In addition to our Zoom and in-person meetings, BGC members are also invited to view past recorded presentations at your leisure (password-protected):
2024 PROGRAM
January 10, 2024: BGC Zoom Event: AGM & “Climate Change and the Garden“ presented by Lorraine Johnston, author, speaker and “cultivation activist”
Location: Virtual
Time: 7:00 pm EST.
This is a BGC Zoom event. Please note that we will first begin with the Annual General Meeting (AGM) prior to our main event.
We are delighted to have well-known speaker Lorraine Johnston with us, author of numerous books on native plants, gardening for pollinators and restoring habitat. Lorraine will focus on action while addressing issues such as: How can we make our gardens resilient in an era of climate change, more frequent droughts, habitat loss and species decline? What are some of the connections between climate justice action and land-based practices such as gardening?
Members who are registered for 2024 will receive an invitation by email. To request or renew a membership or to arrange a guest pass, please refer to the Membership page.
February 14, 2024: BGC Zoom Event: ““Growing Winter Hardy Cactus”, presented by Sharon and John Bowler
Location: Virtual
Time: 7:00 pm EST.
This is a BGC Zoom event.
Join Sharon and John Bowler as they share their Winter Hardy Cactus Garden with you. Both have won awards for their institutional and residential landscaping designs. They will share a little Canadian Cactus Horticultural History, and explain how you too, can source, landscape with, propagate and enjoy Cactus outdoors all season long!
Members who are registered for 2024 will receive an invitation by email. To request or renew a membership or to arrange a guest pass, please refer to the Membership page.
February 28, 2024: Zoom Event : “Gardening Tricks”, presented by Master Gardener Robert Pavis, hosted by the Pointe Claire Horticultural Society
Location: Virtual
Time: 7:30 pm EST.
Please note that this Zoom event is hosted by the Pointe Claire Horticultural Society. BGC members benefit from an additional talk this month thanks to a reciprocal agreement between BGC and PCHS.
Master Gardener Robert Pavlis is a popular speaker, author, article contributor, blogger and self-avowed “plantaholic”. His private 6-acre garden has about 3,000 perennials, grasses, shrubs and trees.
Members who are registered for 2024 will receive an invitation by email. To request or renew a membership or to arrange a guest pass, please refer to the Membership page.
March 13, 2024: In-Person Event: : “Gardening for Birds”, presented by Le Nichoir
Location: Herb Linder Annex, 303 Beaconsfield Blvd, Beaconsfield
Time: 7:30 pm EST. Please arrive by 7:15.
The Le Nichoir Wild Bird Conservation Centre specializes in the rehabilitation of injured wild birds and their reintroduction back into their natural habitats. This talk offers guidance on safely attracting birds to our backyards and highlights how we can support them within their local ecosystems. It will cover bird feeding, utilizing native plants for food and shelter, and how to apply simple actions for bird safety.
April 10, 2024: In-Person Event: : “Native Plants of Quebec” presented by Krin Haglund of Jardin Buzz
Location: Herb Linder Annex, 303 Beaconsfield Blvd, Beaconsfield
Time: 7:30 pm EST. Please arrive by 7:15.
Krin Haglund is a native plant grower and founder of Jardin Buzz who encourages planting for pollinators and biodiversity. In this talk, Krin profiles some of Quebec’s beautiful native plants and shares how we can use them in our gardens. Learn how to create an exuberant native pollinator garden, even in small spaces, as well as discover techniques for saving and planting native plant seeds.
May 8, 2024: In-Person Event: Potluck + Bouquet Assembling Workshop
Location: Herb Linder Annex, 303 Beaconsfield Blvd, Beaconsfield
Time: 7:30 pm EST. Please arrive by 7:15.
Join us for our last monthly gathering before summer! A variety of fresh flowers will be provided by the club to allow each participant to create her own beautiful custom bouquet!
We will first start off with a bit of socializing and enjoyment of potluck goodies. Members are asked to bring some finger food to share, sweet or savory.
