Derek, our Head Gardener, sat me down and told me something about our Garden Volunteers that I would like to share with you. Ready? Here we go:
“Volunteers aren’t here to weed the pathways” he confided. “And students are just too excited with the plants.” he continued.
I can see his point. As gardeners we can take a winter walk to the Hardy Plant Borders and be delighted to see the beautiful blue Iris Unquiculans popping up to greet us in January. After bragging to our friends back East, we continue through to the Doris Page Winter Garden and marvel at the magnificent delicacy of the Cyclamen coum braving to come out in the dampness and shade of early February. Why would we spend all our time clearing the pathways of boring and ordinary weeds when we have these miracles to admire?
Our Garden Volunteers are climbing over each other to fuss over these most colourful and welcomed beauties. We take care to clear away any weeds of distraction and fluff up the mulch to showcase our treasures. We are proud to showcase flowers, blossoms and plants to our visitors.
As the Head Gardener with the responsibility of maintaining Glendale Gardens & Woodland for all to enjoy, Derek sees the world differently. He sees weeds and “lots of ‘em”.
He sees uneven paths that are dangerous for people in wheelchairs, tangles of weeds that will become unmanageable in a few short months, and edgings that become broken up by masses of unwanted roots. He needs to see the weeds and foresee the problems.
Lucky us, we get to just enjoy the flowers!
You know we truly value all the work done by volunteers and students. We need them to focus all of their time on the demonstration gardens to keep them at their best. In contrast, Derek, is focussed on the infrastructure needs of the Gardens, and the pathways, ironically, happen to be the sexiest part of his problem!
There is also the drainage problem throughout the Gardens, the need for an increased sewage system, and a road that needs to be repaired and reinforced for bigger trucks. All growing pains in a thriving garden!
We invite you to help us with the pathways, roads and ‘underground’ needs with a donation to the Infrastructure Fund. You may donate a one-time gift of $25, $100, $250 or more. All donors with gifts over $500 (or $42 a month) will be recognized on a sign near the entrance to the Gardens.
All monthly donors in the Perennial Club will also be recognized on entrance signage. You can join the Perennial Club with your monthly donation of $10, $15, $20 or more. As a monthly donor, you show that you understand the ongoing costs to maintain a garden. By allowing your name to be published you will inspire others to join us in supporting our Gardens.
Our goal is to raise $20,000 for the demonstration gardens infrastructure this year.
- The pathways will be wheelchair-friendly and weed-free with two loads of ¼” miners’ gravel, a compactor and some sweat-equity.
- Dry stone walls will define the Urban Garden.
- The roadways will be professionally repaired and reinforced to withstand deliveries and traffic.
- The drainage and sewage needs will be assessed.
Your one-time gift for the Infrastructure Fund, or your other favourite project, whether it is Takata, Conservation, College or other, is most appreciated. Please note that the Infrastructure Fund is an ongoing need and so we ask you to consider joining the Perennial Club and becoming one of our special monthly donors.
As a part of the Perennial Club you will be kept informed about Glendale Gardens & Woodland with invitation for tours and updates by the Board of Directors and the Head Gardener.
As a Perennial Club member you will allow us to be proactive and efficient with our most pressing needs. For instance, using the Infrastructure Fund over the next few years we will install a new sewage system to meet our growing needs, address drainage issues and install attractive signage to help direct visitors and define the demonstration gardens.
Please fill out the Response Form on the reverse and help Derek smooth the pathways for wheelchairs and eliminate those nasty, boring weeds so he can enjoy the flowers as we do!
You may mail in your form, or, better yet, come and see us. It has been a wonderfully warm winter and the Gardens are already into an amazing Spring.
Warm regards,
Roger Charles
Executive Director
P.S. All donations received by March 19th will be mailed a set of four Garden postcards.
P.P.S. Your support will help to make the pathways more accessible to wheelchairs, carts and walkers.
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Would you like more information on making a difference? Contact Roger Charles, Executive Director at 250-479-6162 or by email at director@hcp.bc.ca
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