UPCOMING EVENTS

Garden Update

Thanks to all, as we struggle through another summer of Covid, and social distancing, hand sanitizing and wearing masks.  Please continue to adhere to all Provincial and local protocols.

Oh the difference a couple of months make!

Gardens will be judged during the week following the August long weekend so folks have time to get their gardens in tip top condition. 

It has been a long hot dry go, and it can be discouraging.  A number of you have found some innovative ways for water retention, and moisture conservation.  Congratulations. We do need to remind folks that if you're using materials that won't break down, they must be removed at the end of the season.  Wood Chips should not be placed onto the paths or in your gardens unless you intend to remove them as you do with anything "foreign" that you bring to your garden.

Suitable things include clean weed free wheat straw (NO FLAX STRAW, it does not break down and like wood chips can get dragged into other gardens), coir waste from mushroom farms and coffee husks to name a few are good options.  If in doubt, shoot an email to us.

The gardens for the most part are looking great, despite the drought; however, we do need to remind you that you MUST keep the paths weed free - work with your gardening neighbours to share the load!  Make sure those paths are clean for the Garden judging.

Weeds cannot be let go to seed and twitch grass roots need to be dug out and put on the compost piles.

Water taps.  As you would at home, please ensure the tap is OFF when you finish filling your pail.  NO one except the designated people will remove hoses from the taps and no one is to use their own longer hoses.  Anyone caught doing so, will lose their garden privileges.

Gardens, despite the drought are looking green and rich!

We are looking to put together a work crew.  We are all volunteers and we need help with a group of folks to get those tasks done.  We are going to do some improvements around the water taps,  adding gravel and concrete pads to minimize the muddiness,  mowing grass around the edges of the garden, and to help and encourage new/struggling gardeners.

Please give us a shout if you're able to give us a little of your time.

St. James Horticulture Society Members:

I am pleased to announce that we are going to be gardening this year.  Remember that the gardens should not be entered until the centre post is placed in your garden.  We are hoping that will happen in the next few days.  Water will not be turned on until after the long weekend.  We have been working to have the taps and lines upgraded.  Our garden committee has been working very hard to get the gardens ready, not knowing under the current restrictions whether we would be allowed to garden. 

There are some guidelines that each of us needs to be aware of and to comply with.  First and foremost, we all need to be kind to each other.  Treat everyone with respect.  I cannot stress enough how important it is to be vigilant in our actions.  The current health guidelines stipulate that we cannot gather in groups larger than 5.  Should we be found in violation of this health order and fined the $5000, we as an organization cannot afford that fine.  The fine amount would be passed along to each person holding a registered garden membership in the St James Horticultural Society.  Please follow the guidelines and do not congregate.  Masks must be worn outside of your own garden.

The advice below is based on current public health recommendations and may change at any time. For up-to-date information, visit https://www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/index.html.

·         Physical distancing of 6 or more feet must be observed

·         If a person is ill with COVID-19 symptoms (fever, cough, headache, etc.), they should not enter the garden.

·         If you are currently self-isolating/quarantining do not come to the garden

·         If a person has been out of the province, make sure they follow current public health guidance for returning from travel

·         Before coming to the garden please use the online COVID-19 self screening tool, https://sharedhealthmb.ca/covid19/screening-tool/

·         All people should follow proper hand hygiene upon entering and leaving the garden site. Wearing gardening gloves while visiting the garden may provide some protection but the wearer still must clean their hands before and after wearing gloves.

·         Sanitizing wipes or disinfectant spray (for cleaning tools and surfaces) and soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer (for cleaning hands) should be brought to the garden.

·         All people should cover their coughs and sneezes and should avoid touching their faces.

·         In situations where there are items/surfaces that will be touched by multiple people, gardeners should minimize use of these common items/surfaces as much as possible. Examples include reusable bins and buckets, shared tools, garden hoses and valves, railings, handles, seating, tables, etc.

·         Gardeners should clean their hands before and after using any common use items (water taps) or frequently-touched surfaces.

I would like to personally thank the garden committee spearheaded by Linda W. with Cathy K. for assigning gardens and for organizing the work crew who have spent the last week getting our gardens ready – Nathaneal, Blaine, Gord, Jim and Wayne W.

Brenda and your St James Horticulture Society Board of Directors