Category Archives: Meeting Information

🍁THS November General Meeting ~ All Welcome 

When: Tuesday November 5, 2024

Time: 7:30pm 

Where: Senior Centre ~ Tillsonburg Community Centre (Entrance with green awning) 

🙌 Guests are welcome (non-members) to attend for $4.00. The 2025 annual membership at the cost of $20 will be available for purchase. We will accept cash, cheque, debit or credit card.  

Sign Up for the following events- 

🚌 Holiday Coach Tour – Saturday November 23/24 to Newmarket Holiday Home Tour and areas in between. We will accept cash, cheque, debit or credit card.  

🎄Christmas Potluck Dinner – Tuesday December 3/24. Spouse information will be announced. 

🌵Guest Speaker:  Sharon Bowler – “Four Seasons of Winter Hardy Cactus.”

Sharon is an author, historian, teacher and a passionate gardener who will bring us into the world of growing winter hardy cacti. Cacti can bring unexpected texture and colour to Ontario gardens. Come and explore one gardener’s experience in sourcing, propagating and using cacti in the landscape all year long.

☕️ “Lug A Mug” ~ The THS is encouraging members to bring their own mug for a hot or cold beverage and dessert following the meeting. Be Spotted with a mug, win a prize! 

🗓️ Christmas Potluck Dinner ~ December 3, 2024. 

Next General Meeting and AGM will be January 7, 2025

IMPORTANT INFORMATION 

😷Following Public Health guidelines, there are no COVID vaccine requirements and no masking, though you are welcome to wear a mask, should you feel more comfortable.

🍁THS October General Meeting

All Welcome 

When: Tuesday October 1, 2024

Time: 7:30pm 

Where: Senior Centre ~ Tillsonburg Community Centre (Entrance with green awning) 

🙌Guests are welcome (non-members) to attend for $4.00. The 2024 annual membership at the cost of $20 will be available for purchase. “Come as a guest, stay as a member.”  

🏅THS Junior Gardeners will receive their awards. 

🌳Guest Speaker: Ben Porchuk, Carolinian Canada

Ben works for Carolinian Canada, a network of leaders growing healthy landscapes for a green future in the Carolinian zone. This zone is the most diverse and fragile ecosystem in Canada. Ben will present “Native Plants”. He will share what we can do to bring more native plants into our yards and towns.

☕️ “Lug A Mug” ~ The THS is encouraging members to bring their own mug for a hot or cold beverage and dessert following the meeting. Be Spotted with a mug, win a prize! 

🗓️ Next General Meeting ~ November 5, 2024. 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION 

😷Following Public Health guidelines, there are no COVID vaccine requirements and no masking, though you are welcome to wear a mask, should you feel more comfortable.

September 3rd General Meeting

Welcome back! 

The September general meeting was a great meeting with an excellent guest speaker, THS updates and a social to reconnect with our gardening friends. 

President Christine welcomed 87 members and guests. The meeting began with several important updates  from the following chairpersons – 

🐢 Turtlefest – Jean M

🌸Members Garden Tour in July – Christine. We are looking for 3 gardens next year. Please consider opening your garden. 

🥗August Social/BBQ. Thank you to Barb S for hosting and Patty, Barb S and Barb Q for organizing a wonderful event. – Barb Q 

📖Board meeting motions passed from June, July and August – Barb V 

💰Financial Update Treasurer Report – Frank V 

🧑‍🌾👩‍🌾Junior Gardener Program – Cathy K. We had 60 children enrolled in the program and 17 children elected to have their gardens judged in August. At the October meeting, the Junior Gardeners will be in attendance for awards. 

Requests from membership – 

🎨A chairperson for the Station Arts for 2025 . Please contact Christine or a board member if you are interested. 

🪴If you are dividing perennials this fall, please consider donating to the 2025 THS Garden Auction. Divide your perennial, plant it in good potting soil, place in south facing location, water until frost and cover with leaves until spring. In spring, clean up, water and donate! 

The highlight of the evening was guest speaker Robert Pavlis, presenting “Lesser-Known Spring Bulbs.”

Robert provided excellent information about bulbs and dispelled some myths. 

What is a bulb? A Bulb is a complete plant. He touched on Corms (Crocus, Gladiolus), Tubers (Anemone), Rhizomes (Iris) and Tuberous Roots (Dahlia). There are over 3,000 species of bulbs. 

