Opinion: There are more than 200 clubs in B.C. and over 14,000 members who are all looking forward to an exciting gardening year ahead.
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In B.C. we are fortunate to have many garden clubs and plant specific groups, like the rhododendron, alpine and desert plant societies, who promote the use of plants and trees in our communities.
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During the past two years, it’s been difficult for these groups to meet, other than through social media platforms, like Zoom, because of all the COVID-19-related issues. As meeting restrictions are being lifted, however, many associations are beginning to meet again and to plan events.
Annual fundraising plants sales and other plant-related events, organized by garden clubs, are hugely popular, and many of these events are an important source of revenue for the community and/or educational programs these clubs support.
I had the pleasure of speaking with Cindy Tataryn, the first vice-president of the B.C. Council of Garden Clubs, about the numerous activities planned for this year. There are more than 200 clubs in B.C. and over 14,000 members who are all looking forward to an exciting gardening year ahead.
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The following is a list of just some of the many garden events planned throughout the province this spring. Some clubs are requesting that masks be worn, so please arrive at all events prepared to follow COVID precautions that may be in place.
Many plant sales are cash only and workshops events may require advanced ticket purchases. For more information please visit each club’s website or Facebook page.
Please note, many garden associations and community groups are planning summer events as well, so keep watch for more exciting things to come.
B.C. garden club spring plant sales and garden-themed events
Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival
When: Until April 23
Where: Venues throughout Vancouver
More info: vcbf.ca
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David Douglas Botanical Garden Society Online Seed Sale
When: Until April 30
Where: Prince George
More info: shop.ddbotgarden.bc.ca
Groot Garden ‘Year of the Garden’ Sunflower Project
When: April through May
Where: Vancouver
More info: [email protected]
Farmers on 57th Grow Your Own Food Course
When: Starting April 12; registration required
Where: 57th and Heather Street, Vancouver
More info: farmerson57th.ca
Alpine Garden Club of B.C. Spring Show & Sale
When: April 16, Noon to 3 p.m.
Where: The Floral Hall at VanDusen Botanical Garden, 37th and Oak St., Vancouver
More info: agc-bc.ca/shows-sales
Fraser Valley Dahlia Society Tuber Sale
When: April 16, 9 a.m.-to-3 p.m.
Where: Garden Park Tower, 2825 Clearbrook Rd., Abbotsford
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More info: fraservalleydahliasociety.ca
Darts Hill Garden Park Plant Sales
When: April 23-24 and May 28-29, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Darts Hill Garden Park, 1633 170th St., Surrey
More info: dartshill.ca
Mount Arrowsmith Rhododendron Show & Sale
When: April 23, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Qualicum Beach Curling Club, 644 Memorial Ave.
More info: marsrhodos.ca
North Island Rhododendron Society
When: April 24, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: K’ómoks First Nation Hall, 3320 Comox Rd. (Dyke Road), Comox
More info: nirsrhodos.ca/ws
Chilliwack Garden Club Plant Sale
When: April 30, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Cooke’s Presbyterian Church, 45825 Wellington Ave.
More info: chilliwackgardenclub.com
Dunbar Garden Club Perennial Plant Sale
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When: April 30, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Where: Carport 3806-West 37th (at Highbury/37th), Vancouver
More Info: [email protected]
Friends of Summerland Ornamental Gardens Spring Plant Sale
When: April 30, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., May 1, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Summerland Ornamental Gardens, 4200 Highway 97 S.
More Info: summerlandgardens.org
Gibsons Garden Club Annual Plant Sale
When: April 30, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: Gibsons Community Centre, 700 Park Rd.
More info: gibsonsgardenclub.ca
Kelowna Garden Club Annual Plant Sale
When: April 30, 9 a.m. to noon
Where: Guisachan Heritage Park, 1060 Cameron Ave.
More info: kelownagardenclub.ca
Langley Garden Club Annual Spring Show and Sale
When: April 30, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
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Where: Southridge Fellowship Church, 22756-48th Ave.
More info: Facebook: Langley Garden Club
Maple Ridge Garden Club Plant Sale
When: April 30, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Golden Ears Cheesecrafters, 22270-128 Ave.
More info: Facebook: Maple Ridge Garden Club
North Surrey Horticultural Society Plant Sale
When: April 30, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Grace Community Church, 14618-110 Ave.
More info: Facebook: North Surrey Horticultural Society
Peninsula Garden Club Spring Plant Sale
When: April 30, 9 to 11:30 a.m.
Where: Mary Winspear Center, 2243 Beacon Ave., Sidney
More info: peninsulagardenclub.ca
South Burnaby Garden Club Annual Plant Sale
When: April 30, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: All Saints Anglican Church, 7405 Royal Oak Ave.
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More info: southburnabygardenclub.ca
Williams Lake Seedy Saturday
When: April 30, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Recreation Centre, 525 Proctor St.
More info: [email protected], [email protected]
North Thompson Valley Garden Club
When: May 5, 12 and 19, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: Barrière Farmers Market, 4307 Southern Yellowhead Hwy.
Victoria Cactus and Succulent Society Spring Show and Sale
When: May 6, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., May 7, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Church of the Advent, 510 Mount View Ave., Colwood
More info: Facebook: Victoria Cactus & Succulent Society
Armstrong and District Garden Club Plant Sale
When: May 7, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: Armstrong Farmer’s Market at the Armstrong Fairgrounds, 3315 Pleasant Valley Rd.
