First Nations Conference

Vol 4 #3

In This Issue

President's Message

March 21st Conference

Bridal Fair

Community Education

Hellebore Sunday

Career Opportunity

Growing Tuberous Begonias

Memorial Walk

Grads for Hire.

Junior Master Gardeners

Library Opening

In this issue: the President announces organizational changes and the CEO announces a conference on First Nations.

Tomorrow is the first HCP Bridal Fair in the pavilion.

Hellebore Sunday is March 2nd.

The new giftshop is open.

Seedy Saturday is this weekend.

The new library is almost ready.

It's a busy time at the HCP.

Message from our President

Ron Cox, President of the HCP Board of Directors has another report for this edition in which he describes changes to the organization structure, and fulfulling objectives of the new strategic plan.

Assistant Gardener

The HCP has a job posting for Assistant Gardener.

Click here to see the description and requirements.

Growing Tuberous Begonias

by: Linda Petite, Head Gardener

start tubers indoors in February/March
use a peat based mix
place tubers concave side up, 1 inch deep in pots
a bright room at 18 degrees Celsius is ideal
growth begins in a few weeks, do not OVER-WATER
plant outdoors after danger of frost has passed
fertile, well-drained soil in flower beds or containers, part shade
avoid wetting the foliage
usually bloom in clusters of 3 flowers; a male flower in the center surrounded by two female flowers
the male flowers are showy doubles, while the female flowers are single and insignificant and often removed
dig tubers in the fall and winter indoors

The Illumination series are cascading varieties and excellent in hanging baskets and planters....

February To-do List

by Linda Petite, Head Gardener

weeding now significantly reduces the number of weeds in spring
freshen up your outdoor containers with spring color, potted bulbs, primula, hellebore and pansies are available at the garden centers
tidy and clean your potting shed, cold frame and pots to prevent disease and pests spreading into the new gardening season
rhubarb will benefit from a layer of compost or well-rotted manure
cut and place seed potatoes in a bright, cool, frost-free area to sprout (they can be planted out in mid March)
summer bulbs are arriving daily at local garden centers, look for Acidanthera to plant in pots for summer bloom and fragrance

Outerbridge Park Memorial Walk

Joan (JoAnn) Outerbidge passed away on February 2, 2014. On Sunday, February 9th , a memorial walk was held in honour of Mrs. Outerbridge at the park.

Dave de Shane and Marlene Russo led the tour. Over 100 people came out for the walk, including the mayor of Saanich, Frank Leonard and Councillor Vicki Sanders.

Read the story online...

Grads for Hire

A new list of graduates from the Horticulture Certificate program is available. Download it, and find yourself a first rate gardener.

The list

Junior Master Gardener Camp

The HCP is now accepting students for the summer program of Junior Master Gardeners.

Click here to see the schedule and book space for the up and coming masters in your family.

Trip Adviser

The HCP is trying to increase exposure to the local and tourist markets.

If you have had a memorable visit to The Gardens or Nourish please go to www.tripadvisor.ca and rate the gardens and your experience.

It will help our reach to the tourist and locals looking for new outings. Thanks for your support.

Be A Tourist In Your Own Town

HCP will participate again this year, offering half price admission on the weekend days, Mar 1st and 2nd.

Your Library will be Opening Soon!

The books that have been packed in boxes are about to be shelved, and renovation of The Cottage is nearly completed - thanks to the efforts of the dedicated team of volunteers. For the first time since the library was established, there will be space for a table at which to sit in some degree of comfort (no easy chair though!) and peruse your favourite topic. We hope you will take advantage of this facility during the coming months - perhaps drift around one rainy day and just browse through some of the "Fine Gardening" magazines, or check out the ideal growing conditions for that plant you bought on impulse last fall. Library open hours will be announced shortly.