June 2026 newsletter
The June 2026 issue of Seeders and Weeders wraps up the spring before the summer break.
Guest speakers: Keukenhof gardens
Members Mary and Gene Jackson shared photos and stories from their spring trip to Keukenhof in the Netherlands. The park shows about 7 million spring bulbs over eight weeks. It can see 35,000 visitors in a single day. The Netherlands grows most of the world’s flower bulbs, and about half of them are tulips.
What we learned from the plant sale
Heather thanked everyone for their teamwork. Sales were down this year because there were fewer plants. Members shared ideas for next year:
- Tomatoes sold out fast, and shade plants like columbine and bleeding heart were in demand
- Houseplants were less popular
- Plants and bulbs sell better with a photo or flower color on the label
- Some items, like soil, could be priced higher
- Dig up plants in fall and overwinter them in pots for the sale
A bonsai garden tour
Members visited Bob Martin’s bonsai garden. He showed green hornbeam, Chinese juniper, and Japanese maple bonsai, and answered every question. Sue Wiebe wrote up what the group learned, with photos by Chris Williams.
Bursary
The bursary committee chose Pleasant Valley Secondary student Paige Fedorak for this year’s bursary. She sent the club a thank-you postcard.
Other news
- Members finished planting at Pleasant Valley Manor quickly, and the feedback was very positive.
- Volunteers planted the Pleasant Valley Boulevard flowers again.
- The museum offered the club free meeting space. Heather and Glenn are looking into it.
Coming up
- Summer social: Tuesday, July 7, at 5 pm in Memorial Park, with July 14 as a backup. Bring a dish for six, plus plates, cutlery, and a chair.
- First fall meeting: Tuesday, September 8, moved for the IPE. The location may change.
