an education component. Read more...
Visiting Gardens While Traveling
Dianne and Gary Westlake, Peterborough
(Published Previously in the Peterborough Examiner in the summer of 2008, so the date references are a bit off.)
We love to visit gardens while we are traveling. This year we went to Seattle, Vancouver and Victoria in the spring. We traveled to Wales, Scotland and England in the fall and this summer we visited Quebec. At each of these places we found great gardens to visit and this is the time for you to start planning a trip for next year. Read more....
Great Gardens of EnglandJoy Cullen, Nothumberland
In July 2013, two Northumberland Master Gardeners and two friends embarked on our first Road Scholar trip “Great Gardens of England and Hampton Court Flower Show”. This was a well-organized excursion with a small group of compatible travellers which included all meals, entry fees and had an education component. Read more...
Visiting Gardens While TravelingDianne and Gary Westlake, Peterborough
(Published Previously in the Peterborough Examiner in the summer of 2008, so the date references are a bit off.)
We love to visit gardens while we are traveling. This year we went to Seattle, Vancouver and Victoria in the spring. We traveled to Wales, Scotland and England in the fall and this summer we visited Quebec. At each of these places we found great gardens to visit and this is the time for you to start planning a trip for next year. Read more....
MGOI Happenings Fall 2013
Jane Beck, President
September does feel like the start of a new year; I hope everyone had a good summer and is now looking at their garden in appreciation. A cool start to the season and plenty of rain has made my newly planted garden take root and look like it has been there for years.
This fall Master Gardeners in Ontario will see their annual reviews in a beautifully updated Annual Report 2012-2013. That Annual Report is required of our organization by law. The updated report features your photos, your reports and graphs of data that had been rows of numbers before. You supplied the content to our Provincial Administrator and Simcoe County Master Gardener, Charlotte Vorstermans; and then Claudette Sims, Halton Master Gardeners and VP MGOI took over. Kudos to Claudette for her vision and her expertise, both computer and layout skills, with your photos and input. The 2012-13 MGOI Annual Report is available on our website, mgoi.ca. Go have a peek at how good you look. I, for one, am so very impressed not only with the community work done across the province, but how well presented your efforts are this year.
The MGOI Annual General Meeting is scheduled for October 5th at the Landscape Ontario offices in Milton, followed by the Coordinators’ Conference that same day. The Coordinators’ Conference does have a full agenda. We will have a presentation from MGOI’s Insurance provider followed by a Coordinators’ workshop in the morning. We will be highlighting the Awards of Excellence projects so that all groups will get the opportunity to hear about the excellent projects that take place across the province. We will celebrate the Thunder Bay International recognition with their project for Northern gardeners. This is your opportunity to consider how these projects could work in your community.
Your local websites and the MGOI website will be key topics for discussion; this session will be facilitated by our very capable web-master Jim Cook. Coordinators, come with your questions for Jim.
Highlights of the recent Education Survey will be reviewed by June Streadwick, a Niagara Master Gardener and chair of our provincial Education Committee.
Most hopefully you will find this an informative and helpful agenda and walk away with the solutions you need to implement.
Jane Beck, President
 |
| Jane Beck |
This fall Master Gardeners in Ontario will see their annual reviews in a beautifully updated Annual Report 2012-2013. That Annual Report is required of our organization by law. The updated report features your photos, your reports and graphs of data that had been rows of numbers before. You supplied the content to our Provincial Administrator and Simcoe County Master Gardener, Charlotte Vorstermans; and then Claudette Sims, Halton Master Gardeners and VP MGOI took over. Kudos to Claudette for her vision and her expertise, both computer and layout skills, with your photos and input. The 2012-13 MGOI Annual Report is available on our website, mgoi.ca. Go have a peek at how good you look. I, for one, am so very impressed not only with the community work done across the province, but how well presented your efforts are this year.
