Canada Blooms 2020 Feature Garden Profile |
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Unless by Willow Design Group
Dr. Seuss says "Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not". Using this as their inspiration for their garden, Willow Design Group takes a page from Dr. Seuss' 'The Lorax'. 'The Lorax' is a tale of environmental responsibility, and it seems even more relevant today than it did when published in 1971. The moral is, if we don't take care of our planet we will end up destroying the only home we have.
Stroll by the Do-Up-The Doorsteps presented by Oaks Landscape Products at Canada Blooms, and you can see this impressive small space garden for yourself. Willow Design Group specializes in residential and commercial design.
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Toronto Flower Show Happenings |
What’s happening behind the scenes as we anticipate the opening of Canada Blooms?
• Sets are being painted to show off our Floral designs and Horticultural exhibits
• Members of garden clubs are carefully tending their plants for entry in the Horticultural Show. All members of Garden Clubs and Horticultural Societies may enter the Horticultural competitions (see online schedule for rules and regulations)
• International competitors from Barbados, Canada, Ireland, Italy, Malta, Mexico, The United Kingdom and The United States are planning their exciting floral exhibits, titled “Aerial Odyssey” which will be on display for the first 5 days of the Flower Show, from March 13th till the 17th
• Our educational demonstrations and workshops are being arranged, with demos each day on different topics such as seed bombs and origami butterflies, all about amaryllis, children’s nature crafts, and creating a miniature floral design
• Our artists in the garden will appear daily as well, to intrigue you with their work
• Amateur photographers are choosing their best work to display in our Photography competition (members of the public can enter this too – details in the online CB schedule)
• Children under 12 who have been given ball caps and feathers are preparing their entries in the Children’s creative class. More ball caps are available to those children who may want to enter: see online schedule for more information
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What Does Your Valentine Bouquet Say About You? |
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Tips for selecting the right floral arrangements.
Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, which means it’s time to start thinking about how you will celebrate with your special someone.
Flowers are one of the most romantic gifts that someone can receive, and one of the most popular gifts to give on Valentine’s Day. Whether you are looking to impress a new friend, let your crush know how you feel or spoil the person who has had your heart for years, flowers allow you to express your own unique message of love or friendship.
“Picking the right bouquet is all about personal preference and knowing what kind of message you want to send,” says Jennifer Harvey, professional florist. “There are so many different colours, fragrances and styles to choose from, creating the perfect bouquet for your partner or friend can be really exciting!”
The right bouquet is worth a thousand words, and experts at Canada Blooms have created a list of tips to help you pick the perfect flowers for your Valentine’s Day bouquet. Here is the meaning behind popular flowers and what they say about you and your relationship:
Roses: For decades roses have been branded as a symbol of love and the most popular flower to give on Valentine’s Day. Roses send a romantic message and are used to symbolize passion and romance. Roses are the perfect gift to send to a long-time lover or significant other!
Calla Lily: Calla lilies are a refined flower, associated with elegance, beauty, purity and faith, and can symbolize the strength of a couple’s love. This is a fantastic gift for that first Valentine’s Day with your partner to show them the love and affection you have for your relationship!
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Mark and Ben's To Do List: Late Winter |
After enjoying time off for the holiday season, we are looking forward to the year ahead. Some suggestions that will get your gardening season off to an early and fine start:
1. Feed the birds. Use a quality seed mix so that it does not get wasted and you attract quality birds. We recommend Mark's Choice Bird Feast (and the other products in the line up) exclusive to Home Hardware.
You will pay more for Mark’s Choice bird seed. And you will get more birds. Customer testimonials tell us so.
2. Enjoy your amaryllis. As the blooms finish, cut them off, stem included. But keep the long, strap-like leaves intact as they are the 'food factory' of the bulb, converting energy in the sun into plant sugars that beef up the bulb so that it will bloom again next winter.
3. Buy Seeds. Whether you choose to shop the seed catalogues (of which we have many).
4. Don't plant seeds.Unless you are growing geraniums or impatiens (do people still grow impatiens?) which should be started later this month. (...read full article)
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10 Reasons To Choose UNILOCK®
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There's more to a successful project than what you see on the finished surface.
