Erin Garden Club

Welcome to the Erin Garden Club, we are a service group of volunteers in the town of Erin, Ontario, since 1922. The Erin Garden Club is part of District 7 of the Ontario Horticultural Association.

We are a non-profit organization. All proceeds go towards running the garden club, planting and maintaining MacMillan Park flower beds and other garden related projects in town. There are currently over 140 members.

Our monthly meetings bring individuals with a common interest in gardening together, to share their knowledge and experiences. It's an opportunity to socialize, meet people and have a lot of fun!

Dear Garden Club Members,

We’re delighted to begin another year together! To our returning members, thank you for your continued dedication and support—it’s the roots that keep our club strong. And to our new members, a very warm welcome! Your energy and fresh ideas are the blossoms that will help our community flourish. This year, we look forward to exchanging gardening wisdom, sparking creativity, and celebrating the beauty we grow together. May it be a season filled with thriving gardens and blooming friendships!

Warm regards,

Jackie Clark

President

Join our club

There are many advantages to being a member of the Erin Garden Club and Horticultural Society. Here are just a few:

Guest speakers and workshops
Flower shows
Field trips & garden tours
Social events

Meetings are held the 4th Wednesday of every month at 7:30pm at the Wellington Masonic Lodge at 190 Main Street, Erin

Membership fees: Individual $15 Family: $20

Membership includes an Erin Garden Club calendar of events, a membership card and discounts at select nurseries.

Fees can be paid at any club meeting, or e-transfer to eringardenclub@gmail.com

Disclaimer

By attending our events, you consent to your photos being used on our website and social media. To opt out, please notify us at the event or via email at eringardenclub@gmail.com

Join Our Club

Garden Journals - New This Year

Our new A5 Garden Journals (5.83 × 8.27 inches) are thoughtfully crafted to support every part of your gardening season. Over 90 pages per book! Catherine has personally created each one—designing the insert pages, sourcing the materials, and assembling every journal by hand for a truly personal touch.

What’s Inside

Each journal is packed with practical, gardener‑friendly pages, including:

Plant list sheets keep track of a brand‑new addition or a long‑standing resident
A monthly planner and to‑do list tailored for gardeners to track essential tasks as the seasons shift.
A monthly checklist to help you stay on top of recurring jobs—whether it’s deadheading, fertilizing schedules or pest checks
Sun exposure tracking page to note the hours of direct sunlight each plant or bed receives
Plotting and layout pages to design new beds or reimagine existing ones
A wildlife spotting sheet to record the creatures that visit your garden
Seed‑starting and growing logs to follow your plants from sprout to harvest
Blank pages for doodles, sketches, or quick visual ideas
Lined pages for notes, reflections, and seasonal observations

Materials & Design Details

Pages come in a mix of kraft paper, white, and card stock for texture and durability.
Page dividers are in coloured, black, or transparent finishes with flower‑themed designs for a warm, personal feel.
At the back, you’ll find thick transparent zip‑lock sleeves—perfect for storing plant tags, a plant‑label pen, seed packets, or anything else you want to carry with you as you wander your garden.

*A quick note that next year you can order any replacement fillers you need for the garden journals through the Erin Garden Club. We will also be gathering ideas for any other garden related inserts, so please share any suggestions for layouts or tracking pages you’d find useful.

LIMITED AVAILABLITY

Only $40 ea.

e-transfer to purplefrogs53@gmail.com with a note which journal cover you want and your name

or cash at an Erin Garden Club meeting

Journal orders can be picked up at the next Erin Garden Club Meeting, held at Wellington Masonic Lodge at 190 Main Street, Erin

Green Tree Hard Cover 4 available

Brown Soft Suede 9 available

Blue Soft Suede 8 available

2026 Upcoming Events

February 25, 2026 7:30pm

Toonie Treasures

Participate in our toonie sale and bid on fantastic items with your spare change and win great prizes! Donate your garden related items to this fun evening!

March 7, 2026 10am-3pm

Seedy Saturday

Hosted by Jen Edwards at United Church, Erin.

Join us for a day filled with seed swaps and purchases, gardening tips, local vendors, and community connections. Swing by our table to become a member!

March 25, 2026 7:30pm

Workshop #1

Soil Blocking

Learn about this seed-starting technique that involves creating compacted cubes of soil to germinate and grow seedlings.

April 22, 2026 7:30pm

Speaker: Floral Design

Discover the floral design styles featured in our Flower Shows and prepare to participate in upcoming events.

April 25, 2026 7:30pm

Earth Day/Home Show

Join us for a day of action! Together we’ll collect litter and create a cleaner, greener neighbourhood. Don’t miss us at the Home Show! Drop by our table in the Agricultural building.

April 25, 2026 9:30am-12:30pm

OHA District 7 AGM

Moorefield Community Centre. 15 Ball Avenue, Moorefield, Ontario Hosted By Moorefield Horticultural Society.

Celebrating their 100th Anniversary in 2026

Featured Speaker Vicky Culbert, President of the Ontario Horticultural Association

Cost $10 for the morning session Coffee and mid‑morning break provided.

