Pine Ridge Garden Club News March 2026

by Helen Nicolaou

Spring cannot come too soon, as the grey days of the longest winter will finally be coming to an end.

The Pine Ridge Garden Club will welcome members and guests to its first meeting, on Tuesday, March 10th, at 7:30 p.m., in the Nestleton Community Centre. Our first speaker is Michael Burns, speaking on Beautiful Dahlias. Mr. Burns is the president of the Chrysanthemum and Dahlia Society, who has dedicated his time to cultivating show quality and garden variety dahlias for over a decade. He specializes in hybridizing his own varieties and has had several released. With up to 500 dahlias, he is striving to expand and improve his collection.

While the snow was falling, in January and February, board members have been busy working hard to find key speakers this year, to entertain and bring a variety of garden information. Topics range from planting for shade, native garden planning, vegetable gardening for small spaces, a fresh flower workshop, rock gardening, and in October, planning for the spring bulb garden.

Even though not much can be started at this time, as we will not be able to get into the garden for a couple more months, seeds are on display and available to purchase in many garden centres and local stores.

I’m trying a method called “winter sowing,” for several of my favourite seeds which I have collected.

Winter sowing is used to naturally stratify seeds, needing several weeks with a cold moist period to break dormancy, for hardy perennials, native wildflowers and herbs.

A cold frame works best but you can temporarily use a clear plastic container. Start by drilling several holes in the bottom, sides and lid of the container. The container should be 6 to 8 inches deep and have a sturdy snap lid. Fill it with 3 inches of moist outdoor potting mix. Then plant seeds which only require stratification and follow the planting instructions on the package. Once seeds are planted, replace and secure the lid, place it in a sheltered place outdoors, with part sun. It is important the seeds remain moist but not water logged. Once the sun warms the soil within the container, remember to check the soil for moisture. The snow and rain should naturally keep the seeds evenly moist, through the drilled holes in the lid, while heat will be released from the opening in the sides. Some hardy seeds to try are lavender, echinacea, delphinium, lupine and parsley. They will germinate using this method. Tender annuals and vegetables will not germinate or survive cold temperatures. I look forward to see how this all works. Refreshments and a Sweet and Savoury finger food buffet will be offered. See Kim, for Door Prize tickets. Also, see Carolyn and Jackie, at the membership table, to pick-up the 2026 Pine Ridge Garden Club Yearbook, as well as the Retailer Discount Card, for paid members. I am looking forward to catching up with all our gardening friends. Guests are always welcome. See you there.

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