The MGOI Annual General Meeting is scheduled for October 5th at the Landscape Ontario offices in Milton, followed by the Coordinators’ Conference that same day. The Coordinators’ Conference does have a full agenda. We will have a presentation from MGOI’s Insurance provider followed by a Coordinators’ workshop in the morning. We will be highlighting the Awards of Excellence projects so that all groups will get the opportunity to hear about the excellent projects that take place across the province. We will celebrate the Thunder Bay International recognition with their project for Northern gardeners. This is your opportunity to consider how these projects could work in your community.
Your local websites and the MGOI website will be key topics for discussion; this session will be facilitated by our very capable web-master Jim Cook. Coordinators, come with your questions for Jim.
Highlights of the recent Education Survey will be reviewed by June Streadwick, a Niagara Master Gardener and chair of our provincial Education Committee.
Most hopefully you will find this an informative and helpful agenda and walk away with the solutions you need to implement.
MGs in Action
What are Heritage Fruit Trees?
Thanks to the Grey County Master Gardeners (GCMG), Ursula Karalus and Karen Young, visitors to the Moreston Heritage Village, Grey Roots Museum and Archives, can see the humble beginnings early settler took to establish fruit trees in this region.
Heritage trees are usually varieties regionally developed from chance seedlings. Records indicate that in 1892 there were 878 different species of fruit trees in North America. By 1922 the number had dropped to 100.
In keeping with the historical time period and typical rural landscape, fruit trees were chosen for two sites. Around the 1885 log cabin, two Damson plums, a Bartlett Pear and Clapp’s Favourite Pear trees were planted. On the east side of the 1920 farmhouse a McIntosh apple, Golden/Yellow Delicious Apple and a Dolgo Crab Apple can be found. Between the two houses a Montmorency sour cherry was planted.
The only way to keep these heirloom trees from disappearing is for homeowners or community groups to plant heritage fruit trees.
International Plowing Match
Many thousands of people visited the Stratford Master Gardeners booth during the five-day International Plowing Match the week of September 16 in Mitchell. It featured a living pizza garden with most of the plants from the MGs own gardens. About 1,500 children also received handmade garden buttons for answering a garden question.
Events
October 8 – 14 – Visit the Norfolk MG display and advice booth under the Grandstand at the Norfolk County Fair and Horse Show, Simcoe, ON
Saturday, October 19 – 8:30 a.m. – 3:45 p.m. – Fall Technical Update – From the Ground Up at the Harmony Centre (former Knox United Church), 890 4th Ave East, Owen Sound. Programme: Carol Dunk, Simcoe County Master Gardener Emerita, Past President Ontario Horticultural Association – Soils: Love That Dirt! Secrets of Great Soil; Marnie McIntosh – Thyme for You Heirlooms Heirloom Vegetables: Our past and our future; Carlo Balistrieri, Head of Horticulture, Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG) – Chalk Talk: Plants for Alkaline Soil. Lunch: a list of restaurants will be provided or feel free to ‘brown bag‘’ it. No charge for admission, donations to the GCMGs are appreciated. As space is limited, please reserve your spot by contacting GCMG coordinators: Sue Connelly: 519-924-0207 or Patricia Draves: patriciadraves@gmail.com
October 22 – 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. - "The Orchid: Daunting Diva, Evocative Evolutionary or Humble Houseplant" with guest speaker Tena van Andel at Eising Greenhouses and Garden Centre, 814 Cockshutt Road, Simcoe, ON Everyone welcome. Free admission. For more information please contact norfolkmg@yahoo.com
October 26 – 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. – Technical Update – The Modern Victory Garden at St James Church, 225 Edmund Street, Carleton Place. Registration starts at 8:30 a.m. Programme: Introduction to Permaculture Principles – Douglas Barnes; Victorious Vegetables: Bringing it to The People – David Hinks and Tom Marcantonio; The Modern Victory Garden – Janette Haase; Pests and Diseases – Monique Pare Enjoy a delicious Lunch and snacks provided by Ottawa Carleton and Lanark County. Shop at our Gardener's Silent Auction and participate in the Read and Seed Exchange -– Bring an item – Take an item. Cost $30.00. For more information contact Dale Odorizzi @ 613 264-8135 or email lanarkmg@gmail.com See www.lanarkmastergardeners.mgoi.ca.
