Meadow Acres Holiday 2019 by CR Creative Co. Ltd.

Meadow Acres Garden Centre

Holiday 2019

Magic of Winter Snow Globe BRING THE

INTO THE WARMTH OF YOUR OWN HOME WITH A

Cardinal

Joyful Gifts

$39.99

St. Nick

$49.99

10380

10241 10240

feeding the birds with new ideas™

Add a little Green this Holiday Season Traditional Christmas Swag Add your own decorations to dress it up or keep it simple. Our Traditional Swag measures 20” long.

Incense Cedar Bunch

SALE $12.99

Inspire your creativity by accenting your outdoor and floral displays with this fragrant, holiday favourite. Weight – 1.5 lbs

$9.99

Silver Oregonia Bunch This fresh green serves as a wonderful decorative filler, stays green and white through the holiday season, while adding visual interest in your holiday décor. Weight – 1.5 lbs.

$14.99

AVAILABLE AT

CONTENTS 4

Where Do Bugs Go In The Winter?

A Holiday Welcome

Holiday Ornaments Aren't Just For The Christmas Tree

Plant with Four Season Interest

Ways to Combat Stress during the Holidays

Timesaver Breakfast Casserole With Bacon!

Go Wild with Fashion

Holiday Greens Workshops

Beat The Winter Blues With Bulbs!

This publication may not be reproduced, all or in part, without written consent from the publisher and Meadow Acres Garden Centre. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of all content in the publication, however, the publisher will not be held accountable for omissions or errors. Note that products may vary between retailers and regions, and supplies may be limited. Pricing is subject to change and is not valid with any other offer. HOLIDAY 2019 â&#x20AC;˘ 3

Where Do

BUGS GO in the Winter? By Leah Ruehlicke

Many bugs hibernate

Many bugs don’t embrace that jet-setter lifestyle and instead, hibernate in places close to home. For example, large wasps often seek shelter in the attics of houses or barns. Others find shelter in tree holes, or under logs and rocks – and they get quite creative in staying warm in these places! The Mourning Cloak Butterfly, for example, builds up glycerol in its body, which acts as a type of natural antifreeze. Others burrow deep into the soil, where the temperatures are far warmer than they are above ground. Ladybugs hibernate, gathering in groups, while living off of their own body fat. So if you see one ladybug, there will surely be more to follow.

Teamwork makes the dreamwork

Honey bees stay in their hives during the winter, huddling together in clusters to stay warm. Can you bee-lieve that they are able to raise the temperature by vibrating their wing muscles?! Honey bees are able to find all this energy by consuming approximately 30 pounds of stored honey during the winter months.

Embracing the cold

Very few insects are active in the winter, but the nymphs (or ‘immature forms’) of dragonflies, mayflies and stoneflies live beneath a layer of ice in ponds and streams. They utilize the winter months to actively feed, and then emerge as adults in early spring.

hen the snow falls and that cold winter air blows down from the North pole, we humans have the luxury of curling up by the fire in our cozy pajamas and holing up indoors. When we do have to go outside, we bundle up with hats and mitts to keep ourselves warm. What do bugs do when it’s cold outside? They don’t have warm, winter boots for their feet (and they certainly don’t have cozy pajamas to put on!) So how do they deal with the cold winter months?

Some bugs migrate

Just like birds, some bugs escape the cold weather by going to a warmer region. For example, Monarch butterflies are not able to survive cold winters, so they migrate south and west each autumn to escape the cold weather.

Insects prefer when cold temperatures are stable. They hate when it freezes and thaws, then re-freezes and thaws once again. They also appreciate a nice, thick blanket of snow. This insulates the ground and keeps the temperatures underground surprisingly comfortable. Insects which choose to hole up and remain fully inactive throughout the winter undergo a state in which their growth and development are temporarily paused. This is called “diapause”. Their development begins again once they join the world in the spring and start buzzing around again! Overall, despite not having mitts and boots and warm fireplaces to curl up in front of, bugs have their own way of embracing that winter wonderland. Snow? Freezing temperatures? No problem – doesn’t “bug” insects at all!

