Speaker Series at EHS Monthly Meetings

High Q Greenhouses with Michiel Verheul

High Q Greenhouses began operating in the spring of 1988 and has enjoyed producing propagation material for companies and cities of all sizes, while watching their own markets and infrastructure grow. Their criteria is to grow materials that perform very well in the extended western region, with an eye for those performers that are unique and exciting. They have become well known across Western Canada, as well as in the northwestern part of the United States, with the development of their unique and complete product line of "Advantage Plugs." Owner/Operator Michiel will speak about what they do at High Q and how they look ahead.

Healing Herbs with Abrah Arneson

Herbs have been relied on for relieving chronic and acute conditions for thousands of years. They are a living part of the planet, imbued with the same vital life force that animates humans. They generally do not have side effects, support the body's ability to rebalance, and are not toxic to the environment. Abrah Arneson (a Clinical Herbal Therapist) will discuss the healing powers of herbs and other alternatives in holistic medicine.

Smarty Plants with JC Cahill

JC Cahill (University of Alberta lead scientist and ecologist) will uncover the secret world of plant behavior: a world where plants behave a lot like us. Plants are among the world's oldest and most successful organisms and represent some of the strangest and longest living life forms on the planet. Stunningly diverse, plants have served us in many critical ways, from providing food, shelter and clothing to life-saving medicine. Yet we know very little about them. In a luscious exploration of the natural world, the "Smarty Plants" documentary effortlessly integrates pioneering science with a light-hearted look at how plants behave, revealing a world where plants are as busy, responsive and complex as we are. For the documentary that JC Cahill will base the presentation on, Google CBC- The Nature of Things/Smarty Plants.

Tried and True Favourites and Top Sellers
with Bill Drake

Bill and Liz Drake are owners/operators of Golden Greenhouse, located just outside of Devon. Bill will discuss tried and true favorites plants and flowers--especially his top sellers--as well as some new varieties. His presentation will also include various varied and interesting gardening tips.

Pesticides and Other Environmental Chemicals - Black, White or Grey?
with Dr. Margaret-Ann Armour

When you hear the word “pesticides” what do you think? Are you plagued by mosquitoes in the summer time and do you remember when DDT was used before it was banned? What about the use of DDT in countries where malaria is widespread? Have you stopped using 2,4-D on the dandelions on your lawn? What about farmers who need to control broad-leaf weeds? What are the health and environmental effects of solvents used for dry cleaning? Dr. Armour will address these questions; talk about the health and environmental effects of these contentious chemicals; and look at some different, smarter choices.

The Japanese Garden in our Western Lifestyle
with Ernie Koch

Ernie Koch (EKoch Designs) is a longtime landscape architect and gardener whose interests in more recent years has turned to Japanese Gardens. Ernie will discuss the history of Japanese gardens; their essence, features and benefits; as well as how to integrate features of a Japanese garden into a Western garden. His presentation will include slides of Japanese gardens in Japan and Edmonton. Don't miss this presentation as it will be a great introduction to the Japanese garden to be featured on this year's EHS Garden Tour. See more about Ernie's Japanese gardens at http://www.ekochdesigns.com.

Exploring the use of wild food and medicine plants for health and healing with Beverley Gray

Beverly, who lives in Whitehorse, Yukon, is an herbalist and author of the national bestseller, The Boreal Herbal: Wild Food and Medicine Plants of the North. She will engage us in a virtual journey through the Northern landscape using wild plants of the boreal forest as the teachers from the land. Beverley will share her many years of experience in gathering wild plants for use in the aromatherapy, herbal, nutritional, cosmetic, food, medicine and natural health products industries. She has inspired many to start making their own medicines, cosmetics and foods from the plants that grow locally as a way to raise awareness of the environment, conservation and sustainable natural resources.

Share What You Grow

In August we are doing something different! Plan ahead and be sure to participate. We are combining a Bench Show, Photo Competition and Speaker evening into one celebration of what we grew in 2013. Come and learn from three short presentations covering the topics of late blooming perennials (a way to extend colour in your garden), preparing tender bulbs and tubers for overwinter storage, and veggies in the garden. Bring your flowers, produce and photos to the meeting to show the wide range of produce that can be grown in Edmonton; to exchange information with fellow gardeners; and to share with 'Meals on Wheels'. Click here for details.

EHS Awards Night

Don’t miss this special opportunity to enjoy an inspiring slide show of winning gardens from our 2013 Garden Competition, as well as presentation of awards for best gardens. Come celebrate gardening with us!

A Warm Winter Welcome Speaker to be confirmed, Greenland Garden Center.

In the depths of winter your outdoor entrance can offer a warm welcome for holiday visitors with stylish ideas from Greenland Garden Centre. They’ll show you how to enhance your door, window boxes, empty annual planters and even birdbaths with contemporary ideas using fresh greens, branches and weatherproof festive accents.

TBA

No meeting. Merry Christmas