The 46th edition of Greater Victoria Flower Count will be held March 3-10, 2021. Organized by Destination Greater Victoria and The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce, this tradition is circled on the calendars of Greater Victoria residents year after year. It is a fun, light-hearted community event where Greater Victorians count flower blossoms and submit their total to see which municipality will be the 'bloomingest' in Greater Victoria. Last year, the District of Saanich won the contest. Elementary schools will also compete against each other this year.


This year's themes will be rejuvenation and healing. The COVID-19 pandemic has created difficult circumstances for everyone. We want Greater Victoria Flower Count to contribute to positive feelings as we look forward to spring.


Returning this year will be the photo contest as well. Prizes for the winners will be announced once Greater Victoria Flower Count concludes on March 10. All Greater Victoria Flower Count information can be found at flowercount.com.


Pollinators are needed in ecosystems so that plants can produce seeds and fruit. About 90% of all plants need or benefit from pollinators. Our native bee (Osmia lignaria) is commonly called the mason bee or blue orchard bee. The mason bee is a small solitary bee which lives in thin reeds or holes left behind by other insects. They are typically non-stinging, do not produce honey, do not have a queen or live in a hive, and do not swarm, making them easy and fun to watch.


The mason bee emerges in Spring when daytime temperatures rise to 10C consistently. This coincides with fruit tree bloom. Mason bees are amazing pollinators, generally pollinating about 95% of the flowers they visit. Installing a solitary bee nest will provide a safe environment for them to lay their eggs. One nest has the potential to yield 100 new bees.


We have a native bee project funded by the Victoria Master Gardener Association and created in collaboration with the HCP to preserve and protect native bees in the gardens through education, habitat preservation and creation. For more information, please check out the Island Pollinator Initiative.


We will soon be carrying mason bee cocoons as well as other necessary supplies in the HCP gift shop. You too can become a beekeeper with this native pollinator!

We know spring has truly arrived when it's Hellebore Sunday! Hellebores provide winter colour to your garden while being deer-resistant, drought-tolerant, shade-tolerant and a good cut flower.


We are planning to hold our sale onsite with strict physical distancing protocols to keep everyone safe, however this may change depending on the exact Provincial Health Orders this weekend. Please bring a mask.


The sale starts at noon and always sells out quickly. Line up early for the best selection!


Hope to see you then,

Linda


Coming into March I like to think that spring is now just around the corner. The skies are still grey but when the sunshine breaks through it seems to bring a bit of real warmth with it. Unfortunately the heavy snowfall a couple of weeks ago has injected an enormous amount of water into the ground and wet ground is slower to warm up than dry. But the lengthening days are also telling the plants to prepare themselves for growth and though there are not yet a great number of flowers in the Gardens there are definite signs of renewal to be seen, buds swelling on branches and green points pushing up through the soil.


In the Lily Garden the winter honeysuckle (Lonicera fragrantissima) is flowering and giving off its sweet fragrance amongst lilac crocuses and a range of different hellebores. In the Iris Garden the dwarf varieties are delightful. Known as reticulated or netted irises (Iris reticulata), they emerge from the soil toward the end of January and flower for several weeks, surviving even the cold and snow. ‘Katharine Hodgkin’ is a pale blue and yellow variety which has also been planted in the new Winter Garden bed D and ‘Katherine’s Gold’ is a pale yellow sport of this same hybrid. They are easy to grow and they should increase quite quickly over several years, giving a mass of early colour each spring.


Primulas are now beginning their season, low-growing yellow varieties already displaying in the Winter Garden and the Paeony Beds, but it should not be long before their taller cousins, the candelabra primulas also open up, most happily growing in a shady spot where their feet will remain damp. Consequently they thrive in the banks of the stream above the Takata moon bridge. Bergenias are also in flower; we have a couple of different varieties in the garden. I must confess I prefer the darker coloured flowers to the more common pale pinks but it looks like we are struggling to maintain any this year, rabbits having already nibbled away at many of the tender young shoots.


But perhaps the best display at this time, and one which is sometimes overlooked, is in the Heather Garden. Situated on a sunny bank that allows for good drainage, the mounds of mature winter heathers create a wonderful show of pinks and whites. From year to year different sections of heathers are renovated and new varieties introduced but the large well-established plants are an impressive sight, forming a rolling landscape of their own. Erica carnea ‘Lohses Rubin’ is a deep magenta in colour, Erica ‘R.B.Cooke’ is a paler shell-pink and Erica ‘Winterfreude’ is closer to crimson. But whatever the variety, with very little care, they come back reliably each year to brighten up this late winter period.