4 • MEADOW ACRES GARDEN CENTRE - 519-634-5479 - MEADOWACRES.COM

Girlfriends' NIGHT OUT WE D NES DAY, DEC EM B ER 4, 2019 7:00PM UNTIL 9:30PM

The store closes at 6:00pm. We will reopen at 7:00pm just for you to enjoy exclusive shopping. Sorry we are unable to allow customers to remain in the store during that hour as we prepare for the event.

FASHION

S TO R E W I D E

40% OFF Regular Prices

25% OFF Regular Prices 15% OFF Sale Prices

DISCLAIMER FOR “GIRLFRIENDS’ NIGHT OUT” See page 6.

Friday, November 8th • 9am-6pm Saturday, November 9th • 9am-5pm Sunday, November 10th • 9am-5pm

DECORATE YOUR HOME INSIDE AND OUT TO CREATE A WELCOMING HOLIDAY STATEMENT

20% OFF 10% OFF REG. PRICES SALE PRICES

• Artificial Trees • Fresh or Artificial Branches & Boughs • Berries & Cones • Outdoor Balls & Ribbons • Designer Urn Inserts & Decorative Containers • Unique Ornaments & Gift Ideas • Fashion Boutique

DISCLAIMER FOR “HOLIDAY PREVIEW” See page 6.

HOLIDAY 2019 • 5

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

November

SATURDAY

ARTIFICIAL TREES, WREATHS AND GARLANDS 35% OFF REG. PRICES

ARTIFICIAL TREES, WREATHS AND GARLANDS

HOLIDAY PREVIEW

FLASH SALE

20% OFF

35% OFF

Senior’s Day

REG. PRICES

See our ad on page 5

See store for details

20% OFF

35% OFF

REG. PRICES

REG. prices

See our ad on page 5

Senior’s Day See store for details

ALL ABOUT BIRDS SALE

REG. PRICES

NOV. 21ST - 30TH

Senior’s Day See store for details

See ad on page 19

BOBBINS BAUBLES AND BRUSHES

REDEEM YOUR MEADOW ACRES DOLLARS

FLASH SALE

35% OFF

ALL ABOUT BIRDS SALE

FLASH SALE

HOLIDAY PREVIEW

REDEEM YOUR MEADOW ACRES DOLLARS NOV. 21ST - 30TH

Senior’s Day See store for details

DISCLAIMER FOR SALES EVENTS Discounts are not valid on previously purchased merchandise. Sorry, no rain checks, exchanges, refunds or returns during the sale. Discounting for our sale applies to all inventory but excludes fresh-cut Christmas trees, outdoor bagged, bulk and stone yard products, and services such as custom urn orders, workshops, landscaping, and delivery. We are unable to set aside merchandise in anticipation of this event. Cash, credit or debit card accepted.

INDOOR/OUTDOOR LIGHTS SALE 35% OFF REG. prices

November & December hours Monday - Friday 9am-6pm

6 • MEADOW ACRES GARDEN CENTRE - 519-634-5479 - MEADOWACRES.COM

Saturday & Sunday 9am-5pm

SUNDAY

MONDAY

INDOOR/ OUTDOOR LIGHTS SALE 35% OFF

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

Senior’s Day

See our ad on page 17

See store for details

REG. prices

FAMILY WEEKEND EVENT WITH SANTA

FLASH SALE GIRLFRIENDS' Sign up for email NIGHT OUT to be notified 7:00-9:30pm See our ad on page 5

SATURDAY

FASHION SALE

FLASH SALE

35% OFF

REG. prices

Senior’s Day

See our ad on page 17

See store for details

FASHION SALE

Senior’s Day

REG. prices

40% OFF REG. prices

See store for details

40% OFF

OPEN 9AM - 2PM

BETTER THAN BOXING DAY SALE Go to Meadowacres.com for further details

BETTER THAN BOXING DAY SALE

ALL THINGS CHRISTMAS SALE REG. prices

ALL THINGS CHRISTMAS SALE

FLASH SALE

35% OFF

CLOSED

Go to Meadowacres.com for further details

DECEMBER

OPEN 10AM - 2PM

SIGN UP TO RECEIVE OUR EMAILS AND GET NOTICE OF UNADVERTISED FLASH SALES! Thursdays are senior’s day at Meadow Acres 15% off all regular prices, 5% off sale priced items excludes services such as landscaping, deliveries & workshops HOLIDAY 2019 • 7

