Well hello again! Welcome to the September 2024 Newsletter and the fall season of the Petawawa Horticultural Society! We have a few things that happened over the summer, including the Trillium Awards, PHS barbecue and potluck, lots of weeding and planning for current and future garden activities within the town, a successful year (barring Japanese beetles) in the community gardens and much, much more.
Recent Activities
BARBECUE AND POTLUCK
Unfortunately we were rained out on both our August and September dates but thankfully, the Legion came to our rescue on the second date (Sept 8th) and provided us a venue and a bartender where we enjoyed the company of good friends, good food and happy gardeners. As well, the Trillium winners were given their awards. Congrats to the owners of these 4 beautiful yards (seen in the next article).
TRILLIUM AWARDS
The PHS board enjoyed a wonderful tour of the nominated gardens throughout Petawawa, but alas there can only be so many Trillium Awards given out. White trilliums are given to homes that have not received an award in the past 5 years. The red trillium award goes to a previous winner from within the past 5 years who has not won a red trillium in that time and who has made significant changes to their gardens. Congratulations to this years winners (in no particular order) for all your hard work and dedication to beautification of the neighbourhood. Well done!
Trillium Award Winners 2024
GARDENS
The following is a list of the gardens we have contributed plants, bulbs and member time to planting. With the exception of Fish Hatchery and Limestone Park, the Town of Petawawa maintains these gardens now.
- ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION – Landscaped garden in front (currently maintained by Lynn and Jim Ward)
- PETAWAWA CIVIC CENTER – Crabapples and lilacs with the help of local school children, crocuses by the mini golf, commemorative and other trees
- FISH HATCHERY PARK – Cranberry bushes (more to come)
- DORAN/MOHN’S AVE – Daffodils and other perennials at the corner
- PETAWAWA TOWN OFFICE DOWN TO CENTENNIAL PARK – planting of perennials and shrubs
- LIMESTONE PARK – native trees and perennials (more to come)
- TRAIL BETWEEN ST FRANCIS AND VALOUR SCHOOLS – apple, pear and plum trees
- PETAWAWA HERITAGE VILLAGE – Daffodils at the sign plus recently, two commemorative trees
- OPP STATION – cranberry bushes in behind
- OUR LADY OF SORROWS – student garden
Gardens in the Works
These are gardens that we are actively taking care of, or are going to be cleaning and planting, and are seeking volunteers to assist. Your help would be greatly appreciated.
LEGION
Planted some time ago by the Petawawa Horticultural Society, this garden is beautifully maintained by Jim & Lynn Ward and needs no additional assistance at this time.
ACCESSIBILITY GARDEN
In collaboration with the Petawawa Library, the Horticultural Society’s Jack van Gemeren is taking lead on developing an accessibility garden at the Community Gardens behind the civic center. The raised gardens will be accessible by wheelchair. The new patio stones have been laid down, the gate has been set to a better height and the watering taps are set to be lowered as well. Still to do is the building of the new raised gardens, spreading of the crushed stone at the entrance, and a few more things.
If you’d like to help, contact Jack van Gemeren through our email at . People who would like to make use of this garden next year when it is ready, are asked to contact the Library for more information.
WOMEN’S MONUMENT
The Women’s Monument at 3 Algonquin Street along the Centennial Trail, was created to remember, honour, and grieve local women of Renfrew County who have been murdered by men. It has been let go and over-taken by weeds, left unpruned, and needs to be shown some honour and respect. For that reason, the PHS has taken over the maintenance of this garden area.
We need your help! With several hours already spent on cleaning up, there is much, much more to do. Fall is here and the weather is perfect for doing this cleanup.
FISH HATCHERY PARK
Fish Hatchery Park (AKA Petawawa Terrace) on Laurentian Blvd, is a well known play area at the children’s park and great hiking and dog walking on the terrace trails, but there is also a naturalized garden area, (left-central on this image) with highbush cranberries, blackberries, raspberries and blueberries in it, that was not kept up. Ragweed and crabgrass have taken over.
As another garden we have chosen to take on, there is much to be done. We are seeking max participation from our members and whoever else you may want to bring along, on October 6th at 0930. Bring tools, weed bucket, gloves, etc. and join in!
LIMESTONE PARK
Limestone Park will be a multi-year project to develop this Storm Water Management (SWM) Pond into a garden oasis where it will become a place for relaxation, enjoyment, photography, wildlife haven and more, by incorporating a variety of mini gardens to work with the SWM including:
For Limestone Park we will be seeking a multitude of talents including, but not limited to:
GET INVOLVED ! ! !
send us an email () or
For anything you would like to participate in but aren’t sure where to go, or what specifically is needing to be done,
message the members of the board via our Facebook page.
COMMUNITY GARDENS
We have had an amazingly long growing season and the gardens are still bursting with colour and edibles. If you have your garden there, please keep your area clean of debris. If you plan on returning next year, now is a good time to start preparing it for over-wintering.
For those of you wanting to rent some garden space, be sure to put your name down for one next year by emailing us at when you submit your membership or ASAP, before the list gets too long.
Upcoming Events
- October 6 (0930 – as late as you are willing) – Fish Hatchery ParkWe are seeking max participation from our members and whoever else you may want to bring along, on October 6th at 0930. Bring tools, weed bucket, gloves, etc. and join in! This is also a great way for high school students to get their volunteer hours.
- October 6 (6PM – 9PM) Trivia Night at the LegionJoin us for an evening of fun and laughter with trivia, a silent auction, door prizes, 50-50 draw and more. Teams of 4-8 members. Bring your friends or come alone and we will find you a team. Feel free to bring snacks. Drinks will be available by the Legion. David Keech will emcee the evening with general knowledge questions but there most certainly will be some gardening related ones included. Top three teams will win a prize.
- October 21 (7PM – 9PM) – Speaker will be Gerry Baker from the Worm FactoryGerry Baker from The Worm Factory will speak to us about vermicomposting. Vermicomposting is a method of doing composting using worms to break down organic waste into usable compost. Join us at Rotary Room at the Civic Center Library Entrance.
- October 26 – District 2 Fall AdvisoryThe OHA District 2 Fall Advisory, hosted this year by the Petawawa Horticultural Society, is a meeting with delegates from all D2 Societies who will discuss information relevant to all. Topics for discussion are report on the past year’s finances, sources of income, plus events and activities of the past year. This event is restricted to two members from each society so is not open to general membership.
Annual General Meeting (AGM)
This year’s AGM will be held at the Civic Center upstairs (arena entrance) on November 18th. Topics for discussion are:
- report on the past year’s finances
- sources of income
- executive elections – up for election are three executive positions – President, Vice-President and Secretary
- recap of events and activities of the past year
- member activity
If you have some time you can offer to the Society and would like an opportunity to help mold this organization, be sure to throw your name in the hat for one of these positions.
Here is a copy of the Constitution that, among other things, explains the roles of the executive positions on the board.
Membership
Be sure to renew your membership with the Petawawa Horticultural Society. Beginning October 1st, if you are a paying member already, pay for your 2024-25 season to ensure you don’t lose access to your community of gardeners, speakers and opportunities to share in events and other benefits that expand your mind, body and soul!
Payment can be made at one of our events via cash, cheque, debit or credit, or online via e-transfer to . Please add a note to indicate it is for membership.
SINGLE
one person membership
participate in monthly meetings and guest speakers
$10.00
FAMILY
2+ household members
participate in our monthly meetings and guest speakers
$15.00
BUSINESS
receive our yearbook
opportunity to receive a beautiful planter for your business
$20.00
November 1st is the deadline!!!!