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2023 Fundraising Event - Lecture Series

Registrations are now open!

Lectures by

April 4th

Getting Started, Taking Stock

Presented by
Master Gardener
Rebecca Last

April 18th

Your Dreams and Nature’s Needs

Presented by
Master Gardener
Candace Dressler

May 2nd

Garden Design with Nature in Mind

Presented by
Master Gardeners
Agnieszka Keough &
Claire McCaughey

May 16th

Create a Beautiful Garden with Keystone Native Plants

Presented by
Master Gardeners
Josie Pazdzior &
Adair Heuchan

April 4th

Getting Started, Taking Stock

Presented by Master Gardener
Rebecca Last

April 18th

Your Dreams and Nature’s Needs

Presented by Master Gardener
Candace Dressler

May 2nd

Garden Design with Nature in Mind

Presented by Master Gardeners
Agnieszka Keough &
Claire McCaughey

May 16th

Create a Beautiful Garden with Keystone Native Plants

Presented by Master Gardeners
Josie Pazdzior &
Adair Heuchan

Photography credits:
Judith Cox • Suzanne Juneau • Candace Dressler • Agnieszka Keough • Gillian Boyd • Julianne Labreche

Join us, and tell us about your garden!

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With milder temperatures and more unpredictably variable winter weather, it’s not surprising that some spring bloomers, especially bulbs, start to come up long before they should emerge. Most of the time, there’s nothing to worry about. Any premature leaf tips will likely turn yellow or brown and die off during the winter, but the rest of the leaf will be fine. The bulb itself will not be affected, and the flowers will emerge as they should in the spring.

In the future, you can slow or prevent early emergence by making sure the bulbs are planted deeply enough (three times the bulb’s diameter is usual), and putting a good layer of mulch over them after the ground freezes. Both planting methods will keep your bulbs colder, so a temporary warm spell will be less likely to trigger growth. As well, any leaves that do emerge will be better protected from subsequent cold spells under the mulch.

Tropical hibiscus are best pruned in late winter or early spring, although you can prune later when they’re in active growth. As to how you should prune it, think about the following points. Most of this applies to pruning any shrub. Cuts should be made at a 45° angle, with a clean sharp pruner, about 6 mm (1/4”) above a node (point where new buds, leaves, or shoots emerge) or just above a branch collar (the slight swelling you see at the base of a branch).

• Branches that should be cut back or removed include any that are damaged or diseased, or rubbing on another branch and damaging the bark.
• If the plant’s branches are getting too dense or crowded, you will want to thin it. Cut back selected branches to where they join a stem.
• After removing damaged, weak, or crowded branches, look at the whole plant to decide where you need to cut back for shape and size.

Hibiscus bloom on new growth. Pinching or cutting back branches/shoots partway will remove current buds, but encourage new shoots. This results in a bushier plant, and more blooms later on. If the plant is blooming and you don’t want to lose all the flowers, you can stagger your pruning. Do one or two branches at a time, and wait until they re-grow before cutting other branches back.

A useful reference for any gardener is the Birds Canada website at: https://birdgardens.ca/. Just type in your postal code or address and a list of bird-friendly plants will appear. However, keep in mind that what you plant should be based on any plant’s soil, light and space requirements.

In the past, we have asked one thing of our gardens: that they be pretty.
Now they have to support life, sequester carbon, feed pollinators and manage water.”

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!

Master Gardeners of Ontario Inc. is a registered volunteer run charity. Your donation will be greatly appreciated and will go toward MGOI inspired gardening programs and help defray the costs in delivery of our services. 

Please direct your donation to GROUP OTTAWA-CARLETON when selecting the fund. A tax receipt will be generated immediately.

Thank you to MG members for sharing beautiful photos:
Amanda Carrigan • Suzanne Juneau • Rebecca Last • Heather MacDonald • Penka Matanska • Nancy McDonald • Josie Pazdzior • Margaret Ryan • Lee Ann Smith