YORKTON - Spring excites us: the idea of getting out in the garden! Have you ever watched people who are looking at seeds this time of year? Those racks of seed packages are as tempting and appealing as looking in a candy store!
Many people comment that the number of seeds in the seed packages is smaller than they used to be. That is probably true. But on the other hand, seed growers are probably aware that many gardeners do not plant several thirty-foot rows of one thing; I’m guessing that most gardeners today have smaller gardens, so the seed package contents are probably scaled to match.
Other comments: that seeds have gone up in price. Yes, that’s true. So have most things. But let’s think of it this way: for a seed package that costs $3.95, we will have an entire season of enjoyment when those seeds are planted and growing in our gardens. Plus the added benefits of working outdoors, having the beauty of nature around us, and enjoying the bounty of what we have grown, whether flowers or vegetables. The prices are fair when you factor those things in.
So now, here we are, with Easter quickly approaching. Though we can’t have live plants gracing our steps to say, “Happy Easter!”, we can still make a pleasing floral display. There are a few occasions in the year (like Thanksgiving or Christmas) when we can use dried or artificial plant material to make a seasonal display, and Easter is one of them. We may be blessed with a mild Easter weekend, or we could be struggling through drifts of snow, who knows! So let’s make something that will look fresh and springlike no matter what the weather!
First order of business: a container. Use a planter that will fit where you want it to go, something not too large unless you have a lot of plant material to work with. You can fill this container snugly with dry foam, or with potting soil. If it is a very light container, anchor it with a rock or two in the bottom, or a bottle of water. Even if it freezes, it will provide weight.
Next, plant material. You might have some cheery silk tulips or lilies, but if you don’t, no worries. Trim a few branches from your back yard, and buy a couple small bottles of acrylic paint in pastel colors. It takes very little time to paint bare branches, and when they are dry, they look very nice in a container. I have done this for outdoor Christmas containers, and it is amazing how paint on branches transforms them into something magical! And if you have faux spring flowers and hang a few plastic eggs with ribbons on your branches, it will be stunning!
Don’t forget the little accents that bring the finishing touches: plastic eggs, bunnies, cheerful Easter plaques nestled among the flowers. Be sure that things are either wired or attached to skewers that can be inserted in the base, just so they don’t blow away.
This kind of planter is fun to make for a special occasion, and gives a bright welcome to anyone who comes to your door!
The next meeting of the Yorkton and District Horticultural Society is on Wednesday, April 16 at 7:00 PM at the Yorkton Public Library. Our guest speaker will be Olga Brygider talking to us about bonsai, the Japanese art of miniature trees in containers. Everyone is welcome!
Check our website, www.yorktonhort.ca for details on a Spring Workshop with the Shamrock Hort Society on Saturday, April 26 in Foam Lake. Thank you to our friends at YTW for their fine work. Have a great week!