May 27, 2026 7:30pm

Flower Show #1

Please scroll down for Flower Show Categories as well as Rules & Regulations.

Speaker: Dahlia Fashion Show

Cathy Aylard will be showing us different varieties and a hands-on demo on how to start Dahlias.

June 5, 2026 5pm-7pm.

PLANT DONATIONS: Receiving and setup. McMillan Park.

June 6, 2026 9:00am -1:00pm

Plant Sale

Join us for our highly anticipated Annual Plant Sale. This is a fantastic opportunity to add new plants to your collection and support our gardening community. If you have extra plants, seeds, or gardening supplies to donate, we would be grateful for your generosity. Contact Jen at jenedwards@sympatico.ca

June 24, 2026 7:30pm

Flower Show #2

Please scroll down for Flower Show Categories as well as Rules & Regulations.

Speaker:

TBA

July 22, 2026 6:30pm

Summer Social

Join us for a fun‑filled evening at our Annual Garden Club BBQ—great food, great company, and a shared love of gardening! Starts at 6:30pm. Venue TBA

July 24, 2026 9:30am-12:30pm

OHA Convention

https://gardenontario.org/convention/auto-draft/

Oshawa Campus of Durham College. Located at 2000 Simcoe Street North, Oshawa

Plans for the 2026 OHA Convention are under way. Listen to exciting speakers, see some amazing gardens, check out and participate in a wide variety of competitions, and so much more!

August 9, 2026 Time: TBA

Garden Tour

Join us for a Local Erin Garden Tour where neighbours open their gates and share their garden creations. Stroll, admire, and be inspired.

August 26, 2026 7:30pm

Workshop #2

Fall Fair Prep

Ready to dive into the Fall Fair floral design categories? This workshop will help you prepare your entries.

Cost: $10 per club member. Supplies: please bring snippers

September 23, 2026 7:30pm

Flower Show #3

Please scroll down for Flower Show Categories as well as Rules & Regulations.

Speaker:

TBA

Calendar Cover Contest:

Submit your favourite garden photo taken in 2026 for a chance to be featured on the cover of our 2027 calendar. Entries must be taken locally within Erin, Ontario. The overall winner will receive the Calendar Cover Award at the AGM in November 2026.

October 17, 2026 9:30am-12:30pm

OHA District 7 Fall Meeting

Hosted by Erin and Hillsburgh Garden Clubs, taking place at Wellington County Museum in Aboyne

Speaker:

TBA

October 28, 2026 7:30pm

AGM

ERIN GARDEN CLUB ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Join us for our yearly general gathering where we dig into the highlights of the past year—programs, budget, and progress!

We’ll be voting in our 2026 Officers and Directors—your chance to help shape the garden club's future!

November 25, 2026 7:30pm

Presentation of Awards & Potluck Dinner

Held at the Masonic Hall (next to Agri building), Erin. 6:30pm. Join us as we celebrate the hard work, talent, and dedication of our members at our Potluck and Awards Evening! Bring a potluck dish to share, your own cutlery and plates.

Get ready for games galore and fabulous prizes!
🎄 Break out your Christmas sweater and join us for some merry sing-alongs to top it all off!

November 28, 2026 7:30pm

Santa Parade

This year we’re part of the Erin Santa Parade with our very own float—come wave hello!

December 2, 2026 7:30pm

Christmas Workshop

TBA

Registration essential by Dec 1st, as space is limited to 40 spots. Workshop fee $10

January 27, 2027 7:30pm

Gardening Trivia Night

BRING A FRIEND NIGHT. Join or renew your membership for 2026. Connect with fellow gardening enthusiasts, both long-time members and newcomers.

TRIVIA: Are you ready to test your gardening knowledge? We invite you to our exciting Garden Trivia Night! Bring your friends, brush up on your plant facts, and get ready for an evening of fun, learning, and camaraderie. Prizes to be won!

2026 Flower Show Categories

May 27, 2026 7:30pm

Flower Show #1

All entries need to be submitted by 7:15pm.

Cultural Class:

1 Bulbs, small, flowering, 3 stems named, can be different

2a Daffodils, mini, 3 stems

2b Daffodils, single, 3 stems

2c Daffodils, double, 3 stems

3a Hyacinth, 1 stem

3b Hyacinth, grape, 3 stems

4a Tulips, single, 3 stems

4b Tulips, double, 3 stems

4c Tulips, other, 3 stems

5 Allium, 3 stems, any colour

6 Flowering Branch, single, 20" or 51cm from tabletop

7a Iris, bearded, 1 stem

7b Iris, Siberian, 1 stem

8 Any other perennial, 3 stems, can be different

Design Class:

9 In Love with Spring - All Round Design, 360 degree view

10 Standing tall, a vertical design

11 Night and Day, your interpretation

12 Small and Sassy, in a teacup, miniature, 5" or 12.5cm

13 Branching Out, using branches and/or wood

Novice Design Class:

A Novice is an exhibitor who has not shown in the Design Division in any Horticultural Society prior to this year. A novice may show in both novice and regular classes

14 Branching Out, using branches and/or wood
15 Standing Tall, vertical design
16 In Love with Spring, all round design

June 24, 2026 7:30pm

Flower Show #2

All entries need to be submitted by 7:15pm.

