The Friends' Spring 2018 Newsletter is now available on our  website. Hard copies will soon be delivered to those who indicated on their membership form they wish to receive them by mail (another great reason to become a member).

The spring newsletter issue is all about crabapples - the collection in the Arboretum, the fabulous Rosyblooms along Prince of Wales, the varieties chosen for Canada centennial, and about tips for selecting, growing and cooking with them - recipes included.

There are tributes to Trevor Cole, the last curator of the Arboretum and Ornamental Gardens. We are introduced to the story behind the giant mural now at the K.W. Neatby building. And we meet a volunteer whose behind-the-scenes contribution is essential to the Friends of the Farm.

As usual, there is information on upcoming events such as the Master Gardener lectures and the Arboretum tree tours. 

 

Help us make a difference! It's time to think about the glorious days of spring and getting out into the garden. What better way to enjoy nature, fresh air, exercise, plant life and contribute to the beauty of the Farm than to join one of the Friends' Garden Teams (such as the Macoun Memorial Garden Team in the photo). Go to our Volunteer activities page for more info on garden team days, times and tasks. 

For those interested in volunteering for gardens and events, join us for a free Volunteer Recruitment Orientation  on Saturday April 7 at 9:30am in Bldg 72 on the Arboretum. For those who are unable to attend the orientation, our 2018 enrolment and waiver Volunteer forms are available to download .

The Friends are also firing up their 2018 Event schedule. If you have the time and are able to help, we would greatly appreciate any assistance you can give with these event activities. W e are specifically looking for an Event Coordinator for our Used Book Sale.  Please contact us at [email protected] for more event information. 

Every year the Friends partner with the Master Gardeners of Ottawa Carleton to offer timely and informative presentations. This year's Tuesday night lectures include:

April 10  Gardening With Wildlife

with Rebecca Last

April 24  Flowers and Vegetables: Beauty and the Eats

with Judith Cox (photo)

May 8  Unusual Edibles: Growing the Uncommon and Unexpected for Your Plate 

with Esther Bryan

May 22  Gardening for the Bees

with Julianne Labreche

All presentations are from 7pm to 9pm in Building 72 just east of the Prince of Wales roundabout with free parking.  Lectures can be purchased individually $12 members and $15 non-members.  For more information, email [email protected] or call 613-230-3276.

NEW this fall - two added lectures!

October 16 Bulbs for Year Round Enjoyment with Mary Reid

November 6  History of English Country House Gardens with Heather Clemenson

 

This year's Annual General Meeting will be held on Wednesday April 18 from 7pm to 9pm. The AGM will begin with a short business meeting including proposed by-law changes, see AGM 2018 letter. This is followed by a guest presentation and refreshments, please register if you plan to attend.

The meeting and presentation will take place in the K.W. Neatby Building at 960 Carling Avenue and Maple Drive on the Central Experimental Farm. Free parking is available in the lot east of the building. Register online now for this free event or call 613-230-3276.

 

Our speaker will be  Dr. Paul Villeneuve, an Associate Professor in the Department of Health Sciences at Carleton University. His topic is "Environmental Impacts of the Farm." Dr. Villeneuve is an environmental epidemiologist, and his research programs include how access to nature and green space impacts human health.

He will describe research activities relevant to the Central Experimental Farm which include a sampling campaign done by his graduate students (see photo)  who mapped concentrations of air pollution, urban noise and temperature both within the CEF and nearby residential neighbourhoods. Other planned projects include impact of Farm vegetation on these concentrations.

Get everything you need for your garden at our spectacular Friends' Plant Sale (formerly known as Rare and Unusual Plant Sale). N ew and returning specialty growers and nursery vendors offer hundreds of beautiful plants. Garden accessory vendors will add that touch of inspiration.

Master Gardeners are once again on hand to answer any gardening questions. The 'plant coat check' service under the Friends' canopy keep you 'hands free'. Drop off your plants at the canopy and when you're done shopping, our volunteers help carry the new treasures to your vehicle.

The sale is located in the K.W. Neatby Building  parking lot  at Maple and Carling Ave. Free admission however any donations to Friends of the Farm are gratefully accepted. A refreshment table with Bridgehead coffee and delicious baked goods will keep you nourished while shopping.  Don't miss this chance to add an unusual plant to your collection, purchase a stunning hanging basket, discover the perfect garden accessory or find the right perennial for your hard-to-grow area.

If you are a plant vendor who would like to participate in this unique event experience, please download the Participant Agreement or ENTENTE DU PARTICIPANT.  

The Friends of the Farm is seeking an event coordinator for their annual   Used Book Sale  which takes place at the Central  

Experimental Farm on Saturday, June 16th and Sunday, June 17th from 10am to 4 pm.

The coordinator will be the main point of contact in organizing the two-day event which includes set-up and take down of the event, identifying the tasks and number of volunteers required and wrap-up activities following the sale. The coordinator will work with an experienced group of volunteers (book sorters and team leaders) to assist in organizing the event.

The position requires good communication and organizational skills, and the ability to work well in a group setting.  Previous volunteer work would be an asset.

If you are interested, please send your resume to [email protected] 

Take stock of your garden this spring and share your extra plant material. The Friends will have a table with donated perennials as part of the Friends' Plant Sale. Plants should be potted (not in bags) and labelled. No house plants please.

We are also looking for "snack size" treats that can be sold to our vendors and visitors. Squares, muffins, cookies, tarts, fudge or any other sweet treat would be perfect for this event.  If possible, it would be appreciated if your goodies are ready to sell in  plastic wrap or sealable baggies.

Please bring your donated plant material and baked goods on Saturday, May 12 from 9am to 11am at Building 72 in the Arboretum just east of the Prince of Wales roundabout.  Thank you all for your continued support in our fundraising efforts!

 

Over 10,000 hours donated each year

Thousands of trees once marked the northern and western boundaries of the Central Experimental Farm. The Friends of the Farm have been working diligently on the Merivale Shelterbelt to recreate a boundary forest at the western edge of this National Historic Site. It beautifies the surroundings, provides a recreational path, protects the fields from salt and soil erosion, and helps clean the air at the Farm and neighbourhoods nearby.

The project is almost finished, thanks to a major contribution by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, so this year will be the last opportunity to help complete this important project.

Until July 31, 2018 you can donate to this beautification project in the name of someone or something you care about. An inscription on a plaque will acknowledge your contribution. Plaques are on a commemorative wall in the plaza or rest area on the pathway. The wall acknowledges the official opening of the Shelterbelt and pavilion by the Governor-General of Canada in 2005.

Thanks to many generous donors, the Friends' volunteers have planted new trees and shrubs each year.  We have room for one more year's donations. Help us build this beautiful green space and place a personalized inscription to a loved one or a special cause. Donations must be made by July 31, 2018, to be included in the final annual celebration in September 2018. For more information please visit the Shelterbelt page.