The Columbine K I N G S T O N H O R T I C U L T U R A L S O C I E T Y

I N S I D E T H I S

I S S U E :

President’s Message 2

Website Contest 3

Upcoming Meetings 4

In The Spotlight 5

Hidden Treasures Garden Tour

6

KHS Classifieds 7

Vesey’s Fall Bulb Campaign

7

Home-made Borax Based Weed Killer

8

M A R K Y O U R

C A L E N D A R :

• May Days flower show

& guest speaker Bill

Allen—May 9th

• Spring Plant Sale—

May 25th

• Joys of June flower

show & guest speaker

Paula Allen—June

13th

• Hidden Treasures

Garden Tour—July

14th

• Vesey’s Fall Bulb

Campaign orders

due—September 12th

May / June 2019 U

nd

er li

cen

se f

rom

Mic

roso

ft C

orp

C e l e b r a t i n g 1 3 0 Y e a r s

Our society is 130 years old this year. Do you have a story of the ‘good old days’? We'd like

to reminisce and reflect on what our members have been doing all these years...not that

any current members can go that far back in time! But anything goes: 10, 20, 30 years

ago? For sure, life has changed, but gardens and gardening endure: let's celebrate our

shared interest and activity.

Send your stories to columbine.editor@gmail.com to be included in a feature for the Sep-

tember/October issue.

S p r i n g P l a n t S a l e

The race is on. Start your enginesThe race is on. Start your enginesThe race is on. Start your enginesThe race is on. Start your engines

First of all, we need the weather to co-

operate and give us some more sunshine to

awaken the plants, don’t you agree? Sec-

ondly, we need everyone to get in the start-

ing gates and get your en-

gines ready. Thirdly, we

need all the support we can

gather to gear up for Friday

night set-up and our Satur-

day sale, providing excep-

tional customer service.

The starting gates are openThe starting gates are openThe starting gates are openThe starting gates are open

You have signed up to vol-

unteer on Friday and/or Saturday but now

we need you to visit the Plant Sale Table at

the May meeting and direct your energies

toward one of these specific tasks: Digging

up crew, Carriers, Plant Identification, Pricing

and Labelling, Customer Service, Tallying

Chit Sheets, Cashing Out, etc.

You have ordered your prepared mini-blind

labels with detailed plant information, or you

will be picking up some blank mini-blind la-

bels to get ready to insert into

each of your potted plants. Ba-

sic information (e.g. height, sun

or shade, colour) is important,

especially for novice gardeners,

to learn more about the ideal

habitat for the potential new

addition to their garden.

You are scouting your garden to

see which specimens can be divided. Get

your pots and healthy soil ready. Potting-up

one week in advance of the sale helps the

plants get established and look perky and

(Continued on page 2)

Only 3 weeks

to our Spring

Plant Sale

Saturday,

May 25th

P a g e 2 T h e C o l u m b i n e

P r e s i d e n t ’ s M e s s a g e

What is it they say—April showers bring May flowers? Let’s hope we get sprinkled with a few more showers to spring

the flowers up in our gardens. Are you seeing the blooming crocuses surfacing amongst the scented hyacinths sup-

ported by the wintry green hellebores interspersed with the happy faces of daffodils and smiling tulips? So much is

going on. The shredded fall leaves that protected them for the winter are now being ‘submarined’ by the earthy

worms to depths below. If only they could tell us about how happy they are to finally get out from under all the heavy

ice and feel safe to reach for the warming skies protecting their strength against the fearless invaders. Safe and

sound.

We are awakening to the sunshine invigorating us to slowly spring back to life and stretching out our muscles in

preparation of breathing fresh air and getting us ready for another beautiful season of colourful sights and sensory

stimulations. We slowly unwrap our layers releasing our winter tensions and frustrations to be in a happier place

amongst the organic landscapes. Breathe in. Breathe out.

Just like the emerging changes, we reconnect with all of you as we join together to share and participate in new life

at Gardening Kingston. Yes, there are new developments that have been transforming our landscape—check out

our new revitalized website at kingstonhort.ca with easier access and updated images; be inspired by the vibrant

retractable banners that will stop visitors in their tracks; and give some due diligence to the revised membership

brochure. The OHA’s new Garden Ontario website has finally been revamped after three years of transformation; a

new lease on life with benefits and rewards to come.

As we start our planning for another exciting year, take some time to share your thoughts and ideas with us as well

as your memories in our continuing celebration of KHS—130 years in the making. Enjoy your summer whatever it

may bring, indulge in our upcoming Hidden Treasures Garden Tour, or drop by for an afternoon visit in my gazebo.

Until we meet again in September…Happy trails.

Jean Barna, President

happy to find a new home. Lining the bottom of the pot with newspaper will reduce the

trail of soil tracking across the gym floor. Keep in mind: wilted and bare root plants will

not sell. Victoria Day weekend is the perfect time to dig and pot up, don’t you think?

