Winter 2016 Volume 1

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An exclusive peek at Canada Blooms: The Flower & Garden Festival

Gardens Of Canada Blooms

This year’s Landscape Ontario Garden focuses on the vast number of careers available outdoors and in green professions. Primarily, the garden shows opportunities for those who are looking to enter a career in a green profession to “Choose Your Path”.
Paul Brydges, Landscape Ontario President and Principal at Brydges Landscape Architecture Inc. states that “as projects gain more and more complexity, the need for teamwork and qualified skilled professionals becomes apparent. There is a broad number of opportunities offered for those interested in green professions at most colleges and universities.”
The ‘Choose Your Path’ garden explains career opportunities as well as having visually stimulating areas where you can learn about pollinator gardening, rain/fusion gardening, natural stone and so much more.
Without a vast array of professionals, this garden would not be possible. So, whether you are looking to be part of a green profession or just want to know a little more about what you can do to make your green space more environmentally responsible, you are going to want to take time and explore the garden and then talk to the Landscape Ontario Team.
To see more 2016 Gardens click here.

International Floral Designers

International Floral Designers at the Toronto Flower Show
The Toronto Flower Show is privileged to feature the floral artistry of International designers in our competition. The designers are invited to participate in the first five days of the festival, and the fact that they agree to come from all over the world to Toronto, in March, speaks well of the reputation of the Toronto Flower Show.
Most of the International designers have exhibited at WAFA shows (World Association of Floral Artists) which are held every 3 years. WAFA shows have been held in the United States (Boston), Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, South Africa, Belgium, France and Canada. The next show will be held in 2017 in Barbados. At Canada Blooms this year, well known designers will come from Bermuda, the United States, Barbados, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia and Canada to create a design based on the theme, ‘Celebrate!’ The Iinternational designs are always innovative, creative and thought-provoking. You’ll be amazed at what these designers can do with flowers. Local floral designers and the general public love to look and learn about floral art trends around the world.
But shhhhhh! we can’t divulge the names of our guests until after their designs have been judged by an accredited floral design judge. All will be revealed on Canada Blooms opening day, March 11.
Come out and see the International Designers as they share some of their great design secrets on the Unilock Celebrity Stage on Monday, March 14 at 1pm.

Professional Florist Profile
Fresh blooms, meet fresh thinking. At Ladybug, classic floral design technique mingles with inspired new ideas, and the results are dazzling. For optimum freshness and value, Ladybug buys direct from the finest local flower growers. And when exotic blooms are needed, Ladybug imports from environmentally responsible growers in Europe, Asia and South and Central America. Add in Ladybug’s friendly, welcoming service and you’ve got a refreshing take on what a flower shop can be. Don't miss Ladybug Florist's artistic display based on the Theme: Life is a Celebration at Canada Blooms 2016.

Planning For Spring
What do you do in the winter to plan for spring gardening? Add soil research to your list! Now is a great time to think about topdressing your lawns, amending garden beds and building new gardens. Gro-Turf® is an organic lawn topdress product used with or without seed to add organic matter to soil and help build soil life. Lawns should be topdressed with a very thin layer multiple times per year. Gro-Turf® can also be used in bare patch areas to help promote new seedlings. Remember to keep seed and seedlings moist to promote establishment. A dry seed will not germinate! Live Mulch® is an organic amendment used to increase organic matter in soil. Blend into existing garden beds at a rate of up to 50% by volume. Gro-Max® is a high organic premium garden soil used for annuals, perennials and small shrubs. This soil drains well and is easy to maintain. It can also be used to build up existing beds by blending into the top layer of soil. Call us for more information about soil, mulch and organic amendments. www.gro-bark.com 1-888-GRO-BARK

FREE Issue From Harrowsmith
Dear Readers, Compliments of Canada Blooms and Harrowsmith, we are pleased to provide you, our newsletter subscribers, with a FREE issue of Harrowsmith’s Fall Issue. It’s packed with how-to information on gardening - the Harrowsmith way! For more information on Harrowsmith go to harrowsmithmagazine.com Harrowsmith Fall Issue download here!

