The Gardens of Fanshawe College

Sara and Steve

October 3-5, 2014

We started our weekend practical split up, one person using the John Deere tractor watering chrysanthemum in the planters on campus, while the other took the RTV to clean out planters and planting beds scattered around campus, composting most of the plants removed, but saving the Pennisetum grass. The watering job was cut short due to the heavy rainfall; the rest of the afternoon was spent weeding the garden alongside M building, between M and H which had been neglected for a good amount of time. Afterwards we cleaned our tools and equipment, put it all away, and locked up.

Saturday of our weekend practical was mostly spent doing the Veteran’s Memorial Parkway tree planting. The entire FanshaweHorticulture program was out for this as it is our involved in the community day. Over 700 caliber trees were planted during the morning. This project is very important and dear to my heart as it pays tribute and respect to all of Canada’s Veterans. We were met by the President of the College, he went out on site to plant a tree just to show his support of our volunteer time. We acted as help and support for the volunteers, providing demonstrations on how to properly plant and stake trees. Our role during this tree plant is very important as these trees are quite costly, the time and energy put into getting them planted the very last thing we want is for the trees to be poorly planted and not survive. We provided help for cutting the wire baskets, moving equipment around to where it was needed. It all seemed to go fairly smooth even with poor weather conditions leaving everything very muddy and chilly. 

 

 

The rest of the afternoon was spent finishing the garden worked on, on the previous day. We were also responsible for cleaning and organizing all the tools that returned from the tree plant. 

We moved forward to beautifying the Woodland Garden. Castor Beans along the outside of the garden had grown so large they were now blocking the fire hydrant. These had to be removed.

 

 

 

 

 

Many weeds had nestled into the deciduous hedge near K building only being exposed as the leaves are dropping. Much editing was also done. Daylilies had to be cut back as they are starting to dieback. Holes were leveled out also old tree stakes removed.

 

 

 

 

 

We faced extreme weather conditions with weekend from chilling wind, heavy rainfall and even some hail, yet we pushed forward. Tree planting on Veterans Memorial Parkway was the highlight of the weekend as it is great work with great meaning. (Pictures to be posted soon my M.Pascoe also Fanshawe college photographer)