Pine Ridge Garden Club News: August 2026

by Helen Nicolaou

The harvested wheat fields and local farm stands are a true sign of summer winding down into quieter autumn days. The rain this summer has many vegetable gardens looking they’re best. Tomato plants are producing an abundance of tasty fruit; beans and cucumbers continue to be productive as well. Pickling cucumbers were scarce last season, compared to this one, as now there will be extra pickles to enjoy through the winter. If you have any boxwood shrubs, you may have been devastated to watch your beautiful evergreen shrub slowly turn brown. The culprit has been the boxwood moth larvae. Upset with no other option, I had decided my boxwood hedge was done and so it was time to cut down the stems, the roots remained, as they were too established to dig out. The plan was to replace the boxwood with hostas. Surprisingly, within six weeks, new growth appeared, giving me hope the hedge could still regrow. The true test will be, if the plants survive the winter.

If you’re looking to have continued flowers blooming, well into autumn, garden centres have deals on perennials at this time. Hardy chrysanthemums are available in August and, if planted early enough, will be sufficiently established to make it through to the next season. Dig a hole one inch wider than the root ball. Be careful not to water from the top, as their dense growth habit causes poor circulation which can result in fungus. Deadheading asters spent blooms will not produce more flowers, in the season, but will encourage root growth. Trim back the old stems, in the spring, once there are signs of new growth. In late spring, use a slow release fertilizer and trim growth in late June, to keep the plant tidy and full. For best results, perennial mums grow in zone 5-9 and can be ordered in early spring through chrysanthemum growers. There are many varieties from pompom, anemone (single blooms) and daisy.

On Tuesday, August 4th, Alison Hall, from Blackstock Country Garden, was our instructor at our Fresh Flower Design workshop. Alison brought a wide assortment of fresh flowers from her cutting garden; everything from sweet peas, dahlias, asters to many other flowers, in addition to bright and sunny sunflowers.

Registered members enjoyed picking their own combination of flowers and creating beautiful designs as unique as themselves, to take home. Tuesday, September 1st, Anna Mizen, from Anna’s Perennial Garden and Nursery, will speak on Rock Gardening. If your garden has a dry area where water thirsty plants do poorly, selecting plants which thrive well in dry infertile, sandy or rocky soil provides an opportunity to feature a hardier plant. The Fall Flower and Vegetable Show is the last show for 2026. Please place entries by 6 - 6:45. Be sure to check your Yearbook pages 22-23 for the Horticultural, Special Exhibits and Design classes. Members take note of the info in “Bold Letters” and check OJES for specifics on entries. Assistance will be available to fill out entry tags.

Our planned third Self-Drive Garden Tour will take place on Wednesday, September 16th.

There will be “Three Inspiring Gardens,” with several stops planned along the way, including a Cidery, Family Owned, Local Garden Centre and Farm Market. Interested members are asked to register at the membership table. The cost is $10, to be paid on this evening, with details available regarding the day. Refreshments and door prize tickets will be provided. Guests are always welcome, and 'Lug a Mug.' See you there.