This is a members-only event with all costs covered by the club. Members must register for this event so please RSVP to secure your spot. Deadline April 30th.
May 9, 2024: In-Person Event: Installation & Care of Community Vegetable Planter
Location: Beaconsfield Library entrance (between the library and the Annex)
Time: 12:00 noon
Discover the latest addition to our community near the entrance of Beaconsfield Library – a newly installed planter! Join us for this enlightening session led by Urban Seedling, one of our esteemed speakers, as they delve into the essentials of caring for a raised vegetable bed.
This collaboration between the garden club and the city promises a flourishing spectacle throughout the season. Witness the evolution of our garden as different plants take center stage, with rotations planned for both summer and fall. It’s an exceptional opportunity to witness theoretical knowledge put into practical action, and an ideal occasion to engage with seasoned professionals.
May 11, 2024: BGC Plant Sale – CANCELLED
Location: Centennial Hall, 288 Beaconsfield Blvd, Beaconsfield
Time: –
We regret to announce that this year’s plant sale has been cancelled due to a lack of executive resources.
May 18, 2024: Plant Sale (& Bake Sale) to Benefit Suitcases for Africa
Location: 61 Beaconsfield Court, Beaconsfield
Time: 9am-noon
A fund raiser to benefit Suitcases for Africa
You can also donate some plants to this worthy cause by dropping them off during the week on the driveway of the address above, next to the hedge. Please label all donations with the plant name and applicable plant info!
May 31, 2024: BGC at Marché BEAU Farmers Market
Location: Corner of Beaconsfield Blvd and Fieldfare Ave
Time: 3-6pm
Come say hello to some of your executive committee members who will be promoting our club at the start-up of Marché BEAU Farmers Market. Marché BEAU is a weekly farmers’ market featuring local growers and food-related purveyors.
June 1, 2024: West Island Citizen Advocacy’s (WICA) Annual Garden Tour
Location: Dorval and Pointe-Claire
Time: 1:00-5:00pm
All proceeds of this fund-raiser for West Island Citizen Advocacy (WICA) fund programs that support vulnerable and isolated people in the community. This year’s tour features 17 beautiful gardens in Dorval and Pointe-Claire, and includes a scavenger hunt, prizes, and a tea party to end the day. Join in by car, bike, or on foot!
Tickets are $25 and will be available for purchase in early May on the WICA website and Facebook page. When you purchase tickets online, a confirmation email will be sent to you with more details.
June 1, 2024: BGC at Neighbour’s Day and Climate Action Week at Heights Park (rain date June 2)
Location: Heights Park, 225 Evergreen (between Westcroft and Woodside)
Time: 2:00-7:00pm
Come by and have some fun as BGC helps celebrate Neighbour’s Day and Climate Action Week at Heights Park! Explore our booth, where we’ve prepared a variety of activities suitable for all ages. Plus, discover the advantages of joining a local garden club and how you can contribute to community sustainability efforts. We look forward to sharing this exciting day with you!
June 2, 2024: Members’ Garden Tour – A Guided Tour of a Unique Garden in Dorval
Location: Dorval – Details sent via BGC Communications
Time: 1:00-3:00pm
We are delighted to have member Joelle C. provide a guided tour to our members of her marvelous garden in Dorval. She and her husband have developed their garden for over 40 years, planting shrubs, trees and a multitude of flowers and greenery, as well as adding several ponds. They have also incorporated many touches of whimsy, with fanciful structures such as a small hidden castle, a church ruin and a wooden wardrobe reminiscent of the wardrobe portal in The Chronicles of Narnia! .. and much more. The yearly opening of their ‘haunted’ garden at Halloween to raise funds for local charities is now an institution on the West Island! Don’t miss this opportunity to tour this truly unique garden and learn about its transformation story.
Members are asked to arrive by 1:00. Location details will be provided to members through BGC Communications. This event is on rain or shine!
July 6, 2024: Members’ Tour of 3 Gardens in Beaconsfield South
Location: Beaconsfield South – Details sent via BGC Communications
Time: 9am-noon
Come visit, chat and be inspired at this members’ tour in Beaconsfield South! Three members are sharing their delightful gardens with fellow club members. Each is a mature garden with its own unique personality to enjoy.
