Earthworms have long been hailed as a friend of the gardener, but nearly all earthworms in Ontario are introduced from Europe and Asia. While some species of earthworms benefit some species of plants, the introduction of invasive earthworms has caused major shifts in North American plant communities.  Jumping worms, alternatively known as pheretimoid earthworms, crazy worms, snake worms and Alabama jumpers, were first identified in southern Ontario in 2014, and are an emerging conservation threat to a broad suite of native taxa, habitats, industries, hobbies, and vital ecosystem services. These earthworms in the family Megascolecidae originate in Asia, while the more widespread European species are in the family Lumbricidae.  Jumping worms alter the structure and chemistry of the soil dramatically, leaving a grainy soil full of worm excrement (castings), and they can damage lawns, landscapes and forest habitat. 
Observations of the negative effects of jumping worms have been independently noted not only by forest ecologists, but by botanical garden staff, ornamental plant breeders and citizens. In this talk, I will first discuss the impacts and invasion history of earthworms, and jumping worms in particular. Next, I will provide information on identification of jumping worms.”

Dr. Annise Dobson grew up on a farm outside of Cobden, Ontario. After completing her PhD at Cornell University, she began a position as a postdoctoral researcher at the Yale School of the Environment. Her research focuses on the impacts of jumping worms, white tailed deer and other stressors to native plant communities in Northeastern Canada and the United States. Currently, she is working to identify the movement of jumping worms through New York City, and assessing their impacts on urban plant communities.

Email maria.sievers92@gmail.com for event zoom link

Robert Pavlis will present a number of gardening myths, including myths about
planting trees, natural pesticides are safe, hostas don’t grow in sun,
and weed barriers prevent weeds from growing. The topics will use plenty
of pictures showing gardens and flowers to keep everyone interested.

Robert Pavlis is a well-known speaker, and educator with over 40 years of
gardening experience. He is the author of several books, Building
Natural Ponds, Soil Science for Gardeners and Garden Myths, and
publishes the popular gardening blogs GardenMyths.com and GardenFundamentals.com. As the owner and head gardener of Aspen Grove Gardens, a six-acre botanical garden, he grows 3,000 varieties of plants.

This presentation will be a free Webinar. There is no registration
required. Please consider supporting the future activities of the OHS
though renewing your membership or joining for $15/yr, or though a
donation.

How to view the presentation:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMkJSn2gaoejcGCdzK6xRWg

To join the presentation, please click on this YouTube link to go to the
OHS YouTube Channel. To simply watch the presentation there is nothing
else you need to do. The presentation will also be recorded and
available at this link afterwards. The easiest way to find the channel
is using the link; if you are on YouTube and do a search please use
Ottawa Horticultural Society (we aren’t the only ones that use OHS as an
acronym!)

Starting the video:

Once you are on the site, you must click on the rectangle of the video to
start watching. Until 7:30 you will see a screen that says the
presentation will begin at 7:30 p.m., so please be patient.

Photo illustration by Tuula Talvila.
Images sources: Tomato with epsom salts, dish soap by Tuula Talvila
Lunar phases: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lunar_Phases.jpg by Hamed Rajabpour and Nariman Ghorbani, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Egg shells: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Eggshell_001.jpg by H. Zell, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Dealing with hotter and drier summers poses challenges for gardeners.  Waterwise techniques help to keep our gardens lush and healthy.   Join Master Gardener, Rebecca Last to learn more about this important topic.  Register here to receive the Zoom link to our event.    

Interested in knowing more about Manotick Horticultural Society, discover all the benefits of being a member by visiting our website at http://www.manotickhorticulturalsociety.com/

Elizabeth Schleicher, past-president of the Canadian Rose Society, will help take the mystery out of rose culture and care. Elizabeth is a Garden Clubs of Ontario accredited judge of horticulture and design and an accredited rose judge and rose consultant with the Canadian Rose Society. Her presentation will focus on hardier roses for a colder climate.

