March Meeting

Our March speaker is Paul Lawry who will be discussing how to select healthy potted plants when purchasing, as well as how to transplant them with the best chance for success.  Paul has been involved with gardens on Vancouver Island since 1983 and is a mentor with the Vancouver Island Master Gardener Association.

Paul says...
I have been involved with gardens since 1983, when I moved to Vancouver Island.  Prior to that I lived in Hawaii for 23 years and had lots of flowers in my yard but didn't really get into planting or buying plants as most of the time all I needed to do was break off a branch and stick it in the ground and within a year I would have a nice sized plant growing.

Shortly, after arriving in Nanaimo I joined the Nanaimo Rhododendron Society and spent many hours searching for plants.  Purchasing most of them in pots.  I have been the President of the NRS and President of VIMGA as well as holding many other offices within the organizations. 

I have spent many hours assisting in selecting potted plants for other people's gardens .  I have, since 1983, been  attending numerous lectures, seminars and conferences involving Rhododendrons and other plant life.

February Meeting Notes

If you did not make it to the February meeting here is what you missed...

Plant of the Month:

 
Primula vulgaris - a great way to add some color to the garden this spring.

Corsican Hellebore - blooms now, great woodland garden plant.

Plant of the Month: 
 
The Informed Gardener Blooms Again by Linda Chalker-Scott


What to do in the February garden by Sue Dunn:

Sue Dunn provided a comprehensive list to keep us on track.

Guest Speaker:

Garden Club Member Vargha Webb gave a comprehensive presentation and demo on all things pruning.

Door and Raffle Prizes:  

We raffled a selection of great items too numerous to mention and of course the two plants of the month.

February Meeting

Our next meeting is Thursday February 6th.  Our guest speaker is Vargha Webb who will be doing a demonstration of pruning techniques. 

January Meeting Notes

If you did not make it to the January meeting here is what you missed...

Plant of the Month:

 
Chocolate Vine Akebia quinata and Red Twig Dogwood

What to do in the January garden by Sue Dunn:

Sue Dunn provided a comprehensive list to keep us on track.

Guest Speaker:

Master Gardener Dorothee Kieser gave a great presentation on culinary herbs in the garden and shared a wonderful recipe that we can try come summer when our herb gardens are in full swing.

Door and Raffle Prizes:  

We raffled a selection of great items too numerous to mention and of course the two plants of the month.

January Meeting

Our next meeting is January 2nd.  Our guest speaker is Dorothee Kieser.  Dorothee is a Master Gardener and she will be talking about culinary herbs and herb gardening.

December Meeting Notes

If you did not make it to the December meeting here is what you missed...

Plant of the Month:

 
Sarcococca ruscifolia

Book of the Month

Updated edition of Natural Insect, Weed, and Disease Control by Linda Gilkeson

What to do in the December garden by Sue Dunn:
 
Sue Dunn provided a comprehensive list to keep us on track.

Guest Speaker:

Colin Bartlet from the Wild Bird and Nature Store in Nanaimo gave a great presentation on backyard birds and brought along a variety of feeders to share.

Door and Raffle Prizes:  

We raffled a selection of great items too numerous to mention and of course the plant of the month. Colin Bartlet donated a lovely bird feeder as well.

December Meeting

Next month our meeting is on Thursday Dec 5th and our speaker will be Colin Bartlett from the Backyard Wild Bird and Nature Store in Nanaimo, http://thebirdstore.blogspot.com/.  Colin spoke to the club a few years ago and he was entertaining with a wealth of information.