The Yorkton and District Horticultural Society will be holding their regular meeting tonight, March 16, at 7:00 p.m. in the Sunshine Room at SIGN on North Street. Our special guest tonight will be Tyler Kaban, from the U of S Fruit Program, speaking to us about "Growing Grapes On The Prairies, with Comments About Kiwis". It almost seems impossible, doesn't it, that these two fruits could survive and thrive on the Prairies, but they do very well. Tyler will tell us all we need to know! That's 7 p.m., hope you can join us. And remember, you don't have to be a member to attend the meetings. If you are interested in the topic being discussed, you're more than welcome to attend.
And members, please check your calendars and see if you can take part in the bus tour to Regina on April 30. We'll be going to Dutch Growers greenhouses, and then on to the Regina Floral Conservatory. It's a nice mini-getaway, just for one day, and you don't have to worry about driving! Just sit back and relax and enjoy a day of beauteous blooms! Hort club members will have first chance, then if bus seats are still available, the tour will be opened to the public.
Horticulture is an ongoing education, isn't it. There is always something new to learn about plants and how they grow. A friend told me about a new book: it's called "Fifty Plants That Changed The Course Of History" by Bill Laws. I read a short review of the book and it sounds very interesting. If you're wondering how a plant could have historical significance, think about these examples.
Bamboo is a renewable resource; a building material that grows quickly and can easily replenish itself, unlike many hardwoods and exotic woods. It is strong, durable, and practical. Bamboo has been used to build homes, furniture, and flooring. I read that bamboo has even been used for record player needles, medicine, skin and hair treatments, and if you've bought any new clothes lately, you'll see that some of them are made from bamboo!
Tea has been around for thousands of years. It's a daily beverage for a good portion of the world's population, and even caused a riot in 1773 in Boston. I learned that Canadians drink four times as much tea as the United States. What about coffee? Coffee is another plant that is an important agricultural commodity in many parts of the world.
Vanilla is one of the most popular flavorings and spices in the world. Once again, some countries make their living with vanilla. And who could argue about the importance of sugarcane, providing the world with white sugar? And what about the myriad of products made with rubber?
This would probably be a fascinating book, making us look at plants in a whole new light. If you've ever watched the animated Charlie Brown Christmas special, there is one scene where Charlie Brown is talking about Pigpen, saying that he might appear messy, but he might be carrying dust that was once trod upon by Nebuchadnezzar; to which Pigpen says "It makes you want to treat me with more respect, doesn't it!". And so it is with many plants; we take them for granted or just don't stop to think how important they are to the world as we know it. They provide us with food, shelter, furniture, clothing, and so much more. All the more reason why we should care for the earth.
Till next time, have a good week!