Revving up the engines and getting into gearRevving up the engines and getting into gearRevving up the engines and getting into gearRevving up the engines and getting into gear

Friday night set-up begins at 5:00 pm with members dropping off plants at around 6:00

pm. The shop will close-up by 8:00 pm and re-open Saturday morning after 8:00 am. Check out the website under

Plant Sale/Information for Members, for more details. The race begins at 10:00 am and we will cross the finish line

at 1:00 pm followed with the usual task of cleaning up.

Doing the victory lapDoing the victory lapDoing the victory lapDoing the victory lap

Just imagine the cheers and applause as we walk off the field together in celebra-

tion. We pat ourselves on the back for a job well done and rest our weary bones.

Thanks to everyone for your support in another successful fundraiser from your

Events Portfolio committee members: Jean, Lorna, and Suzanne.

(Continued from page 1)

S p r i n g P l a n t S a l e

Images under license from Microsoft Corp

P a g e 3 M a y / J u n e 2 0 1 9

Our new website https://kingstonhort.ca/ is now up-and-running! To celebrate our new on-line home we are running a

contest. Come and check out our completely new design and search through the site for answers to the contest ques-

tions. Submit your answers for a chance to win two tickets to the Hidden Treasures Garden Tour.

Contest Rules:Contest Rules:Contest Rules:Contest Rules:

1. Open to KHS Members only (Board Members excluded)

2. Contest ends June 1st

3. Winner will be selected from all correct entries at the June 13th monthly meeting

4. Entries must be submitted through the ‘Contact’ link on the website

5. The Comment section must start with the words ‘Website Contest’ and then include answers to each of the five

questions listed below

Contest Questions:Contest Questions:Contest Questions:Contest Questions:

1. Under which dropdown menu can you find the Volunteer Hours Tracking Form?

2. What is the deadline for submissions to the September/October issue of The Columbine?

3. Who is the speaker going to be at the October meeting?

4. How many awards are up for grabs at the AGM?

5. Which year was the Pollinator Garden recognized as a Pollinator Haven by the OHA?

G a r d e n i n g K i n g s t o n W e b s i t e C o n t e s t

P a g e 4 T h e C o l u m b i n e

U p c o m i n g M e e t i n g s

H a r d s c a p i n g Y o u r S o f t s c a p e

P a i n - l e s s G a r d e n i n g

At our meeting on May 9th, one of our members, Bill Allen, will speak to us about his favourite topic—landscaping. Bill

is with the Rideau 1000 Islands Master Gardeners and has the Landscape Gardener Certification from St. Lawrence

College. Over the past couple of years, Bill has offered his

management expertise by serving on our Board of Directors

as our Secretary and as a member of various committees

such as the Membership, Survey, and Portfolio Planning

Committees. He created and established our new portfolio

system for managing Executive responsibilities. He has man-

aged many public gardening events in our community such

as organizing two Home Gardener conventions, the Lung

Association Gardening Festival from 2001 to 2007, and the

Home and Cottage Show in 2018. He also offers coaching to

home gardeners through his own business called Gardens

by Design. From 2001 to 2010, he was Head Gardener at

the Colonnade Golf and Country Club, designing, building and

maintaining 120 gardening areas on the courses. Landscaping is at the heart of any home gardening process and is

vital to our garden planning.

Come to the June 13th meeting for a hands-on demonstration of garden tool use from an ergonomic perspective.

Paula Allen will lead an interactive discussion about the physi-

cality of gardening, entitled ‘Gardening Safety with E's: Effective-

ness, Efficiency and Enjoyment’. She was a physiotherapist for

over 35 years with an interest in ergonomics and will show us

how to prepare our bodies for the summer’s heavy gardening

tasks. Be prepared to get in shape with a floor demonstration.

Paula is a member of the KHS who has informed us before on

using gardening tools correctly so that our muscles do not suffer

from undue fatigue. It is so important to enjoy the experience of

living in the garden while we enjoy the results of our efforts.

There is a proper posture for gardening ...and for relaxing afterwards.

Bill, hard at work Photos: Bill and Paula Allen

Arrive early to the May 9th and June 13th meet-

ings at 6:45 pm to take part in the floral design

demonstrations by Ann Levison. She will help

us prepare for the Joys of June show as well as

September’s Autumn Bounty show.

Ph

oto:

Den

ise

Ow

sia

nic

ki

P a g e 5 M a y / J u n e 2 0 1 9

Photos: Denise Owsianicki

Book of 10 Neat Things’with Swiss Alps Bee House.

I n t h e S p o t l i g h t

At the May 9th meeting, In the Spotlight will have the theme of May Days. The Design Division will feature Victorian Memo-

ries while the Horticultural Division will offer competitions for narcissi, tulips and other spring bulbs. Check the new KHS

website for details on the design and horticultural rules and categories.

