Society Projects - 1993

In a tradition begun during the last century in furtherance of its objectives, the Ottawa Horticultural Society continues to engage in a number of projects within the city. Among those undertaken in 1993 were:

A Garden for the Blind
The garden established in 1984 at C.N.I.B. headquarters on McLeod Street and reported in the 1985 Yearbook was subsequently eliminated as a result of changes in uses of that building. Funds remaining from that project were provided in 1992 to the Friends of the Central Experimental Farm to establish a "grove of scented plants for the blind." Preliminary work was undertaken in 1992 and 1993. The Curator of the Arboretum, Mr. Trevor Cole, expects the project to be completed in 1994.

Abbotsford House for Seniors
Arlene Gustafson continues her weekly visits, as she has for many years, to help the seniors in their Garden Room. This project has been running for nearly 20 years.

The Rehabilitation Centre, Smyth Road
For the past ten years Mary Bryant and Steve Murphy have provided a weekly plant care program for in-patients during the winter months. They also serve as advisors to the Centre on outdoor gardening activities and Mary contributes sketches and articles on plants and gardens to the Centre's Newsletter.

Muchmor Public School
A demonstration vegetable patch was developed by Alan Ritchie and Claire Desjardins using materials provided by the Society.

Dave Smith Centre for Drug and Alcohol Abuse.
In preparation for the official opening of the Centre in June, Heidi Geraets provided her expertise, enthusiasm, plants and tools to tidy up the front entrance. Further activities, including landscaping and the planting of shrubs, are planned for 1994.

Regina Public School
The School was built around a small courtyard which became neglected. OHS member Sheila Ayala has been helping to restore it and to teach children some gardening techniques. The OHS has donated $50 for the purchase of tulip and daffodil bulbs which are to be forced and later planted in the courtyard.

St. Patrick's Home
Claire Desjardins helped maintain the greenhouse and care for the plants.

Loblaws' Vanier Superstore engaged OHS member and Algonquin Horticulture student David Zackon for six weeks to provide expert advice to its Garden Centre customers. The project provided the public with valuable gardening information and David with training in marketing and welcome paid employment. Loblaws donated $100 to the Society in appreciation.

The Traffic Island on Rideau River Drive near Main Street benefited from Heidi Geraets' and her neighbours' assistance to the City in planting flowers and generally keeping the site tidy.

Judges.
Qualified members of the Society judge our own shows and are often called upon to assist in judging shows put on by other Horticultural Societies. One of our judges served in 1993 as an instructor in the District judging school. Three members are currently enrolled as students in the judging school at the Royal Botanical Garden, Hamilton. These experts are also called upon from time to time as speakers or demonstrators by a variety of local organizations. One member occasionally serves as the expert on a popular CBC open line radio show on gardening.

City Planning
Society director Anita Price is a volunteer member of the Ottawa Urban Forest Committee. Anita is there in her own right rather than as an official representative of the Society, but because of her OHS connections, is able to make use of that background in the deliberations of the Committee.

Please contact the OHS or the author if you wish to republish these articles. © Ottawa Horticultural Society

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