Living
Landscapes
A Southwest Symposium
- Saturday, February 22nd, 2025
-
Wheatley Baptist Church
47 Talbot Rd. E., Wheatley, ON - 9:30am -3:30pm
A one day symposium for gardeners in Southwestern Ontario focused on the many ways our gardens can be spaces of healing and beauty
Tickets now available:
Attendees who purchase tickets before January 31st, 2025 will be entered to win our speaker’s books!
Tickets $50 each
Includes keynote speaker, 3 seminar sessions of your choice, swag bag from sponsors, and more
Order your lunch when you purchase your ticket or bring your own.
Keynote Address 9:30 am
Lorraine Johnson, Author
A GARDEN FOR THE RUSTY-PATCHED BUMBLEBEE
Climate Change and the Garden
Followed by 3 seminar sessions of your choice
Lorraine Johnson
Tentative Schedule
Seminar Options
Session 1 11 a.m. Choose One
Native Plants for Tough Environments – Rick Gray
Native plants are essential for our native insects, which in turn are the basis of the food chain. Without insects, we would have no birds, no reptiles, amphibians or fish, and we wouldn’t be able to survive long ourselves as many of these insects pollinate the food we eat. But insects need more than just host plants and pollen or nectar. They need habitat – especially winter habitat. That is why it is critically important to “leave the leaves” in the fall. In my talk I will discuss why this is so. I will then look at some plant options for those tough-to-garden properties with suggestions for heavy clay, for dry shade, for low wet areas, and for dry, shallow soils. I will also provide suggestions for salt tolerant plants that can be grown in boulevards – aka hell-strips.
Compost and Garden Waste Management – Huda Oda
Huda Oda is the Manager of Waste Management for the Municipality of Chatham-Kent. She will share best practices for managing garden waste in your yard and highlight the benefits of backyard composting. The role of proper food and yard waste management in achieving a circular economy will also be discussed. Tips for leveraging municipal organic waste diversion programs in your landscaping efforts will be shared, with a focus on Chatham-Kent.
Gardening As A Tool For Building Personal Resilience – Alyssa Bachus
Alyssa Bachus is a mental health therapist offering counselling services at Bloom Wellness in Chatham, Ontario. In this session, Alyssa will delve into how cultivating a garden can serve as a therapeutic practice. We will explore topics of mindfulness, nervous system regulation, and how your garden can support you in building resiliency and provide stress relief. Participants will discover how to create a supportive garden space that encourages reflection and relaxation. This presentation aims to empower individuals to harness the healing potential of their gardens, making it a valuable resource for mental health and personal growth. Join us to cultivate not just plants, but also a stronger, more resilient self.
Session 2 1 p.m. Choose One
Soils for Success!
Understanding a site’s soil helps address problems and make choices that enhance your environment rather than fight against it. This primer on the basics of soil texture, pH, and fertility will help foster an understanding of your landscape for a successful and enjoyable gardening experience.
Ergonomic Gardening – Jan Dugdale
Work smarter not harder! Learn about ergonomics and how proper posture, the right tools, and mindful methods can improve comfort and safety to avoid those familiar aches and pains while gardening and working on other fun projects.
Birds in the Landscape – Sarah Rupert
Join Sarah, Point Pelee National Park’s Promotion Officer and ‘unofficial’ Bird Expert and Record Keeper, for her bird watching and conservation expertise. The daughter of local naturalists (her father was one of the best birders in Ontario and a Master Bander for the Park), Sarah has been visiting the Park regularly since she was an infant. Sarah’s insight into the best times, habitats, and weather patterns for viewing birds will offer valuable tips for planning a trip to Point Pelee during migration and inviting birds into your own yard.
Session 3 2 p.m. Choose One
Pruning Demystified – Katherine DeGoey
Join Katherine as we explore the world of pruning and maintaining your gardens for optimal beauty throughout the year. We will explore some of the most commonly asked pruning questions including pruning by variety, season, and for maintenance.
Vegetable Gardening in Suburban Spaces – Amy Ellard-Gray
Amy from the Hobby Homestead will share how she has transformed her front and back yards into beautiful and productive gardens that provide her family of four with 75% of their vegetables year-round. Topics include systems and infrastructure for maximizing your growing space and increasing your harvest; the pros and cons of building vs. buying soil for a vegetable garden; methods for outsmarting the pests (from insects to mammals); and how to plan your vegetable garden so you’re more likely to use all of what you grow. Whether you’re a seasoned food grower or a beginner this session will equip you with practical tips for a productive and sustainable suburban food garden.
Designing With Natives: A Collaboration With Nature – Mary Jonsson
A discussion on taking cues from our natural surroundings for including native plants to create beautiful, resilient, mutually beneficial landscapes to be enjoyed long term with minimal management.
Lunch Options
Available to order at time of ticket purchase. Attendees are also welcome to bring their own lunch.
A mix of quinoa and brown and wild rice, roasted butternut squash, cranberries, feta and mint with a honey Dijon dressing (vegetarian, gluten free)
Renny’s smoked pulled pork topped with coleslaw on a brioche bun, served with house made broccoli soup
Two piece Lake Erie Yellow Perch served with fries and coleslaw
Classic lemon chicken served with chicken fried rice and an egg roll.
All prices include taxes, tip and delivery.
Our Infrastructure Tree Sponsors
Our Foundation Planting Sponsors
Frequently Asked Questions
All events are planned for the main floor which is accessible. We ask on the order form if attendees can climb a flight of stairs to help us prepare in the unlikely case a session is moved to the second floor.
There is parking available at the Baptist Church. We may advise of additional parking locations closer to the
event date.
Lunch is not included with the $50 ticket price. Lunch is available to purchase for an additional $20 at time of ticket purchase; choose from one of four options from local Wheatley establishments. Otherwise, attendees are invited to Brown Bag It (bring your own) or to step out for lunch.
Seminar choices may be changed up to two weeks before the event pending availability.
Interested in Sponsoring Living Landscapes?
Our sponsors have the opportunity to:
- Have their logos and information included in our published material, website, and at the event
- Contribute coupons to our attendee gift bags
- Set up a display of products at our event
For more information please contact [email protected]
Living Landscapes is a Wheatley Horticultural Society Event. You do not need to be a member of our society to attend.
Living Landscapes is a Wheatley Horticultural Society Event. You do not need to be a member of our society to attend.
