GARDENING EVENTS
Planting for a bee-friendly yard: a discussion about bee biology and the best choices to help them in trees, bushes, vines, herbs and flowers, July 23, 10 a.m., The Table Community Food Centre, 190 Gore St. E., Perth. Tickets: Free, but register.
Oaks and conifers: a free guided tree tour of the trees on the Experimental Farm, July 17, 2 p.m., meet at Bldg 72, near the Arboretum. Cost: Free.
Just Food start-up farm program recruiting information session: July 26, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Blackburn Hamlet Library. Participants must have some agricultural experience, and will receive access to land, shared equipment and training.
Salsa canning workshop: suitable for anyone with tons of tomatoes or other vegetables from their garden (or store), July 27, 6 to 8 p.m., Lowertown Community Resource centre, 40 Cobourg St. Register by contacting sustainlowertown@envirocentre.ca.
Friends of the Farm Victoria Tea: come dressed in your period best (there will be costume prizes) and enjoy live music and appropriate games at the formal tea fundraiser, served on the lawns of the Arboretum, Aug. 7, 2 to 4 p.m., Bldg 72, Arboretum. Cost: $10.
Art on the Farm: original works exhibited under the trees of the Arboretum, Aug. 13, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Bldg 72, Arboretum. Cost: Free entry.
HELP OFFERED/ VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Canadian Organic Growers: need volunteers for their Gardeners’ Celebration, to be held on the Experimental Farm. People are need to give tours of the demo garden, provide some music, participate in a Q&A with wannabe organic gardeners, exhibit and provide tips on garden photography. Contact sog@cog.ca.
The Tanglewood community: is looking for volunteers to help build a community garden, after receiving a grant to develop one in Tanglewood Park. They need help planning, promoting the launch this fall, building and maintaining the plots, someone to take charge of the volunteers and recruitment, and someone to organize workshops and activities for the community, children, seniors and those with disabilities. Anyone interested in joining this volunteer group should get in touch with Kyle Kearnan at 613-596-5626 ext. 253.
Free gardening advice from the Master Gardeners of Ottawa-Carleton: Telephone helpline: 613-236-0034, Wednesdays and Thursdays (1 to 3 p.m.), all year, email helpline: mgoc_helpline@yahoo.ca. Monitored daily.