This document provides the minutes from the Fenelon Falls Horticultural Society's monthly meeting in April. It discusses the society's upcoming "Not A Plant Sale" in May, last month's meeting which featured a presentation on award-winning plants for 2021, and announcements about future meetings and events. It also includes reports from the youth group and puzzle of the month. The document covers a variety of the society's activities and plans.

1. HAPPY MAY TO ALL OUR MEMBERS!
We have finally reached the month that we've been waiting for since March, when
we had all that great weather and thought that Spring had already arrived! It hadn't,
but now everything is getting lush; our bulbs and early bloomers are thriving and
showing us that Winter was not a deterrent to their survival. I lost a few
plants/shrubs, but I've learned to look at those losses as an opportunity to try
something different in that spot!
Last Month's Meeting
We hope that you were able to join us on Zoom for our monthly membership
meeting on Monday, April 26th. (Thank You to Sylvia Keesmaat for hosting.)
At the meeting, the membership voted to accept the new bylaw regarding allowing
virtual meetings beyond the former May 31st deadline. Mary Carr announced that
since the main Plant Sale is cancelled, a "Not A Plant Sale" is planned for the same
date (May 29th)! She asked that people send a list of what they plan to donate and
also what they would like to purchase and she will make a list of what will be
available. She will keep in touch with us via email about this project.
Linda Angove introduced our speaker, Tracey Bittors, from Whitby Sheridan
Nurseries. Tracey began by introducing us to the many award-winning plants
available this year! The Annual of the Year is the Supertunia "Mini Vista Pink
Star"! Her hint for success was to give this plant a "haircut" when it starts to get
leggy and let it completely regrow to fill in once more. If this plant looks
ANYthing like the supertunias in the planters on the Fenelon Bridge last summer, I
definitely want some in my yard!
The Perennial of 2021 is "Cat's Pajamas" - 12 to 14 inches high and 18-20" wide. It
is heat tolerant, compact and blooms from early spring to fall, attracting butterflies,
bees and hummingbirds the entire time. The flowers and leaves are fragrant and it
is both heat and drought tolerant. That's a winner!

2. She talked about the Hosta of the Year ("Shadowland"), Flowering Shrub
(Buddleia "Pugster"), Hydrangea ("Tuff Stuff" Ah Ha) and the Rose of the Year
("Oso Easy Italian Ice"). While discussing the Rose, Tracey suggested that
gardeners spray roses with Garden Sulphur when they are just leafing out, to help
build resistance to disease, even though many rose varieties are already described
as "resistant".
Tracey also talked about "Illuminating Yellow" being Colour of the Year, and
made some suggestions for our gardens ("Hardy Ice Plant", "Banana Cream Shasta
Daisy", "Apple Twist Coral Bells", and the "Tuscan Gold" and "Sunstruck"
Heliopsis plants.
She spent a long time on the topic of "Gardening Trends 2021" and had many tips
for Shade Gardens and Sustainable Gardening (including water conservation,
composting, mulching, organic methods and Xeriscaping by planting drought-
tolerant shrubs and perennials). She said that by planting Native Plants, we provide
food and shelter for native insect and bird populations (eg. Bee balm, Butterfly
Weed, Rudbeckia, Anemones, Cardinal Flower) and by going Organic, we avoid
polluting chemicals and learn safe ways to care for our gardens. Tracey suggested
introducing ladybugs and praying mantis, adding that these insects are also
available for sale at Sheridan Nurseries.
Tracey suggested mulching your gardens with 2 or 3 inches of bark, shredded grass
clippings, etc.) and to plant trees.
When growing your own food, find ways to go vertical, mix edibles into perennial
beds and grow varieties that "provide big yields in small spaces". She also
suggested some planting ideas for making the most use of your space (build plant
towers and pyramids from wood as planters).

