Category: Article
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You Asked Us – April 2026
Q. Why did my two-year-old Dogwood tree not flower last year? Do I need to fertilize it? It would make a difference if the tree is actually two-years-old, or if you acquired it two yearsago and the age is unknown. Dogwoods can take one to five years to start flowering, perhapseven longer depending on your…
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Thank you for attending Kelowna Seedy Sunday 2026!
Kelowna Seedy Sunday 2026 was another great event for the gardening community in the Okanagan. Hosted by the Okanagan Master Gardeners, the day brought busy crowds, a completely full indoor room of vendors and exhibitors, strong volunteer support, and plenty of energy, even in rough weather outside. The weather was absolutely terrible at times, with…
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The Inside Story
Heartwood, regardless of its romantic name, is dead wood. It’s that stuff we make two-by-fours out of.We age a tree by counting its annual growth rings in both sapwood and heartwood.
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Get ready for spring at Kelowna Seedy Sunday 2026
Kelowna Seedy Sunday 2026 🌱 Get ready for spring at Kelowna Seedy Sunday! 🌱 Join us for this annual celebration of gardening hosted by the Okanagan Master Gardeners. Whether you’re a seasoned green thumb or just getting started, there’s something for everyone at this lively community event! Event Details Kelowna Seedy Sunday 2026Date: Sunday March…
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Colours As We Fall into Winter
Let’s look at just one of the ways we see nature: through its colours and nature’s progress through fall into winter.
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Garden and Worm Bin Composting Workshop at Riley Park Community Garden
The members’ workshop was very informative with hands-on demonstrations. Angela, the Master Composter, gave a detailed explanation of the workings of the three bin system. We played a fun picture trivia card game to determine what can, cannot or may not be appropriate for the compost bin. Debbie explained the workings of a two…
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VMGA Community Projects
The VMGA’s Blenkinsop Community Agricultural Centre Project (presentation prepared by Jennifer Kolot)
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Lilacs
by Heidi Reiter With the right care and selection, Lilacs (Syringa vulgaris) can thrive in the Pacific Northwest and reward gardeners with decades of fragrant blooms. Whether planted as hedge, a focal point, or part of mixed border, these classic shrubs bring timeless beauty and a sense of springtime nostalgia to any garden. To cultivate and…
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Japanese Beetles
by Julie Cohen Background To date, Japanese beetles (Popillia japonica) have not been found on Vancouver Island, largely thanks to a concerted effort to contain their 2017 arrival in Vancouver. First detected in the False Creek area of Vancouver by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) during routine annual surveillance. Exactly how the beetles arrived…
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Therapeutic gardens as we age
Therapeutic gardens as we ageby Mary Trainer, Master Gardener The therapeutic value of gardens and gardening to our health and well-being never stops as we age. For older Canadians who have had to move from homes where they once tended much-loved gardens, the loss can be devastating. Perhaps no longer physically or mentally able to…