January 11, 2014 – Toronto Master Gardeners' Technical Update at the Toronto Botanical Gardens – Urban Agriculture: Growing Food in Cities from the Macro to the Micro.
April 11, 12, 13, 2014 - Peterborough Garden Show, at the Evinrude Centre, Peterborough. Don’t miss the most exciting and interesting garden show run by gardeners for gardeners. Great speakers, demonstrations, over 125 vendors and exhibitors, the innovative Children’s Garden, floral arrangements plus several new ideas and events that are planned for 2014. Admission is only $7.00 per day and advance tickets will be available in November from Joan Harding at harding@i-zoom.net. Just in time for Christmas. Check out www.peterboroughgardens.ca for pictures of the 2013 show. Anyone interested in being a vendor should go to showcontact@peterboroughgardens.ca or contact Sandy at 705 761 9220. The Peterborough Garden Show is presented by the Peterborough Horticultural Society and the Peterborough and Area Master Gardeners.
Milestones
New MGiTs
Haliburton – Lynn Barber, Celine Duguay, Lou Loree
Mississauga – Christopher Deschenes, Andrea Leiba, Amy Petersen
Peterborough – Lee Edwards, Deb Gordon, Lesley Peace, Amy Woodward
New MGs
Essex-Windsor – Susan Boucher, Susan Kelsh
Haliburton – Wendy Bunt
London-Middlesex – Linda Armstrong, Curtis Peterson.
Peterborough – Kathy McMahon
Stratford – Susan McLennan
5 Years
Lanark – Kevin Long
Peterborough – Margaret Higgins, Joanne Windrem
Quinte-Tweed – Barbara Fowler, Marlene Phillips
10 Years
Essex-Windsor – Christine Childs, Jane Hilbers
Peterborough – Gladys Fowler, Sally Rye
15 Years
Mississauga – Diana Pooke
20 Years
Essex-Windsor – Barb Morden
25 Years
Essex-Windsor – Sandy Ellenor, Joyce Ray, Elanor Sfalcin,
Welcome
Stratford – Lisa Courtnage who has transferred from Calgary, Alberta
New Coordinator
Northumberland – Mark Gordon
Ontario Volunteer Appreciation Service Awards
Essex-Windsor – 25 years, Sandy Ellenor, Joyce Ray, Elanor Sfalcin; 20 years Barb Morden; 10 years, Christine Childs, Jane Hilbers
Farewell
It is with regret that Huron MGs bid goodbye to a longstanding member and past coordinator, Elizabeth Rowcliffe. Elizabeth is moving to Seattle to be closer to her family and assures us there is a small challenging garden awaiting her attention. We wish Betsy every happiness and success in her new home.
MGOI Board of Directors
 |
| Montmorency Cherry |
In keeping with the historical time period and typical rural landscape, fruit trees were chosen for two sites. Around the 1885 log cabin, two Damson plums, a Bartlett Pear and Clapp’s Favourite Pear trees were planted. On the east side of the 1920 farmhouse a McIntosh apple, Golden/Yellow Delicious Apple and a Dolgo Crab Apple can be found. Between the two houses a Montmorency sour cherry was planted.
The only way to keep these heirloom trees from disappearing is for homeowners or community groups to plant heritage fruit trees.
International Plowing Match
Many thousands of people visited the Stratford Master Gardeners booth during the five-day International Plowing Match the week of September 16 in Mitchell. It featured a living pizza garden with most of the plants from the MGs own gardens. About 1,500 children also received handmade garden buttons for answering a garden question.
