Member Focus

Ron Sayeau: Daylilies

Over 465 varieties of daylilies occupy an important part of all or most of my gardens. Just as some people collect cars or baseball or hockey cards, I have been collecting daylilies for over 40 years. Why the daylily? This plant provides an incredible display of beauty and colour from late June until late July. It is virtually pest-free and disease free. It tolerates a wide variety of climate conditions and requires little maintenance. The daylily comes in all sorts of colours, hues, shapes, forms, textures and sizes. In addition, daylilies are edible and make a beautiful garnish on meat platters and desserts. They don’t taste great but they look fantastic! If you need any more info on care, best places to purchase and practical tips, contact me at rlsayeau@gmail.com

Manuel Rodenkirchen: Winter Gardening

Manuel grows greens all winter long in an unheated high tunnel. Seeds are planted in late August in an outdoor plot and given time to get established. Once the night temperatures near freezing, the high tunnel is moved to cover the plot. When temperatures near freezing inside the high tunnel, a second light cloth cover is used to give the young plants further protection from the elements. Using the heat of the sun, the radiant heat of the ground and extremely winter-hardy crops like spinach and corn salad, Manuel is able to grow fresh greens which can be harvested throughout the winter. Up to 25 single leaf harvests happen on mild or sunny days during the winter growing season. In the spring the tunnel becomes too hot for winter greens and is converted to a hot house for early tomatoes and cucumbers.

In Memoriam