Bring your gardening gloves together and give a big round of applause for all the winners of the Yorkton In Bloom 2013 competition! Congratulations to all of you and to everyone who entered the competition. Thank you to the City of Yorkton for hosting this competition each year: no wonder Yorkton is such a beautiful city! I hope that all you gardeners from the competition will consider joining the Horticultural Society, if you aren't members already: we always welcome new members and it would be great to meet you!
While we're handing out thank yous, I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Liz Jones, president of the Yorkton and District Horticultural Society, for organizing a great bus trip for us to Neepawa. What a fun day! We enjoyed great gardening fellowship, lots of good conversation, and some memorable sights such as an amazing garden covering 7 acres, a stunning garden built into an unused city ravine, the beautiful Neepawa cemetery that plants over 60,000 petunias every year, and fascinating historical sights. Did I mention the young men in loin cloths? Well, I guess you had to be there! But it was a great day: thank you, Liz!
The trip to Neepawa made me think about not only gardening, but the entire concept of taking part in things. The success or failure of an event depends on people taking part: it is gratifying for everyone concerned when you plan an event, and people show up and take part and enjoy it. And we all had a wonderful time in Neepawa!
I mention this because now I'm going to get up on my soapbox and encourage Hort Club members to think about their entries for the Fruit, Flower and Vegetable Show on Tuesday, August 13. It is your participation that makes the show a success for our guests. Don't be shy and worry that this or that might not be "good enough": of course it is! Don't be shy that you've never made a flower arrangement before: go ahead and try! This is not a judged show: it is meant for sharing the beauty and enjoyment of the garden. So please make a commitment to yourself to enter something in the show. It's always a great day!
And for our wonderful guests who come out and support the show, we can't wait to see you! It is so great to chat with you as you stroll around the displays and exhibits, and see how you enjoy the afternoon. We are so happy that you take time from your busy schedule to join us! So mark that date down: Tuesday, August 13 from 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. at St. Gerard's Parish Complex. Your admission price includes coffee and tea and dainties - what a wonderful way to spend the afternoon! Bring a friend, and make plans to join us on August 13.
I don't know about you, but July seemed to go by in the wink of an eye. I find that I have been studying our garden, and making mental notes about the size of various plants. Some things seem to have outgrown our little space. This year the Lamb's Ear seems to have renewed itself, after a sparse year last year. Stachys byzantia is the official name for the beautiful, soft grey Lamb's Ear. It's a member of the mint family that originally calls exotic Turkey and the southwest part of Asia home. It loves a sunny location with good drainage, and will reward you with prolific self-seeding if you give it the conditions that it likes.
This pretty plant is not bothered by any pests, but if the weather or conditions are too damp or humid, it can rot out. If you have a large clump of Lamb's Ear, you will know it is time to divide it when it starts to die out in the middle.
Check out your garden, you might decide some things need to be pared down or boosted up for next year. A garden is never completed, is it! Have a good week, and be sure to wear a hat!
