Speakers
We have some great speakers and interesting topics coming up!
Guests are welcome ($10 each)
For any In-person meetings masks are optional.
Doors open at 7 pm. Speaker presentations commence at 7:30 pm so please arrive at least 15 minutes early to sign in. After the presentation there will be a short meeting/announcements followed by some socializing over refreshments. This is a good time to check out the 'Show and Share' table and learn about upcoming outings.
2025 Speaker Line-up
1 Container, 2 Container, 3 Container More
March 18, 2025: Pam, Wendy & Elke of Botanus
This informative presentation is full of bright visuals that will give you all the tools and ideas you could want for planting and using containers in every garden, large or small. Great for the experienced and new gardeners.
Botanus was founded in 1999 as a small mail-order company with big dreams - dreams about making a difference in the Canadian gardening world. They have achieved that and so much more. Check out their website and YouTube channel for more information.
Gardening for Butterflies
April 15, 2025: Pam Swanigan
Pam will be talking about how to attract butterflies to your garden and create a habitat that supports not only the adult butterfly but their babies—a.k.a. caterpillars!
She will explain which nectar-producing flowers the adult butterflies prefer to feed from, which native plants they will lay their eggs on and the caterpillars will eat, and other important elements for a successful butterfly garden, such as a source of water and mineral-rich mud.
Low Ground Covers: Enhance your Backyard Ecological Value
May 20, 2025: Jane Sherrott
Details to follow
Sizzling Succulents
June 17, 2025: Gary Lewis of Phoenix Perennials
Details to follow
All Season Herbal Garden
September 16, 2025: Ana Dushyna
Details to follow
Fantastic Fall Bulbs
October 21, 2025: Dianne Gainesa
Details to follow
Creating Christmas Centrepieces for Your Home
November 18, 2025: Jackie Morra
Details to follow
Recent Past Speakers
Shady Characters
February 18, 2025: Chris Jennings
Chris' presentation will be an overview about many different families of plants that will grow well in partial or full shade, concentrating mostly on perennials.
He will give some specific examples of plants from these families, along with their preferred growing conditions and culture. It will include both outdoor and indoor plants, and include some with spectacular flowers, foliage and scents.
Dig It! Lift It! Move It!.....Safely
January 21, 2025: Deborah Cheong
We love gardening but our bodies may hate it! Let’s learn to dig it, lift it, and move it safely and make gardening more comfortable on our bodies. Join Debbie Cheong for this engaging, interactive session to explore strategies to allow us to continue gardening for more than a couple hours. Learn to prepare our bodies for the work required. Learn proper lifting, pulling, reaching, carrying, and simple stretches to relax those amazing muscles. Please come prepared to move. Comfortable clothing and supportive footwear are recommended.
Deborah develops and deliver training courses, lead exercise classes, participate in research, give public education and present at numerous conferences locally and internationally.
Currently works for:
Physical activity and Falls Prevention consultant to Population and Global Health, BC Women’s Health Centre and Population and Public Health, BC Ministry of Health
Osteofit, Get Up & Go! Carefit Master Trainer, Trainer of Fitness Leader
Employed by City of Delta, Parks and Recreation to lead a variety of specialty exercise programs.
Contracted by Fraser Health Authority to deliver Carefit training to staff in care facilities (Independent Living, Assisted Living, Residential Care and Adult Day Programs).
For over 20 years she has been hosting bi-annual events for older adults to participate in fun, stimulating physical activity while socializing with others in the community. They engage in food preparation and fund raising for various local charities including: Food on the Corner, Deltassist Food Hamper Program, South Delta Food Bank, Ronald McDonald House, Heart and Stroke Big Bike, Coldest Night of the Year.
Deborah embraces active living by participating in many sports and leisure activities while supporting community projects. She encourages her participants to do the same. An avid paddler, she has completed several major paddles including Kingston to Ottawa in conjunction with Canada’s 150 celebrations (Spirit of Reconciliation, 2017), the International Dragon Boat Federation World Championships, Italy (2014), a re-enactment of Simon Fraser’s epic journey from Fort St. James to English Bay, Vancouver (2008), Australian National Dragon Boat Championships (2007).