PROGRAM, SHOW DATES & SPECIAL EVENTS
We feature guest speakers and or/workshops at all of our monthly meetings. Click here to read, download and/or print the 2026 Program, Show Dates and Special Events.
See our list of upcoming speakers here.
2026
We started the new year with the Dirt on Dirt! Tuesday, January 20/26 our featured speaker was noted landscape designer, gardening expert and media personality, Carson Arthur. What exactly is in all those bags of soil we buy year after year? (Hint: it’s not what you think). So informative! As gardeners, we all need to be more mindful of asking questions of retailers and producers. Carson returned for another speaker visit in May. More on that below.
By the way, guests are always welcome at our meetings (pwyc). We meet at 1:30pm during the winter months, 7pm the rest of the year. See you soon!
In February we set about Chasing Away the Winter Blues with a rock painting session! These beauties will look great in our gardens come spring. Amazing what a little paint and lot of laughter can do to raise your spirits. Such talent and creativity! Just what the doctor ordered (and no waiting). We also featured a houseplant competition, with our winner being Karen Prins for her incredible Fishbone Cactus. Now, the Fishbone (or rickrack plant) is fairly common insofar as houseplants go, but none of us had ever seen one in bloom before. Wow!
Karen’s Fishbone Cactus in bloom.
In March we welcomed Catherine Davis to speak at our meeting. Catherine is a proud member of Alderville First Nation and a university professor currently teaching at Queen’s University and Trent University. Her work centres on Indigenous education and knowledge, supporting learners and educators across all levels — from preschool to post-secondary — in building meaningful, culturally grounded relationships with Indigenous ways of knowing. Drawing on Anishinaabe teachings and a lifelong connection to community, that same approach carries into her gardening, which is rooted in Indigenous perspectives and a deep respect for the land. We very much enjoyed Catherine’s visit to us, learned a lot and made a new local gardening friend!
Ken Cox from the Ministry of Natural Resources came by to see in April and introduced us to the Fire Smart program, There are steps we can all take to further protect our homes and properties from approaching fire. Ken’s experience in the field for the last 18 years has often given him a bird’s eye view of wildfire, some of it controlled (and actually desirable) and some proving to be devastating. The Ministry’s webpage on the program has more information for you. Find that here: http://www.firesmartcanada.ca
May 5th we held our second annual Trivia Night. This year’s event was another smashing success with around 40 (very smart) people in the room. Our winning team took home a variety of gift cards for local businesses here in Colborne and everyone agreed it was a great time. Super fun. Yes, we’ll do it again next year!
May 19th we welcomed Carson Arthur back to the club, with a highly informative and thought-provoking talk on food security (or lack of) and how as gardeners and community members we can help. If you’re of a certain vintage you may remember the term “victory gardens”. These were established during the Second World War to help feed the many struggling individuals and families here at home. The idea of community gardening on this scale needs to return. Food prices have gone up by around 50% since COVID and they will not be coming down. And while this is happening obesity is on the rise. To help each other make better food choices in an affordable way fresh food must be more readily available and accessible. Do you grow veggies in your gardens? Grow a few extra and donate the overflow to your local food bank. Every basket of vegetables makes a difference and we can all do our part. Thank you, Carson!
May 30th we hosted our famous Plant Sale! It was a great day. Thank you to everyone who came out to support us.
Coming up next, on June 16th, we’ll welcome Nicholas Reynolds of Lower Trent Conservation who will speak to us about erosion control (among other things). See you there!
And taking stock of 2025:
On October 21st/25 we featured another Willow Workshop with Jessica York and her team from The Branch Ranch! A great time was had by all as we learned and created, ending up with these trays (sometimes called boat trays) and yes, some sore hands. This willow weaving stuff ain’t for the faint of heart! Check back with our website often to stay on top of what we have coming up, or follow us on Facebook: Cramahe Horticultural Society. We’re always up to something! We hope you can join us.
And here are some photos from our earlier willow workshop, held in March of 2025.
2026 Program,
Show Dates & Special Events
The Cramahe Horticultural Society Annual Plant Sale
Who doesn’t love a plant sale?? Our sale always takes place the last Saturday in May in Victoria Square Park, in the heart of the Village of Colborne. We go from 9am to 1pm. You can see pictures from our 2025 sale on our Projects page.