Activities and Events

Information Evenings are held monthly, public welcome. The program includes a guest speaker, followed by free raffle, supper and a chat at no charge. They are held every 3rd Monday of the month (except December), at 7.30pm in the Wesley Foyer, Wesley Uniting Church Centre, National Circuit, Forrest, unless advised otherwise in the timetable below.

At the monthly Information Evenings beginners and experts alike can receive advice about plants and gardening, exhibiting in the Society’s shows, or simply discuss horticultural matters with others interested in the same.

Monday 20 January	Jack Simpson will speak on “Some exotic pests and pathogens – likely effects if introduced to Canberra”
Monday 17 February	Duncan MacLennan from the National Capital Authority will speak on “Managing trees in Canberra’s central national area”
Monday 16 March	John Weatherstone will speak on “Landcare and gardens”
Monday 20 April	Cancelled due to COVID 19
Monday 18 May	Cancelled due to COVID 19
Monday 15 June	Cancelled due to COVID 19
Monday 20 July	Cancelled due to COVID 19
Monday 17 August	AGM.
Monday 21 September	The topic of this evening’s talk is Wasps
Monday 19 October	Rainer Rehwinkel will speak on “Managing birds in domestic house gardens”
Monday 16 November	To be advised
December	No meeting

Four shows are held each year. Shows are generally held at the Lancaster Hall, Wesley Centre, National Circuit, Forrest. They run for the weekend and are open on Saturday noon–5pm and Sunday 11.30am–3:45pm.

Prior to the show season the Society may hold workshops and lectures for members wishing to become judges, stewards and exhibitors at shows, or who wish to further their knowledge of judging, stewarding and exhibiting.

Shows provide gardeners with an opportunity to show off their flowers, plants and produce in a competitive environment. There are different levels of competition from novice to expert. Also, they provide a chance to see what the experts are growing, and they are a great social occasion when you can compare notes with other gardeners or seek the advice of the experts.

Entry to the shows is by gold coin donation.

 

SHOW DATES FOR 2020

The Autumn Flower Show Schedule Show Rules 2020	7-8 March 2020
The Spring Bulb and Camellia Show Revised Schedule Show Rules 2020	19-20 September 2020
The Iris, Rhododendron and Azalea Show Schedule Show Rules 2020	24-25 October 2020
The Spring Exhibition and Rose Show Schedule Show Rules 2020	7-8 November 2020

Enquiries and entries to:
The Honorary Show Secretary, Phone (02) 6251 2859

The Society conducts an Open Garden Program where members’ gardens are open for other members to visit. Visiting open gardens give an opportunity to share ideas. It lets visitors see what the owner grows, how to grow it, and what has been done to tackle the drought and water restrictions.

Please note that Open Garden visits are only available to financial Society members.

Not a member? Go to Membership to find details on how to join or call 6291 5352.

The Society organises interstate bus trips for members. In the past, trips have been arranged for visits to the Blue Mountains, the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show, specialist nurseries, and public and private gardens of significant interest. There has also been a trip to New Zealand.

For insurance purposes, participants on bus trips must be members. Not a member? Go to Membership to find details on how to join or call 6291 5352.

The Horticultural Society has a garden at Bruce, adjacent to the Canberra Institute of Technology, where plants are being grown to demonstrate what grows well in Canberra and surrounds. Findings will be recorded for the purposes of future editions of The Canberra Gardener, and information used in other HSOC publications and on the HSOC website.

Working bees are held monthly on the last Saturday of the month from 9.00am to noon (come and go as convenient) unless the date conflicts with another event.

The dates for the second half of 2020 are as follows:

25 July

29 August

26 September

31 October

28 November.

Participants in working bees must be HSOC members for insurance purposes. For further information on the garden, email contactus@hsoc.org.au. Members are always welcome to visit the garden on working bee days.

 

There are a number of documents reporting on progress with the Demonstration Garden and with the outcomes of trials:

Report of 16 January 2013

Report of July 2014 – vegetable trials

Report of Dahlia Trial 2018

Timeline for the HSOC Trial Garden at Bruce 

Timeline for the HSOC Trial Garden at Bruce January 2017-August 2018

Demonstration Garden Location