O Tannenbaum,

How Lovely Are Thy Branches

n 1824, little did Ernst Anschutz, the composer of this wellknown carol, know just how brave the Christmas tree must be, or what measures Christmas celebrants would take to keep it green during the holiday season. History tells us that this song was not about Christmas, but a folk song about love, likening it to the constancy and faithful evergreen qualities of the fir tree. Later renditions changed it to the Christmas genre, bestowing the pleasures it brought to those gathered around it – indoors!

attractive side in a corner, or backed up against the wall). Some needle drop is to be expected since the tree has been bundled up for a month already and transported ½ way across the country. Give it a vigorous shake. If most of the needles are still in tack, you’ve found the perfect tree. The most popular species are Fraser and Balsam Fir. Fraser holds its needles the best and has greater density while the Balsam is less expensive and has the best pine fragrance.

With an annual investment of $20 to $200 per tree (depending on species, height, and vendor), keeping it fresh is important not only for preserving its beauty, but also to prevent premature needle droppings all over the stacks of wrapped packages underneath it and the ensuing annoying task of cleanup. By taking a few simple precautions however, a Christmas tree can stay fresh for a month or so once it has found its place in your home. And so the traditional coffee time conversation endures, “Whose method works the best?”. There are multiple suggestions and concoctions that avid real-tree owners will attest to. The most common is the addition of some form of sugar, such as corn syrup, 7-Up or white sugar. Others swear by bleach, vinegar, vodka, or aspirin. Oh well, 'Tis the Season! From the reviews of research done by tree scientists and arborists, the verdict is that clean water works best. That’s good news. Now there’s more vodka and aspirin for the festivities! Here are a few steps to follow which will yield the best chances for a season long, green, needle-drop-free, Christmas tree.

re-cut the stem. When the tree is severed from its rootstock, the wound naturally heals up with sap to prevent dehydration. This also stops it from absorbing water. Cutting the healed part of the trunk off will allow the tree to once again absorb water up the trunk to the branches. The cut should be made just before the tree is placed in the stand. Cut about half an inch off the bottom and avoid whittling away the outer layers of the wood to make the base fit the stand. The outer layers are the most efficient in taking up water.

1. Choose a tree that looks healthy, obviously! Deep, rich, green colour, soft, flexible needles and a symmetrical shape is ideal (unless you can put the flat, less

2. Re-cut the stem. If you bought a pre-cut tree, be sure to

3. Choose the right location. As the marketing gurus will tell you, its location, location, location and that spot in the centre of the bay window, posing for all the passers by to view, may not be the best location. In fact, it could be the worst. Pick a spot that is away from heating vents, cold drafts, or direct sunlight. Doesn’t that describe the bay window? On second thought, the worst place is beside the fireplace. We can predict how that scenario might play out.

4. Use low-heat lights. Incandescent tree lights are a thing of the past now but that is your choice, the smaller miniature lights emit less heat keeping the tree from drying. LED lights stay cool thus eliminating the heat element.

5. Keep it watered. As a rule of thumb, a typical tree absorbs a litre of water for each inch of its trunk diameter. Make sure there is always water in the tree stand.

6. Don’t plug the vacuum. Your tree supplier should issue you a large tree bag, which is convenient for getting your tree in and out of the house without a trail of needles. With the bag still over the tree, cut a hole in the bottom of the bag to let the trunk come through and into the stand. Once the tree is up, fold the bag down around the tree stand and cover it with your tree skirt. When the season is over and all the decorations removed, simply pull the tree bag back up around the tree and take it out. I should also mention the year my tree lost most of its needles, the central vac was never quite the same. Merry Christmas and here’s hoping the only dropping noises you hear this Christmas are reindeer hooves on the rooftop!

Holiday WELCOME

is the season to welcome friends and family home for the holidays. We all want to create a warm and inviting entrance to greet our guests. No matter your style, size of home or budget, there are great ways to dress up and deck out your entrance for the holidays this year.

Add some cheer by swapping for a fun, festive welcome mat!

