With the longer days now upon us, it is time to turn our thoughts to spring! Mark down Wednesday, March 21 on your calendar and plan to be at the next meeting of the Yorkton and District Horticultural Society. The topic will surely make you think of spring planting! Our special guest speakers will be Glen Tymiak and Frank Woloschuk talking to us about "Planning, Planting and growing in a Greenhouse". These two gentlemen are both expert gardeners, and I know they will have a lot of valuable information for us, even if we don't have a greenhouse! So we hope you can join us. Always remember that you don't have to be a member to come to the meetings. If you're interested in plants or gardening, you're very welcome to come to the meeting. And if you decide that you'd like to join the group, even better!
The group is doing their first road trip of the season with an excursion to Gardenscape in Saskatoon on Saturday, March 31. This will be a great day: all you have to do is get on the bus and relax! Here's the info that I found on their website: "This informative and innovative show, the 3rd largest show of its kind in Canada, is a showcase for the horticulture industry and outdoor lifestyles. If you are interested in sprucing up your yard, want the latest information on gardening and food production, or are interested in specialty flower and vegetable seeds, Gardenscape is for you!" Sounds great, doesn't it! Hort members, please decide by March 19 if you are able to go, and let Liz know at 782-2830. After that, if space permits, the public will be invited to join us.
Let me tell you a little story. Many years ago, my dear Uncle Joe constructed Mom's first greenhouse. It was the first spring after my Dad passed away. Uncle Joe could make just about anything, he was so handy and creative, and I'll never forget the look of amazement on Mom's face as Uncle Joe and Auntie Zonie drove up in their truck, the little greenhouse partially assembled in the back. In no time, they had it all put together, and there were many tears shared that day as Mom stood in her little greenhouse for the first time. The little greenhouse became a spot where Mom could focus on her plants and gardening dreams and find some healing and comfort from missing my Dad. You and I know how gardening can soothe a sad soul and a sad heart, and that little greenhouse was a little piece of Heaven for my Mom. It was a small greenhouse, but Mom used every inch of it to capacity, and grew an astounding amount of plants over the years. Some of Mom's happiest hours were spent checking, rearranging, and transplanting her plants in her little greenhouse. I don't think Uncle and Auntie realized how very special their gift was to Mom, how much it meant to both of us, and I will love and thank them forever in my heart for giving Mom such a thoughtful, wonderful gift.
So I'm sure that as I listen to Frank and Glen talk about their greenhouses, many precious memories will come back to me about my SweetPea in her greenhouse. Remember that meeting date, Wednesday, March 21, at 7 p.m. in the Sunshine Room at SIGN on North Street.
I've already gone on a tour of the garden, and there isn't much snow! It will be interesting to see how our perennials fared! Have a good week!
