By Caitlin Kelly
As the warm weather approaches, splashes of colour are beginning to appear as gardens start to awaken in local gardens and parks.
This early sign of spring brings joy to many after a long winter season. Among those anxious for the warmer months are the members of the Belle River and District Horticultural Society.
The organization’s largest event of the year is the annual spring plant market being held this Saturday in the parking area of Optimist Park in Belle River. Pandemic restrictions have postponed the event for the past two years; however, this year, the 14th Annual Plant Market will return on Saturday from 9 a.m. until noon.
The Market will include many varieties of garden-grown plants and organization members will be on site to provide education on planting and maintaining your garden. The Market will also feature worm castings that assist plants to look their best, and vendors will be selling native plants, garden art, lily bulbs and more.
The history:
The Belle River and District Horticultural Society was founded in 1992, with the early meetings taking place in the teacher’s lounge at Belle River High School. What began as a small membership has continued to grow through the support and effort of it’s members. 
The Society has outgrown several meeting locations, at one point reaching an impressive membership of almost 200. Today meetings are held at St. Simon and St. Jude Hall in Belle River and regularly attract more than 60 participants.
As with many other community businesses and groups, the Belle River and District Horticultural Society experienced challenges with membership drop and postponed events as a result of pandemic restrictions.
Today, the Society’s president Paul Schneider describes being in “rebuild mode” and expressed hope to achieve an increase in membership and community involvement after being limited in activities over the past two years.
Interested in becoming a member?
Anyone interested in becoming a member of the Belle River and District Horticultural Society is welcome to join the meetings, held on the third Tuesday of the month at 7:30 p.m. at St. Simon and St. Jude Hall. Annual dues are $10, and membership includes ten meetings per year with speakers presenting on many different themes, a bus tour and an annual Christmas party. Membership also provides participants with a discount on purchases at many Windsor-Essex nurseries.
Our mandate:
Schneider describes the mandate for all Ontario Horticultural Associations as “providing horticulture education, leadership, and promotion of environmental issues.”
In turn, the Belle River and District Horticultural Society upholds this mandate by providing an annual bursary to a student of horticulture at Saint Clair College.
Additionally, within the Belle River community, society members maintain three gardens: at the Town sign on County Rd. 2, the healing garden in Optimist Park, and the garden near the gazebo in Lakeview Park – in recognition of members who have passed away over the years. The Society also supports education by sponsoring a planting workshop with third grade students from local schools, where students are able to create a hanging planter for Mother’s Day.
Schneider estimates members and volunteers have dedicated approximately 200 hours of work towards the preparation of the material being sold at this weeks plant market.
He shared the excitement could be felt during the first plant market preparation workshops since the pandemic began. Schneider says the benefit of the workshops goes beyond the event itself, as they provide the opportunity for members to gather, share their knowledge and learn about new species and techniques.
The proceeds from this event assist with the operation of the Society and the maintenance and renewal of the gardens in town.
The Plant Market will be held in the parking area of Optimist Park on May 7, between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m., rain or shine.
“The Belle River and District Horticultural Society is delighted to resume the market and have the long-awaited opportunity to interact with community members, spreading their joy and knowledge of gardening and other environmental topics with attendees,” added Schneider.
To learn more about the organization please visit gardenontario.org or see them on Facebook: Belle River & District Horticultural Society
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