A beautiful, lush outdoor arrangement with fragrant evergreen foliage, including Princess Pine, Incense Cedar, and Silver Oregonia will be a welcome touch to your front entrance. Decorate it with woodsy Sugar pinecones, faux waterproof berries, and accent with pretty red cardinals – these finishing touches will create interest and charm. Don’t forget to add an elegant wreath to your front door, finished with a beautiful festive bow.

Decorating Tip:

Use ornaments with a range of materials to add interest and variety to your tree.

Visit your local garden centre to shop the new 2019 Holiday Collection!

HOLIDAY 2019 • 9

HOLIDAY ORNAMENTS arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just for the

Christmas By Dianne Visser

or 11 months of the year, I am a retail store manager, but when Christmas time rolls around in November, I turn into a designer. I love Christmas, and I love the challenge of decorating and using holiday items in a different way. Ornaments are not just for the tree; I use ornaments everywhere! Yes, I do mean everywhere and in every room.

Tree!

There is the traditional use of ornaments in garlands and wreaths, but there is also the more modern use of ornaments in jars, vases, bowls, and wine glasses. Using the same colours of ornaments ties together any mismatched pieces. These work out nicely on kitchen counters, dining room hutches, bookshelves and on window ledges. If you have some smaller ornaments, use them for napkin rings, adding a festive touch to the dining room table. Hanging small ornaments from cabinet doors is quick and easy. I like to make a swag with a few pieces of greenery and then a few ornaments. These can be hung on doors, from light sconces, bannisters, headboards and more. A romantic collection of different sized and shaped candlesticks works well on the mantle or side table. Add an upside-down ornament in place of the candle, a few springs of greenery around the bottom and voilà!

Try finding one or two narrow ribbons in the same or contrasting colour scheme. Then use them to tie ornaments from a light fixture or chandelier; it offers an instant festive wow factor. Don’t stop there, tie ornaments onto the banister in between each rung or make a curtain of ornaments by tying them onto the curtain rod at different lengths. The winter sun shining through the window will offer a wonderful shimmer to the room. For the kid’s room, borrow a toy truck, or doll carriage to fill with ornaments and mixed with building blocks. I would suggest you use the non-breakable ones where little hands can reach. You can highlight one or two special ornaments with an ornament stand or a branch from a tree. The branch can be used naturally or painted to match the theme, placed in a vase or propped up in a pail of sand. Utilize the ribbon once again to tie the ornaments to the branch and you have an elegant addition without having to set up another tree. If you have a lot of pictures hanging in your home, consider removing everything from the frame (picture, glass and backing), then tie an ornament so it is framed in a threedimensional way. For the front porch, I like to fill old wicker baskets, vintage suitcases, picnic hamper, kid's wagon or a lantern full of ornaments mixed with pinecones and pine branches and strings of lights for a welcome that sets the mood for the rest of the house. I hope I have inspired you to think outside the box and turn the ordinary into extraordinary! Merry Christmas!

HOLIDAY 2019 • 11

PLANT WITH

Four Season INTEREST By Lindsay Flatters

ooking out into your yard this time of year can easily bring on the winter blues. However, with a bit of careful planning, you can create an attractive four season garden to save yourself from dullsville. Spending the winter months dreaming and scheming is ideal because it forces you to look at your gardenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s structure without any distraction from the colours of spring and summer. Remember to keep in mind that many perennials will die down to ground level in the winter, so the simple addition of shrubs and evergreens will give some back bone to your yard. This seemingly subtle background during the spring and summer months will become the star of the show in the winter months. Focusing on features like bark, berries and different textures and shapes can be the key to transforming the faded landscape into something beautiful. Your local independent garden centre can help you find some great choices to add next year. Evergreens are a simple and easy way to add texture and all season greenery to the landscape. Try Boxwood, Cedars and Junipers or a combination to create this look. Using a variety of upright, mounding and spreading evergreens dotted throughout your yard will make a consistent background year round. This can come in especially handy when needing to block an eye sore of some form or another, whether it be an ugly utility meter or a nosy neighbourâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s view into your yard. There is a huge range of varieties to choose from to suit almost any location. Some tried and true selections include: Green Velvet Boxwood as a nice tidy globe form, Fairview Juniper as a great upright focal or Baby Blue Spruce as that significant estate piece.