3. Tracey had even more ideas! "Save your seeds!"
(Store them for the winter and then start them at
home in the Spring), "Lose your Lawn!" (Reduce
the grass area and replace with low-growing
shrubs, grasses or ground covers), "Create your
own garden getaway" (add the sound of water, a
place for fire, a Zen garden, add shade with a
sail, pergola or umbrella and create special
planters for caladiums, palms, elephant ears,
crotons and Bird of Paradise).
Near the end, during the Question Period,
someone asked if there are edible hostas and there are some, but make sure they
are truly edible before eating! (And be sure to cut the tender leaves from the
bottom for salads.)
Before she wound up her talk, Tracey reminded us of the store's email:
whitby@sheridannurseries.com
and suggested that, if anyone wants to order ahead, they look online for the contact
information or go to the store (they have 25% capacity right now).
Linda Angove thanked Tracey for her interesting and informative talk and Gail
signed off before everyone left the Zoom call. Another great meeting!
Upcoming General Membership Meeting
On May 31, 7:00 p.m. VIA ZOOM
Catherine McGill, a long-time Horticultural Society member, who has
held various positions, will take us on a trip;

4. Fenelon Falls Horticultural Society Fund launched by the
Community Foundation of Kawartha Lakes (submitted by Mary
Carr)
The Board of the Fenelon Falls Horticultural Society is excited to announce that a
new fund has been established within the Community Foundation of Kawartha
Lakes and the Fenelon Falls Community Fund. The Fenelon Falls Horticultural
Society Fund has been established to raise funds in support of horticultural projects
in and around Fenelon Falls, today and into the future. Working with community
organizations and projects like this, the Community Foundation provides
innovative opportunities to invest in the people and needs of Kawartha Lakes by
creating funds that build prosperity now and for future generations. The newly
established Fund is intended to support short and long-term fundraising efforts for
many local Horticultural Society programs and projects in the disciplines of
Beautification, Education, Youth, Community, Environmental Preservation and
Restoration.
This new affiliation means, if you make a donation to the Fenelon Falls
Horticultural Society Fund through the Community Foundation of Kawartha Lakes
you will receive a charitable tax receipt in the amount of your donation. If you

5. have a specific request as to how the funds are spent, you can provide that input to
the FFHS Fund Committee.
Our first project, with support of the Community Fund, has multiple initiatives that
will showcase the gardens of Fenelon Falls to our Society members, community
members and visitors. Work has already started on this project to gather
information about each of the unique gardens in Fenelon Falls. The Society will
partner with the Fenelon Falls Museum on a virtual garden tour. A walking tour of
the town gardens will also become part of the Driftscape app through "Explore
Fenelon Falls", created by the Chamber of Commerce.
Plans are also in the works to release a book in 2022, the Year of the Garden,
called "The Gardens of Fenelon Falls" which will include photos, background
information, garden quotes, tips and artwork. We are hoping that a set of greeting
cards will also be created as part of the 2022 Year of the Garden celebrations.
We are also looking ahead to other possible projects that could be supported
through the Community Foundation, for example, completing the Rain Garden,
exploring the possibility of creating a Pollinator Meadow near the Community
Center and developing signage for all the town gardens.
A committee of FFHS members has been established to represent The Fenelon
Falls Horticultural Society Fund to the Community Foundation Fenelon Falls and
Community Foundation Kawartha Lakes. This committee considers how
donations can be used and makes recommendations to the FFHS Board and
requests to the Community Foundation for funds. The committee members are
Kathy Armstrong, Alice Burnie, Laurie Jones and Mary Carr.
We are excited about this new partnership. We look forward to opportunities to
involve and engage members of our community and promote a Fenelon Falls that
is beautiful and a great place to live, work and play, now and into the future.
If you would like more information about the Community Foundation Kawartha
Lakes and Fenelon Falls Community Fund, go to www.kawarthafoundation.ca.

