A western Canadian Round up?

I have been thinking it might be neat to have a Round up in Calgary - there are a few members within driving distance and some a bit further away who might fly in - I understand you had one in Victoria last year?
So I have some questions first:

1. What time of year is most suitable?
2. How long? - a 2-3 day weekend or longer?
3. other than time to get to know one another in person what do you like to do? Visit public gardens? Visit private gardens? visit greenhouses?
4. Is some kind of a plant/seed/cuttings exchange expected/possible?
5. Is hotel accomodation OK? Room share with others in the group to cut costs?
6. How many of you would seriously consider coming?
Suggestions welcomed.
Not sure if I can do it this year - I have a lot of dog stuff going on but but last 2 weeks in June including the July long weekend and pretty well all of August are good. Otherwise next year.

carol

Carol when are your greenhouses loaded (with both bedding out and tropicals;) ?

Hi Carol, we did indeed have a round up in Victoria in early April last year and I think I can safely say it was a great success. Putting faces to names put things on a different level. Linda (MG99) did most of the work and some people came for a day or so and some a little longer. Some stayed in hotels and with friends and Linda had a houseful and I had couple of campers in my front yard ! We did public gardens, private gardens and lots of greenhouses!
We had plant and seed exchanges, which had been mainly arranged before hand. I am sure Linda will post her comments as well.
I would certainly be interested in coming although next year would suit me better.
Heather

Carol, it sounds like a good idea. It might even bring others east of you.

Most I think would like it earlier in the season than later. We met here the first w/e of April last year. It was cool and wet after a great March. Some had trouble getting plants home, because it was so much cooler at home than here on the coast. The later in the season, and it's harder for some to leave their gardens. With this vast country, it's hard to please all of us.

We had a Friday evening meet & greet with pizza, some swapping of seeds and plants that most had arranged prior, so they could bring them with them. Again, this is a problem for folks more east as their plants may not be ready to come along on the trip. Unless they are indoors, splitting tubers, have seeds etc. There sure seemed like a lot of trading going on! I still have a couple of hibiscus cuttings that have bloomed and are growing well. We also had a great slide show and discussion from Jeanne frmo Campbell river on Brugmansias.

That evening we planned what worked for others over the next couple of days. Butcharts, GH's, parks, the ocean... We were flexible.

Saturday evening we had a Chinese dinner at Heather's place with all of attending, that could and made plans for the next day.

Most people felt that leaving sunday worked well for them. We had folks sharing rooms with other DG members that they hadn't met. I had 4 staying with me, stashed about the house, others made hotel res. and as heather said, 2 had their camper van in her driveway.

I was looking forward to one this year, but there didn't seem to be much planning happening, and I was out of the country and then under the weather for a bit.

I'd be interested in coming, anytime when there's no chance of snow would be great for me. LOL

Over all, I think it worked out great and would do it again!

Linda

This would be such a great idea, a RU in Calgary. Lots to see and do on the way there an back too.

So where is everyone today/tonight? I can't just come in here and talk to myself. Such a chatty bunch. Guess I'll go to bed.

Yes I and my DW would come. June is a good time. Hotel great. Visit gardens and drink good beer. You should probably schedule me time to lecture you all on various areas that I am an expert. Ha ha I was thinking more like how to garden. Not vet stuff. When I leave my office I'm a gardener not a veterinarian.

This message was edited Mar 22, 2006 11:36 PM

How about the correct method of nail clipping for our fur babies, or how to force a pill down a cat's throat? Be wonderful if you and your DW could come Steve.

I think next year would be better for me. Have been away far too much already this year. Make it around lily season as I'll be in Edmonton then anyway for NALS. Hope to carabus on to Inuvik - am I dreaming- with some other VWers.

Actually if there is one I wouldn't want to miss it. Victoria last year was great fun, although think it took Linda and Cheryl a long time to recover.

So, Calgarians, what touristy/gardens things can we do.
Inanda

June should work for me.

Not sure if I'll make it if it is this year. BUT DH was just told he will be taking a course in Calgary at the end of April and I'll see if I can book holidays for that week. :)

I can be flexible, will the snow be gone by then???????????????????

Are you going to drive or fly Linda? Definitely no snow please. I can't drive in snow.

Well now that I have you all excited and have read some responses I am going to pull back a bit and say lets do this next June (I will not be so busy) and start the planning way further ahead. Of course if anybody is actually going to be in Calgary anyway at any time we will meet for sure but I think I will put off a formal Roundup until 2007 - June for sure.
Snow usually gone by then! Somebody asked about greenhouses they are crazy for about 2 weeks - 24th May weekend is the worst - wouldnt go near one then! There are several excellant local and nearby greenhouses.
Mid June probably good for gardens to be well on the way. Whats to see here: public gardens: Riley Rock Gardens, Devonian Gardens (inside above a shopping centre) restoration of the Reader Rock Garden (lst parks superintendant in Calgary) Calgary Zoo gardens ;private- lots of great gardens -if you read Gardens West there is frequently a Calgary garden featured .
In the mean time - if anybody will be in town for other reasons please d-mail me and we can arrange to meet.

carol

Carol, seems to me we had about 6 months of planning, lots of talk at first, then actuall narrowing down of things to do and see. There's often so much to see, and not all of us wanted to do the same things, we certainly had some good talks about what was going on the next day. LOL

Well I'll just have to keep my calender open for next year. Jeanne, I hadn't thought yet about how I was going to get there, but would probably fly. I'm trying to sell the truck & 5th wheel.