UNILOCK®:
1. has Styles You Can't Get Anywhere Else
2. has UNILOCK Idea Center
3. uses Advanced Technology
4. has Greener Choices - Water Management
5. has Unsurpassed Durability
6. is The Go-To Product For Professionals
7. has More Experience Than Anyone Else
8. has Unbeatable Product Guarantee
9. is Guaranteed To Do The Job Right
10. is There to Help
(read the full article)
Don't forget to drop by the Outdoor Do-It-Yourself Centre on Saturday, March 14, Unilock Day, to discover tips and tricks for choosing the right product, and handy how-to demonstrations.
OR, drop by the UNILOCK® Idea Centre in Georgetown to explore project ideas and get helpful advice..
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A Little Sunshine For A Chilly Season |
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Don't hate me because I'M BEAUTIFUL.
The Suncredible® from Proven Winners is an everblooming sunflower built on a well branched bush-like habit that is perfect for the back of the bed, as an annual screen or along a fence. The blooms are about 4” across and do not need to be deadheaded to continue blooming, but can be groomed for tidiness, and also makes a great cut flower.
This bright plant blooms several weeks longer than similar sunflowers due to its semi indeterminate to determinate habit. It is great for pollinators and will pump blooms all season and well into the fall for a great seasonal pop of colour.
Look for the Suncredible® Sunflower at your local garden centres this spring. And, don't miss the Proven Winners 2020 Must See Showcase where they introduce their top picks for the 2020 gardening season at Canada Blooms in March.
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SMALL SPACE, BIG DESIGNS
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Living Big In A Tiny Home |
As home prices soar, many of us are downsizing and looking for amazingly affordable housing options. One TINY movement is causing a BIG stir is Tiny Homes. We invite you to take a stroll through the Tiny Homes and Gardens at Canada Blooms where a man’s castle is “tiny” but mighty.
This is your opportunity to discover the art of living with less while enjoying the small pleasures in life. As you tour these unique, minimum-maintenance homes you can explore ways that you can make the best and most creative use of minimal space. Our partners this year include True North Tiny Homes and Bonneville Homes.
Photo: Bonneville Homes - Luna
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Pocket Sized Gardens |
Don’t let lack of a large garden canvas hold you back. You can get very artistic with a pocket-size garden on the ground or on a balcony. Smaller gardens actually can be more attractive because they can be more intimate and less expensive, a definite advantage these days. The inspired small-space gardens featured this year at Canada Blooms is positive proof that smaller gardens don’t have to skimp on style.
The Do Up the Doorsteps and Back Steps presented by Oaks Landscape Products showcase how you don’t have to sacrifice the bang for a smaller buck. Come see how innovative our designers can be in 150-300 sq. ft.
This year’s designers and builders include: ExperTrees Horticulture & Landscape Products, Cedarbrook Landscaping Ltd, Landscape Designs by Jodie Munshaw, The Growing Connection, Sylvia Szot Landscape Design, Dusil Design and Landscape, Willow Design Group, Leo Lin Landscape as they show you gardens that are a colourful and comfortable use of limited space.
If you have a landscape question, drop by booth G16A and let Neil Masson of ExperTrees and his crew provide the answers.
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SO MUCH TO SEE AND DO
Mark's Choice Gardening Experience Workshops And Demos |
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Learn hands-on from Industry professionals with a new line up of workshops and demonstrations which are available in the Mark's Choice Gardening Experience Workshop Area. Demos are offered on a first come, first serve basis, so if you are interested, consider completing the Demo booking form to reserve your place. Special workshops are offered for an additional fee as they are Make & Take projects, the fee includes your admission, instruction and material costs, space is limited and must be ordered through the ticket page.
Demonstrations include: Li'l Sprouts from Master Gardeners with hands-on projects like bird feeders, succulents, plants for birds, all about owls and more, as well as Veggies for Kids from Veggie Guy Bob Martin.​(click for for further details)
Workshops include: Botanical Art (Homa Bahadouri), Container Gardening and Principles of Flower Arranging (Kate Seaver), Air Plants and Terrariums (Tanya Smith), and Bee Hotels (Patrick Kelly & Nicky Hall) (click for for further details)
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Just For Kids |
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Up There is lots for the Li'l Sprouts to do at Canada Blooms.
