At this time in a normal year, I would have been asking you to join the Yorkton and District Horticultural Society at our Annual Fruit, Flower and Vegetable Show! Well, guess what! It is happening in a new and exciting way, online, at www.yorktonhort.ca
Yes, it’s different! Yes, it’s new (for all of us!). But this is one way that hort members can still present the best of this year’s gardens. So make a cup of coffee, and sit down and browse through the show online.
It opened today! Thank you so much to John, our amazing webmaster, for organizing all this; and thank you also to the progressive horticultural members who took part as we all try to do what we can to make the best of a difficult situation! You all helped the group make history!
Have you checked out our new feature, “Mystery Plants”? Test your gardening knowledge and see if you can identify the plant. You can take part and send in a photo of an unusual plant. Include the name of the plant, if known, and tell us a little about it. Or, if you have a plant and don’t know what it is, maybe someone can identify it. We’ll all learn together! Please send in photos to yorktonhort@yahoo.com
I think that one of the prettiest and easiest plants to grow in our gardens is the lacy, breezy cosmos. It sometimes has a bad rap because it seeds itself and requires so little care that we don’t think of it as a valuable addition to our gardens, but when you see the bees buzzing busily from bloom to bloom, as gardeners we should realize that we have a winner!
First, some homework. The cosmos is actually a cousin of the sunflower, While it originally called Mexico home, it can be found almost all over the world. Once you seed them in your garden, you will usually continue to have them popping up here and there in following years.
This isn’t a bad thing! The cosmos looks beautiful in the wind, and the pink, fuchsia, white, yellow or orange flowers are like bright stars in a sea of green. Much beloved by bees and butterflies, they are also beloved by gardeners who are looking for a long-lasting cut flower.
( I know we sometimes get so caught up in our garden work that we forget to pick a flower or two to brighten our kitchen tables, but please, make the effort! It will give your spirit a lift right from the time you sit down for your first sip of morning coffee!)
Cosmos likes full sunshine, and well-drained soil. It will bloom right till fall and doesn’t seem to be bothered by many pests. There’s a cosmos for every garden, varying in heights up to about four feet high. And even if it comes up on its own and dwarfs the surrounding plants, because of its airy growth habit, it doesn’t seem to shadow or block out other plants. And if we keep deadheading the plants, we’ll be rewarded with more beautiful blooms.
For the gardeners who say “ I can’t grow flowers”, this is the one for you! Plant it and forget it. you don’t have to fuss with this plant, and even if you neglect it, it will forgive you and continue to bring forth those cheerful flowers!
If you are looking for fresh, locally grown produce, remember that the Yorkton Gardeners’ Market is happening Saturdays from 8:00 AM till noon at the Prairie Harvest Christian Life Centre at the corner of Melrose and Simpson in Yorkton. You’ll find not only produce but flowers, baking, crafts, honey and more! For information on how to be a seller contact Glen at 783-7040.
Thank you to our friends at Yorkton This Week for their wonderful work! Let’s pray for health for all and continued good weather. Have a great week and be sure to wear a hat!
