​Ripley Horticultural Society preparing for busy gardening season and anniversary

After a snowy winter and cool, wet spring, local gardeners are understandably eager to get outside and get dirty. Members of the Ripley and District Horticultural Society have been busy attending and planning events for education and community beautification.

The Ontario Horticultural Association (OHA) District 8 Annual General Meeting was held April 11 in Flesherton. Ten Ripley Horticultural Society members attended the event organized by the Markdale and District Horticultural Society which featured vendors, door prizes, a delicious lunch, district business and two guest speakers.

Well-known CBC Radio gardening host, Paul Zammit, gave a dynamic presentation on the power of plants. Asking the question, “Why do I/we garden?” Zammit challenged audience members to change their perception of the value and function of public and private gardens and choose plants that contribute to a healthy environment.

Simcoe County Master Gardener Stephanie Brash spoke on the problems caused by invasive plants escaping into the natural environment in “Plant This, Not That.”

Just a few days later, April 15, the Ripley Horticultural Society gathered for the regular monthly meeting at the Ripley-Huron Community Centre.

Vice-president Christine Roberts presented “Grow Me Instead,” an overview of the many invasive garden escapees causing harm to native plant bio-diversity, and resources to identify and manage them.

This led to a discussion of best practices for sharing plants to avoid the spread of invasive species. This is particularly important as the society’s annual plant sale takes place the morning of May 16 in Lewis Park, Ripley.

Also in May, following the Victoria Day weekend, society members will assemble the three-tiered and large black planters that are placed throughout the village to add colour and beauty for everyone’s enjoyment. It was suggested that this year’s colour plalette should be red and yellow in recognition of the Bruce County International Plowing Match colours.

Roberts shared preliminary plans for the society’s centennial celebration in 2027. A motion was passed to support the cost of ordering new banners to be displayed at the four gateway signs. There was general discussion regarding the location and logistics of the celebration event and other initiatives.

Second vice-president Gail Lotton is organizing seasonal garden photos for the printing of a commemorative society calendar. Community members are invited to submit photos to her by May 30, via Facebook.

Congratulations were extended to the "For Our Youth" branch of the society on its successful grant application from OHA for the project at the Bruce Botanical Food Gardens in Ripley.

Christine and Jim Roberts also successfully obtained OHA funding to complete the native plant garden in Kin-Bruce Park.

The next society meeting will be held Wednesday, May 20, at 7 p.m. at the Ripley-Huron Community Centre. Guest speaker will be Olivia Haufe, garden manager of the Bruce Botanical Food Gardens, who will bring updates on the gardens’ many activities.