Due to COVID-19, the Victoria Master Gardener Association is unable to hold their usual face-to-face clinics until hopefully later this gardening season. Instead, they are ready to answer your gardening questions virtually and look forward to connecting with gardeners who need advice! Please email info@msvmga.org.

Our friends at Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary are holding their annual Native Plant Sale online this year. Please support them if you can.


Native plants are a critical piece to increasing our sustainability in the garden. Not only do these plants save water, preserve habitat and steward local biodiversity (including native pollinators!), but they save you time and money by being low maintenance!

 

Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary's Native Plant Sale is the largest of its kind on Vancouver Island and it is online now, by pre-order only. Over 100 species to choose from! Click here for details and remember to place you order by April 5th!


February was a packed month! With multiple programs running while we plan for additional future programs, the Pacific Horticulture College is busier than ever. The full-time certificate program students have been diving headfirst into Botany, Pruning, Plant ID, Practical Skills and more. The part-time Level 1 program students are learning about Grading and Drainage before moving onto Botany and Soils in March. A huge congratulations to our Level 4 students who not only completed the Level 4 program but also took their Red Seal exam in February! We are so proud of the excellent horticulturists coming out of our programs.

 

Starting in mid-March, applications will open for the 2022 Landscape Horticulture Certificate Program, 2021 part-time Level 2 Program and the 2021 (non-harmonized) Level 4 Program. This will be announced on our website, social media and by email. Please contact us (collegeadmin@hcp.ca) if you would like to be added to the interest list for any of these programs.

 

Coming up:

 

ONLINE Integrated Pest Management Course (Landscape General)

April 8-9, exam scheduled individually with ServiceBC

 

IN PERSON Integrated Pest Management Course (Landscape General)

April 17-18, exam on April 20 

 

Space is limited. All courses and exams are delivered with appropriate physical distancing and sanitization measures for the safety of our staff and students. Please visit our website for details about our programs and courses, or phone (250) 479-6162 to register.

Our aim is to create and provide community- and land-based learning opportunities for children, youth, families and schools in our community. Through these outdoor programs, we believe that we can promote individual, community and environmental health. During all of our programs, we will use the gardens and surrounding forests as our classroom and as an educational tool to cultivate engagement, wonder and meaningful connections to plants and the natural world.


During the COVID-19 pandemic, we are navigating the safe delivery of these educational programs within the guidelines of current Provincial Health Orders. All of our programs are subject to changes mandated by public health authorities, and in the case that a session is cancelled, a full refund or credit will be provided. As we continue to navigate, in-person sessions may also be offered online. We look forward to seeing you in our gardens again soon!



Garden Nature Academy - Spring Session

The outdoors offer safe and seasonal opportunities for your preschooler to explore through play, games, songs and activities! These outdoor sessions will include time in our vegetable garden, as well as numerous pathways and native plant forest areas to explore. The small group sizes and our experienced nature educators help to create a nurturing and engaging environment for young children to learn, play and grow!


Dates: Tuesdays April 6, April 13, April 20, April 27, May 4, May 11, May 18, May 25

Time: 9:00 - 11:30am

Age: 3 - 4 years

Fee: $160 (price is for full series)

Register: Online or phone (250) 479-6162



Garden Friends - A Series for Children and Parents (April)

Children love to explore our gardens while observing and experiencing nature. Together, we will engage in a series of nature activities. Each session includes a garden wander, sharing circle and story time. Bring a snack and picnic blanket for story time and dress for the weather. Weekly topics for April are Garden Creatures, Curious About Plants, The Earth, and Garden Helpers. 


Dates: Thursdays April 8, April 15, April 22, April 29

Time: 10:00 to 11:30am

Age: 3 - 6 years, with parent or guardian

Fee: HCP Members $55 / Non-Members $65 (price is for full series)

Register: Online or phone (250) 479-6162



School Tours, Programs & Workshops

Join us at the gardens for school tours, programs and workshops with onsite and blended options. Together we will explore a variety of plant-based topics through facilitator-led walks, work projects and take-home activities for ongoing learning and class followup. Current offerings include but are not limited to Ethnobotany & Indigenous Plant Uses, Food Production at School or Home, or Life Cycle of Plants.


Currently booking for April, May and June 2021. To book a tour, school program or workshop for your group, please contact our School and Youth Programs Coordinator by email (youthprograms@hcp.ca) or visit www.hcp.ca for more information.



