Upcoming MARS Events:
MARS October Meeting
We’re starting our fall program with a double-header!
“Fire-Smarting” Your Property / Plant Propagation
Plant Propagation: Although fellow MARSians know Rose Prufer as a rhododendron expert, she has grown many other species of plants during her years of working in horticulture. Rose will briefly outline various propagation methods for several different plant species, and give us a demonstration of how to divide miniature hostas.
In 1985 Rosemary completed the Horticulture program at B.C.I.T. in Burnaby with the desire to work with trees and shrubs in wholesale production. Her first job was in a nursery in Maple Ridge producing over 600 varieties of rhododendrons for customers. It was there that Rosemary honed her skills propagating cuttings and grafting maples and conifers. Staying with small companies, she has enjoyed learning all aspects of growing including pruning, potting, weeding and shipping. She is always keen to share her knowledge and humour with anyone who is interested in the growing world.
“Fire-Smarting” Your Property: Retired Fire Chief Kel Roberts will help us understand fire behavior, and how fires spread and interface with our home and surroundings. He will supply a pamphlet entitled “B.C. FireSmart Begins At Home Guide” and will also have a limited number of copies of “BC FireSmart Landscaping Guide” available.
Kel Roberts joined the B.C. Fire Service in 1972, and retired as Fire Chief in 2005. Following retirement, he moved to Vancouver Island in 2006, where he continued his passion for public service, and has been active in our local communities. He was contracted to B.C. Wildfire Protection Branch, based in Errington, BC, as a Fire Warden from 2012 to 2017. Until recently, he was also a Director for the Errington Fire/Rescue Department for 12 years. For both of these positions his participation was as a volunteer. From 2018 to 2022 he served as an elected official (the Tofino Long Beach Area C Director) for the Alberni Clayoquot Regional District, where he oversaw the governance of that area for the Regional District. Kel has always been an outdoorsman and gardener, and he currently enjoys being involved in MARS, Milner Gardens & Woodland, and the Master Gardeners, and in supporting his community and friends.
Location: Qualicum Beach Civic Centre
747 Jones Street, Qualicum Beach, BC
Date: Wednesday October 11, 2023
Time: 7:30 PM
Visitors welcome – no admission charge
MARS November Meeting
Dwarf Ferns for Small Garden Spaces
Along with a PowerPoint presentation, Master Gardener Margot Moser will bring 18 small fern species for display. Many of the ferns are native to BC and are suitable for a variety of growing conditions from shady and damp to sunny and dry. Several are evergreen – none are deer-proof – all are beautiful!
Margot Moser was born with a trowel in her hand and has no intention of ever putting it down. It wasn’t until she took Master Gardener courses 25 years ago that she realized she should have pursued a career in horticulture rather than teaching. Most of what she knows about gardening comes from observing, reading and experience. She has been lucky to know many great gardeners.
The Master Gardener manual inspired Margot to design a perpetual garden journal called “My Growing Gardenbook” that sold over 8000 copies across Canada and the US in garden centres and gift shops. Her particular interest in BC native plants began early as she explored the enchanting woods near her home in then rural Burnaby which contributed to her preference for natural-looking landscapes.
Location: Qualicum Beach Civic Centre
747 Jones Street, Qualicum Beach, BC
Date: Wednesday November 8, 2023
Time: 7:30 PM
Visitors welcome – no admission charge
More events coming — stay tuned!
Want to see what we’ve been up to in the past? Click here to view video archives of some of our previous meetings.
