It’s Still Just Dirt, The Tillsonburg News – April 2018
by Angela Lassam

Although it appears early to think of plants with the prolonged cold weather it is time to start seeds indoors. There are some seeds that need a little help to start their germination. It is a task that will get your seeds to germinate a little quicker. 

Scarification is a method commonly used by gardeners to speed up the germination stage. This word may sound like a complicated process but it is not. It is simply a way to open up the seed to allow moisture to start the growth. There are several ways to do this according to the size of the seed and the thickness of its outer layer. Seeds with a shell-like skin need to be rubbed with a rasp or heavy sandpaper until a white inner part can be seen. Another method is to rub smaller seeds between two pieces of sandpaper until white can be seen on them. Seeds with an eye (hilum) or scar where it was attached to the ovary inside the fruit needs care. The seed needs to be nicked with a small knife or nail clippers on the opposite side to the eye. All types of beans are among the easiest to see and prepare in this way.

Many seeds can benefit from scarification. Flowers that come to mind are morning glory, nasturtium, moonflower, sweet peas and castor beans (remember these are poisonous!). Vegetables are any beans, peas, squash and cucumber. 

As soon as you have done this stage the seeds must be soaked in room temperature water for 12 hours and then planted immediately to avoid molding. Most seeds will benefit from a prior soaking especially if they are going to be planted in lighter soils.

Stratification is also suggested for speedier germination. This is very different from scarification although it may sound similar. It simulates the embryonic dormancy phase. The method used is to soak seeds in room temperature water for a few hours and then place in a plastic bag in damp peat moss. Seal the bag and place overnight in a refrigerator. This will mimic a cold wet spring. This process is a common approach for milkweed seeds and most perennials.

The commercial urn beautification project started last year is coming up soon and a sample of the urn will be on display at the Home & Garden Springfest on 20^th – 22nd April in the Tillsonburg Community Complex. If you would like to purchase either an urn or insert (maybe more!) contact Kathy McCormick, 519-403-4035 or email: k.mccor7013@gmail.com.

A reminder that the annual plant auction is coming on May 15^th in the Lions Auditorium, Tillsonburg Community Complex. Hopefully members are thinking about what they can contribute to make this event the best ever yet. Every year it grows even bigger. It is open to everyone so please mark your calendar and join in. 

The next monthly meeting for the Tillsonburg Horticultural Society will be on Tuesday May 1st @ 7.30 p.m. in the Senior Centre Auditorium, Tillsonburg Community Complex. Bob and Ann Granatier from Trails End Iris Gardens, Brantford will talk about irises. Everyone welcome. Non-members $2 per meeting or join for extra benefits. Visit us on our website at www.tillsonburghorticultural.ca or Facebook Tillsonburghorticultural for up to date news.    

It’s Still Just Dirt, The Tillsonburg News – March 2018
By Angela Lassam

In a recent event at Tillsonburg Garden Gate Carson Arthur reminded gardeners that they can be the teachers for the future. Experience can be more useful than any form of media alone. Are you looking for a pastime to interact with your family, learn something new and get some reward in return? Gardening could easily fill this gap.

Some of you may have a new home and will be looking for ways to enhance your outdoors or you may be interested in knowing what is in your food and want to grow it. Most parents would like their children to know more about their environment. This can be done through gardening when learning about the insects, birds and plants (both weeds and flowers) around them. It can become a way of socializing in your neighborhood and creating new friendships through a common interest. Many grandparents and neighbors are gardeners and would be eager to share their knowledge and maybe even some plants and there is usually a story that goes with it. Gardening is a good outdoor activity for all family members and can feed the curiosity to know more about all that is directly or indirectly connected to it. Children are naturally curious and may become our future gardeners.

A simple way to do some gardening is to get children involved in a gardening program. The Tillsonburg Horticultural Society has had a Junior Gardeners program for over 30 years. Many parents have participated in the past. There have been many program co-ordinators – Chris Balazs, Ilene Chesterman and Marion Weeks to name a few and in recent years Judi Misener (2011-2013) Juley Van Daalen (2014-2016) and presently Chris Suttie (2017 –present). She starts her task as early as February ordering seeds and plants, preparing bags for seeds, and forms for the children. Any child from the age of 4 to 14 years old who lives in Tillsonburg and surrounding area can participate. Forms go out to all the schools and other locations at the beginning of April.

