BEDFORD
By Yvette d'Entremont - The Weekly News
Gazing out at the season's bleak, icy landscape, the lush green and riotous colours that mark many local gardens during the warmer months seem light-years away.
But Bedford Horticultural Society president Dawson Miller says that now is precisely the time to start planning your garden.
"You should be planning, reading your catalogues that are coming in the mail, and you should be out in the garden looking at the trees, in particular, for pruning. This is a good time to prune your trees," Miller advised. "Of course, also look and see what was successful last year."
The Bedford Horticultural Society celebrates its 59th anniversary this spring, and on April 25 will host the Halifax District meeting of the Nova Scotia Association of Garden Clubs at the LeBrun Centre. Miller said his group is currently the largest garden club in its district and one of the largest in the province. Several members have been with the society for as many as 30 years.
"We also have a male president and a male vice president, and the executive has been working for a few years to encourage men to come and be active in the club," Miller explained. "We've noticed an increase in the last few years in the number of men coming to the club."
Originally named the Bedford Flower Club, the group currently has 73 paying members, hosts an annual plant sale in May with proceeds directed towards a scholarship fund, and boasts several master gardeners among its membership.
Miller's wife was a member of the first class to graduate from the Nova Scotia Agricultural College's master gardener program two years ago. Three other members of the Bedford club are currently undertaking the same studies.
"At least two will graduate this year. And master gardeners are not commercial. They don't charge," Miller said. "They assist the community in matters to do with horticulture. Their function is to do volunteer community work and we are fortunate to have them in the club."
Horticultural society members are responsible for maintaining the flower beds at Brookside Cemetery, the signpost for Scott Manor House on the Bedford Highway and the gardens at Scott Manor House itself.
The Bedford Horticultural Society meets every month except December. During the summer months, meetings are often held in local gardens, and the group plans an "away" tour out of the district each July. Miller said meetings feature high-calibre talks from experienced guests who speak on a wide variety of gardening-related topics.
Anyone interested in attending a meeting is encouraged to join one of the society's monthly meetings at the Bedford Leisure Club located behind the Bedford Legion. They meet the fourth Monday of each month at 7:30 p.m. New members can be novices or experienced gardeners and they come from all areas of HRM.
"We try very hard if a new person comes to a meeting to introduce them to members and take time to answer their questions," Miller said. "We also publish numbers people can call if they have problems with a particular plant or issue."
ydentremont@hfxnews.ca