Garden Day Camps

Join us at the gardens for our Junior Master Gardener Pro D, Spring Break and Summer day camps!


Pro D Day Camps

An outdoor garden experience where we take on seasonal gardening tasks and activities in our very own HCP Kids Garden plot. There are also opportunities to explore the vast wilderness areas, experience the natural systems that keep our gardens growing, get our hands busy with garden arts and crafts and more.

 

Dates: April 19, April 23, May 14, May 21

Time: 9:00am - 4:00pm

Age: 5 - 12 years

Fee: $40

Register: Online or phone (250) 479-6162


Spring Break Camps (Limited Space Remaining!)

Spring in our gardens has so much promise! During these week-long day camps, we will be preparing and planting the vegetable garden plots in our HCP Kids Garden plot. We will be putting in our potato crops and checking on the garlic planted by last fall’s Pro D Day campers. Our week together isn’t complete without a potato roast in our own cob oven! We will harvest the earliest chives and parsley for toppings and create a feast while learning about these amazing vegetables, their history and how to grow them. During the week, we will also plant up potatoes in your very own potato pot to learn to care for and continue to nurture at home.

 

Dates: March 15 - 19 or March 22 - 26

Time: 9:00am - 4:00pm

Age: 5 - 12 years

Fee: $180

Register: Online or phone (250) 479-6162



The following workshops have changed to an online format! They will be available online starting February 20 and can be accessed until April 20. After registration, participants will receive an email including an instructional sheet, a link to an instructional video, as well as time and date options for you to pick up your take-home workshop kit. Videos will be available for participants to watch at their convenience.


Terrarium Gardens for Kids (Kit + Video)

Gardens come in all shapes and sizes. Get creative as you learn about the needs of little plants, and what better place to grow them than in an upcycled glass container? Choose a glass bowl, vase, jar or other container (up to 20cm) to upcycle and see what you can create! You provide the glass container and we provide the rest. 


Age: 6+ years

Fee: HCP Members $20 / Non-Members $25

Register: Online or phone (250) 479-6162


Outdoor Fairy Gardens (Kit + Video)

Using a selection of winter hardy plants, we will create an outdoor fairy garden for your deck, balcony or garden. We will discuss winter hardy plants and how to grow them in small containers. These miniature gardens provide a fun reason to move your child’s play outdoors this season and makes a great destination to check on during the spring and summer too!


Age: 5+ years

Fee: HCP Members $20 / Non-Members $25

Registration: Online or phone (250) 479-6162


Fairy Furnishings (Kit + Video)

Making your own fairy garden furnishings can be fun and easy with a little expertise and guidance. In this kit and video package, we will take a walk together to forage natural materials that can be made into fun and functional furnishings for existing and future fairy gardens. We will explore doors, gates, transitions and theme related furnishings. Participants will receive a kit with instructions and supplies to make featured items and will be encouraged to source out their own special materials going forward. Imagination is a wonderful tool as we learn to create items for these playful and whimsical gardens!


Age: 5+ years

Fee: HCP Members $20 / Non-Members $25

Registration: Online or phone (250) 479-6162


Seed Starting for Kids (Kit + Video)

Growing vegetables from seed is a fun way for children to become self-reliant and aware of their own food security. This class includes an introduction to growing six different cool weather crops from seed, their maintenance and replanting information. Participants will learn about the best soils to use for starting seeds, how to water, when to 

harden off and how to plan for successive crops. Participants will have the materials to sow their seeds at home in a tray, grow them into seedlings and then plant them. 


Age: 5+ years

Fee: HCP Members $20/Non-Members $25

Registration: Online or phone (250) 479-6162



Child, Youth & Family Workshops

Join us for our workshop series designed for families and their children of all ages in the gardens!


Growing Veggies with Kids 

Fast forward your plans for a vegetable garden this year with this “how to” family workshop! We will create a garden from scratch, exploring setup, soil preparations, planning and planting to help get you started quickly and successfully. Participants will plant up and take away a tray of seed-starts to grow their own vegetables in their yard, balcony or deck, and have a virtual consultation to further support you once you have started!


Date: Saturday, April 3

Time: 9:00am - 12:00pm

Fee: HCP Members $60 / Non-Members $75

Registration: Online or phone (250) 479-6162


The Life of Mason Bees 

These remarkable native pollinators contribute to the making of seeds and fruit in our gardens. About 90% of plants need or benefit from pollinators, and these little bees are major early season contributors for our crops. Through a series of readings and activities, this program will enlighten participants to the many aspects of sustaining backyard mason bee houses. Readings will be from Sunshine and Pollen: The Life of Mason Bees written by local author Monika Grünberg and Illustrated by Alexandra Troop. This unique program is sure to engage all in the seasonal understanding of sustainable gardening with these pollinators. Together we will make a mini mason bee house and a pollinator habitat in a pot to support the bees in your garden.