C'mon and get your hands dirty. Leave the technology behind and come play, get your hands dirty and find out why gardening is fun for all ages. There is so much to do....
The Mark's Choice Gardening Experience is open to those from 5 to 95, come learn drop by the planting beds, play in the soil, plant a seed or seedling and take it home. As mentioned above, this is also where the Master Gardeners Li'l Sprouts and Veggie Guy workshops take place.
The Landscape Ontario Growers Group Tree-sure Hunt, those under 12 are invited to hunt on the festival floor in the Garden Hall for 8 Ontario Grown trees on the festival floor, children will have the chance to find them, answer some questions and get a special gift for taking part.
In the Vegepod Gardening Zone, the wee ones can get their hands dirty by planting and un-planting real veggies, the planting bed is just their size.
In the Toronto Flower Show there are some Pop-up morning crafts for children (click for details), and there are still some ball caps for the children's creative class of the Toronto Flower Show, children under 12 can enter (click for details).
The Bienenstock Natural Playground is not only the largest garden at Canada Blooms, it is totally dedicated to natural play and accessibility. Children of all ages should drop by and have a little fun in this spectacular garden play zone.
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Outdoor DIY Centre
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Horticultural Happenings
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Don’t forget about refreshing your outdoor space!
Get hands on in the NEW Outdoor DIY Centre and learn skills as our experts show you how to get the most out of your DIY projects. Come get the scoop on laying stone, staining decks, putting up a privacy fence, installing a water feature or lighting, growing in raised beds and movable containers, pruning and so much more.
This is your opportunity to get hands on and learn the skills you need in the unique experience.
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Check out our Horticultural Happenings Area!
Experienced horticultural experts are on hand to answer questions. Come say hi to the volunteers representing the Ontario Horticultural Association, North American Native Plant Society, World Wildlife Federation, Gardener Magazine, Butchart Gardens, Vineland Innovation and Research Centre and more.
They have a wealth of knowledge and are eager to help. |
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Got A Gardening Question? |
Stop by one of the free Gardening Advice Clinics offered by the Master Gardeners of Ontario. These clinics are open every day of the show for horticulture questions of all kinds. You will find them at one of two very convenient locations - the very central "Ask a Master Gardener" booth or the "One-On-One" cafe style booth. Both locations, once again, are proudly sponsored by Stokes Seeds – come by and pick up a catalogue.
If you don’t have questions but would like to learn something new or watch a “how to” demonstration, take a seat for the Master Gardener Speaker Series on March 14th, 17th, 20th & 22nd. You will find these entertaining and practical presentations on the Isuzu Garden Solutions Stage presented by Harrowsmith.
The Master Gardeners of Ontario are dedicated volunteers whose mission is to share their expertise on sustainable gardening practices with the general gardening public. To contact them or find out more, go to the MGOI website at www.mgoi.ca.
Come on by, we’d love to help you out with your gardening dilemmas or puzzles.
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OFG Floral Market
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Garden Marketplace
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The pick of the crop of cut and potted flowers and plants grown in Ontario will be on display in the Ontario Flower Grower's Co-op Floral Market.
There is something for everyone!
Check out the tubers of dahlia's including the flower of the year – Sincerity Dahlia, as well as a great selection of green plants, orchids, Kanmara hydrangea, hellebores, African violets and kalanchoe, just to name a few.
You won't want to miss the mini plant table that will feature mini plants in self watering containers ready to go.
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The Garden Marketplace offers a variety of artisans, outdoor and garden products and services. Are you looking to create a bird lover's paradise, then you might want to drop by Wild Birds Unlimited; thinking of an inside vertical garden, check out Just Vertical; searching for planters and containers then see the new line up of terra cotta pots from Kawa Canada; wanting to speed up composting then pick up some Red Wigglers; and of course there are plants and flowers, discover the sturt's desert pea at Florabunda's
booth or the succulents, air plants and other tropicals from Tropical Expressions. If you are looking to create a great container, big or small, visit Kate's Garden for ideas and product.
This and so much more will help you leave the winter blahs behind and get a jump on the garden season.​​ |
Canada Blooms Garden Tours |
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See the beautiful Feature Gardens before the crowds!