Events
October 8 – 14 – Visit the Norfolk MG display and advice booth under the Grandstand at the Norfolk County Fair and Horse Show, Simcoe, ON
Saturday, October 19 – 8:30 a.m. – 3:45 p.m. – Fall Technical Update – From the Ground Up at the Harmony Centre (former Knox United Church), 890 4th Ave East, Owen Sound. Programme: Carol Dunk, Simcoe County Master Gardener Emerita, Past President Ontario Horticultural Association – Soils: Love That Dirt! Secrets of Great Soil; Marnie McIntosh – Thyme for You Heirlooms Heirloom Vegetables: Our past and our future; Carlo Balistrieri, Head of Horticulture, Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG) – Chalk Talk: Plants for Alkaline Soil. Lunch: a list of restaurants will be provided or feel free to ‘brown bag‘’ it. No charge for admission, donations to the GCMGs are appreciated. As space is limited, please reserve your spot by contacting GCMG coordinators: Sue Connelly: 519-924-0207 or Patricia Draves: patriciadraves@gmail.com
October 22 – 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. - "The Orchid: Daunting Diva, Evocative Evolutionary or Humble Houseplant" with guest speaker Tena van Andel at Eising Greenhouses and Garden Centre, 814 Cockshutt Road, Simcoe, ON Everyone welcome. Free admission. For more information please contact norfolkmg@yahoo.com
October 26 – 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. – Technical Update – The Modern Victory Garden at St James Church, 225 Edmund Street, Carleton Place. Registration starts at 8:30 a.m. Programme: Introduction to Permaculture Principles – Douglas Barnes; Victorious Vegetables: Bringing it to The People – David Hinks and Tom Marcantonio; The Modern Victory Garden – Janette Haase; Pests and Diseases – Monique Pare Enjoy a delicious Lunch and snacks provided by Ottawa Carleton and Lanark County. Shop at our Gardener's Silent Auction and participate in the Read and Seed Exchange -– Bring an item – Take an item. Cost $30.00. For more information contact Dale Odorizzi @ 613 264-8135 or email lanarkmg@gmail.com See www.lanarkmastergardeners.mgoi.ca.
January 11, 2014 – Toronto Master Gardeners' Technical Update at the Toronto Botanical Gardens – Urban Agriculture: Growing Food in Cities from the Macro to the Micro.
April 11, 12, 13, 2014 - Peterborough Garden Show, at the Evinrude Centre, Peterborough. Don’t miss the most exciting and interesting garden show run by gardeners for gardeners. Great speakers, demonstrations, over 125 vendors and exhibitors, the innovative Children’s Garden, floral arrangements plus several new ideas and events that are planned for 2014. Admission is only $7.00 per day and advance tickets will be available in November from Joan Harding at harding@i-zoom.net. Just in time for Christmas. Check out www.peterboroughgardens.ca for pictures of the 2013 show. Anyone interested in being a vendor should go to showcontact@peterboroughgardens.ca or contact Sandy at 705 761 9220. The Peterborough Garden Show is presented by the Peterborough Horticultural Society and the Peterborough and Area Master Gardeners.
Milestones
New MGiTs
Haliburton – Lynn Barber, Celine Duguay, Lou Loree
Mississauga – Christopher Deschenes, Andrea Leiba, Amy Petersen
Peterborough – Lee Edwards, Deb Gordon, Lesley Peace, Amy Woodward
New MGs
Essex-Windsor – Susan Boucher, Susan Kelsh
Haliburton – Wendy Bunt
London-Middlesex – Linda Armstrong, Curtis Peterson.