The June 13th meeting will be very exciting. For the first time, we are including The Rose and Flower Show with the gen-

eral meeting. We are hoping that more people will be able to enjoy viewing and will be encouraged to take part in the de-

sign and horticultural competitions. The theme of the design division is The Sound of Music, which should appeal to

those gardeners who are also musically inclined.

S h o w R e s u l t s :

E l e m e n t a l S p r i n g

ParticipantParticipantParticipantParticipant Points EarnedPoints EarnedPoints EarnedPoints Earned

Adrian Cooper 20

David & Rebecca Kelly 15

Jean Barna 8

Denise Owsianicki 7

Nalini Stiermerling 5

Jessica Campbell 4

Point totals earned in the first show at the April

meeting are as follows:

To view more details on the

Sections and Classes for each show go to

Events/In the Spotlight Flower Show

Competitions on the KHS website

For detailed show results listing the

winners in each class please go to the

KHS website under Events/Show Results

S h a r e t h e W e a l t h

At the May 9th meeting there will be another Share the Wealth fundraising event. Tickets for this Chinese Auction are 3

for $5.00 or 7 for $10.00 (cash only). You can chose which prizes you want to bid for and how many tickets you want to

spend on each prize. The winning ticket for each prize is drawn from the pool of tickets placed for that prize. The more

tickets you buy, the better your chances to win.

Prizes are pictured below. Thank you to the members who donated items.

Basket filled with napkins, hanging ce-ramic planter and Garden Art journal.

Painted bird house with glass serving tray.

P a g e 6 T h e C o l u m b i n e

H i d d e n T r e a s u r e s G a r d e n T o u r

Take time to envision the warmth of the sun

shining upon the vibrant colours of the flowers

blooming in a privately owned garden

with the anticipation of knowing

that hidden treasures will soon be discovered

as you walk with your friend

around the corner and up the sidewalk

on a relaxing Sunday in July

admiring all the work homeowners have dedicated

to making their gardens inviting and inspirational

for us all to enjoy

during our time on our Garden Tour.

Doesn’t that sound magical and wonderful?

Save the date! Our Hidden Treasures Garden Tour is happening on Sunday, July 14th from 12:00 pm—4:30 pm. Check

out the website for more details. We can all make this event a successful and enjoyable experience, but we need your

help:

• Recommend your garden or a friend’s as we gather a unique and wonderful collection for your viewing

pleasure

• Sign-up with a friend to be hosts at one of our gardens

• Print a flyer found on our website and post it

• Share the flyer with all of your friends on Facebook

• Help us to sew fabric signs and insert one on your front lawn

• Chat with your friends and encourage them to join in the fun

Admission is $10.00 and tickets will be available after June 14th at our local stores: Urban Nature Store on Gardiners,

Avenue Florists on Portsmouth, The Jungle on Wellington, Minotaur on Princess, and Un-Wine-D on Gore Road. They

will also be available at our June 13th meeting, and at each of the gardens on July 14th.

The forecast is sunny, the skies are blue, and there is love in the air.

Brought to you by the Events Portfolio committee: Diane, Jean, Maureen, and Tanya.

I N M E M O R Y O F R U T H H II N M E M O R Y O F R U T H H II N M E M O R Y O F R U T H H II N M E M O R Y O F R U T H H I C K SC K SC K SC K S

The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada—Kingston Branch has invited Gardening Kingston to support the planting

of a tree at Lemoine’s Point Native Plant Nursery in memory of Ruth Hicks. She was a valued KHS member since

1965, serving on our board and also as District Director. She was a certified OHA Judge and was always willing to

share her love of alliums and her gardening expertise. We will be collecting donations at our monthly meetings.

P a g e 7 M a y / J u n e 2 0 1 9

K H S C l a s s i f i e d s

Wanted: Wanted: Wanted: Wanted: Do you have gardening tools

that you no longer need? Clean them

up and bring them to the May 9th

monthly meeting. To be sold as part of

our annual plant sale on May 25th.

Urgently NeededUrgently NeededUrgently NeededUrgently Needed: Please consider join-

ing the Board. We are in desperate

need of a Secretary to take minutes at

our monthly Board Meetings. Contact

Jean Barna at 613-389-1714

Gardening OpportunityGardening OpportunityGardening OpportunityGardening Opportunity: I have a vege-

table garden that is larger than needed

and limited energy. I am interested in

sharing with someone who may be

looking for a ‘Community Garden’ ex-

perience. Tools and water are avail-

able. Is there a Hort. member who

would like to explore this opportunity?

I am at 18 Alwington Avenue near King

St. West & Sir John A MacDonald Blvd.