Choosing plants with either different coloured bark or different textured bark is a great way to add that special interest that you’re looking for. Try one of the many varieties of dogwood with either striking red or yellow branches to add an unexpected pop of colour. Silverleaf, or Ivory Halo Dogwood are great options for bright red, while Yellowtwig Dogwood is a great choice for that fresh citron exclamation. Or maybe for a different textured bark, a Burning Bush with its famed ‘winged’ branches might be the answer. For something dramatic and different, look at Copper Curls Lilac tree. The unique bark on this tree will definitely turn heads. Faded late season flowers remain subtle, yet effective. Ice crusted florets or dainty paper petals are a real hidden beauty in the late season. Try leaving the blossoms on your Hydrangeas, or some of your perennials like Coneflower or Sedum. Not cutting back the flowers on your plants can also be a benefit to attracting wildlife to your garden in the winter. Birds love the seed heads of Coneflowers especially, so make sure to leave a few of these. Berries and fruit can be a real bright colour highlight against the monotone nature. Crabapples hold onto their fruit well into the winter season, which

DR HY

HYDR ANGEA

ANG

look like sugared jewels when the frost collects on them. There are a number of other shrubs that display their bountiful berries late into the year like American Cranberry, Cotoneaster or, if you are lucky enough to live in a warmer climate, Holly (Zone 5). Having plants with fruit and berries are also a great way to attract different wildlife into your yard. Birds, squirrels and deer are just some of the creatures that will enjoy feasting on these treasures. Ornamental Grasses are a graceful point of texture and movement in a winter garden if you leave them untouched from the growing season. The highlight however, are the plumes or tassels that dance above the foliage. Choose options like Feather Reed Grass, Switchgrass or Silver Grass varieties that are both hardy and sturdy. Take a look at the different silhouettes that trees and shrubs can take. Globes, spires and vase shapes, try adding a variety to your landscape. The graceful arching branches of a Weeping Peashrub or a Weeping Crabapple might be a fantastic focal point. So time to take advantage of this opportunity, embrace our beautiful Canadian winter season, and grab your notebook and start planning for winter interest in your garden. Find the subtle beauty in the often overlooked.

EA IN WINTER

ER MM U S IN HOLIDAY 2019 • 13

WAYS TO

COMBAT STRESS

Holidays

during the

By Mandy King

he holidays can be the most fun, and the most stressful time of the year. Whether it’s that routine seems to fall to the wayside, healthy habits tend to feel less important, or it’s generally just busy all around, the combination always seems to contribute to more stress than you may be prepared for. As a nutritionist, these are some simple recommendations I give to my clients so following the holidays, they feel good mentally and physically, and are not in need of a holiday from the holidays!

1. Make a plan

It’s no surprise the holiday season will be busy, but you can stay on top of it with a plan. Being organized with your calendar is a quick and easy way to reduce stress. By late November or early December, you should have an idea of all the parties and gatherings you will be attending. Once you know your social schedule, carve out time for everything else, including holiday shopping, cooking, and exercise.

2. Move, daily

Keeping up with your exercise routine will help reduce holiday bloating and give you a nice endorphin boost to help with your energy levels and mood. That being said, don’t let your exercise schedule be a source of stress. If you’re travelling for the holidays, outside of your routine or just want to relax, it can be difficult to fit in a workout. Just making time to get moving or going for a walk outside can reduce stress, increase happiness and boost energy in 90% of people. Remember to schedule it in and try to do it earlier in the day before other commitments get in the way.

3. Meal plan & prep

Meal planning and doing a little bit of meal prep, once a week, is the best way to make healthy eating easy and attainable year-round. The holidays should be no different. Keeping up with your regular eating habits, at least through the day, can help you feel your best despite holiday indulgences. If you know you have several big dinners, plan to start your day with easy breakfasts like a high protein smoothie or egg muffins, which you can make in advance. Make a one pot meal like turkey chili or roast a bunch of veggies and some chicken breasts to put over a bed of greens if you need a quick meal. 14

Eating out equals less healthy food and a lowered ability to manage stress. You get the equation, so have your healthy food prepped and ready when your belly starts growling. If you want to get in to this but aren’t sure how, you can check out our weekly meal plans here: http://www.healthyeatingandliving.ca/meal-plans.