Date: Saturday, April 17

Time: 9:00am - 12:00pm

Fee: HCP Members $60 / Non-Members $75

Register: Online or phone (250) 479-6162

We are happy to still be offering classes during the COVID-19 pandemic, though there may be some adjustments to keep us aligned with public health recommendations and keep participants and instructors safe. With this in mind, it is possible that your in-person class may be switched to an online format, postponed, or cancelled depending on Provincial Health Orders. Registered participants will be notified via email if this happens and will have the option to stay registered or opt out. Please check out our new online classes so you can keep learning no matter what! If you have any questions, please email our community education coordinator Cheri at communityed@hcp.ca.



Plant Identification & Culture

Learn so much about plants with Diane Pierce, expert gardener, designer and writer. Diane will introduce you to 25 new plants in each session. You will learn Latin and common names, plant descriptions, cultural requirements, general maintenance and landscape uses. This is an ongoing course and can be joined at any time, all year long, one Saturday a month. Dress for the weather as part or all of the class will be outdoors. Masks required. Check online for class location as some dates may be field trips or online via Zoom.


Dates: Saturdays March 13, April 10, May 15, June 19, July 17, August 21, September 11, October 2, November 20, December 4

Time: 1:00 - 4:00pm

Fee: HCP Members $35 / Non-Members $45

Register: Online or phone (250) 479-6162



Cannabis for the Home Grower (ONLINE)

Learn the basics of growing cannabis for personal use with Pacific Horticulture College instructor Jo Wyld. This workshop will cover cannabis species and strains, how cannabis is used, starting from seed or clone, considerations and methods for growing outdoors or indoors, common pests and disease, harvesting and relevant legislation.


Dates: Tuesday, March 9

Time: 6:00 - 9:00pm

Fee: HCP Members $60 / Non-Members $70

Register: Online or phone (250) 479-6162



Willow Hoop Rib Basket (ONLINE)

This is a traditional rib-style basket often called a potato basket, constructed with a willow hoop and woven with dyed reed and seagrass. This style of basket originates in Europe and is ideal for harvesting and storage. This is a great basket for beginners. Kits are included in the price and can be picked up March 6 or 7 from The Gardens at HCP.


Date: Tuesday, March 16

Time: 9:30am - 4:30pm

Fee: HCP Members $120 / Non-Members $140

Register: Online or phone (250) 479-6162



Watercolours with Richard Wong - Arbutus Trees (ONLINE)

Relax, paint and connect with others while learning how to create beautiful watercolours on Japanese art paper. This class is an introduction to watercolour, suitable for those just starting out or are thinking about trying watercolour for the first time. Adults and families with children are encouraged to participate. More information on our website when you click the registration link below.


Date: Thursday, March 18

Time: 6:00 - 8:00pm

Fee: $20/screen

Register: Online or phone (250) 479-6162



Forest Therapy Walks

Join Kelly Kiss, ANFT Certified Forest Therapy Guide, to discover “Forest Bathing”, what it is, along with its health and wellness benefits. Forest therapy is inspired by the Japanese practice of Shinrin-Yoku, or forest bathing. Shinrin-Yoku means to “bathe in the atmosphere of the forest”. If practiced regularly, “forest bathing” may improve your health, wellness and happiness! Moving slowly over a gentle landscape, the practice of forest therapy is accessible to people of all fitness levels, ages and abilities. Please bring a mask and dress for the weather. This class will be postponed or cancelled if the current provincial health order extends to the class date.


Dates: Sunday, March 21, Saturdays April 10, May 15, June 19

Time: 1:30 - 4:00pm

Fee: $45

Register: Online or phone (250) 479-6162



Propagating Native Plants (ONLINE)

Growing native plants in our home gardens is a great way to support local wildlife, including birds and pollinators. Native species are also climate adapted and often don’t require additional inputs like water or fertilizer. Latifa Pelletier-Ahmed will discuss techniques for propagating native plants from seed, including seed collection, seed cleaning, seed storage and seed treatments such as scarification and stratification. Vegetative propagation including division and cuttings will also be discussed.