Celebrity Presenters
Ken Beattie's career path has taken him to the four corners of the earth and has fueled his passion for people and all things green and growing. His professional activities, spanning over four decades, have positioned him as one of Canada’s most notable and approachable resources in the plant world. Host of the exceptionally popular Canadian live television series, Get Growing, originally on the W Network, Ken’s popularity has never waned. He continues to apply his expertise to initiatives involving food security, education,and urban habitat development as well as practical environmental projects as Candaidian Wildlife Federation Horticulture Education Manager. Ken will be presenting on the Hortus TV Gardening Solution Stage presented by Harrowsmith on Thursday, March 17 at 1pm, and on the Unilock Celebrity Stage on Wednesday, March 16 at 3pm and Saturday, March 19 at 4pm. Learn more about Ken at CanadianWildlifeFereration.ca or cwf-fcf.org/ken.		Frankie Flowers aka Frank Ferragine one of Canada's most popular Garden Experts (Breakfast Televisioin, CityLine, Toronto Sun, Dr Oz. and many more) will again entertain the stages of Canada Blooms by presenting Food To Grow.If you want to grow your own food this year or a looking for tips of tricks, this is a must attend. Frankie will tell everything from how to design a food growing garden to how many plants per person should you plant. Also which food growing plants give you the best value and which ones you should just purchase at a farmers market or grocery store. In 2016 Frankie Flowers mission is to get you to grow something you can eat...so it's up to you to come and get growing. Frank will be signing copies of his new book Food To Grow on March 12 & 13 at the Toronto Botanical Garden Booth after his presentation. If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Frank's new book and tickets to Canada Blooms to get it signed, Enter Here!

Tips From The Pros
Canadian Gardening shares tips for how to attract birds to your garden: 1. Most birds have a mixed diet of seeds, berries, insects and grubs, so think smorgasbord and supply a variety of food from season to season. 2. Water, for both drinking and bathing, is as crucial to birds as food. Birdbaths are available in all sorts of materials, including concrete, ceramic, resin and stone (avoid metal). 3. If food and water are readily available, birds will look for sheltered sites for nesting and roosting. Trees, shrubs and hedges, particularly conifers, fit the bill for many. And, of course, there are purchased birdhouses and nest/roost boxes. Get more great gardening tips all year long with a subscription to Canadian Gardening. Subscribe now and save 55% off the cover price.

Gardening Advice
Master Gardeners
Need gardening advice? Master Gardeners have got it in spades! Please stop by our all day every day free gardening advice clinic. Enjoy a free private consultation with your very own Master Gardener at the *Sit Down Consultations* and create your dream garden oasis. Want to know more? Consider yourself invited to our many enjoyable and educational presentations on everything from gardening in the shade to growing vegetables. Check out the website for a complete schedule. The Master Gardeners of Ontario are dedicated volunteers whose mission is to share their expertise on sustainable gardening practices. Please, bring your questions; they have the answers!

Humber Nurseries
Humber Nurseries will have industry professionals at their Blooms Marketplace Booth (H323) who can help you with any number of projects each day throughout the festival. Click here for a schedule. Also, bring your photos and dimensions to the Humber Nurseries booth and Peter Stevens may provide you with a Free Landscape Design (offered Fri-Mon, Wed-Sun – must ask at booth for time availability).

Canada Blooms Package at the InterContinental
Canada’s Largest Flower and Garden Festival Swings Into Spring! Gardening enthusiasts itching to get their green thumbs in the soil after a long winter will jump into spring at Canada Blooms: The Flower and Garden Festival, taking place March 11-20, 2016 at the Enercare Centre in Toronto. Stay and Play Package The package will be available with rates starting at $225.00 (Superior room) and includes: 2 tickets to Canada Blooms Buffet breakfast for 2 in Azure Restaurant each day To book, simply call 1-800-422-7969 and ask for the Canada Blooms package. Taxes and Gratuities are not included. Room Date Availability: March 10-21, 2016 Already have your tickets to Canada Blooms? The InterContinental is offering a special discounted Canada Blooms rate starting at $120 per night if booked prior to February 19, 2016. Visit our website for more information or to book your room.

