If and when required, BGC will always ensure to follow all applicable Covid sanitary regulations in place.
BGC members are also invited to view past recorded presentations at your leisure (password-protected):
2022 PROGRAM
January 12, 2022: BGC Zoom Event & AGM: “A Passion for Peonies; An In-depth Look at the Genus Paeonia” presented by Kate-Lynn Clark, Owner/Operator of En Fleurs, a Peony and Dahlia nursery in Brownsburg, Qc
Location: Virtual
Time: 7:00 pm EST.
This is a BGC Zoom event. Kate-Lynn is the owner operator of a Peony and Dahlia farm located in Brownsburg, Quebec and is a director with the Canadian Peony Society. As Peonies are long-lived (over 50 years) and very hardy, you won’t want to miss this opportunity to learn more about these beautiful plants.
Please note that we will first begin with the Annual General Meeting (AGM) prior to our main event.
Members who are registered for 2022 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 9, 2022: BGC Zoom Event: “Understanding the Basics of Indoor and Outdoor Mushroom Cultivation“, presented by Michael Loyer, co-owner of 400 pieds de champignon
Location: Virtual
Time: 7:00 pm EST.
Michael Loyer is the co-owner of a mushroom cultivation business – Les 400 Pieds de Champignon – in the Côtes-des-Neiges borough of Montreal. His talk will help us understand the basics of indoor and outdoor mushroom cultivation. Sounds appetizing!
https://les400piedsdechampignon.com/
Members who are registered for 2022 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 9, 2022: In-Person Event: “A Brief Introduction to Bonsai “ presented by Rafael Najmanovich
Location: Herb Linder Annex, 303 Beaconsfield Blvd, Beaconsfield
Time: 7:30 pm EST.
This is an in-person event. Rafael has been practicing and studying the living art of bonsai since 2015 utilizing techniques with an artistic vision that encompasses both traditional and modern aesthetics. Attend this presentation to learn about the beautiful ancient living art of Bonsai.
April 13, 2022: In-Person Event: “How to Keep Your Soil Healthy and How to Have Healthy Container Plants!” presented by Dr. Caroline Begg of McGill University, Farm Management and Technology
Location: Herb Linder Annex, 303 Beaconsfield Blvd, Beaconsfield
Time: 7:30 pm EST. Please arrive by 7:15.
This is an in-person event. With planting season on our doorstep, we are happy to have Dr. Caroline Begg, PhD speak on the important topic of soil health. Caroline is a Faculty Lecturer in Plant Science at McGill and conducts research on food security and on ecological practices focusing on soils and crops. She is a mentor to the Macdonald Student-Run Ecological Garden, president of the Marché Ste Anne and Vice president of École-O-Champ, an agricultural education organization. ….. Get ready, get set, get planting!
May 11, 2022: In-Person Event: “The Horticulture and Healing Potential of Cannabis” presented by Monica Giocomin of “Herbs on the Side”
Location: Herb Linder Annex, 303 Beaconsfield Blvd, Beaconsfield
Time: 7:30 pm EST. Please arrive by 7:15.
This is an in-person event. Educator and Community Herbalist Monica Giacomin has been promoting the benefits of medicinal and edible herbs locally for over 3 decades. Monica has apprenticed with world-renowned Herbalists and has offered classes to help students identify, nurture and transform plants into food and medicine. More recently she has studied the uses of Cannabis at a variety of conferences and lectures and is delighted to share how it can boost our endocannabinoid system and our wellness.
https://www.herbsontheside.com/
May 14 2022: BGC Plant Sale
Location: Centennial Hall, 288 Beaconsfield Blvd, Beaconsfield
Time: Doors open at 10AM. Sale ends at noon or when plants run out.
Don’t miss the garden club’s popular plant sale where we sell many different plants from our members’ gardens. Arrive early as plants go quickly!
May 22 2022: West Island Citizen Advocacy’s (WICA) Annual Garden Tour
Location: Beaconsfield
Time: 1:00-4:00pm
This garden tour is a fund-raiser for West Island Citizen Advocacy (WICA). Twelve gardens in Beaconsfield will participate in this self-directed tour. Visitors will be treated to a tea party in the last garden. A scavenger hunt questionnaire is included, and a raffle prize will be drawn from the entry forms. Tickets are $25 and may be purchased as of May 8 on-line or through WICA’s office.
July 9, 2022: Garden Visit to “Le Jardin de Francois” – rain or shine
Location: 1.9 km from Saint Sauveur
Time: 9:45-11:45am – may be followed by lunch in the area
https://www.jardindefrancois.com/
July 31 2022: Pop-up Members’ Garden Visit
Location: Communicated by email
Time: 10am – 1pm
Members along with their guests are welcome to visit 3 delightful Beaconsfield gardens belonging to fellow members. The gardens can be visited in any order within the scheduled time. Please no pets for this outing. The location specifics and all other details have been emailed to members.
There is no fee for guests. Don’t forget your water and we’ll see you there!
August 20 (rain date Aug 21) 2022: Members’ Picnic-in-the-Park
Location: Centennial Park, 288 Beaconsfield Blvd, Beaconsfield
Time: Noon to 2pm
Join us on this occasion to meet and socialize with your fellow club members. It’s also a great opportunity to exchange garden stories – good and bad! Bring your own food, beverage and chair or blanket. Family members are welcome.
September 14, 2022: In-Person Event: “Color Theory in the Garden” presented by Amanda Loomis, owner of “Beyond the Root” landscape design company
Location: Herb Linder Annex, 303 Beaconsfield Blvd, Beaconsfield
Time: 7:30 pm EST. Please arrive by 7:15.