If remember anything from the presentation, “Bulbs want moisture when growing and dry when resting!”

The Life Cycle of a Spring Bulb is as follows, in spring the bulb stores food and is converted to leaves & flowers. Do not cut or bundle the leaves. In late summer, the bulb rests and don’t water. In fall, the bulb starts to grow new roots and shoots. 

When do you buy bulbs? Buy bulbs in the FALL and plant them immediately! Plant the bulbs 2 to 3 times the bulb height. Bulbs can be layered for a longer bloom cycle. 

Robert shared some of his favourite and lesser known bulbs such as Galanthus nivalis (Snowdrops), Crocus “Advance”, Iris Reticulata “Harmony”, Chionodoxa “Pink Giant”, Chionodoxa forbesii (Glory of the snow), Muscari armeniacum (grape hyacinth), Anemone blanda, Tulipa tarda and Corydalis. 

Check out Robert Pavlis on Facebook, YouTube and his Podcast – “Garden Fundamentals”

Congratulations to Marie, she was spotted with her “mug” at the September meeting. She received a sweet treat for “Lug A Mug”. 

Next meeting will be October 1, 2024 – Native Plants, Carolinian Canada. 

🌻THS September General Meeting ~ All Welcome 

When: Tuesday September 3, 2024

Time: 7:30pm 

Where: Senior Centre ~ Tillsonburg Community Centre (Entrance with green awning) 

Guests are welcome (non-members) to attend for $4.00. The 2024 annual membership at the cost of $20 will be available for purchase. “Come as a guest, stay as a member.”  

Guest Speaker: Robert Pavlis ~

“Lesser-Known Spring Bulbs”

Robert is a Master Gardener with over 45 years’ experience in the art and science of horticulture.  He is the author of several books, publishes garden blogs and has a YouTube Channel called Garden Fundamentals. There is more to life than Crocus, Daffodils and Tulips. Robert will share with us dozens of lesser-known spring bulbs that you can add to your garden.

☕️ “Lug A Mug” ~ The THS is encouraging members to bring their own mug for a hot or cold beverage and dessert following the meeting. Be Spotted with a mug, win a prize! 

Next General Meeting ~ October 1, 2024. 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION 

😷Following Public Health guidelines, there are no COVID vaccine requirements and no masking, though you are welcome to wear a mask, should you feel more comfortable.

June 2024 General Meeting

🌱THS June General Meeting ~ All Welcome 

When: Tuesday June 4, 2024

Time: 7:30pm 

Where: Senior Centre ~ Tillsonburg Community Centre (Entrance with green awning) 

Guests are welcome (non-members) to attend for $4.00. The 2024 annual membership at the cost of $20 will be available for purchase. “Come as a guest, stay as a member.”  

Guest Speaker: Anne Gooch presents 

“SO…What’s a Hosta?”

Anne Gooch discovered Hosta’s 25 years ago. She was immediately hooked and now has 400 different Hostas in her shady backyard. She is a member of the Southwestern Ontario Hosta Society and has a vast knowledge of these tough and easy to grow plants. Anne loves to share the good news on how to add shades of green to the garden.

☕️ “Lug A Mug” ~ The THS is encouraging members to bring their own mug for a hot or cold beverage and dessert following the meeting. Be Spotted with a mug, win a prize! Congratulations to Tamara, May meeting prize winner. 

Summer Events ~

🌸July 2nd Member’s garden tour 

🌻August 6th Annual Summer BBQ & Social 

🌼Next General Meeting ~ September 3, 2024 ~ Robert Pavlis presents “Lesser-Known Spring Bulbs”

IMPORTANT INFORMATION 

😷Following Public Health guidelines, there are no COVID vaccine requirements and no masking, though you are welcome to wear a mask, should you feel more comfortable.

🌷THS April General Meeting ~ All Welcome

When: Tuesday April 2, 2024
Time: 7:30pm
Where: Senior Centre ~ Tillsonburg Community Centre (Entrance with green awning)

Guests are welcome (non-members) to attend for $4.00. The 2024 annual membership at the cost of $20 will be available for purchase. “Come as a guest, stay as a member.”

Guest Speaker: Chris Streib B.SC (Kin), registered physiotherapist and owner of Talbot Trail Physio in Aylmer.