The theme this year is ‘Salsa & Salads’. A volunteer group then get together to prepare the kits for them. Deadline for registration is April 23rd this year. Complete gardening kits (seeds, bulbs and plants with all necessary instructions) are delivered in mid May to the schools for pickup. Arrangements are made for other children that are home schooled.

A group of society volunteers receive a list of gardens to be judged and at the end of July/August the gardeners will be contacted for judging. Then there will be a Pizza Party in September for all participating gardeners for awards and certificates. Gardens are usually photographed and displayed at the party for all to see and admire. It is usually a fun time for both children and families. Anyone who is interested in this program can contact Chris phone# 5196880588 or cell# 5195505951 alternately email: suttiekc@sympatico.ca for further information.

Now is the time to think ahead to the Garden Auction on Tuesday, May 15th @ 6.30pm Tillsonburg Community Complex. Members who enjoy making crafts I hope you are working on some interesting items for this upcoming event. Anyone who starts seeds can help towards the many plants needed to fill the auctioned arrangements. All contributions go to make this event a success so please consider doing something towards it.

The next monthly meeting for the Tillsonburg Horticultural Society will be on Tuesday, April 3rd @ 7.30pm in the Senior Centre Auditorium Tillsonburg Community Complex. The speaker is Denise Huck from Colour Paradise Greenhouses, Mannheim talking about gardening trends for 2018. Everyone welcome. Non-members $2 per meeting or join for extra benefits. Visit us on our website at www.tillsonburghorticultural.ca or Facebook Tillsonburghorticultural for up to date news.

It’s Still Just Dirt, The Tillsonburg News – February 2018
by Angela Lassam

Gardening has gone full circle and renewed interest is rising especially with the millennials. They are looking to grow their own fruit and vegetables. Knowledge through social media has made it easy to find out where food comes from and its content. They are looking to their childhood memories and this is where heirloom seeds can take a part. The seed companies are offering more of these seeds every year making it easier for gardeners both old and new to grow them.

Gardeners who know heirloom seeds know they are valuable to them for their hardiness, disease and pest resistance and there is no need for chemicals making them organic too. Heirloom produce appears to be more flavourful, and colourful (grocery store produce is dull and plastic-like in comparison). It is also a fact they have a higher nutritional value.

As the word indicates they must originate from 1950 or before to get this title. Many originate much earlier and some go back as far as biblical times where it is said grape vines were found on the walls of the city of Babylon. Many people had a pastime of gardening years ago. People today are returning to experimenting growing their own fruit and vegetables and in turn helping the environment by encouraging the natural diversity our planet needs A garden can be at least two degrees cooler than any paved area so why not grow food and not grass to reap other benefits.

Heirloom seeds are generally open-pollinated by nature through birds, insects and weather. Seeds can be saved for the following year but may not replicate the same due to some cross pollination. This could be an interesting task to encourage children to go forward in gardening.

There is a Millennium Seed Bank Partnership ( also known as the International Conservation Project) which in 1996 was established for the insurance against extinction of plants by storing seeds for future use. Over a billion seeds had been secured by 2007 and by 2015 13 per cent of the world species had been saved. The program grew quickly and became international in 2001 and is ongoing.

Colour is one attribute for heirloom varieties with tomatoes being a good example. There is even a striped green tomato called Green Zebra. Many heirloom vegetables are bright making any table presentation more pleasing to the eye. Chefs are using them more now as they become popular and easier to source.

Another reason to plant heirlooms is they are GMO free and generally organic. The growing time to maturity is normally longer giving gardeners more time to enjoy them.

The seed catalogues are a good source for specific names to look for. Here are just a few with the reason behind their name. In depression times (1920s) a gardener grew tomatoes for sale when he became unemployed. He made enough money to pay off his mortgage and subsequently the name of that tomato was Mortgage Lifter and is still available today. Carrots came from the Netherlands in the 17^th century. A common variety is the Nantes Coreless. Queen Victoria named a potato after Prince Albert when potatoes arrived in England. Cabbage (Copenhagen Market and Danish Ballhead) commonly used for sauerkraut and coleslaw came to America from Europe. Captain Cook’s ship doctor used sauerkraut for wounds and as a preventive for gangrene. Cucumber, a member of the gourd family came with Christopher Columbus from Spain in the 16^th century. A most famous pickling cucumber is the Chicago Pickling.