4. Take your gardening indoors

Exercise and self-care should count as “non negotiable me time”, which is when no matter what’s going on, you stop doing it and you take whatever amount of time (say 30-60 minutes) and do something you love to help you unwind. Plant therapy is a very useful tool for unwinding and you don’t have to let the cold weather deter you from enjoying it year-round. In one study, subjects were asked to perform a stressful task and then asked to either perform 30 minutes of gardening in their allotment gardens or 30 minutes of reading. While both groups experienced a decrease in stress, the gardeners experienced a significantly greater decline in stress (as measured by salivary cortisol, a stress hormone), as well as a full restoration of positive mood. There are also plants known to specifically relieve stress and improve mental well-being, such as aloe vera, the snake plant, lavender and mint. I hope these tips are useful for you! Don’t forget to enjoy the holidays as they will be over before you know it.

TIMESAVER

BREAKFAST CASSEROLE

with bacon!

his easy overnight breakfast casserole is quick to prep in the evening and then baked up fresh and delicious in the morning! Cheese, bacon, bell peppers and green onions are layered with bread and soaked in a seasoned egg mixture. This is the perfect meal to serve on a holiday morning or for guests.

INGREDIENTS

INSTRUCTIONS

• 12 slices egg bread or any type of bread will work, cubed

1. Cube bread and leave out overnight or place in the oven at 300 degrees for about 10 minutes to dry slightly. (Do not brown or toast it).

• 12 slices crispy bacon crumbled (or 1 cup diced ham) • 3 green onions sliced • 1/2 red bell pepper finely diced • 4 cups grated cheddar cheese • 6 eggs • 3 cups milk • 1/2 teaspoon each dry mustard, salt, & black pepper

2. Combine eggs, milk, & seasonings. 3. Layer 1/2 of the cubes in a greased 9×13 pan. Top with 1/2 of the bacon, green onions, red peppers and cheese. Repeat layers one more time. 4. Pour egg mixture over top. Cover and refrigerate overnight (or at least 3 hours). 5.

Remove from fridge and let sit on the counter while preheating the oven to 350 degrees. Bake covered with foil 45-55 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. (If you are baking 2 pans increase cooking time to 60-80 minutes).

NUTRITION INFORMATION Calories: 377, Fat: 24g, Saturated Fat: 12g, Cholesterol: 138mg, Sodium: 582mg, Potassium: 269mg, Carbohydrates: 18g, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 5g, Protein: 19g, Vitamin A: 16.1%, Vitamin C: 8.4%, Calcium: 40%, Iron: 10% (Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.)

HOLIDAY 2019 • 15

Go Wild By Sherri Christodoulou

remember the days when I was younger and more carefree. My main concerns were: what I was going to wear and what to do to fill the hours in the day. I was a free spirit; wild at heart. Fast forward to today. I still wonder what to wear each day, but now question when I will find the time to complete the to do list. Although wild at heart, the spirit is tamer; I have to be responsible and not always do what I want, but can most definitely wear what I want. This season will be one of my favorites since prints, especially animal prints are back with a vengeance. Take your pick: Zebra stripe, Snakeskin, Tiger-stripe, Leopard or Cheetah print; even if you add a few pieces to your fall-winter wardrobe this year make them animal prints! A tiger-stripe tunic with black leggings make a courageous statement. A snakeskin duster over pants and a top add a wow factor; whether at the office, out for the evening or running errands. The addition of pattern and colour variation will keep animal prints fresh and exciting. Think cheetah with floral! If you are a bit more reserved, printed leggings under a long solid colour tunic sweater will give you that touch of an untamed feel without being so bold. This seasonâ&#x20AC;Ś.

Be Brave and Go Wild! 16 16

Fresh Cut

CHRISTMAS TREES at Meadow Acres Garden Centre

FRASER FIR 6-8ft

$49.99

ea.