Canada Blooms enthusiasts know that Morning Garden Tours are the best way to start off your visit to the festival. Discover the "inside secrets" of how those magnificent gardens are put together. Tours begin at 8:15 am, giving you time to enjoy each garden at your leisure before the festival opens.
Tours are led by Master Gardeners and horticultural specialists and tickets are available for only $40 which includes all day admission to the festival as well as the National Home Show. A limited number of tickets are available for Friday, Saturday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Please note tickets must be purchased in advance.
All guests who purchase Garden Tour tickets will automatically be entered into a draw for $200 worth of Mark's Choice products.
Canada Blooms is giving away two sets of Morning Garden Tour Tickets for Saturday March 14, so visit our contest page for a chance to win.
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Gilda's Club Gnome Garden |
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Wow, the Canada Blooms team has been amazed at the talent we have seen when it comes to the Garden Gnomes that have been painted for the Gilda's Club Gnome Garden.
Celebrities and artists have come together to paint up 24 garden gnomes that will be up for bid in a silent auction. All proceeds will go to Gilda's Club Greater Toronto -- so that no one faces cancer alone.
We have seen half of the gnomes come so far, perhaps you have seen them as we have been posting them on facebook, twitter and instagram (so follow us of a sneak peak).
We would like to thank all our painters: Jeanne Beker, Sue Clarkson (top #3), Mark & Ben Cullen, Bruno Duarte, Jayne Eastwood (bottom #2), Frank Ferragine, Denis Flanagan & Landscape Ontario Team (bottom #4), Albert Graves, Rex Harrington (top #4), Jacqui Jacobs, Judy James and Roberto Alomar (bottom #1), Nicole Katsuras, Anwar Knight, Darlene Kulig, Colin Mochrie & Deb McGrath (bottom #3), Camille Muller (top #1), Mara Sciavetto (top #5), Tanja Taylor (top #2), the Honourable Mayor John Tory, Angela Argentina and Paul Zammit.
We would also like to thank Margaret Taylor of the Toronto Garden Club and her team of helpers for organizing this terrific event. Come out and bid for your favourite gnome, it is for a good cause.
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Special Days |
Saturday March 14 - Unilock Day
Drop by the Outdoor DIY Centre between 12pm and 5pm for great tips on laying stone and maintaining pavers from the experts at Unilock
Sunday March 15 - Vegepod Day
The first 500 people will get a welcome bag courtesy of Vegepod. Drop by Vegepods booth and discover how easy it is to garden in their raised garden Vegepods. Your tiny sprouts can get their hands dirty by playing in a vegepod planting bed.
Monday - Garden Clubs of Ontario Day
Come celebrate Garden Clubs with a special stage demonstrations by Competitors from around the World on the Unilock Stage at 1pm.
Thursday - Hub International & Aviva Professional
Awards At Canada Blooms
Garden builders will be recognized in a private event at the Unilock Stage starting at 6pm
Friday - Floral Day
Time to celebrate everything floral with special events throughout the day. Up to 20 competitors vie for title of Canada Blooms Floral Artist of the Year presented by Jennifer Harvey hosted by World Renowned Floral Designer Hitomi Gilliam. Floral artists will be recognized in a private event at the Lounge at CB starting at 6pm
Sunday - Closing Ceremonies
The Toronto Flower Show recognizes its winners and the Toronto Star People's Choice Favourite Floral, Garden and Gnome winners will be announced.
Cast your ballot at the Toronto Star Booth and you could win a trip for 2 to Victoria, BC.
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FLOWER POWER AT CANADA BLOOMS
Floral Day |
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Floral Day at Canada Blooms - Friday March 20
Hosts world renowned floral artist Hitomi Gilliam AIFD and Jennifer Harvey CFD, CAFA will be celebrating everything floral.
What's Happening on Friday?
Canada Blooms Floral Artist of the Year Competition (10am-2pm)
This open class competition taking place on the festival floor. Competitors will be supplied a box of materials and a theme and will be challenged to create a stunning design. Judging by industry professionals will take place after 2pm.
IF YOU ARE A FLORAL ARTIST, professional or amateur, and would like to a take part in the competition, visit our website for details.