6. Check out the FFHS Fund page there to learn how you can support our Fenelon
Falls Horticultural Society. Over the upcoming weeks we will also be providing
information about the Fund on our website at www.backyardbuzz.ca so keep in
touch!
If you want more information or have questions about the Fenelon Falls
Horticultural Society Fund, contact us at ffhorticultural@hotmail.com, or
marycarr677@gmail.com
May's Youth Group Report, by Sophie Kaloudas
The climate crisis is something that affects us all, young and old. People around
the world are taking action to fight climate change, and the youth are no exception.
Fridays For Future is a climate movement started by Swedish teen Greta
Thunberg in August 2018 after ´school striking´ to protest inaction against the
climate crisis by the Swedish Government.
The movement quickly spread to people and youth around the world, and at one
point, around 4 million people attended strikes. Fridays For Future has groups on
every continent, and almost every country in the world. Different countries protest
about different causes that are hurting the environment. (Recently, the Canadian
group protested against pipelines being built on Native land.)
Climate Change also affects weather patterns, and the food that we grow. As a
gardener, it has been sad to see the changing weather patterns in the last few years
that can be linked to climate change. One prominent weather pattern I noticed
changing was flooding that almost flooded our garden. Sadly, this is a reality for
many people around the world right now, who are being directly affected by
climate change from floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, landslides, and many other
tragic weather events. These events affect the food supply and, for many people,
growing food isn't just a hobby, it is a job, and fewer crops mean less money. As
gardeners, I am sure the Horticultural Society can see the changes in weather,

7. climate, and native species to Canada. That is why Fridays For Future
FenelonFalls is protesting.
I have been an environmentalist my entire life, and have worked throughout the
community on different environmental efforts in the City of Kawartha Lakes &
specifically in Fenelon Falls. I and two friends started the local public school's
Green Team, and worked to build gardens, raise awareness about plastic pollution
and many other causes. We learned about the Climate Strikes being run by the
youth in Canada and attended a few in 2019. In the spring of 2020, during the
pandemic, I began to get more involved in Climate Striking, and started ´digital
striking.´ Digital climate striking is virtual climate striking. People make signs that
they would have used at the climate protests, take pictures of themselves holding
them up, and then put them on social media. Youth around the world participate in
this every Friday, and I have been fortunate enough to connect with youth from all
over the world who care about the environment.
I founded Fridays For Future Fenelon Falls, and we digitally strike every week.
In August, we held a ´socially distant´ shoe strike for climate. We have also been
working with Climate Strike Canada to take action against climate change in
Canada. Because of the pandemic, there are limited options of what we can do in
the community. I wanted to hold a climate strike and do some community work
this summer, but with the recent surge in COVID cases, we are not sure if that will
be possible or if it will be safe.
We digitally strike every Friday, and we welcome everyone to join us! The beauty
of digital climate striking is that anyone can join, and you can make signs based on
things you really care about. I have seen digital strikes focusing on plastic
pollution, food insecurity due to climate change, and much more! You can join us
by sending us a photo of your digital strike on Instagram at @fffenelonfalls, or on
email fffenelonfalls@gmail.com. We welcome any questions you have.

8. Gail's Puzzle of the Month

9. The Solution to Last Month's Puzzle
Last month, we posted an article by Kerri Debnam about the David Suzuki
Foundation Butterflyway Ranger Program, which included the
The number of people participating appears to have been affected by the Covid
shutdown, so here is the link from the City of Kawartha Lakes website in case you
would like to be a part of this great program:

10. https://www.kawarthalakes.ca/en/news/the-second-annual-bee-hero-garden-
challenge-is-
buzzing.aspx?fbclid=IwAR1xMjw6y10fA69pXvOjTexMfC9iyh2sr80vzuK2cXB2
SHQ0rf1n-grxTuY
Always protect our pollinators and encourage them in your gardens!
Our "Not a Plant Sale"!
As you already know, due to the PROVINCIAL LOCKDOWN RULES, our
annual Plant Sale had to be postponed until September.
Mary Carr and Darlene Young found a creative way to enable members to split
their overgrown plants for other members to pick up and enjoy in their gardens
over this summer instead of waiting until the fall! This event will happen between
May 26th and May 30th (drop-off of plants the 26th and 27th and pick-up May 28-
30 - - all by appointment only, once you have been contacted).
Thank you to Mary and Darlene for organizing this - - our " babies" will have
homes for the Summer, instead of sitting in pots next to a shed or garage waiting
for September!
Happy Gardening, Everyone!
The May long week-end has come and gone and, hopefully, at least some (if not
all!) of the beautiful home-grown seedlings, rooted cuttings, self-split perennials,
nursery plants and the annuals we have chosen to enrich our 2021 Summer, are
planted! Whether you planted food or flowers, getting everything into the ground
and GROWING is the best feeling!
We hope to "see" you at the Zoom meeting on May 31st
! Enjoy this last week of
May!