Amanda Loomis is a skilled designer, ceramicist and gardener, and established her landscape design company Beyond The Root in 2013. How can we create a narrative through the use of color theory in landscape design? Color is influenced in the garden by light, shadow, climate and humidity. A beautiful garden is full of color, as well as form and texture. A planting design in harmony with material choices such as stone, sculpture and seating can offer you a garden of your dreams!
September 24 (rain date September 25), 2022: BGC Plant Sale at the outdoor Beaconsfield Artisan Fair
Location: Centennial Park, 288 Beaconsfield Blvd., Beaconsfield
Time: 12:00-5pm
Fall is a wonderful time to add new plants to your garden! Come check out the BGC tables at the Beaconsfield Artisan Fair for great deals on plants from our members’ gardens.
October 12, 2022: In-Person Event: “Identifying and Managing Our Trees” presented by James Fyles, Professor of Natural Resource Sciences and Tomlinson Chair in Forest Ecology
Location: Herb Linder Annex, 303 Beaconsfield Blvd, Beaconsfield
Time: 7:30 pm EST. Please arrive by 7:15.
Jim Fyles taught forest ecology and environmental science at the Macdonald Campus of McGill for over 30 years. His research expertise is in how the cycling of nutrients and organic matter in forests respond to disturbance and changing climate. Having lived in of Baie d’Urfe for many years and worked as the Director of the Morgan Arboretum, Jim has special interest in ‘suburban forest ecosystems’ and in the challenges, benefits, and joys of growing trees in our yards and neighbourhoods.
November 9, 2022: In-Person Event: “Urban Ecology” presented by Stephanie Pellerin has been RE-SCHEDULED to November 23 due to unforeseen circumstances.
November 23, 2022: In-Person Event: “Urban Ecology” presented by Stephanie Pellerin, Adjunct Professor in Biological Sciences at the Université de Montreal and Botanist at the Montreal Botanical Gardens.
Location: Herb Linder Annex, 303 Beaconsfield Blvd, Beaconsfield
Time: 7:30 pm EST. Please arrive by 7:15.
Stephanie Pellerin is specialized in wetland and urban ecology. The aim of her work is to come up with management plans adapted to these habitats and to help preserve plant biodiversity.
December 7, 2022: In-Person Event: “Holiday Floral Centerpiece Demonstration” presented by Fig Fleurs Please note this is the FIRST Wednesday of the month
Location: Herb Linder Annex, 303 Beaconsfield Blvd, Beaconsfield
Time: 7:30 pm EST. Please arrive by 7:15.
Orysia Krywiak and Marie Vallée of Fig Fleurs in Pointe Claire Village have a passion for anything and everything that flowers. Their signature style is bold and unexpected colour combinations, artful and organic that change with the seasons. Come celebrate the holiday season with your fellow BGC members as we watch skillful arrangement of beautiful holiday centerpieces. These beautiful pieces will then be raffled off.
2023 PROGRAM
January 11, 2023: BGC Zoom Event & AGM: “Fabulous Foliage ” presented by Heinke Thiessen
Location: Virtual
Time: 7:00 pm EST.
This is a BGC Zoom event. Discover plants whose ornamental value goes beyond their flowers. Heinke’s interest in plants led to the formation of her own landscape company, teaching in the horticultural program at Sheridan College and becoming an accredited horticulture and floral design judge. She is now retired but continues to pursue her interest in horticulture and floral design.
Please note that we will first begin with the Annual General Meeting (AGM) prior to our main event.
Members who are registered for 2023 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 8, 2023: BGC Zoom Event: “Lesser Known Perennials“, presented by Master Gardener Robert Pavlis
Location: Virtual
Time: 7:00 pm EST.
This is a BGC Zoom event. Tired of Hostas, Day Lilies, and other common perennials? Robert will get you interested in growing some less common perennials. Containing lots of photos, this presentation will be fun and fast paced! Robert Pavlis is a Master Gardener with a background in chemistry, and 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 2023 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 8, 2023: In-Person Event: “Preparing Your Vegetable Seeds for Success“ presented by Trevor Manning of Urban Seedling
Location: Herb Linder Annex, 303 Beaconsfield Blvd, Beaconsfield
Time: 7:30 pm EST.
Urban Seedling is a Montreal-based family-owned business that specializes in creating and installing organic vegetable gardens in urban areas. They use heirloom and heritage seedlings as often as possible to produce top-quality vegetables. Trevor Manning will step through what we need to do to prepare our vegetable seeds for success in the garden!
April 12, 2023: In-Person Event: “Eat Your Garden: Serious Edible Landscaping” presented by Christie Lovat of McGill University, PHD, Department of Plant Science
Location: Herb Linder Annex, 303 Beaconsfield Blvd, Beaconsfield
Time: 7:30 pm EST. Please arrive by 7:15.
In this presentation about permaculture gardening with edible perennials, Dr. Lovat discusses how to grow and where to find over 30 species of edible perennials (and even a few houseplants!). Plants are divided into their role in the garden, from ground covers all the way to fruit trees, and range from the humble raspberry to prickly pears cacti and seedless pomegranate!
May 10, 2023: In-Person Event: “Irrigating our Gardens and What You Need to Know” presented by Katherine Pinnell, member of the Beaconsfield Garden Club
Location: Herb Linder Annex, 303 Beaconsfield Blvd, Beaconsfield
Time: 7:30 pm EST. Please arrive by 7:15.
Proper irrigation is a garden essential. Katherine will walk us through what we need to know about irrigating our gardens and how watering systems can help us with this important task.
May 13, 2023: BGC Plant Sale
Location: Centennial Hall, 288 Beaconsfield Blvd, Beaconsfield
Time: Doors open at 10AM. Sale ends at noon or when plants run out.
It’s that time of the year again!!
Don’t miss the garden club’s popular plant sale where we sell many different plants from our members’ gardens. Arrive early as plants go quickly!