Easy to Love Easy to Grow Amaryllis

Amaryllis have to be one of the easiest and most rewarding bulbs to grow. You just need to take a quality bulb, good potting soil, a little water, and a little sun and in 6-7 weeks you've got exotic trumpet like flowers!

For more detailed information on how to grow amaryllis, visit the Dutch Growers web site

Chocolate 'NPink Fashion Show in Support of Breast Cancer Treatment

Breast cancer… It affects more than just women. It impacts our families, our friends, and our community. Every day, Canada wide, 56 women are told that they might have breast cancer. And everyday, Canada wide, 15 women die from the disease.Together, we can change that.

Last year, Dutch Growers sponsored Chocolate 'NPink, an evening of fashion and chocolate. Over $23,000 was donated to Campaign 'NPink which raised through the sale of Francesca Iosca-Pagnin's books and pins a grand total of $350,000 for Saskatchewan's first Breast Health Centre.

Friday, November 24th marks the date for the second annual Chocolate 'NPink event. She Modelling, the Saskatoon Co-op Market Place Stores, and Handyman Party events have all returned at major sponsors. In addition, Denyse Klette, local Saskatoon artist, has designed a piece of limited edition jewelry. Proceeds from the evening as well the sale of the pin will be donated to the Saskatoon Cancer Clinic.

For more information visit the Dutch Growers web site.

Snow??? Only in Saskatchewan

I think the snow caught most of Saskatchewan by surprise this morning. I know that I've still got a few fall chores left undone.

There's some tulips I've been intending to plant. Obviously, they aren't going outside. But, I will be planting them up and "forcing them inside." It's not hard to do and I'll have spring flowers in February when it's really cold and snowy in Saskachewan. For complete instructions, visit the Dutch Growers website www.dutchgrowers.ca/force_bulbs.html.

Until then, keep warm and drive safe.

Refreshing Flower Containers

The kids are back to school and back to their activities. Fall is becoming... well... routine...

Summer flower containers are looking sad. The last frost hit plants like regular petunias and impatiens. The Proven Winner plants like Osteospernum and Million Bells are more frost tolerant and are still looking okay.

You can get three season enjoyment from your flower containers by doing some "refreshing". Pull out spent plants and add either some ornamental Kale, pot mums, or even some soft ball sized pumpkins. It will breathe new life into your flower pots.

Jill took one of the containers from the front entrance and refreshed it for fall.. She removed the spent annuals, added some silk leaves, decorative fall ribbon and a couple of pumpkins. You can still see the summer's New Zealand Flax in the center of the pot.

Need some ideas or advice, drop by the garden center, we'll be glad to help.

Leslie

Pumpkin Maze Coming Soon!

What a difference a week makes...

Last week, we were basking beautiful warm fall days... This week, it's been rain coats and umbrellas. Saskatoon has had its first hard frost. It's now officially time to start the fall gardening tasks. One of the things I have learned about gardening over the years, is that more I do in the fall, the easier it is to get growing in the spring.

We've been busy in the greenhouses at Dutch Growers. This week, we're setting up for our Fourth Annual Pumpkin Maze. The maze opens Saturday September 30th. Check www.dutchgrowers.ca for details.

Until then, I need to pull up and compost my annuals and plant a few tulips... As soon as it stops raining.

Leslie