Are you looking for a speaker on a horticulture-related theme?  A list of some of the presentations that our members have developed to share can be found below.  If you’re interested in arranging for any of these presentations, please contact us.

One interesting option is for a few of our Master Gardeners to form an “Ask the Expert” panel at your event.  Ask us about that!

Gladys Fowler

• Square Foot Gardening — the practice of dividing the growing area into small square sections to maximize the growing area and minimize the maintenance.

Christine Freeburn

Mary-Jane Pilgrim, no Zoom please

Contact:  mjpilgrim@live.ca

• Basic Botany:  A little latin, some discussion on plant families and classification, and a few skills to be able to determine a plant’s family tree  (spoiler alert *quizzes*).
• Bulbs, Corms, Rhizomes & Tubers: How do these garden elements differ? When should you plant? Dealing with squirrels and other pests. Forcing bulbs for more petal power!
• Horticultural Trivia:  A lighthearted but challenging evening of “test your memory” on all things horticulture. Great for challenging your group to put their knowledge to the test, either individually or in groups. Bonus:  Prizes!
• Tips, Tricks & Slips:  After many years and thousands of plants, I sometimes think I’ve seen it all — but I clearly haven’t! Learn how to skip some of the biggest challenges and make your (mostly perennials) gardening journey a little easier.
• Fertilizer 101: Fertilizing is an important step in maintaining the health of our plants. In order to grow and thrive, plants need essential nutrients typically found in the soil. What’s NPK?  Are fertilizers the gardeners “bandage”? A practical guide for flower and veggie gardeners alike.
• Financing Your Habit or Putting Your Garden to Work: Twenty-five years of plant sales and I’m happy to share what works and what doesn’t for a successful plant sale.
• How Do They Do That?:   How do they make weeping trees? What is and why would I buy a “standard” tree? What’s up with grafting? What’s a witch’s broom?  What is tissue culture and why should I care? What’s an espalier? Learn about horticultural techniques(?) at their finest.
• Garden Disasters!  Prepare. Survive. Thrive. In this talk, we’ll address some of the common misfortunes: Japanese beetles, grubs, lily beetles, cute but menacing critters, and a bit about invasive plants.
• Garden Myths Debunked: Learn the facts behind some common folk wisdom to better your odds of gardening success. Many homegrown garden tricks simply don’t live up to their hype when tested. Don’t let these classic superstitions waste your time or harm your plants!
• Invasive Plants: Invasive plants are no joke! Many of having invasive plants growing in our yards and in our gardens. But what makes an invasive plant so bad? What harm do they actually cause? And what should we actually do about them to get rid of them? Let’s talk.
• Christmas Gardening Trivia — a light-hearted horticulturally-related evening of fun with a Christmas theme! Prizes to the “smartest” team.
• The Dirt on Soap and Home Remedies — Home recipes abound for ridding your garden of every single bug, but do we really think that’s wise? What should we use for bugs that we know are not beneficial? A light-hearted look at frequently used household chemicals and what you may want to use instead.
• Launching Your Green Masterpiece — Spring can be described as “So much to do, in so little time”! Take advantage of the late winter window to get your garden ready for an even more glorious spring.
• Planning a Successful Flower/Veggie Garden — A beautiful or productive garden takes time, effort, money and maintenance. Starting with a good plan can help cut down on all of those things. Thinking about your flower or veggie garden before getting to work can help!
• Getting Your Garden Ready for Winter — Although gardening is most closely associated with the sunny weather and colorful blooms of spring, this process is actually heavily influenced by actions gardeners take during the fall of the previous year.
  

Silvia Strobl:

• Invasive Species–what can gardeners do? – Escaped garden plants are the number one source of invasive plants in Canada. Learn which common garden plants can escape and invade surrounding natural areas, which native alternatives offer similar beauty, and if you have invasive plants in your garden, how to choose the best option for control.
• Preparing for Tree Planting Success – A little planning will help ensure your planted trees survive and add value to your home. This talk will give you the tools to choose and source an appropriate treeor shrub species for your site and objectives as well as be prepared to plant it and providethe care needed to ensure it reaches maturity. 
  

Gary & Dianne Westlake:

• Garden Art For Cheapskates – A lighter look at making your own objects for your garden.
• Some Of Our Favourite Garden Mistakes – They share some of the mistakes they have made over the years as well as some they have seen.
• Thinking Outside The Planter Box – A comprehensive guide to how to garden in containers.
• Gardening While Old – Strategies for continuing to garden for the rest of your life.
• What Are Lawns Good For – A plea for less lawn and more gardens.
• What Not To Plant – On being very careful out there.