Date: Tuesday, March 23

Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm

Fee: $25/screen

Register: Online or phone (250) 479-6162



Introduction to Bookbinding - Cute Lil’ Notebook (ONLINE)

In this online workshop, you will make and embellish a notebook with local artist Angelique Bulosan. You will learn foundational concepts of bookbinding using bookbinding tools and alternate tools you may already have on hand. This notebook is highly customizable with stamps, stickers, decorative inserts and a centrefold pocket. An ideal place to journal about your garden! Please visit our website to see the materials list and for more information and inspiration.


Date: Thursday, March 25

Time: 6:00 - 9:00pm

Fee: $50

Register: Online or phone (250) 479-6162



Willow Chair Workshop

Join artisan Andrew Kent from The Willow Way for this full-day workshop. In one day, with Andrew Kent’s expert instruction, you can make and take home your own Bent Willow Rustic Chair. This is a great introduction to rustic building techniques. Learn how to make a square frame from pieces of alder and work with different sizes of willow to create your chair. Please bring a helper from your household/bubble. All tools will be provided. This class is outdoors and masks are required. This class will be postponed or cancelled if the current provincial health order extends to the class date.


Dates: Tuesday, March 30 or Sunday, April 11

Time: 9:00am - 5:00pm

Fee: HCP Members $250 / Non-Members $275 (price is per chair)

Register: Online (click here for Mar 30 or here for Apr 11) or phone (250) 479-6162



The Art of Bonsai - Design & Care Series

Learn the art of bonsai with Mark Paterson, President of the Vancouver Island Bonsai Society. This is the first of a three-part series. In Part One, Mark will teach you how to apply bonsai techniques to a gallon-sized plant that you get to take home with you. You will learn bonsai history, design and care. The class will also cover how to choose potential bonsai stock and how to use plant training to increase aesthetic and monetary value for your new plant. Part Two will cover root cutting and Part Three will cover later season and winter care. This class may be online or in person depending on the provincial health order.


Dates/Times:

Saturday April 3, 9:00am - 12:00pm

Thursday May 20, 6:00 - 9:00pm

Sunday September 26, 9:00am - 12:00pm

Fee: HCP Members $145 / Non-Members $175

Register: Online or phone (250) 479-6162



Watercolours with Richard Wong - Celebrating Easter (ONLINE)

Relax, paint and connect with others while learning how to create beautiful watercolours on Japanese art paper. This class is an introduction to watercolour, suitable for those just starting out or are thinking about trying watercolour for the first time. Adults and families with children are encouraged to participate. More information on our website when you click the registration link below.


Date: Saturday, April 3

Time: 1:00 - 3:00pm

Fee: $20/screen

Register: Online or phone (250) 479-6162



Floral Design Program Coming This Spring!

Join floral designer Linda Rambaud of Lindara Design to learn industry-level floral design skills. This is the first of a three-part series, and participants who complete all three parts will receive a certificate of completion. Part One consists of 3 x 3 hour sessions in class and one field trip or speaker event, for a total of 15 hours. This course is designed for those who want to create their own arrangements or join the floral industry. You will develop creativity, techniques and learn to care for fresh arrangements. All flowers are included in the course fees. This class is indoors and masks are required.


Dates: Tuesday evenings in March/April (exact dates TBA)

Time: 6:00 - 9:00pm

Fee: HCP Members $450 / Non-Members $495

Register: Click here for the interest list and we will contact you when registration opens. 



Backyard Beekeeping (ONLINE + Field Trip)

This is a four-part series for the beginner beekeeper, instructed by experienced beekeeper Gordon Mackay. If you are new to keeping bees or thinking about starting a hive, this series will give you the practical information you need to start your journey. Beekeepers never stop learning! The series will have three online classes and one practical session where you will get to view a hive in person. This series will focus on the most common hive system called the Langstroth. Participants will learn about equipment, how to locate and set up a hive, purchasing and installing bees, bee castes, common issues like swarming, integrated pest management, products from the hive, winterizing and more. There will be a short open-book test at the end and you will receive a certificate of completion. There will be opportunities to ask questions and meet the other "newbees" in the class. The first class of the series can be taken on its own for those unable to commit to the full series. The field trip will be scheduled as soon as the Provincial Health Order allows it. A veil is required for the field trip and can be rented from HCP for $5 or purchased from various suppliers. 