Remember all of our trees are â&#x20AC;&#x153;hungâ&#x20AC;? in our greenhouse for easy selection! After you have selected your perfect tree, we will give it a fresh cut and wrap it for easy transportation. Also available: Scotch Pine, White Spruce, Serbian Spruce and Balsam Fir.

Visit with

Santa AND

one of his favourite reindeer! 10:00am - 4:00pm Saturday, Dec. 7th & Sunday, Dec 8th (Store hours 9am-5pm both days) Enjoy fresh popcorn and hot apple cider while you shop. Bring in your contribution to the food bank and receive 30% OFF any single item at regular price. (30% OFF discount does not apply to fresh cut Christmas trees or previously purchased merchandise)

HOLIDAY

Must Haves 2.

1. Holiday Snow Globe

Add wonder to your holiday dĂŠcor this season with this beautiful snow globe. Sure to create lots of interest in any room. $79.99

2. White Woods Travel Mug/Glove Set

Looking for that perfect gift for the person that has everything? $29.99

3. Boxed Travel Mugs

These fun festive travel mugs make great teacher gifts. $18.99 Add a package of flavoured hot chocolate to complete the gift.

4. Sugar Canes

The ultimate cane solution and fashion accessory. Add some sparkle and make a statement this season. $119.99

5. Welcome Mats

Decorate your front entrance and welcome your guests with a festive mat. $29.99 & $39.99

4. Each handcrafted crystal sugar cane consists of approximately 4600 rhinestones plus 420 larger princess cut rhinestones for added brilliance. Aluminum canes easily adjust from 28.5" to 37.5".

18 â&#x20AC;˘ MEADOW ACRES GARDEN CENTRE - 519-634-5479 - MEADOWACRES.COM

All canes come with a comfortable stylish derby handle and a black velvet designer drawstring bag.

6. Snowflake Charity Ornament

Proceeds from these snowflake ornaments will support a local charity. $6.99

7. Gourmet Hot Chocolate

Single serve hot chocolate – choose from a large selection of flavours or stick with the original. Each package makes a delicious, rich and creamy mug of hot chocolate. $1.99

8. Whimsical Metal Reindeer

Add a bit of festive fun to your holiday décor. Three styles to choose from. $29.99, $39.99, $69.99

9. Stainless Steel Stencils

Top off your hot chocolate, cappuccino or baking with a holiday design. Use the topping of your choice: powdered sugar, cinnamon or cocoa. $14.99

Friday, November 15 11AM - 6PM Saturday, November 16 9AM - 5PM Sunday, November 17 11AM - 4 PM

Meadow Acres Garden Centre, Greenhouse 2315 Queen St., Petersburg, ON

… just in time for Christmas!

HOLIDAY 2019 • 19

CELEBRATE THE SEASON

with Meadow Acres Garden Centre

Take time to enjoy the holiday season while creating your own personal holiday dĂŠcor piece! All you need are a pair of garden gloves and your pruners. We will provide the materials and the expertise to help you create your own stunning arrangement that shows off your own personal style and taste.

Holiday Urn Workshop Friday, Nov. 15, 2019 6:30pm-8:00pm Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019 1:30pm-3:00pm Thursday, Nov. 21, 2019 6:30pm-8:00pm Urn with dogwood or other branches $79.00 plus taxes Urn with birch poles $99.00 plus taxes Create an urn with your choice of birch poles, sparkling twigs or dogwood along with designer greens and accent pieces to make a statement this winter.

Welcome Planter Workshop Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019 6:30pm - 8:00pm Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019 1:30pm - 3:00pm $79.00 plus taxes Invite your guests into your home with a stunning Welcome Planter this season.

20 â&#x20AC;˘ MEADOW ACRES GARDEN CENTRE - 519-634-5479 - MEADOWACRES.COM

Holiday Wreath Workshop Friday, Nov. 22, 2019 6:30pm-8:00pm $59.00 plus taxes Create a beautiful outdoor Christmas wreath for the front door or over the fireplace.

Christmas Centrepiece Workshop Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019 6:30pm-8:00pm $55.00 plus taxes Set the mood and brighten up any holiday table with a festive centrepiece.

Wooden Holiday Sled Workshop Thursday, Nov. 28, 2019 6:30pm-8:00pm

Grinch tree Workshop

$65.00 plus taxes A holiday favourite accented with Christmas foliage, accents and ribbon.

Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019 1:30pm-3:00pm Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019 6:30pm-8:00pm $59.00 Add a touch of whimsy to your holiday décor with a Grinch tree. Your kids or grandchildren will love it.

Metal Christmas Tree Workshop

Holiday Sphere Workshop

Friday, Nov. 29, 2019 6:30pm-8:00pm $79.00 plus taxes This modern Christmas tree stand will accent any home or office and makes a great gift as well.

Friday, Dec. 6, 2019 6:30pm-8:00pm $79.00 plus taxes Create a unique addition for your holiday decorating this year.

Meadow Acres would love to be a part of your holiday season activities. Private workshops are available for groups of 10 or more.

CALL US AT

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TO PRE-BOOK YOUR WORKSHOP

HOLIDAY 2019 • 21

Beat the

WINTER BLUES with Bulbs! By Tanya Olsen

ne of the ways I love to beat the winter blues is to surround myself with flowers. The smell, the colours and new sense of growth tell me spring is on the way. During the winter, fresh flowers from the garden are hard to come by, but with a little effort and planning, we can trick a spring blooming bulb into flowering earlier than it would if you planted outdoors. Called forcing and much like growing a seed, forcing a bulb allows us the opportunity to grow our own flowers and nurture life from start to finish.

When I order bulbs for our garden centre, I select two kinds of forcing bulbs: one that does not need chilling (Amaryllis and Paperwhite Narcissus) and those that need a cold spell to promote a bloom. Hyacinth, large flowering Crocus, dwarf Daffodil, and Grape Hyacinth (Muscari) are all excellent choices for forcing but need some chilling time before they flower properly.

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FOR EASY BLOOMS: For fresh blooms all winter long, plant several batches of bulbs, each batch a week apart. Amaryllis are ready to plant and ready to bloom! Sometimes decorative and wax-covered, they are a big bulb - about the size of your fist and produce a collection of red, pink, orange or white trumpet-shaped blooms atop a tall stem. The other bulb that does not need any chilling are Paperwhite Narcissus. To force these successfully, choose your favourite container, fill with soil or layers of coloured gravel and plant so the bottom third of the bulb is buried. Water, place in a warm location and fragrant blooms will be yours three to five weeks after planting. If your bulb is wax-covered, just place in a warm room and let nature takes it course – no soil, water or chilling required! If using gravel, layer the gravel up to 4” deep and plant your bulbs the same way you would with soil. Water so the bottom of the bulb barely touches the top of the waterline. If the water comes too high up on the bulb, there is a risk of rotting the bulb.

HOW TO FORCE BULBS THAT NEED CHILLING: Crocus, most Hyacinth and Tulips need chilling to mimic the cold winter months. Before chilling, follow these easy steps for success and don’t be afraid to snuggle your bulbs together so they touch! • Choose your favorite pot or a larger glass container and fill with gravel or good potting soil. • Plant bulbs four to six inches deep (my rule of thumb is twice the depth of the bulb), and water like you would outdoors. When I feel adventurous, I layer my bulbs in a larger, deeper container – Narcissus on the bottom, then Tulips and Crocus near the top, so there will be multiple heights and blooms come the dead of winter.

don’t store the bulbs with fresh produce as the gases from fruit and vegetables can inhibit flower production. • Keep the planted pots between 35° and 45° Fahrenheit (2° to 7° Celsius) until you see green tips (6 to 12 weeks). • When the tips emerge, put the pot in a warmer location (60° Fahrenheit or 15° Celsius) with indirect light, until the leaves are a few inches long. • Once flower buds appear, move your pot to into a bright, warm room.

• Chill your planted pot in a cold frame next to the house, unheated shed or cold room. The refrigerator works too, but

CONTAINER CHOICES: Use your favourite ceramic or clay pot, repurpose containers from your summer succulent planting or raid Grandma’s cupboard for a beautiful glass vase. Using clear glass will allow you to create a work of art, with layers of coloured gravel. Glass will also allow the kids to learn about root structures while they watch the bulb grow!

HOLIDAY HOLIDAY2019 2019 • 23

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