The tour is drop-in style, with the gardens open between 9am and noon that day. We ask that everyone respect the closing time, so allow yourself enough time to fully explore each garden! The owners will be available to answer any questions you may have.
Location details will be provided to members through BGC Communications. Members may bring a guest if they wish.
August 16, 2024: Pop-up Member’s Garden Visit! (In case of rain, it will be rescheduled)
Location: Beaconsfield North – Details sent via BGC Communications
Time: 10:30 am
One of our members has graciously invited fellow members to view her lovely Beaconsfield garden. She will start by presenting principles on garden design & maintenance that she applies, and will also offer refreshments. Details will be provided to members through BGC Communications. Kindly reply to the host by Wednesday August 14 if you wish to attend.
Please arrive by the 10:30 start time. Hope to see you there!
August 24, 2024: Beaconsfield Artists and Gardens Tour (Rain date is August 25)
Location: Beaconsfield
Time: 11am – 4pm
This Beaconsfield community event is being held in partnership with the Beaconsfield Artists’ Association and the Beaconsfield Gardening Club. Wander around the city and admire a range of artwork and beautiful gardens. Local artists and gardeners will share their passion with the whole community. The city will provide an online map with pins for each garden and artist to visit.
//www.www.beaconsfield.ca/en/events/community-events/artists-and-gardens-tour
September 11, 2024: In-Person Event: “All About Garlic” presented by Bernard Bonneau of Bern’Ail / Bernie’s Greens
CANCELLED and REPLACED BY a Members’ Round-Table Discussion
Location: Herb Linder Annex, 303 Beaconsfield Blvd, Beaconsfield
Time: 7:30 pm EST. Please arrive by 7:15.
The scheduled topic was regrettably cancelled due to the last-minute unavailability of the speaker. An ad-hoc Members’ Round-Table Discussion was held in its place.
October 9, 2024: In-Person Event: “Urban Trees and the Benefits They Provide” presented by Carly Ziter, PHD, Assistant Professor, Concordia Biology Dept
Location: Herb Linder Annex, 303 Beaconsfield Blvd, Beaconsfield
Time: 7:30 pm EST. Please arrive by 7:15.
Urban forests benefit us socially, environmentally, and economically. Trees are natural air conditioning, air filters and sponges for carbon, and yet many neighborhoods severely lack trees and the life-saving health benefits they provide. We will hear from Dr. Carly Ziter on this important topic, whose research relates to biodiversity conservation and ecosystem service provision in urban landscapes.
https://www.concordia.ca/
November 13, 2024: In-Person Event: “Myths and Legends of Plants Around Us” presented by Julie Boudreau, horticulturist and author
Location: Herb Linder Annex, 303 Beaconsfield Blvd, Beaconsfield
Time: 7:30 pm EST. Please arrive by 7:15.
It’s story-telling time! Stories, some true, some not. Things to know, popular beliefs, and funny anecdotes. Julie will sort out these myths and legends at this fun meeting.
Julie Boudreau has published many gardening books, hosted various radio and tv shows. and regularly contributes to The Laidback Gardener blog. She also teaches horticulture at the Centre de formation horticole de Laval, and is devoted to promoting gardening, garden design, botany and ecology in every form.
December 4, 2024: In-Person Event: Outdoor Winter Arrangement with Orysia Krywiak
Location: Herb Linder Annex, 303 Beaconsfield Blvd, Beaconsfield
Time: 7:30 pm EST. Please arrive by 7:15.
Join us for a special workshop by Orysia Krywiak, a floral designer with over 30 years of experience. Orysia will create a stunning outdoor winter arrangement using a variety of winter greenery, branches, berries, and cones. She will also discuss foraging in winter and how to incorporate different textures for a captivating arrangement. Additionally, Orysia will demonstrate how to make a small door swag. Both creations will be raffled off at the end of the presentation. Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your winter decor!