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More info: armstronggardenclub.com
Burnaby Rhododendron and Gardens Society Plant Sale at the Burnaby Blooms Festival
When: May 7, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Shadbolt Centre for the Arts in Deer Lake Park, 6450 Deer Lake Ave.
More info: brags.ca
Dogwood Garden Club Annual Plant Sale
When: May 7, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Hillcrest Middle School, 2161 Regan St., Coquitlam
More info: dogwoodgardenclub.weebly.com
Enderby and District Garden Club Plant and Manure Sale
When: May 7, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Where: Lion’s Gazebo, Riverside Park, 300 Kildonan Ave.
More info: Facebook: Enderby & District Garden Club
Pitt Meadows Garden Club Plant Sale
When: May 7, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: The Church Hall, corner of Ford and Harris roads
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Richmond Garden Club Plant Sale
When: May 7, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Where: Ikea Richmond parking lot, 3320 Jacombs Rd.
More info: richmondgardenclub.ca
Sooke Garden Club Plant Sale
When: May 7, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Evergreen Centre, 6660 Sooke Rd.
More info: sookegardenclub.ca
South Surrey Garden Club Plant Sale
When: May 7, 9 a.m. to noon
Where: St. Mark’s Anglican Church, 12953-20th Ave.
More info: southsurreygardenclub.ca
Vancouver Shade Garden Society at the Burnaby Blooms Festival
When: May 7, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Shadbolt Centre at Deer Lake Park
More info: Facebook: Vancouver Shade Garden Society
Vernon and District Garden Club Annual Sale
When: May 7, 8 to 11 a.m.
Where: 4601-27th St., Home Hardware-Home Building Centre parking lot
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More info: vernongardenclub.ca
View Royal Garden Club (Greater Victoria) Spring Plant Sale
When: May 7, 1 to 4 p.m.
Where: View Royal Town Hall parking lot, 45 View Royal Ave., Victoria
More info: viewroyalgardenclub.ca
West Vancouver Garden Club Plant Sale
When: May 7, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Gleneagles Community Center, 6262 Marine Dr., West Vancouver
More info: westvangardenclub.com
White Rock and District Garden Club Plant and Bake Sale
When: May 7, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: Ocean Park Hall, 1577 128 St., Surrey
More info: whiterockgardenclub.ca
Gardens at Anderton Opening Day and Mother’s Day Celebration
When: May 8
Where: 2012 Anderton Rd., Comox
More info: gardensonanderton.org
Campbell River Garden Club Plant Sale
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When: May 14, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Campbell River Community Hall, 401 11th Ave.
More info: campbellrivergardenclub.com
Cowichan Valley Annual Plant Sale
When: May 14, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: 3440 Gibbins Rd., Duncan
More info: [email protected]
Nanaimo Horticultural Society Plant Sale
When: May 14, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Nanaimo North Town Centre, 4750 Rutherford Rd.
More info: nanaimohort.org
New Westminster Horticultural Society Spring Plant Sale
When: May 14, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: St. Thomas More Collegiate, 7450-12th Ave., Burnaby
More info: [email protected]
PoCo Garden Club Spring Plant Sale
When: May 14, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Where: Trinity United Church, 2211 Prairie Ave.
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More info: Facebook: The Poco Garden Club
Powell River Garden Club Plant Sale Tour
When: May 14, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Multiple locations
More info: Facebook: Powell River Garden Club
Vancouver Ikebana Association Spring Show
When: May 14 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., May 15 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre, 181 Roundhouse Mews, Vancouver
More info: [email protected]
Victoria Horticultural Society Spring Plant Sale/Centenary Legacy Project
When: May 14, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Garth Homer Society, 813 Darwin Ave., Victoria
More info: vichortsociety.org/centenary/
Pacific North West Palm and Exotic Plant Society Sale
When: May 21, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Phoenix Perennial Garden Centre Parking Lot, 3380 No. 6 Rd., Richmond
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More info: [email protected]
Gardens that Heal — Vancouver Island: Exploring Nature Close to Home Workshop
When: June 4, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: North Qualicum
More info: [email protected]
Gwynne Vaughan Park Annual Plant Sale and Garden Party
When: June 4, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: 46181 Hope River Rd. (at Williams Road), Chilliwack
More info: gwynnevaughanpark.ca
Vancouver Rose Society 66th Show
When: June 12, 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Where: The Floral Hall, VanDusen Botanical Garden, 37th and Oak St.
More info: vancouverrosesociety.org
Kamloops Garden Club Rose and Flower Show and Tea
When: June 18, 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Where: Heritage House, 100 Lorne St. (Riverside Park)
More info: Facebook: Kamloops Garden Club
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Desert Plant Society of Vancouver Cactus and Succulent Show and Sale
When: June 25, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and June 26, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: VanDusen Botanical Garden, 37th and Oak St., Vancouver
More info: Facebook: Desert Plant Society of Vancouver
Fraser Pacific Rose Society: Year of the Garden, ‘Garden When You Can’
When: June 25, 1 to 5 p.m. and June 26, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Dogwood Pavilion 1655 Winslow St., Coquitlam
More info: fprosesociety.org
Port Moody Police Community Garden Summer Solstice Event
When: June 25, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: 3051 St. John’s St.
More info: Facebook: Port Moody Police Department Community Garden
Victoria Lily Society’s Summer Show, Sale and Tea
When: July 9 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Broad View United Church at 2625 Arbutus Rd.
More info: victorialilysociety.ca
