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Horticulture Centre of the Pacific - October 2024 eNews
Our newest garden, the Patio & Balcony Container Garden, thanks to the efforts of donors and volunteers, was completed this summer.
This project was initiated by the realization that building lots are becoming smaller, with reduced space for gardening and in many cases people only have a balcony or small patio for outdoor space.
This garden features rhododendrons and azaleas along with companion plants that grow well in containers. It will also show how vegetables can be an integral part of gardening in a small space.
Keep coming back to see how you can change container plantings each season.
Savingseeds allows us to retain varieties that are well adapted to our area and that are no longer available commercially.
Many plants do the job for you, self-seeding freely throughout the garden. All you have to do is carefully lift the seedlings and plant where needed.
When saving your own seed, collect when ripe (brown/dry seed pods).
Place in a warm, dry place to completely ripen. Some seeds take longer to ripen than others. Beans, peas, poppies and nigella are ready when the pods are dry and the seeds rattle.
Once they are ripe, separate the seed from the chaff and package in an envelope with the plant name and collection date. Store in a cool, dry place until you're ready to sow.
For tomatoes, I have had success with rinsing the pulp and juice from the seed and letting them air dry. Tomato seeds benefit from a brief period of fermentation. Read more about saving tomato seeds
Open pollinated plants and heirloom plants (old varieties that have been successful for years) are true to type. Many of the tomato varieties we feature on Tomato Day are Heirloom varieties.Hybrid plants( F1 hybrids) will not produce seeds that are true to the parent.
My propagation volunteers and I have saved seeds from several plants in the HCP garden. We plan to dry and package the seeds and have them for sale in our gift shop next Spring.
Happy collecting!
Linda
Support The Gardens with a Membership
Revenue from annual memberships supports youth programming, horticulture student development, plants and supplies for garden improvements, and volunteer appreciation.
“Autumn is a second spring where every leaf is a flower.” Albert Camus
We thank you for the commitment, care and countless hours that all of you bring to HCP. Whether you’ve been a volunteer for many years or just started in the past few weeks, we appreciate all you do in the gardens, in the office, library, conservation lands and at special events!
We are very lucky to have such a large and dedicated volunteer team!
For more information about volunteering at the Horticulture Centre of the Pacific (HCP) please contact Kim at volunteers@hcp.ca
FEEL WORLDS AWAY | DINE WITH THE FLOWERS Though you are always welcome to dine with us at C&Q we must share that we do offer picnic boxes to take away in the summer season as there are so many beautiful picnic locations to explore throughout the HCP Botanical Garden that borders our restaurant. Garden entrance is discounted to $9 with a same-day C&Q receipt {children under 16 receive complimentary entry}. Hours: Everyday 9am-3pm
Programs open for applications:
Please note that we are very busy in Admissions and all of our classes are filling up quickly. Please reach out directly to admissions@hcp.ca to express your interest and we will be sure to help you through the process.
Learn new things, meet new people, garden smarter and get creative with Adult Community Education offerings this fall at the HCP. Sign up for the quarterly Community Education newsletter to hear about new classes in 2025, or visit the links for information and registration for upcoming workshops.
SCHOOLS- Book for 2024/25 HERENew Programs coming for 2025!
GROUP BOOKINGS - are available for all workshops and programs? Contact us at youthprograms@hcp.ca
STUDENTS JOBS & VOLUNTEER opportunities. Looking for experience working with children during our JMG Garden Camps this school year? Become a Junior Camp Leader for Pro D Day Camps and Spring Break. Contact youthprograms@hcp.ca for details.
SPRING BREAK CAMPS - Registration opens January 7 (Family Memberships) and January 8 (All) 2025.
Our Birthday Package includes time in the gardens and time to host your guests! We offer a 2 hour unique birthday experience for children in the gardens. We host outdoors (rain or shine, year round) and offer an indoor option and covered areas to temper the seasonal weather.Make a birthday booking request
HCP Kids Programs and Workshops in The Garden - Get the details or click on the title to see the details and registration link
These non-instructional day camps feature an outdoor program that includes time in our very own HCP Kids Teaching Garden where we grow food, learn to support natural systems and enjoy the many wilderness areas surrounding us! Ages: 5-12 years (school age)
50 Keystone Flora Species of Coastal British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest Collin Varner
You probably know that Garry Oak trees (Quercus garryana) are critically important to the ecology of the Pacific Northwest. Hundreds of plant and animal species are compromised when these meadows are disrupted. Some, such as acorn woodpeckers, are already extinct.
A keystone species, such as the Garry oak, supports an entire ecosystem. Like the topmost stone in an arch, if it is removed the entire arch collapses.
As a registered charity, the Horticulture Centre of the Pacific depends on the support and generosity of others to help us make a difference. While much of the creation and maintenance of the gardens is carried out by teams of hardworking and cherished volunteers, there is still a large financial commitment when caring for nine acres of curated gardens and the Conservation Park.
Your donations provide essential support.
Did you know "All provinces, except Quebec, have legislation to permit the holder of any type of TFSA to designate a successor holder or beneficiary on the TFSA"? Talk to your bank or financial advisor for the details.
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