Chris will present “Bend like a Sapling, Don’t Break like a Twig…”
The importance of warming up and stretching before you head out into the garden this spring! Gardening is one of the most popular past times, especially for older people. As we age, injuries can take the pleasure out of our gardens. Chris will help all of us, no matter if we are “mature” gardeners or young, to keep us injury free and back getting our fingers dirty in the garden.

☕️ “Lug A Mug” ~ The THS is encouraging members to bring their own mug for a hot or cold beverage and dessert following the meeting. Be Spotted with a mug, win a prize! Congratulations to Louise, March meeting prize winner.

Next General Meeting ~ May 7, 2024.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION
😷Following Public Health guidelines, there are no COVID vaccine requirements and no masking, though you are welcome to wear a mask, should you feel more comfortable.

February General Meeting – Tuesday February 6, 2024

❤️THS February General Meeting ~ All Welcome 

When: Tuesday February 6, 2024

Time: Seed Exchange 6:30pm ~ Meeting 7:30pm 

Where: Senior Centre ~ Tillsonburg Community Centre

Guests are welcome (non-members) to attend for $4.00. The 2024 annual membership at the cost of $20 will be available for purchase. “We Support The Hort.”

“Seed Exchange” – 6:30-7:30pm

Bring Seeds ~ Take Seeds. Bring your saved harvested seeds or unused seed packs.  Please clearly label the seed packets with name and planting details.  

Guest Speaker: Denise Hodgins, Garden Coach & Designer ~ “Starting Seeds and Cuttings”

There is nothing that signifies Spring more than the emergence of a tiny, bright green shoot, from the soil. Come and learn the best methods of planting, watering, lighting, and fertilizing seeds indoors as well as how to take cuttings and increase your plants.

“Lug A Mug” ~ The THS is encouraging members to bring their own mug for a hot or cold beverage and dessert following the meeting. Be Spotted with a mug, win a prize! Congratulations to Marian, January meeting prize winner. 

🌿Next General Meeting – March 5, 2024. 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION 

😷Following Public Health guidelines, there are no COVID vaccine requirements and no masking, though you are welcome to wear a mask, should you feel more comfortable.

Hort Meetings Resume September 5th!

Welcome back to our monthly general meetings, starting again on Tuesday, September 5th, 7:30 pm start at our usual place, the Senior Centre.

We will also welcome back one of our popular speakers, Ken Brown.  Ken is an author, blogger,  horticultural consultant, writer and photographer.  He is also a certified horticultural judge and a frequent speaker at horticultural meetings and seminars. 

www.gardening-enjoyed.com, his web page, is a great source of advice, tips and updates.

To clear up any confusion and to answer oft-asked questions, our Membership Director, Marg McCrimmon, crafted a THS Membership Policy

MEMBERSHIP-POLICYDownload

May Is a Very Busy And Fun-Filled Month!!

. our monthly meeting is May 3. Our speaker is Paul Knowles, author of ‘The Magic Garden’. To quote Paul “This book will not teach you the nuts and bolts of gardening. It’s about the joy and magic of gardens and gardening”. Paul is a gardener, a world traveler and an entertaining speaker.

. We are excited to announce the return of the Spring Buying Trip! We will be touring the Niagara area visiting nurseries with lunch at Rockway vineyards. SIGN UP at the meeting. May 18.

. And once again, we are able to have our Garden Auction. Mark May 31st in your calendars. It will be held at the Lions Auditorium in the recreation complex. This fun event is free and open to the public. Come and get some excellent plants, trees, garden decor items. Have fun bidding on the auction items! Doors open at 5:00 pm .Available at this time are $2, $5, and $10 cash tables; draw table, vegetable and herbs tables. The Live Auction starts at 6:00 pm.

CASH or CHEQUE only. There is an ATM available at the community centre.

Garden Auction Update

This from President Christine Nagy:
Should we be able to congregate by May 19th, we believe we should change the Garden Auction to a Plant Sale. The main reason is that it would not be in good conscience and very insensitive of us to ask businesses for donations when many of them will be stretched to their limits. 

We could still sell herbs, veggie, and tomato plants that we purchase from Tillsonburg Garden Gate and sell donations from our members who may prove even more generous given our situation.  There would be no prize table and no bake table, given how germ phobic we are right now. 

If we can’t have a Plant Sale on May 19th, we can always organize one later in the season when the rules of isolation and social-distancing are hopefully relaxed. We may even have a fall Plant Sale if only to get a few hundred dollars into our coffers.