Charleswood

Garden Club

About Us

Charleswood Horticultural Society/Garden Club was founded in 1910 and is still "growing" strong. This commendable achievement is due to members, past and present, who are committed to preserving the natural beauty of our community. Join us to help provide knowledge and encouragement in our future endeavours. Some of our recent activities are:

Early Days

The Charleswood Horticultural Society was the 5th society to be issued with a Certificate of Organization by the Province of Manitoba. It was formed on March 31, 1919.

The first horticultural Fair was held in 1919, in conjunction with the Boys' and Girls' Club. Since that time there has always been a firm commitment and support for junior activities. The Fair Books, an annual event, illustrate the growth in this community over a ninety year period from rural to a "suburb beautiful" of Winnipeg and thus encompasses more than just changes in horticulture. They included community sports events such as baseball and races, but also afternoon tea, baby show, lunches and a dance - in other words a "Fair". Adults provided examples of excellence and supported this in their children. Junior competition included scholastic achievement, preserving, baking, garment making, poultry and calf raising as well as, of course, gardening. Through competence in these domestic and gardening skills junior exhibitors were able and were expected to contribute to the rural family unit.

World War II affected the members of our rural Society and community in innumerable ways. The 1941 Fair Book reflected the value of the garden: "As a refuge in this war-stricken world, what can compare with the peace and serenity of your garden? Flowers and their culture provide the ideal antidote to the worries and anxieties inseparable from the war." The Minutes of the Charleswood Horticultural Society May 8, 1943 reads "with the pressing demands upon the time and energies of many of our members who are also active in war work "the Fair of 1943 was cancelled but Victory Gardens were support to a remarkable degree. For example there were (a) special victory vegetable garden (b) gardens not to exceed one half acre, (c) gardens over one half acre. The cost of seeds and prize money was absorbed by the Society for junior victory gardens.

Each year a boy or girl with the most points in the garden competition receives the Cameron Anderson Memorial Trophy for one year and a smaller trophy to keep. F/L Cameron Anderson, who lost his life during World War II, was the son of Ethel and Fred Anderson who were the type of dedicated members responsible for our continued growth over the years.

As aspects of the community change so have the new skills and hobbies. We have sponsored home grounds competitions, supported garden tours, photo contests and through local schools mentor a garden competition with seeds and bulbs provided. We also encourage the use of heritage seeds and through our annual auction encourage plant exchanges.

We are very honoured that the Archives of Manitoba have accepted our donation of records which document activities over a 90 year period. These records illustrate changes in horticulture as well as growth and changes in our community. These records will be preserved for future generations of researchers.

Photographing Flowers & Trees

Wednesday, March 13, 2024

Hans Arnold is an award-winning fine art nature and landscape photographer with over 45 years of experience exploring and capturing landscapes, wildlife, and nature of countries worldwide. His presentation, focusing mainly on iPhone photography, will include how to use lighting and backgrounds in photography, and how to position oneself for more effective photos.

7:30 pm
5006 Roblin Blvd. (additional parking off Harstone Rd.)

Guests Welcome. Free admission
For more information email Info@charleswoodgc.ca.

Manitoba Horticultural Association - Annual General Meeting

The Annual General Meeting for the Manitoba Horticultural Association will be held via Google Workspace on Saturday March 23
from
10 am to 12 pm. All members are invited to attend. More information and the meeting link will follow, or go to www.mbhorticulture.ca

Become a Member

E-transfer $10.00 to membership@charleswoodgc.ca or mail a cheque to: 1422 Loudoun Road, R3S 1A4 and make the cheque payable to Noreen Kolesar. Please include your address and phone number. Your membership card with your membership number will be available to pick up at our next regular meeting.