Cultural Class:

1a Iris, bearded, 1 stem
1b Iris, Siberian, 1 stem
2 Lupin, 1 stem
3 a Rose, Red, single stem (for trophy)
3b Rose spray
3c Rose single, floating in a bowl
4a Peonies, 3 stems, double, any colour (Peony plaque)
4b Peonies, 3 stems, single, any colour
4c Tree Peony, 1 stem,
5 Columbine, single stem
6 Geranium - single stem, any kind
7 a Poppy, single, 1 stem
7b Poppy, double, 1 stem
8 Perennial - any, 3 stems

Design Class:

9 Peony Profusion, design using Peonies
10 Lilicious , a luscious design with lilies (for Lily Trophy)
11 Green Envy, using green foliage and/or flowers
12 Bridal Bouquet, your interpretation
13 Summer Vacation, a horizontal design

Novice Design Class:

A Novice is an exhibitor who has not shown in the Design Division in any Horticultural Society prior to this year. A novice may show in both novice and regular classes

14 Peony Profusion, design using peonies
15 Green Envy, using green foliage and/or flowers
16 Summer Vacation, a horizontal design

September 23, 2026 7:30pm

Flower Show #3

All entries need to be submitted by 7:15pm.

Cultural Class:

1 Sedum, 1 stem
2 Rudbeckia - Black Eyed Susans, 3 stems
3a Hydrangea cone-shaped , 1 stem
3b Hydrangea, round, 1 stem
3c Hydrangea, Oak leaf, 1 stem
4a Rose, 1 stem
4b Rose spray
4c Rose, single, floating in a bowl
5a Dahlia, Dinner Plate, 1 stem
5b Dahlia, any colour, 3 stems
5c Dahlia, single, floating in a bowl
6 Echinacia or Cone Flowers, 3 stems
7a Succulent planted, single
7b Succulents planted, cluster
8 Zinnias , any colour, 3 stems

Design Class:

9 Bonfire, design using candles
10 Serenity, design in which all or part of the design must be under visible water
11 Preserved, design using a Mason jar
12 Here Comes the Sun, design featuring sunflowers
13 Autumn Palate, design with food and/or flowers

Novice Design Class:

A Novice is an exhibitor who has not shown in the Design Division in any Horticultural Society prior to this year. A novice may show in both novice and regular classes

14 Bonfire, design using candles
15.Autumn Palate, design with food and/or flowers
16 Here Comes the Sun, design featuring sunflowers

Flower Show Rules & Regulations

Flower Show

The exhibitor must be a member of the Erin Horticultural Society and Garden Club.
Anyone under 18yrs old, does not need to be a member to enter.
Group or joint entries are not allowed.
Tagged entries will be accepted at the show before 7:15 pm. Entries not placed by this deadline will be disqualified. Entry tags available on site.
Each exhibitor may make only one entry in each class.
Flowers used in the Design Class entries need not to be grown by the exhibitor but must be home grown.
Design Class entries must be arranged by the exhibitor and may include ornaments or accessories.
Cultural Class entries must be grown by the exhibitor.
House plants and hanging baskets must have been owned by the exhibitor for at least 3 months.
A Novice is an exhibitor who has not shown in the Design Division in any Horticultural Society prior to this year. A novice may show in both novice and regular classes.
Only a Flower Show Committee member is allowed to touch or move an exhibit other than his/her own.
Unless otherwise stated in the schedule, Ontario Judging Standards apply.

CALENDAR COVER PHOTO September 23, 2026

Each entrant is allowed only one photo.
Photographs must have been taken during the last 12 months and taken within the local area.
The person submitting the photo must have taken the picture. No internet photos will be accepted.
Prints to be no larger than 5x7”.
Tagged entries must be made before 7:15pm to qualify.
Photo entries will be judged by Erin Garden Club Members.
Overall winner will be awarded Calendar Cover Award at the AGM in November 2026.

Awards & Trophies

1st, 2nd and 3rd place ribbons will be awarded in each class at each Flower Show, at the Judges' discretion.

The Judge will award a special ribbon to the best exhibit in each show for Cultural, Design and Junior Division

JUDGE'S CHOICE RIBBON: Best exhibit in Cultural and Design Division
PEONY TROPHY: Best 3 Peonies
RED ROSE TEA TROPHY: Best Red Rose
STAINED GLASS LILY TROPHY: Best Lily Design Division
NON-RESIDENTIAL GARDEN TROPHY: Best horticultural grounds of a place of business, school or church
EGC AWARD: Most points combined
BEST IRIS AWARD: Best Iris
CALENDAR COVER AWARD: Best Photograph gets printed on the following years calendar cover