3 presentations will be on the Unilock Celebrity Stage
♦ Mystery Box Challenge 1pm (competitors are given mystery items to include in their design)
♦ Floral Designs by Hitomi Gilliam presented by Hawaiian Floriculture and Nursery Association.
♦ Couture Floral Fashion Show 5pm (designers create stunning wearable floral fashions)
Floral Artists Awards
The winners of the Floral Alley Competition and the Floral Artist of the Year Competition will be honoured in a private ceremony for competitors and industry professionals at the Lounge at CB at 6pm.
Other Floral Events on the Unilock Celebrity Stage
♦ Jennifer Harvey: Floral Frenzy - Sat Mar 14 12pm
♦ Mystery Box Challenge: Tues Mar 17 3pm/Fri Mar 20 1pm​
♦ Design Challenge: Sun Mar 15 4pm/Sun Mar 22 1pm
♦ Couture Floral Fashion Show: Fri Mar 20 5pm/Sat Mar 21 4pm
♦ Celebrity Flower Arranging: Wed Mar 18 2pm
Don't miss the FLOWER CROWN BAR (11am-2pm daily), design your own flower crown, with proceeds going to support floral workshops for students.
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Floral Alley |
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Up 8 top professional floral artists will interpret "Birds of a Feather" with stunning displays.
Come see professional floral designers Rada Ristich and Brad Higginson (People's Choice winner 2019, Judge's Choice 2018), Bruno Duarte (Best Quality of Workmanship 2018, CAFA Award 2018, Canada Blooms Floral Artist of the Year 2019), Linda Gatto, Melani Nemeskovic, Rita Quayle, and Joezel Yumul.
If you are a professional floral artist and would like to participate in Floral Alley contact us at info@canadablooms.com before February 21.
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SPECIAL PARTNERS
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Listen To Harrowsmith Radio |
For decades Harrowsmith Magazine has shared great stories about Canadians who have lived simply, respected the environment and have learned to make, reuse and recycle rather than add to waste.
Now, with Harrowsmith Radio, we’re telling those great stories a new way – via podcasts that put those stories right between your ears. Harrowsmith Radio brings you personal, intimate interviews with the people and companies that are treading softly on the Earth. Listen in as Canadians like Dr. David Suzuki, Mark and Ben Cullen, Steve Maxwell, Signe Langford and many others share advice, tales and tips to help you live your best life, responsibility. Harrowsmith Radio.
Subscribe now on the Apple podcast app or wherever you get your fine podcasts, or listen on our the Harrowsmith Website.
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Orchid Oasis At The Zoo |
Toronto Zoo presents Orchid Oasis from Saturday, February 15 through Saturday, February 29, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Free with Toronto Zoo Admission The Zoo's Horticulturists have hand-picked a variety of orchid species to showcase in our Greenhouse just outside the Wildlife Health Centre.
Guests can drop by fro February 15 to 29, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm to take in the beautiful exotic flowers. (Subject to change without notice).
SPECIAL OFFER FOR CANADA BLOOMS: 20% off admission to the Zoo from Feb 14 to March 13 with online discount code “CanadaBlooms”.
Visit torontozoo.com.
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Wildlife Photographer Of The Year At The Royal Ontario Museum
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Wildlife Photographer of the Year is on view until March 29, 2020. Whether you’re a nature lover, aspiring photographer, or simply love a perfectly captured moment, you will appreciate the talent and technical expertise required to photograph such rare and surprising glimpses of the diverse life on this planet.
Save 15% off ROM admission. Buy you tickets at rom.on.ca and use promo code: CANADABLOOMS
ROM Contest
Are you a nature lover? An aspiring photographer? Simply love a perfectly captured moment? Share your nature images for a chance to win a trip for two to Halifax with the ROM Wildlife Photographer of the Year contest! (find out more)
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CONTESTS
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Win 4 Tickets To The RBG
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Visit Our Contest Page |
Now until April 13 enjoy Wildlife Rescue at the Royal Botanical Garden.
Enter the fascinating world of Wildlife Rescue, an eye-opening, inspiring and wildly interactive exhibit for all ages! Visit our website to find out more.
Click here to enter to win 4 tickets to the RBG.