Contests

GTA Home & Reno Show

Looking for great advice on your next renovation project?
With 300+ exhibitors the GTA Home and Reno Show
Feb. 12-15, 2016 has so much to offer!
Inspiration, hands-on workshops and expert tips from celebrity pros.
You’ll leave confident and ready to tackle any reno tasks!
Enter now for a chance to win a 4-pack of tickets
(contest ends Feb 5, tickets must be picked up at Will Call)
For more information or to purchase tickets visit gtahomeandrenoshow.com.

Special Offer

Beat the Winter Blues
We invite you to take advantage of $5 off general admission tickets
(valid on adult tickets online ONLY - $15 with code, limit 6 tickets, on now February 1.
(Note: Online Tickets are already discounted $3)
Use the ticket link or enter Promo Code: PARTY.

Tickets are available online, at the Canada Blooms Head Office,
Family Flowers, Humber Nurseries, Ladybug Florist, Sheridan Nurseries,
Toronto Botanical Garden and Vandermeer Nursery.
Check our Ticket Outlet regulary for any new additions.

Work And Play For The Day

Canada Blooms needs your help and expertise to make the festival better than ever. 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.
This is a great way to put your skill to use or learn new skills, meet people and just have fun. As our thank you to you every volunteer will receive a ticket to the festival (Canada Blooms/Home Show) and a plant of the day courtesy of pickOntario.
Visit our website and sign up today. If you have any questions please contact Volunteer Coordinator: Martha Walsh at volunteers@canadablooms.com or call the main office 416-447-8655 x 7721
Come volunteer, Canada Blooms needs you to flourish.
Please note that both the TTC and GO Train have stops near the Enercare Centre,
also from Monday – Friday Parking will be FREE after 4:00 pm.
The Volunteer Orientation Package will be available online after January 31st.

Jump On Spring

Come to the 22nd annual one-day gardening extravaganza ‘Get the Jump on Spring’ at the Toronto Botanical Garden, 777 Lawrence Ave E on February 20, 2016 from 10 am to 4 pm.
There will be 30+ garden-related exhibitors – horticultural societies, garden clubs and environmental organizations; along with Master Gardeners to answer your gardening questions.
Running throughout the day are: free demonstrations and presentations, a floral design competition (theme: Let’s Play Outside, 4 Adult and 2 Junior Classes), and winter garden tours. For those who want to shop, there will be a unique line-up of vendors with gardening-related wares, organic farmers’ market, special offers in the TBG Garden Shop, and nearly-new vase and gardening book sales. When hunger strikes, the Jump Café will be ready with snacks, soup, sandwiches, salads and sweets.
Parking and admission to the show are free, although a $2 donation is appreciated and will give you an entry for hourly door-prize draws.
For more information call 416-397-1341 or www.torontobotanicalgarden.ca/jump. Get the Jump on Spring is a co-production of the Toronto Botanical Garden and the Ontario Horticultural Society.

Upcoming Events

Southern Ontario Orchid Society presents the Orchid Show, February 13 & 14, 2016, at the Toronto Botanical Garden.
Get your $2 off coupon here.

Bus Tours

Looking for a bus tour coming to Canada Blooms in your area?
Visit our website for a list of tour groups.
Remember to keep checking back for more updates.

If you have an upcoming garden related event that is of interest to our readers, let us know at news@canadablooms.com and we might include it in upcoming issues of our newsletter.

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Gardens Of Canada Blooms

International Floral Designers

Professional Florist Profile

Planning For Spring

FREE Issue From Harrowsmith

Celebrity Presenters

Tips From The Pros

Gardening Advice

Master Gardeners

Humber Nurseries

Canada Blooms Package at the InterContinental