The Garlic is Here!

We will be holding our annual garlic fundraiser on Saturday, September 24th at 3:00pm at the garden (5510 - 26th Avenue NE).

A bundle of four organic bulbs will be available for $10. The garlic will be selected from the 50 rare/heritage varieties grown at the McClure garden as part of our Seed Saving and Sharing program. Proceeds support McClure's non-profit, community outreach programs. We can accept cash or cheque payment upon pick-up.

Quantities are limited. For more information and to reserve your bundle, contact Alex at bundleofgarlic@hotmail.com. Reserved garlic can also be picked up at the church beside the garden on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9-4pm and Fridays from 9-3pm.

Garlic bulbils and rounds make for great planting stock and we have them for most of our varieties. Bulbil capsules are $2 each and a package of rounds is $3. For a list of the bulbils and rounds available, contact Alex at the email address above.

Volunteer Opportunities

Greetings from the Volunteer Department of the Calgary Horticultural Society, Happy New Year!

2011 will bring exciting relationships, amazing, fun events and many opportunities for gardeners to connect with fellow gardeners. We need your support to share your talents and time as we engage with new gardeners in the community, enhance our resource materials and celebrate gardening in Calgary.

Dig in and consider some of these volunteer opportunities:

1. Community Gardens Support Team

The Community Gardens Resource Network program of the Calgary Horticultural Society has grown dramatically since its inception three years ago. We are busy with requests for information and gardening guidance. To meet the growing demand, we are building a team of people to support the program. Some opportunities include:

• Providing advice to new gardeners
• Updating the database, collection of community gardens stats
• Developing and organizing displays
• Assisting with office work, and
• Photography

We need your support to share your talents and time as we engage with new gardeners in the community, enhance our resource materials and celebrate gardening in Calgary.

2. Receive great garden discounts while raising funds for the Society!

An interesting opportunity has come our way from Cobblestone Home and Garden center, located in southeast Calgary. For Calgary Horticultural Soceity members to volunteer as‘Garden Greeters welcoming patrons, providing directional and store information. Taking a shift to be a garden greeter will help raise funds for the Society and earn YOU at 25% discount at the garden center on the day you volunteer! Cobblestone will make a generous donation to the Society based on the time volunteers contribute.

May 6 to June 12 (variety of shifts available)

If this is something that might interest you, please contact Colleen fof further details (day, time, shifts available) as we need an indication of interest before we agree to providing a roster of volunteer greeters during their busy gardening season.

For information about volunteering, contact Colleen McCracken, Volunteer Manager at volunteer@calhort.org or 287-3469 X 222

STRATEGIES FOR SUSTAINABLE GARDENING IN CALGARY

STRATEGIES FOR SUSTAINABLE GARDENING IN CALGARY

An Evening of Discovery and Discussion about what SUSTAINABILITY means for your Garden

A presentation featuring Rob Avis, Verge Permaculture
When: Friday, January 21st, 2011
Where: Unitarian Church of Calgary, 1703-1 St. N.W.
Cost: early registration $5 per person or $10 at the door
To Register: book your seats through: http://www.calhort.org/events or call the Calgary Horticultural Society office at 403-287-3469, ext 0

An event sponsored by:
Community Garden Resource Network-A project of the Calgary Horticultural Society;
Green Sanctuary (Unitarian Church of Calgary)
Apiaries and Bees for Communities &
An Alberta Community Spirit Grant


CURES FOR THE MID-WINTER BLAHS!

Even in the depths of winter there is always great things for an avid gardener to do.

The Calgary Horticultural Society hosts workshops on most Saturday mornings on a wide variety of subjects to the gardener in you.

Upcoming workshops include:
Jan 29th- The Household Jungle-How to care for your Indoor Plants
Feb 5th- Passionate for Petunias
Feb 12th- The Edible Flower Garden
Feb 26th-Plant Propagation-Know before you dig

Please check the Society's website at www.calhort.org and click on the 'Our Workshops' button for further details. New workshops are always being added so check back frequently!