Thanks Linda and everyone for your thoughts and suggestions - I will start planning right after Xmas next winter!
In the mean time If anybody wants to offer more suggestions please do.
Inanda when is NALS in 2007?

Next year sounds great. :)

Sounds like the greenhouses here (they too aren't loaded until *that* weekend. ;)



Hoping I'll find some tropical greenhouses when I go with DH (I'm pretty sure the last few times we've gone in April and one or two are situated near the hotel). I'll be sure to dmail you before we leave Carol. :)

This message was edited Mar 23, 2006 12:58 PM

Oh the greenhouses are loaded way before that Pam and I usually buy annuals early in May and just nurse them along in the backporch but so many people have it in their heads that they mustn't plant annuals before 24 May weekend at the earliest and that is when they all go shopping! except for me and some other wise souls!

Ü I believe the dates he said included the first week of May.

I do that kind of early shopping too (except I'll risk life and limb for the hanging basket sale at Canadian Tire).

NALS is July 11 - 15 2007 in Edmonton so probably far too late for anyone to want to leave their gardens for an RU . Will have to check with AB Lily Society to see when the Martagon show is held because that is much earlier.

Inanda

Wow Carol you started a tidal wave..I will help you all I can if you need..I have a son in the city and can stay there...I like the idea of next year as this year is kind of already full...And for those folks coming this way don't forget Drumheller has the Tyrrell Museum if that interests anyone and it is only about 1 1/2 hrs drive from Calgary...If anyone is interested I am sure I can arrange some back room visits...Also if anyone is coming this way I always have the Ice Jug in the fridge and it's always cold....

OOPS!!!! That should read ICE TEA Jug LOL I look very forward to you stopping by .

Well just to let you guys know I leave for Mexico tomorrow to Ixtapa. Current temps are 77 F and clear skies. forcast for the next few days are 86 and clear. No green house time for me needed. Just floating and sailing for a week on the beach.

Sofer....do you need your personal ICU nurse???? I could try to fit in your luggage. Sounds like a real vacation.

Sofer you really know how to hurt a person!!! Think of all of us that are looking at snow and ice while you lie on the sand and soak up the sunshine..LOL Have a GREAT holiday....

another vet locum for the scorpions and large spiders???

next year works - i am sure you can count on Anne and yours truly to be there and even help some

we are going to chelsea next year and should just be back the first of june or so and will have lots of pictures and stories (will definitely be taking a camera on that one Pam) and ditto victoria was great fun matter of fact my traveling camelia just finished blooming

Ü

I am dissapointed that we can't this year. I know its too much work but I'm sad. Hey Carol I'm coming up for a visit. My wife and I want to do the river and we are going up there some time late June. I Dmail ahead of time. We are only visiting no putting us up cause we will be passing through for Edmonton and the N Sask. R.

Looking forward to meeting Steve!We will have a mini roundup. June and Anne are in Edmonton.

Carol
Yes I can help for next year and Lynn and I have lots of places to stay. In the meantime my Mom who belongs to a Hort Society in Calgary ( I think it's Springbank) will have ideas about secret gardens that may be available. I will ask her.

Steve let Lynn and I know when you are coming through and we could get together , its great to put a face to a name. What does "do the river" mean?

Victoria was great fun , Linda and Cheryl were outsanding hosts.
Count me in.
Ann

Thanks Ann: I have opened a file and am making a list!
Is your Mom a member of the Calgary Hort Society? So am I.What is her name? I have a couple of special gardens in mind too although I dont know if the owners will be willing to share! I'll work on that next winter!

carol

Carol
You've got mail
Ann

Hi guys just got back from Mexico so just checking in. I will let you guys know when my DW and I are comming up. We are paddling the North Saskatchwan River and that is what I'm talking about doing the river. But we may be coming up in end of June with my sister-in-law to see the parkand Calgary.

Steve
Edmonton is on the North Sask River so let us know and Lynn and I can email you our phone numbers.
You are paddling from where to where on the River? I know lots of folks do the Devon to Edmonton run. I hope you are coming in the non mosquito season. LOL
Ann

I plan on misquito meals. I will use all the things lillypon suggested. I am probably starting in Devon and going all the way to the end of the N Sask. All depends on the time I get to goof off.

LOLOL

I know that no one believes me but misquitos don't bother me except around my face and I use a hat with screen. Long sleeve cotton shirt and deet. I think because of my diabetes they stay away. I use cotton in my ears at night to take the buzz away when I sleep. Oh I also use the scent glands off a bat in my hat. LOL

Sounds good.......as long as you use the deet and not

You canadians are mean. I'm trying to tell you all that all the misquitos don't just live up there. I grew up where you built a smoky fresh fir branch fire to envelope your camp. That was just so you could cook breakfast. Then you spent most of your evening underwater to keep the black flies off you until the sun set then life was bearable.

Steve
You sound very prepared so I'm sure you will enjoy the trip.
We still would enjoy meeting you and your DW .. are you flying in or driving up? Did you need a ride from the airport to Devon? With a bit of notice I could get my DH's truck( if you are bringing your own Canoe) .....Either way Devon is very close and meeting a fellow DG er is always fun.
If you are so resistant to mosquitos , lucky you!! I have a neighbor like that but they drive me nuts.
Ann