MUST-DO LIST

Wannabe beekeepers might do well to call up

Algonquin College, which runs a four-week 16-hour course entitled The Urban Beekeeper. Participants study everything from honeybee biology to beekeeping equipment and from bee feeding to Ontario beekeeping regulations. Courses are currently scheduled for April and October.

The annual Native Plant Sale at Fletcher Wildlife Garden is a must-visit event for anyone looking to attract pollinators to their gardens. Experts are on hand to answer gardening questions, explain what plants attract what birds and insects, and consult on which species do well in specific growing conditions. June 3 Garden Days is a countrywide celebration of the importance of gardens and gardening. Last year, Ottawa gardeners hosted dozens of activities, including plant exchanges and educational tours and talks. Check the website for nearby events. June 9 to 18

Art in the Garden is an annual Father’s Day weekend mainstay for lovers of greenery — and garden art. Stroll through the extensive display plots at Kiwi Gardens, where some 40 artists and artisans show off a range of wares, including feeders, baths, nesting boxes, and sculptures. June 17 and 18

Queen Bee Party launched last year as an annual family-friendly event at the Canadian

Agriculture Museum to coincide with World Honey Bee Day. A bee-themed exhibit, lots of honey-themed goods for sale and, most important for gardeners, experts offering advice on setting up your own backyard beehive. August 19