Gardens Manitoba Program Evening: “Controlling Insect Pests When Starting Seeds & Growing Indoors” with Ian Wise AND “Celery or OnionPlanting Workshop”
‘Tis the season for planning, planting and navigating the insect pests that may come along with seed starting. Distinguished entomologist and biologist, Ian Wise, with decades of expertise in plant genetics and gardening, will help arm you with the knowledge to fight pests. Read more of Ian’s impressive background below.
We will end the program with a seed planting workshop! If you choose to get your hands in the dirt and interact with the workshop, you will take home a six-pack of soil with celery or onion seeds. Some container varieties of other seeds will be available. Thank you to Mailman Pharms for the donation.
Free for members to attend
$5 for non-members to attend
$5 for members who would like to plant and take home
$10 for non-members who would like to plant and take home
Ian Wise’s Bio
Ian Wise holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology (1976) and a Master of Science in Pest Management (1979), both from Simon Fraser University. His professional career began as a Saskatchewan Research Co-ordinator with Hoechst Canada Inc. in Regina, where he worked from 1980 to 1988. He then joined Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada at the Cereal Research Centre in Winnipeg, serving as a biologist specializing in entomology from 1988 until 2013.
Early in his career, Ian focused on developing economic thresholds and sequential sampling plans for insect pests affecting commercial crops. He later spent approximately 18 years working in plant genetics, collaborating closely with plant breeders to develop spring wheat varieties with resistance to insect pests.
In addition to his professional work, Ian has an extensive record of volunteer service, including as president and treasurer of the Entomological Society of Manitoba, and chair of the Prairie Garden, and is currently president of the Manitoba Regional Lily Society. He has also held multiple leadership roles in amateur baseball for over 30 years, including president of the South Winnipeg Baseball Association. Over a 20-year period, he planted approximately 500 trees, shrubs and vines in a baseball complex, and a neighbourhood park, growing many of them from seed, cuttings or seedlings.
Ian’s gardening experience dates back to childhood, influenced by his parents’ enthusiasm for gardening. Since 1980, he has planted a vegetable and flower garden every year. His current garden includes cherry, plum and apple trees, as well as saskatoon berries, goji berries, haskaps and rhubarb, reflecting a lifelong commitment to horticulture and community greening.
- Doors open at 6:30, the program runs from 7 to 8 with quick workshop to follow.
- Please feel free to bring dainties to share.
- We encourage you to bring a mug.
- Directions to the parking lot and conference room are below. Please see attached map.
- We are in the Conference Room A01 (#17 on the map) located at Canadian Mennonite University, 600 Shaftesbury (south campus, south of Grant). The parking lot (Lot N) is available for us. Please use the main doors on South (between #20 & 21).