SEEDERS AND WEEDERS
NEWSLETTER
December 2025
Armstrong & District Garden Club
WEBSITE https://armstronggardenclub.com
FACEBOOK Ken Barr
EXECUTIVE
President – Heather Hayes 250 546-4969
Vice president – Vacant
Secretary – Mary Jackson
Treasurer – Paul Peacock
Membership Secretary – Chris Williams
Past President – Carolyn Farris
Director – Sue Wiebe
Director at large – Linda Meraw
Newsletter Editor – Dianne Lockton
Website Manager – Mary Jane Duford
Sunshine – Dianne Lockton and Heather Hayes
Door Prizes – Sue Rook
General Meeting Schedule
First Tuesday of the month, 6:30 pm, September to June (except January) in St James Anglican Church Hall, Armstrong.
Next meeting 6:30 pm February 3, 2026
Winter Social
Every December our club members and guests celebrate a traditional winter social. The event was held on December 2nd on our usual club meeting night.
There was a good turnout for the festivities and everyone enjoyed the potluck of savory and sweet.
The next meeting will be held in February.
GARDENING INFORMATION
Ideas for Winter
What beautiful warm weather we have had in December! I have seen many people out enjoying the day and catching up on all of those Fall chores. We were given a second chance to finish them. There are still leaves on the ground and in some of the trees. If the snow holds off these can be cleaned up and put into the compost with your grass clippings or left as ground cover in the vegetable garden. By next spring there will be a good supply of nutrients added to the soil.
This time of year some things such as tool cleaning and storing can still be done. The following is a list of ideas that Gene Jackson gave us as Speaker in June of this year.
Lawnmowers – Cleaning – Always use premium gas. Sea Foam can be beneficial when added to the gasoline, especially when storing the mower for winter. Ten millilitres per litre of gasoline will help to stabilize it. It can be poured into the jerry can of gas and given a shake. Engine oil should be changed every year with 10W-30. The air filter and spark plugs should be checked. Blades should be taken off the mower and cleaned before balancing and sharpening. Using a file, sharpen one side of the blade. Balancing should be done to keep the engine from shaking.
Shovels – blades can be sharpened using a file. WD 40 can be used to clean tools. Brake cleaner will remove rust and sticky residue on tool blades.
Microgreens
Have you thought of extending your growing season through the winter months? Try sprouting seeds and/or growing microgreens indoors.
Sprouting suggestions: alfalfa, chickpeas, broccoli, barley, green peas, radish
Grow microgreens: kale, broccoli, sunflower, beets, arugula, sunflowers
I had good success growing sunflower, peas, and broccoli shoots in my southwest facing basement window last winter. The peas are my favourite because the shoots can be trimmed and will regrow for a second harvest (great in stir fry and salads).
Very good information about methods of indoor gardening is available online at West Coast Seeds.
Winter is also a good time of year for planning your flower and vegetable gardens for next spring.
Make lists of plants that you would like to have next year and check seed catalogues or online suppliers.
Sketch your garden plots including any changes to location, size and shape.
Include plans for crop rotation and companion planting.
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I was recently in Kamloops at the McArthur Island Park and walked past some planters that were decorated for winter. They had used cuttings of Mahonia shrubs (Oregon Grape) instead of holly so I snapped some pictures. I have quite a few of the shrubs growing wild in my yard and plan to use some cuttings for decorating.
In the park
Growing in my yard
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The following is information from the Okanagan Xeriscape Association
| Common name | Oregon Grape Holly |
| Latin name | Berberis (Mahonia) aquifolium |
| Type | Shrub |
| Height | 1-8′ |
| Spread | 3-6′ |
| Light & Water | Full sun: |
| Zone | 3 |
| Bloom month | April |
| Bloom colours | Yellow |
| Foliage colours | EvergreenGreen |
| Features | Attracts pollinatorsDeer resistantEdibleErosion controlFood for birdsFragrantNative to the OkanaganSpreader/self-seeder ( |
| Notes | Modern name is Berberis aquifolium. Can be used as a hedge but regular pruning is required to ensure the plant does not get too leggy and collapse under a heavy snowfall. Mahonia repens (1-1.5′ high) Mahonia compacta (2-3′). Spreads by roots so can be a problem in an irrigated garden setting unless a root barrier is used. Berries make good jelly. Excellent heat resistance, moderate growth rate. Glossy Foliage |
Okanagan Xeriscape Association, Kelowna, B.C. email: director_technology@okanaganxeriscape.org
Next Meeting
Monthly meeting: St James Anglican Church Hall, Armstrong, B.C.
6:30 p.m. February 3, 2026
Discounts
Members of the Armstrong & District Garden Club receive discounts at a number of local garden centres:
Shepherd’s Home Hardware Outdoor Living in Armstrong: 15% Discount on Regularly-Priced Garden Plants
Blue Mountain Nursery in Armstrong: 10% Discount on all products
Swan Lake Market and Garden in Spallumcheen: 10% Discount on plant material
2 – 3% on other store material (except meat and dairy)
*Members must be registered with the store
Nicholas Alexander Nursery in Vernon: 10%-15% Discount on Regularly-Priced Garden Plants
Show your membership card at the till before the cashier rings up the total and kindly request your member discount.