Contact Norma Graham at 613-546-

9381 or njgraham@cogeco.ca

Help Wanted: Help Wanted: Help Wanted: Help Wanted: I have an aging friend

with a large vegetable garden who lives

on Kensington Avenue in Kingston. In

exchange for half of the produce, she

needs someone to care for the garden.

Contact Jane Murphy at

jane.murphy@sympatico.ca

For Sale:For Sale:For Sale:For Sale: KHS name tags are available

to members for approximately $7.00

each. Contact Denise at a monthly

meeting or kingstonhosoc@gmail.com

V o l u n t e e r H o u r s

Veronica Butler will be collecting and tallying our volun-

teer hours, so please bring completed forms to the meet-

ings or send as an attachment via email to kingstonhort-

soc@gmail.com. The 2019 form is available on the web-

site and blank copies will be at the meetings. Thank you,

Veronica.

M e m b e r s h i p P o r t f o l i o — U p d a t e

D E N I S E O W S I A N I C K I ( C H A I R )

I am happy to inform members that we will continue to

receive discounts on live plants from the same businesses

and nurseries as last year. Thanks to the team for assisting

with this program again for 2019.

Connon Nurseries in Trenton also offers a Grower Direct

program that offers savings on all your garden needs.

Check out their website https://connon.ca/specials-and-

events/loyalty-programs/ for further details.

N u r s e r y D i s c o u n t s

Do you love Bulbs? We will be participating in Vesey’s Fall

Bulb program this year.

Catalogues will be available in May and June for all who

wish to buy and/or sell to friends. Final orders with pay-

ment will be due September 12th

for bulb delivery in Oc-

tober. What a great way to support our club—via this

generous fundraising activity—we get to keep 50% of the

sales!

I could use a helper to distribute catalogues in May/June,

collect orders in September, and deliver bulbs in October.

Contact me at maureenwilliams204@gmail.com

V e s e y ’ s F a l l B u l b C a m p a i g n

Photo: Maureen Williams

P.O. Box 774

Kingston, Ontario

K7L 4X6

Contact Us:

By Phone: Jean Barna 613 389-1714

By Email: kingstonhortsoc@gmail.com

Find us on Facebook:

www.facebook.com/pages/Kingston-Horticultural-

Society-of-Ontario/496123443738841

Website Coordinator: Hugh Pollitt-Smith

Email: hpollittsmith@gmail.com

The Columbine Editor: David Kelly

E-mail: columbine.editor@gmail.com

Kingston Horticultural Society

K H S B o a r d f o r 2 0 1 9

P R E S I D E N T : Jean Barna

V I C E P R E S I D E N T : Suzanne Maranda

P A S T P R E S I D E N T : Alita Battey-Pratt

S E C R E T A R Y : Vacant - TBD

T R E A S U R E R : Maureen Williams

M E M B E R S H I P : Denise Owsianicki

P U B L I C I T Y : Suzanne Maranda

P R O G R A M S : Alita Battey-Pratt

E V E N T S : Lorna Lee and Jean Barna

M A R K E T I N G : Vacant - TBD

P o r t f o l i o C h a i r s

Member OHA District 3

WE’RE ON THE WEB

KINGSTONHORT.CA

G a r d e n P e s t C r o s s w o r d — A n s w e r s

1. deer

3. thrips

5. wireworm

6. spidermites

10. flea

12. cabbage

16. leaf

2. stink

4. cutworm

6. squashvine

7. whiteflies

8. tomato

9. Colorado

11. squirrel

13. European

14. aphids

15. slugs

D o w n A c r o s s

Crossword appeared in the March / April 2019 issue.

I have not used this recipe myself, but have heard from other Kingston gardeners that it is effective. Borax is legal to use under

the City of Kingston By-law # 2008-28 (pesticides). Borax (sodium tetraborate) is a white, crystalline, naturally occurring min-

eral salt. It is available as boric acid in a number of commercial products, but the cheapest, purest and easiest to find is 20

Mule Team Borax, a laundry supplement available in the grocery store. Most of the following information is from Belle River

Hort. on the OHA website, but I have edited and combined it with what is on the Iowa State University website.

Established grass is tolerant of borax, though it may temporarily show brown discoloration. Also, borax should not be used in

your garden. Creeping Charlie (Glechoma hederacea) should be controlled in flowerbeds by hand pulling, persistently. The rec-

ipe must be followed exactly. If applied in too high a concentration or repeatedly, borax will be toxic to grass. This treatment

can be applied only once each year for two years. Do not use it more than two consecutive years. It should be applied when the

weed is actively growing in either spring or fall and when rain is not expected for 24 hours.

For 500 square feet, dissolve 5 oz. powdered borax in 2 oz. warm water, and then dilute with 1.25 gallons water.

Spray carefully to keep to grass area only.

H o m e m a d e B o r a x - B a s e d W e e d K i l l e r

P A T H A S L E T T