Peterborough – Kathy McMahon
Stratford – Susan McLennan
5 Years
Lanark – Kevin Long
Peterborough – Margaret Higgins, Joanne Windrem
Quinte-Tweed – Barbara Fowler, Marlene Phillips
10 Years
Essex-Windsor – Christine Childs, Jane Hilbers
Peterborough – Gladys Fowler, Sally Rye
15 Years
Mississauga – Diana Pooke
20 Years
Essex-Windsor – Barb Morden
25 Years
Essex-Windsor – Sandy Ellenor, Joyce Ray, Elanor Sfalcin,
Welcome
Stratford – Lisa Courtnage who has transferred from Calgary, Alberta
New Coordinator
Northumberland – Mark Gordon
Ontario Volunteer Appreciation Service Awards
Essex-Windsor – 25 years, Sandy Ellenor, Joyce Ray, Elanor Sfalcin; 20 years Barb Morden; 10 years, Christine Childs, Jane Hilbers
Farewell
It is with regret that Huron MGs bid goodbye to a longstanding member and past coordinator, Elizabeth Rowcliffe. Elizabeth is moving to Seattle to be closer to her family and assures us there is a small challenging garden awaiting her attention. We wish Betsy every happiness and success in her new home.
MGOI Board of Directors
President: Jane Beck – president@mgoi.ca
Vice President: Claudette Sims
Treasurer: Connie Hunter – treasurer@mgoi.ca
Corporate Secretary: vacant – secretary@mgoi.ca
Past President: Ralph Bullough - pastpresident@mgoi.ca
Directors:
Zone 1: Donna Russell – zone1@mgoi.ca
Zone 2: Dave Kechnie – zone2@mgoi.ca
Zone 3: vacant - zone3@mgoi.ca
Zone 4: Anna Peterson - zone4@mgoi.ca
Zone 5: Claudette Sims – zone5@mgoi.ca
Zone 6: Suzanne Zacharczyk – zone6@mgoi.ca
Zone 7: Kelly Noel (interim)
Zone 8: Kelly Noel – zone8@mgoi.ca
Zone 9: Pam Love - zone9@mgoi.ca
Zone 10: Tena Van Andel & Connie Hunter - zone10@mgoi.ca
Zone 11: Kevin Van Andel - zone11@mgoi.ca
Newsletter: Dianne & Gary Westlake – editors@mgoi.ca
MG List-serve: Kelly Noel – listcoordinator@mgoi.ca
Website: Jim Cook - webmaster@mgoi.ca
OMAFRA Representative: Helen Scutt – omafra@mgoi.ca
Provincial Administrator:Charlotte Vorstermans – info@mgoi.ca - 113 Mill Street, Creemore, ON L0M 1G0
Landscape Ontario Rep: Denis Flanagan – landscapeontariorep@mgoi.ca
Vice President: Claudette Sims
Treasurer: Connie Hunter – treasurer@mgoi.ca
Corporate Secretary: vacant – secretary@mgoi.ca
Past President: Ralph Bullough - pastpresident@mgoi.ca
Directors:
Zone 1: Donna Russell – zone1@mgoi.ca
Zone 2: Dave Kechnie – zone2@mgoi.ca
Zone 3: vacant - zone3@mgoi.ca
Zone 4: Anna Peterson - zone4@mgoi.ca
Zone 5: Claudette Sims – zone5@mgoi.ca
Zone 6: Suzanne Zacharczyk – zone6@mgoi.ca
Zone 7: Kelly Noel (interim)
Zone 8: Kelly Noel – zone8@mgoi.ca
Zone 9: Pam Love - zone9@mgoi.ca
Zone 10: Tena Van Andel & Connie Hunter - zone10@mgoi.ca
Zone 11: Kevin Van Andel - zone11@mgoi.ca
Newsletter: Dianne & Gary Westlake – editors@mgoi.ca
MG List-serve: Kelly Noel – listcoordinator@mgoi.ca
Website: Jim Cook - webmaster@mgoi.ca
OMAFRA Representative: Helen Scutt – omafra@mgoi.ca
Provincial Administrator:Charlotte Vorstermans – info@mgoi.ca - 113 Mill Street, Creemore, ON L0M 1G0
Landscape Ontario Rep: Denis Flanagan – landscapeontariorep@mgoi.ca
Excellent article, MGOI.
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