ROOTS ‘N' RAMBLINGS

Submitted by Linda Friend

Remember when summers were endless and August a long, leisurely month? Of course, back then I was a kid on a farm looking forward to reuniting with my friends at our one-room, rural school. Now summer races by at a dizzy pace. The containers enthusiastically planted in May are looking tired, mildew has conquered the phlox and grasshoppers are chomping on my daylilies. The CNE, that sure signal of fall, is roaring away!

With the summer of 2019 nearing its end, the Bobcaygeon Horticultural Society is celebrating its achievements. Our major summer event, the Annual Garden Tour and Tea, drew attendees from the lakeshore to Minden. And it was worth the drive! Experts on such topics as composting, pollinators, and invasive plants were eager to share their knowledge, Kawartha Settlers’ Village hosted our tea of home-baked treats, the Boyd Heritage Museum was a wonderful location for our mini-market and our musicians. Seven private gardens, carefully tended by their owners, drew rave reviews. Many thanks to these enthusiastic horticulturalists: Janice Crocker, Julia Skinner, Christina and Victor Garbutt, Lee and John Tollett, Saskia Sevink, Mary and Richard Fedy and Kelly and Dan Jones. Finally, thank you to Sandy Cogar who hosted our participating artists at her woodland studio.

Our Flower/Vegetable Show on August 7 was an outstanding success. The number and quality of entries exceeded expectations, giving evidence to the enthusiasm of our many new members. Congratulations to all especially to the novice exhibitors.

Our September 19 meeting, held at Knox Presbyterian Church, is a special volunteer appreciation and awards night. Regular meetings begin October 17 with speakers Karen Durin and Gini Sage sorting out the mysteries of hydrangeas: choosing the perfect variety, planting success and, that eternal quandary, pruning.

It is time to begin planning your entries for the Bobcaygeon Fall Fair, September 26 to 28. All of the details are available online at www.bobcaygeonfair.com. Select your finest vegetables and flowers, prepare an arrangement, or bake a pie -- be part of a 161-year tradition.

Finally, in my own tiny vegetable garden, the vine crops are thriving -- rambunctious leaves and cheerful flowers – but there's been little production in the cucumbers, squash and pumpkins. Is this a consequence of bee decline? Tiny drones are already being utilized in commercial orchards for pollination. Perhaps the bees have gone the way of my old, one-room schoolhouse.