A huge “thank you” goes out to all who supported the plant sale/swap yesterday– whether you donated plants or attended, or both. There were not more than a few moments of “down time” for the entire 3 hours. Thanks especially to Elizabeth Seidl and Tamara Messersmith who stayed to the very end and helped with cleanup and takedown. Amy Lou Taylor and her wealth of plant knowledge were a welcome addition to the sales team.

Our net proceeds from the event: $225.25. That’s the benchmark for next year, assuming we’ll be doing it again. There’s no bank account or executive committee (yet?) so I’ll just hold on to the cash and keep everyone informed if there is need or opportunity to spend it.

I would like to do the sale/swap again– if the weather cooperates next year we’ll have larger seedlings to offer and, as our gardens develop, better-sized divisions. I was impressed with the huge range of heirloom tomatoes. And thanks to everyone for labeling and potting everything so nicely. I found it interesting that we had no hostas. Zero. And only one daylily. Most community plant sales are rife with these– so we may just have started a “niche” for the neighbourhood plant sale with the coolest stuff!

Please respond with comments or suggestions on the format and ways we could improve the sale. Perhaps a bigger venue next year… Think about what you’d like to do (as a group!) with the money. Something that benefits the neighbourhood, garden related.

Now, some news and upcoming events, in chronological order.

Sod removal — this Thursday (May 21) afternoon, 2 pm, at the garden site on the Pipeline Trail (between Edgemont and Park Row). We are looking for volunteers to do a “test cut” on the sod. We are removing sod by hand and the idea is to do the east side border, roughly 3.5 ft x 35 ft, With a sense of how long the rest of the garden will take we can schedule subsequent work bees and be ready for planting day on June 6. So wear your shovel-stompin’ boots, bring gloves, flat spades, trowels, and the usual sunny-weather gear. Many hands make light work. No need to RSVP, just show up ready to cut sod.

If you didn’t attend the Pipeline Trail Master Trail public consultation meeting last week (at the Perkins) you can still provide comments and feedback by email. Details here:
master plan info on City of Hamilton web site . Send comments directly to Leila Todd: leila.todd@hamilton.ca. Please send your comments asap.

Planting Day on the Pipeline Trail Pollinator Garden is Saturday June 6, from 9 to noon-ish. Mark your calendars! Be there ready to plant. If you don’t know how to plant, volunteers will be happy to teach you. And there is plenty to do for people who are trowel-averse. Check out the garden info on our web site: https://crownpointgardens.wordpress.com/blog-news/

Next Garden Club meeting… There is a doodle poll for setting the best date for the most people. Email me for the link: crownpoint.gardens@gmail.com

All for now– gotta go plant carrots!

Bev