Submitted by, Ruth Markle, Fort Erie Horticultural Society

Mar 17, 2022, VOL. 3 ISSUE 15 

I am sure that you, like myself, are more than ready to see evidence that spring is not only coming but coming to stay.  No need to dwell on the long cold winter.  That is the past (we hope!) and the future is a spring and summer that will banish the cold and gloom.  Walking through the community the last week has reminded me that we all have plans for a change of season.  Maybe it is putting away the tools(shovels!) of winter, washing the car, picking up garbage that winter has left… or preparing the tools for the growing season. 

Some years ago, I decided it would be a good idea to clean my tools during the downtime of winter.  My dad grew up on a farm in the prairies and often shared stories of the life they led and the responsibilities they had.  He loved everything about farming and passed that enthusiasm along the way. And of course, being the youngest in his family his sole occupation during the winter season was to have the tools ready for use as soon as the snows melted.  I liked that idea. I thought it was pretty efficient for my life and began to follow his example with one exception.  My tools are painted bright red, bright pink and bright purple. And I think I have one bright turquoise edger.  The simple reason for this is to not only distinguish the capability of each tool…the reds are the sturdiest…but also to make them visible when I get working around and have a tendency to lay them down almost everywhere. You of course will notice that none of them are bronze or green or…well, you understand.  So, each year they need a good cleaning at the end of the use season and come winter…they are painted up and ready for that first dig, raking or edging. Passing them the other day as I went outside for a little picking up of stray garbage after the winds…I could almost hear them whisper to me…’soon and very soon’.

The tools are not the only reminders that soon I will be very busy outdoors and some things need to be accomplished now.  It’s time to ready the trays and pots for the transplants.  Everything has to be clean and ready to go for the time I need them. 

I belong to the Fort Erie Horticultural Society and we do fundraising Plant Sales in May.  We raise funds for bursaries to support students of environment and agriculture. We also raise funds to replant trees in the Town of Fort Erie.  For the last 4 years, we have partnered with the Town to replenish trees so we can help to bring back more green and healthy outdoor space. Our club has set the goal of planting more trees each year and we raise funds through membership and the plant sales to purchase the trees.   I think this year we hope to plant 8 new trees… Not only is there incredible pleasure in sharing plants and meeting new friends with enthusiasm at the plant sales…but it helps us to achieve our two primary goals as a Horticultural Club.  We want to make an impact for good and green in the community where we live.

Nice to have goals for the new season …but it is also important to enjoy the changing weather.  We now have almost twelve hours of time between sunrise and sunset… a nice change from the beginning of January when we had only a little under 8 hours for light possibilities. That additional daylight (fingers crossed) helps to warm the earth and wake up the spring bulbs that are patiently resting…waiting their time to come on stage and bloom.  Even through the late winter cool, the bulbs are hearing their own brand of wake-up call. Soon they will be enhancing the landscape with their colours and scents.   Very soon the trees will lighten and brighten with fresh growth.  Today while doing a little soft and gentle clean up I found nestled in the mulch a very tiny but very blooming purple pansy.  My mom loved pansies and I planted some every year for her to enjoy.  She is gone these three years now but I felt as I saw this new and fresh spring ‘friend ‘ that mom was giving me a wink and a reminder that seasons change…but growth continues in plants and in people too.

I found a lovely quote that matches my thoughts on these days as I slowly, but surely get back ‘on the land’… “In spring…a friend is the first daffodil opening to greet the sunshine” (from an unknown but appreciated gardener) So let’s keep looking for those lovely signs that the season is changing for better and for good.  And keep those tools handy!  

Keep growing green, my friends!

For more information on the Fort Erie Horticultural Society please contact

ruthmarkle@gmail.com or call Ruth at 289-320-8194

or check us out on FB

Plant Sales on May 21, 22 and May 28, 29…will keep you posted on these as we get closer to the time