The Kemptville Campus Greenhouse re-opens in mid-October, meaning another season of workshops, event rental space, and plant-sitting is right around the corner. What kind of activity might you host in this green, light-filled meeting space?
Claude Smith has some suggestions. Claude is a horticulturalist who coordinates the Kemptville Campus Greenhouses’ horticultural programming . She's ready to show off the space as an event venue, an educational hub, and a cozy place to catch some "green time" among the plants. When the sky is grey and the air is frosty, the Kemptville Campus is here for the whole community, to encourage health and wellness and all forms of “green” education. If you’re interested in learning more about gardening, renting space in the greenhouse, or getting involved as a volunteer, send Campus a message at info@kemptvillecampus.ca.
Claude is a graduate of the Kemptville Agricultural School’s horticulture program and started teaching when the Kemptville Campus was part of the University of Guelph. Now as a community centre, Claude focuses on bringing members from all areas of the community to the greenhouse.
Last winter she hosted different groups that rented the glassed-in greenhouse spaces. It’s an intriguing and healthy-feeling space for your meeting or event, or just to enjoy on your own, says Claude.
“Members of the public are always welcome to drop by the greenhouses from 9 a.m. to noon, Monday to Friday. Invite a friend to meet you here, bring a coffee and your book, and it’s a really nice visiting space,” she says.
Breathing that moist oxygenated air and just being among the plants (including a 40-year-old cactus collection) make a trip to the greenhouse a relaxing experience. In October, you’ll begin to see a variety of plants as they’re being “babysat” in the greenhouse’s optimal conditions.
Many plant owners need a healthy place to stow their outdoor plants when the temperatures drop. The "overwintering" service is dirt cheap (haha) — more like a sell-off vacation bargain than an expensive spa.
According to Claude, the low rates for overwinter plant storage are just a "keeping the lights on" cost coverage, making it affordable for your large outdoor plants to have a warm and humid vacation destination. All winter this collection of intermingled greenery grows and changes. As spring approaches, you might notice some local growers getting an early jump on the growing season by starting their seeds in the greenhouse’s perfect sprouting conditions.
Over the past year, Claude has witnessed members of our community discovering their “inner farmer”.
“We've been hosting school kids from Riviere Rideau for workshops. The kids love to get their hands into the dirt," Claude remarks. Over the past year she taught school groups about how to grow cacti and the importance of sowing specific seeds in the wintertime. “Students learned that some seeds need to have the cold as part of their cycle to germinate and the older students from North Grenville District High School started their own vegetable seeds and learned about invasive plants.”
There was, unexpectedly, free entertainment: last winter, a lone tree frog lived, hopped and hid in the greenhouse. “The kids would search for him every time they visited,” says Claude. “He made his exit in spring and hopped off into the green grasses and toward the forest.” This winter, there’s a pair of frogs residing alongside the fish in the newly rebuilt pond!
Come out to the Kemptville Campus Greenhouse this winter. Whether it’s music, workshops, or the occasional uninvited frog, you’re bound to find something hoppin’!
For media inquiries, please contact:
Marta Zwart
Marketing and Events Coordinator
mzwart@kemptvillecampus.ca