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Canada Blooms has a variety of Contests and Promotions on our Contest Web Page, before, during and after the festival.
You could win tickets to Canada Blooms, or some of our partner attractions -- the ROM, the Toronto Zoo, books from authors who will be at Canada Blooms, and more. Check back regularly for updates.
Click here to enter.
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Book Nook |
Coming February 18, 2020!
Garden Alchemy: 80 Recipes and concoctions for organic fertilizers, plant elixirs, potting mixes, pest deterrents, and more.
Garden Alchemy is a hands-on guide for do-it-yourself gardeners who want to turn their garden into gold using natural recipes and herbal concoctions (while saving both time and money!). This gardening recipe and project book is packed with over 80 ideas to naturally beautify your garden, using organic methods that regenerate your soil and revitalize your plants. By following the processes that are closest to nature, it brings the gardener in sync with the garden, allowing plants to thrive with less effort and less cost.
Coming all the way from BC, Stephanie Rose of Garden Therapy will be on the Unilock Celebrity Stage on Saturday, March 14 at 4 pm and Sunday, March 15 at 12pm and on the Isuzu Garden Solutions Stage presented by Harrowsmith Sunday, March 15 at 2pm. Drop by and meet the author.
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Volunteers We Need You! |
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Canada Blooms is looking for volunteers!
The Volunteer program is open to volunteers age 14 and older who are interested in being an ambassador from March 13-22, 2020 (there are some pre- and post-festival positions available as well). Students in Ontario can earn credits toward community hours.
There are a number of positions available, from greeting guests, providing directional information, to providing support to our silent auction, floral or stage programs, and many other roles in between. Volunteers MUST be able to commit to a minimum 4 hour shift during the ten day festival. Successful candidates will receive a Canada Blooms ticket (1 per shift to a max of 3), and will be invited to attend a thank you event after the festival and enjoy other perks.
So, come join us for a Gardener’s Getaway! Work a little, play a little and share in the excitement. If you volunteered last year, invite a friend or two to join you.
Visit our website and sign up today! If you have any questions please contact: Volunteer Coordinators: Marilyn Maleta & Barb Ginsberg at bloomsvolunteers@gmail.com or call Lisa Pascoe 416-447-8655 x 7721. If you are interested in pre-festival plant organizing and planting, change over and post-festival cleanup, then please contact: Horticultural Volunteer Coordinator: Tanya Smith at bloomshortvolunteers@gmail.com.
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Have You Booked Your Hotel? |
Hotel X Toronto is the Host Hotel For Canada Blooms
The new Hotel X Toronto by Library Hotel Collection is more than just your ordinary hotel in Toronto. With innovative offerings in entertainment, accommodations, athletics, and dining, our luxury urban oasis featuring resort-style amenities—the only hotel of its kind in Downtown Toronto—is the epitome of inviting hospitality, with a focus on sustainability and the greater Toronto community.
Visit the Canada Blooms Hotel page for information on special discounted rates for the festival from Hotel X Toronto and additional recommended hotel the Hyatt Toronto Downtown.
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Looking For Tours Coming To Blooms? |
Are you looking for a bus tour coming to Canada Blooms?
Visit our Bus Tour page for a full listing.
Are you looking to purchase tickets to Canada Blooms?
Tickets can be purchased in advance, online or at a number of outlets, please visit our ticket page for a list of participating outlets. Tickets can also be purchased at the door once the festival has begun.
Remember to check back for updates to each list.
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Revisit Canada Blooms 2019
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With less than a month until Canada Blooms 2020, take a look back a video of Canada Blooms taken by NewCa.com |
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Upcoming Events |
Jump on Spring & Seedy Saturday
Two FREE garden events you won't want to miss on February 22, 2020 10am to 3pm at the Toronto Botanical Garden, 777 Lawrence Ave. E., Toronto.
30+ exhibitors, Free talks, Garden advice and more.(discover more)
Mark's Choice Through The Garden Gate: Wychwood, is Toronto's largest tour of private gardens. The self-guided tour format enables participants to discover the gardens at their own pace.
Saturday June 6 and Sunday June 7
(discover more)
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Canada Blooms was founded by the Garden Club of Toronto and Landscape Ontario
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