COVID-19 Arrangements

In line with the Firehall’s virtual-programming approach, Garden Club meetings will be held, at least until the end of the year, virtually using the Zoom application. Members should register either for the season or on a meeting-by-meeting basis with the Firehall’s online registration process to receive the Zoom meeting coordinates. Registration for tours will be directly with the tour organizer. Mask-use and appropriate physical distancing during tours must be observed.

Meeting Fees:

2020—21 season: $25 for individuals; $40 for a family; drop-in fee—$7 per meeting. Fees for Gees Bees and Riverwood Gardens tours and the seasonal workshop are extra.

Old Ottawa South Community Centre (The Firehall—260 Sunnyside Ave.) at 613 247-4946 and www.oldottawasouth.ca

Please
join teacher/author David Ward and witness his sincere, open lecture
style as he comments on our individual journeys of lifelong learning,
adventure however you define it, and anything else his heart feels
compelled to share.

An
award-winning author of two critically-acclaimed books, and a winner of
the Charles E. Pascal Award for Excellence in Teaching, David is
pleased to now be sharing his long and varied history of working in
horticulture with learners at the University of Guelph.

(Photo provided by speaker.)

This
presentation will be a free Webinar. There is no registration required.
Please consider supporting the future activities of the OHS though
renewing your membership or joining for $15/yr, or though a donation.

How to view the presentation:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMkJSn2gaoejcGCdzK6xRWg

To
join the presentation, please click on this YouTube link to go to the
OHS YouTube Channel. To simply watch the presentation there is nothing
else you need to do. The presentation will also be recorded and
available at this link afterwards. The easiest way to find the channel
is using the link; if you are on YouTube and do a search please use
Ottawa Horticultural Society (we aren’t the only ones that use OHS as an
acronym!)

Starting the video:

Once
you are on the site, you must click on the rectangle of the video to
start watching. Until 7:30 you will see a screen that says the
presentation will begin at 7:30 p.m., so please be patient.

Welwyn Wong is the principal landscape designer of Welwyn Wong Landscape Design (www.welwynwong.com). In her presentation, Welwyn will challenge you to think “outside the box” in discussing landscape-design considerations relevant to residential landscapes including architectural style, inherent property attributes, as well as homeowner needs and preferences. Look through her technical eyes to catch a glimpse of what she sees when she visits a property for the first time.

COVID-19 Arrangements

In line with the Firehall’s virtual-programming approach, Garden Club meetings will be held, at least until the end of the year, virtually using the Zoom application. Members should register either for the season or on a meeting-by-meeting basis with the Firehall’s online registration process to receive the Zoom meeting coordinates. Registration for tours will be directly with the tour organizer. Mask-use and appropriate physical distancing during tours must be observed.

Meeting Fees:

2020—21 season: $25 for individuals; $40 for a family; drop-in fee—$7 per meeting. Fees for Gees Bees and Riverwood Gardens tours and the seasonal workshop are extra.

Old Ottawa South Community Centre (The Firehall—260 Sunnyside Ave.) at 613 247-4946 and www.oldottawasouth.ca

A small panel of master gardeners will talk about interesting ways to include annuals on your balconies, patios, and in your gardens. From small and sweet to big and bold, annuals with their wide variety of shapes and colours can add personality and character to any garden. Many of them play the useful role of attracting pollinators while others can offer a unique twist to your dinner plate, not to mention their role in making stunning bouquets.

COVID-19 Arrangements

In line with the Firehall’s virtual-programming approach, Garden Club meetings will be held, at least until the end of the year, virtually using the Zoom application. Members should register either for the season or on a meeting-by-meeting basis with the Firehall’s online registration process to receive the Zoom meeting coordinates. Registration for tours will be directly with the tour organizer. Mask-use and appropriate physical distancing during tours must be observed.

Meeting Fees:

2020—21 season: $25 for individuals; $40 for a family; drop-in fee—$7 per meeting. Fees for Gees Bees and Riverwood Gardens tours and the seasonal workshop are extra.

Old Ottawa South Community Centre (The Firehall—260 Sunnyside Ave.) at 613 247-4946 and www.oldottawasouth.ca