Heirloom seeds have been proven for their ease to grow without all the downfalls of newer hybrids and the value of the biodiversity the world needs.

I hope everyone can attend at least one of the upcoming garden shows to jumpstart Spring. Stratford Garden Festival is March 1^st-4^th and Canada Blooms in Toronto is March 9^th-18^th. The theme this year is ‘ Let’s go to the Movies’.

The next monthly meeting for the Tillsonburg Horticultural Society will be on Tuesday March 6^th @ 7.30pm in the Senior Centre Auditorium Tillsonburg Community Complex. The speaker is Farlee See from Moores Water Gardens Port Stanley talking all about water gardening. Everyone welcome. Non-members $2 per meeting or join for extra benefits. Visit us at www.tillsonburghorticultural.ca or Facebook Tillsonburghorticultural for more information.

It’s Still Just Dirt, The Tillsonburg News – January 2018
by Angela Lassam

It came to my notice that we do not need to go very far to meet people with a gardening flair who have used their interest to create a small thriving business. There are two families locally whom I would like to introduce to you and hope to talk about others at another time.

Hilde Makkink of Sunflower Farm Tillsonburg and her family are successfully running a business where they offer many products and workshops on a regular basis. Hilde and her family came from the Netherlands in 2009, started a family and opened their flower business at their farm in 2011.

The farm is aptly named Sunflower Farm and borders the Trans Canada Trail north east of Tillsonburg. Every year they plant over 2000 seeds – 35 varieties of flowers which are cut twice daily for freshness in season. There is a farm store where cut flowers and rustic craft can be purchased. It is also the pickup spot for ordered arrangements for occasions like weddings, anniversaries and similar occasions. Besides this you can have the experience of pick your own. She attends the Tillsonburg farmers market on Saturdays in the summer.

Hilde has extended her floral interest into giving workshops on the farm appropriate to the season. She can accommodate small groups (maybe a sisters day out or a mothers day gift) which are all personally arranged.

Her husband works with her on the land work and makes the bases for her creations. He builds wooden frames, boxes and any other piece for the projects Hilde requires for her designs. These materials are also for sale in the farm store. Hilde is easy to find on www.makkinks.com or on facebook .

Jane Magri of Wildflowers Tea is another local small farming enthusiast whom along with her family has created a small business on their organic 9 acre farm south of St Thomas. They grow herbs, perennials and wild flowers and her husband’s interest compliments this with his bees and beekeeping. Teas are made from herbs, roots, spices and other plants. Nettle, dandelion and burdock are among the wild plants used. There is no caffeine or additives. There is also a line of natural products that have materialized from the demand for natural ingredients. Soaps, ointments, syrups and oils are all for sale at the farm store.

Jane spent time in university studying herbal medicine and has travelled extensively. She realized where there was poverty herbal medicine was widely used successfully. During this time she met her husband. They returned to St Thomas (her husband’s hometown) where they purchased the farm and have since realized their dream. She now uses her knowledge and skills to help people who are running out of traditional health solutions and she can produce a tea, salve or oil to suit individuals upon consultation.

Jane also has yoga sessions on the farm for adults and children in the shop/barn. This is a great addition to the products available there. Tea tasting, herb walks, and see the bees enterprise are offered. Now she is branching out to weddings and dinners. More on Jane can be found at www.wildflowerstea.com or on facebook.

We have many more interesting people locally but both of these young people include their families in their endeavors and they are raising their children to appreciate the land around them and the return it gives them. I hope to profile more families like this in the future.

The next meeting for the Tillsonburg Horticultural Society will be on Tuesday February 6^th @ 7.30pm in the Senior Centre Auditorium, Tillsonburg Community Complex. Speaker will be Suzanne Steed talking all about lavender.  Everyone welcome. $2 per meeting or join and become a member for added benefits. More information www.tillsonburghorticultural.ca or on facebook.