Coming next month to the North Grenville Times, readers who have questions related to gardening and landscaping will have the opportunity to get advice from a local who truly knows her stuff. Claude Smith will preside over her own advice column, Claude’s Greenhouse Forum, with the aim of answering readers’ pre-emailed questions related to the world of landscaping and gardening.
Claude attended Kemptville College as a mature student in the Horticulture Diploma program. After graduating, she soon started her own landscaping company called “The Village Gardener”, and she successfully ran her own business for 20 years. That kind of experience is clearly valued by educational institutions, and in 2010, Claude started teaching in the Horticulture program at the University of Guelph during the winter months. She became the Program Coordinator for the Horticultural Diploma and Apprenticeship programs in 2012 until the closure of the College in 2016.
Claude has since committed to remaining active in the world of horticulture. She re-opened the Campus greenhouse after the school closure for adult workshops, plant sitting during the winter, space rental for various groups, yoga classes, and growing and selling vegetables and plants to local merchants and the general public. The greenhouse also hosts visits from local schools.
Have a gardening or landscaping question? Don’t be shy! Questions can be emailed to editor@ngtimes.ca with a note stating that it is a question for Claude. Depending on the volume of questions received, you can expect an answer in Claude’s column in a subsequent issue of the Times. Happy gardening, everyone!