Dates: Wednesdays April 14, April 21, April 28 (Field Trip TBD)

Time: 6:00 - 8:30pm

Fee: HCP Members $190 / Non-Members $220

Register: Online or phone (250) 479-6162



Watercolours with Richard Wong - Mist & Fog (ONLINE)

Relax, paint and connect with others while learning how to create beautiful watercolours on Japanese art paper. This class is an introduction to watercolour, suitable for those just starting out or are thinking about trying watercolour for the first time. Adults and families with children are encouraged to participate. More information on our website when you click the registration link below.


Date: Thursday, April 15

Time: 6:00 - 8:00pm

Fee: $20/screen

Register: Online or phone (250) 479-6162



Linocut for Absolute Beginners - Blooming Bomb Bundles (ONLINE)

In this workshop, you will use carving tools to design and carve lino, then decorate and construct paper containers. Handmade native flower seed bombs and a template will be provided to complete your Blooming Bomb Bundle! Your instructor, Angelique, will show you some of her favourite linocut artists, discuss materials, tools and techniques. 


Date: Thursday, April 22

Time: 6:00 - 9:00pm

Fee: $65

Register: Online or phone (250) 479-6162


Thank you so much for your generous support!

As a charity, the Horticulture Centre of the Pacific depends on the support and generosity of others to help us make a difference. The maintenance of our gardens is funded through our memberships as well as donations, sponsorships, grants and income from our gardens through admissions, plant sales, events and weddings. Even though much of the creation and maintenance of the gardens has been carried out by teams of hardworking and cherished volunteers, there is still a large financial commitment when caring for nine acres of curated gardens. While we had a record amount of plant sales ($60,000!) in 2020, weddings and special events remain largely on hold. Your donations provide essential support, especially now.


Thank you so much for your continued support -- we couldn't do it without you!


Visit our website or phone (250) 479-6162 to donate today.

We have an account at the Return-It Bottle Depot! The next time you’re bringing in your refundables, please advise the cashier at the beginning of the transaction that you would like to donate the amount to The Gardens at HCP.


Please use our name and not the account number you may see on a past receipt, as the account number is different at each Bottle Depot location. The three Victoria locations are 4261 Glanford Ave, 655 Queens Ave, and 3961 Quadra St.


Visit the Return-It website to see which beverage containers are eligible for a refund.

Next time you visit, ask us about the Thrifty Foods Smile Card Fundraising Program! It’s easy to pick up a card at the front desk and costs you nothing.


Every time you load your Smile Card, Thrifty Foods will make a donation equal to 5% of the amount to The Gardens at HCP. When the card balance is low, simply load it again to continue supporting us every time you shop! Remember to reload the card at the start of your grocery order.


Smile Cards can be picked up at the front desk. Thank you!

It’s a new month; don’t forget to check your bright green 'Gardens at HCP' membership card to see if it has expired! Memberships are a great value and include:


Free admission to the Gardens

A free guest pass with each membership

Discounted rates for additional guests

10% off plants and gift shop purchases

Discounted member rates on Community Education Workshops

Discounts at select garden centres throughout Victoria

Free admission, free parking, or other discounts at participating gardens in the American Horticultural Society’s Reciprocal Admissions Program!


Revenue from annual memberships supports youth programming, horticulture student development, plants and supplies for garden improvements, and volunteer appreciation. You can purchase or renew your membership today online or by calling (250) 479-6162.


Our new database system allows you to manage your membership, donations and workshop registrations online. Current members and most past members have an account already.


When you attempt to log in for the first time, you will need to reset your password. Please note that the password recovery email expires after 48 hours, and may be in your spam folder. Don’t hesitate to phone us if you need any assistance.


Pollination with Mason Bees: A Gardener’s Guide to Managing Mason Bees for Fruit Production

by Dr. Margriet Dogterom


For those of you whose interests have been piqued by mason bees, this hands-on guidebook is perfect for the novice mason beekeeper. It’s filled with practical information on how to house, feed and care for these native pollinators. Dr. Dogterom distills over 20 years of fieldwork and research experience with bees into this handy manual. She even worked for the BC Government as a bee inspector. In chapter 4, she considers nesting trays and their advantages compared with a host of other types of nests. To watch the mason bees develop and work right inside the nest, you can get a plexiglass observation tray. Preparing the nests for spring is covered in chapter 5, including where to best locate them in your yard (they like mud!). Placing them close to flowering fruit trees will increase pollination. Who knew that a mason bee’s favourite colours are yellow, mauve, pink and blue?

 

Available to borrow from the HCP Library or to purchase from the gift shop.

 

To find other books about bees, fruit trees, and other spring related topics, visit our online catalogue!

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