Growing Native Plants
Diane Dalkin
As of May 2022, I am now assisting the FoRRGS team as President [again], but only until a new person steps up into this exciting role. I have been a long-term volunteer of this exceptional, dedicated group. As a Master Gardener, this special oasis appeals to my horticultural interests; however it offers so much more. Whether you are a historical aficionado, a nature enthusiast, a photography buff or simply searching for quiet repose, Reader Rock Garden is a destination-of-choice. I'm proud to be part of this National Historic Site!
Upcoming Open Garden – Completed
Calgary Horticultural Society’s
Open Garden at Reader Rock Garden
Sunday, September 12th, 2021.
11:00 am—3:00 pm
Free Public Event, Self-Guided tours, however …
The CHS & FoRRGS will be on the Main Lawn to answer your questions.
Please remember to bring a facemask if you need to enter the house,
otherwise we’ll be at the tent, safely outdoors in the fresh air.
Hope to see you there!
Last Weekend for a visit to the Cafe!
Just a gentle reminder … Reader’s Garden Cafe will be closing for the season after this weekend. Last day to take in the awesome views and sample their yummy goodies is Sunday, Sept 27th, 2020. Don’t wait, contact them at : http://www.readersgardencafe.ca/ and enjoy! ♥
The Buzz @Reader Rock Garden
Hope you are staying well in this ongoing pandemic? Nature soldiers on regardless of what world challenges are among us.
Reader Rock Garden is well-known for its extensive plant diversity and rich historical content. But there are also other narratives that escape everyday observations. One of these is the vast communities of local wildlife residents. Just like every healthy garden, Reader Rock serves as a home for a wide array of insects, most being beneficial, but some have a harmful impact. Olds College has an ongoing research study onsite pertaining to the Red Lily Beetles; these buggers are of the nasty variety. The Head Gardener, Daniel, has started a bug collection for educational purposes too. Similarly, Bob Germain, a regular photographic contributor recently shared his close adventures at Reader’s; see link below. While our group is knowledgeable on many topics, none of us are Entomologists. We simply appreciate the Garden for its biodiversity and environmental quality. Hopefully, Bob’s fun visual journey in the attached brings a new perspective to the Buzz at Reader Rock Garden! (click on this link) Enjoy.
Vandals at Reader Rock Garden -Alert!
Our beautiful National Historic Site, the Reader Rock Garden was hit by vandals recently. The memorial plaque that was installed in 1944 to honour Mr. Reader’s efforts and celebrate the park being named after him, welcomed visitors to the garden for decades. However, with COVID-19 physical distancing measures curtailing attendance at the park, vandals took advantage of the ideal quiet time on-site for their nonsensical mischief. The plaque was ripped off the rock cairn at the entrance at the base of the hill. We were hoping that this historical plaque would be located elsewhere at the garden during Spring clean-up. But no such luck … so, … we are asking you to take a good look at the photo below. If you know of its whereabouts, we would be very grateful to have it returned and restored to its rightful, honourable place at the garden. Furthermore, we appeal to the public to remain vigilant and report “questionable behaviour” when visiting Reader Rock Garden. This historic site belongs to all of us and we must be stewards for its preservation for future enjoyment. Please help us keep the Garden safe!
Covid-19 Measures Change Everything
With the unfortunate need for drastic measures to control or lessen the spread of the COVID-19 virus, “physical distancing” is very important. We do not want to expose our volunteers and visitors to potential harm. Consequently, we will continue to monitor health officials’ recommendations and will keep you posted of changes to our plans, as needed. Please note the CANCELLATIONS to date.
Some 2020 Dates to Remember – Re. Our Plans:
- March 21 – Seedy Saturday – CANCELLED
- April 25 & 26 – Calgary Horticultural Society (CHS) Garden Show – CANCELLED
- May 2 – Calgary Foundation’s Jane’s Walk – CANCELLED
- May 17 – FoRRGS AGM – PENDING alternate format, perhaps online?
- May 23 – AM – CHS Plant Share – PENDING?
- May 30 – PM – CRAGS Plant Sale – CANCELLED
- June 13 – FoRRGS Plant Sale & Garden Stroll – CANCELLED
More updates to follow closer to the actual event date. Until next time, stay safe & well.
May 17, 2020 – Remote AGM- COMPLETED
During this current Covid-19 health crisis and in order to safely connect with the public and our members, we are conducting our Annual General Meeting (AGM) via teleconference call.
- When: Sunday, May 17th, 2020 at 10:00 – 11:30 AM
- Where: From the comfort of your own home and respecting physical distancing measures, it will be a Teleconference call ; please email us ASAP at info@ReaderRock.com and we’ll provide you with the necessary documents and details to participate in this meeting.
- Why: To update the public and our members on our 2019 activities (financials & events); to elect a new Board of Directors for 2020-2022 two-year terms; and of course to reconnect with our supporters .
Additionally, after the meeting, we’ll also plan on some fun with door prizes and the exclusive opportunity to directly ask the Head Gardener, Daniel, insider info about Reader Rock Garden. We hope that you’ll join us on this teleconference call.
Stay safe and well.
Private Tours Cancelled Until Further Notice
Cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Social Distancing is everyone’s responsibility.
The Garden holds many stories … people, plants & animals have resided here over the years. We’d be delighted to offer private group tours all year round. Get a detailed narrative about this National Historic Site; informative walks are a great opportunity to connect with this Cultural Landscape. Please contact us at info@readerrock.com and we’ll fill you in with all the details.
Sign-up for our quarterly “members-only” e-newsletters to stay “in touch”; our online Membership Form can be downloaded; see “About Us” tab.
Presentations are Cancelled Until Further Notice
Cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Social Distancing is everyone’s responsibility.
Now that the growing season is over, our activities tend to retreat to the warmth and comfort of indoors. B
ut there’s still so much we can share with you. Would you like to know more about the Garden’s history or perhaps Mr. Reader’s impact on Calgary’s development intrigues you? We offer private presentations to answer your quest for more information. The snow doesn’t stop us resilient gardeners, right? Just as Mr. Reader did in his time, we strive to connect with the community’s many interests and varied audiences, making our historical talks educational, filled with visual support, but also fun and memorable!
We invite you and your group to email us at info@ReaderRock.com and we can discuss this opportunity further.
The Calgary Herald: Five historic sites the city of Calgary wants to protect
“From inner-city parks and schools to century-old homes, the city’s planning committee will consider the designation of five iconic properties as municipal historic resources Wednesday. Hoping to preserve their legacy as enduring hallmarks of Calgary’s development history, the committee will forward its recommendations for city council to finalize next week.”
— The Calgary Herald