INVASIVE JUMPING WORMS

  Dahlias have been a significant and wonderful part of Murray’s life over many years. Coming from a farming background, and having spent over 60 years of summers in the garden, Murray has much experience in soil management and the selection and care of growing stock. After a career at Bell Canada, he was able to spend much more time in his enlarged flower gardens, with Dahlias occupying the greatest area. The 2023 growing plan including over 150 different named cultivars cultivars and 400+ seedlings for a total well over 1000 plants in his Whitby garden.  Over the last few years, he has placed increased emphasis on seedlings, each one unique, and is in the evaluation process for perhaps 100 which deserve another year. Murray is a life member of the Canadian Chrysanthemum and Dahlia Society, and has been an active member, speaker, and exhibitor there for two decades. In gardening circles, dahlias are the new hot flower to grow. If you have any questions on how to succeed in growing, digging, or storing your dahlias, this presentation for May will get you your answers!

PHOTO CONTEST THEME: Early Spring Blooms

FLOWER SHOW CATEGORIES: 

Casa Loma - A design to honour Mothers

High Park - A vase of 1 variety of spring flowers, may include own foliage

Seedy Saturday - A container of seedlings

Allan Gardens - A potted plant, home grown for at least 3 months

(Visit the Floral Design page and download the Monthly Flower Show PDF for details)

 GUESTS & NEW MEMBERS ARE WELCOME! We will be holding meetings in a variety of formats including Zoom only, in-person only, or hybrid meetings (over Zoom and in-person) for the safety and comfort of our members. To participate as a guest, email us at info@riverdalehorticultural.ca  by 12:00 pm the day of a presentation.

*We will announce if the meeting will be Zoom only, in-person only, or a hybrid of Zoom and in-person.

The Orchid – daunting diva, evocative evolutionary or humble houseplant 

 The Orchid is now the world’s MOST popular houseplant. Learn fascinating stories, fun facts and tips on orchid care. Love them already but yours don’t bloom? Don’t fret! We have answers. Have disease and pest problems? We help you solve them. Plus, the best orchids to grow in your home.

Tena van Andel, Toronto Master Gardener

Tena van Andel has volunteered with the Toronto Master Gardeners since 2003. She writes and lectures on everything and anything gardening, but if asked, her favourites are large trees and the exotic. Her latest adventures include rewilding a 19th century Northern Ontario farm and teaching a functional fitness class just for gardeners. 

PHOTO CONTEST THEME: Garden Accessories

MONTHLY FLOWER SHOW DESIGN CATEGORIES:

1. Front facing design in a small basket

2. A design celebrating Chinese New Year

3. A design celebrating flag day or family day

4. A potted plant

 GUESTS & NEW MEMBERS ARE WELCOME! We will be holding meetings in a variety of formats including Zoom only, in-person only, or hybrid meetings (over Zoom and in-person) for the safety and comfort of our members. To participate as a guest, email us at info@riverdalehorticultural.ca  by 12:00 pm the day of a presentation.

This is a hybrid meeting! Join us in person at 816 Logan Ave (@Danforth) at 7:00 pm OR join us from the comfort of your home by Zoom.

MARCH 12, 2025

Topic: THE SEED LIBRARY
Presenter:  Jacob Kearey-Moreland
ZOOM ONLY MEETING

PHOTO CONTEST: Home Sweet Home (house plant)

Jacob is a PhD student in Educational Studies at Lakehead University (Orillia) researching community food literacy and teacher education. He teaches courses at LU related to democracy and social justice education, and “Sustainable Practices in Agriculture” at Georgian College in Barrie. He currently serves as VP for the Simcoe-Dufferin Local of the National Farmers Union-Ontario, board member of The Sharing Place Food Centre, chairs Orillia’s Food Working Group, and coordinates the Farm Lab – an agroecological learning commons and K-12-school outreach program. An agroecologist, community gardener and seed librarian, Jacob is passionate about food systems transformation and the joy of growing and sharing seeds and food.
This is a ZOOM ONLY meeting!  

 GUESTS & NEW MEMBERS ARE WELCOME! We will be holding meetings in a variety of formats including Zoom only, in-person only, or hybrid meetings (over Zoom and in-person) for the safety and comfort of our members. To participate as a guest, email us at info@riverdalehorticultural.ca  by 12:00 pm the day of a presentation.

Michael is a Certified horticulture and design judge for both GCO and OHA. Currently President of he Greater Toronto Bulb Society and is a certified rose jedge. Past President of the Beach Garden Society. He is a Member of Milne House Garden Club and Garden Club of Toronto. Co-author of two books – Indoor Gardening and Perennial Gardening. Michael’s city garden has been featured on many tours, in various publications and TV programs. He tends over 500 indoor plants including orchids, camellias, gesneriads and other exotics. His floral designs have won numerous awards at major shows including Canada Blooms, the CNE, and Garden Clubs of Ontario Triennial Shows.

Michael will pass on his experience with roses when he lived on Bain Ave. in the 1980s and 90s, and now in the Beaches, including the best roses for small spaces, fragrance, and containers.

PHOTO CONTEST: WINTER VISTA

FLOWER SHOW CATEGORIES:

1. A design in a stein or mug to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day
2. A small arrangement, not to exceed 25.4 cm (10”) in any direction
3. A pot of spring bulbs, in bloom, forced at home by the member
4. An African Violet, in bloom, homegrown for at least 3 months, single crown

GUESTS & NEW MEMBERS ARE WELCOME! We will be holding meetings in a variety of formats including Zoom only, in-person only, or hybrid meetings (over Zoom and in-person) for the safety and comfort of our members. To participate as a guest, email us at info@riverdalehorticultural.ca  by 12:00 pm the day of a presentation.