Events 2025
Join Us for Special Events
Experience a variety of garden-related events throughout the 2025 Garden Tour season. From educational talks to hands-on workshops, there's something for everyone to enjoy.
Opening Festivities
Join us for the Garden Tour launch!
Start your day with our opening ceremony at The Gatehouse Healing Garden, featuring a special talk by Master Gardener Kevin Kavanagh and our traditional flower toss.
Photo Credit: Gregor Beck
Kickoff Talk with Kevin Kavanagh
Garden Design that's Quite Simply: 'For the Birds!'
Discover how to design bird-friendly gardens and create habitats that support our local bird populations.
Photo Credit: Cylla von Tiedemann
Poetry
Poems by Ronna Bloom
Discover the poetry of Ronna Bloom in select gardens.
Celebrate National Indigenous Day
Education and activities for young and old
Enjoy an introduction to the teachings of the Medicine Wheel and take part in the Solstice Census.
Long Branch Pollinator Garden Planters - Lake Shore Blvd. W.
Various locations along Lake Shore Blvd. W.
Check out the Long Branch BIA's blooming Pollinator Garden Planters along the north and south sides of Lake Shore Blvd. West - stretching from Long Branch Ave. to Twenty Second Street.
The GARDENS Pod Project
Meet The GARDENS Pod Project volunteers.
Learn about growing food in an urban space, community food security and so much more!
Community Partner
LEGS Community Allotment and Pollinator Gardens
Visit the Lake Shore Environmental Gardening Society (LEGS) gardens at the Daily Bread Food Bank featuring Community Allotment and native Pollinator Gardens.
Poetry Reading
Take in a live poetry reading with Brett Campbell
Join local poet Brett Campbell for garden poetry readings in select garden locations.
Poetry
Poetry by Sidney Gendron aka Sawmill Sid
Discover poetry by Sidney Gendron aka Sawmill Sid.
Urban Sketchers Toronto (USkTO)
"We show the world, one drawing at a time"
Watch artists from Urban Sketchers Toronto capture the beauty of select gardens through their drawings.
Urban Sketchers
"Throw Down"
Join Urban Sketchers as they display and discuss their garden-inspired artwork at this special gathering.
How to make Rose syrup
Use rose petals to make a sweet and healing syrup
A hands-on demo using rose petals to make a sweet and healing syrup. Laura will talk about its uses, significance and how this simple recipe connects us to the season.
Expert Q&A
with Master Gardener, Kevin Kavanagh
Bring your gardening questions to our keynote speaker during this special Q&A session.
Family Library Fun
Garden activities for all ages
Visit the Long Branch Library to explore their garden and enjoy special family-friendly activities.
Heritage Tree Booth
Discover Long Branch's living history
Learn about the historic trees in Long Branch, some of which date back to before Confederation.
City Gardening
Opening Party for Birmingham Street Parkette!
TBD
Gardening Advice Clinic with Etobicoke Master Gardeners
Q&A with Master Gardeners!
Meet the experts and bring your garden questions.
Origami Children's Activity with Sherry Cayea
Craft activity for all ages.
Local artist Sherry Cayea will be leading a flower and bird origami craft activity for children.
Opening Festivities
Garden Tour Launch Event
Location: 3101 Lake Shore Blvd. W. M8V 3W8
9:10am Festivities begin at The Gatehouse (Healing Garden). Welcome and thank you to our Gardeners, Sponsors and Volunteers.
9:20am - 9:45am: Stay with us for our kick-off talk with Master Gardener, Kevin Kavanagh.
9:45am - 9:50am: Flower Toss: Join the fun as we all toss a flower to officially start the Tour!
The Healing Garden is also a registered garden on the Tour, open from 10am-4pm. The Gatehouse started its operations on June 20, 1998, and since then has helped thousands including children, youth, and adults who have experienced childhood sexual abuse. The Gatehouse Healing Garden and Labyrinth is a garden that provides an environment conducive to reflection, self care and healing.
Kick-off Talk with Kevin Kavanagh
Garden Design that's Quite Simply: 'For the Birds'!
Photo Credit: Gregor Beck
Location: 3101 Lake Shore Blvd. West. M8V 3W8
Birds can add splashes of colour and sound to a garden. Master Gardener Kevin Kavanagh will share some of the fascinating relationships birds have with our most cherished native garden plants.
He will provide tips on how gardeners can incorporate simple design features to help attract and support a wider diversity of birds in the garden.
Poetry
Poems by Ronna Bloom
Photo Credit: Cylla von Tiedemann
Locations: See Map
Discover a selection of poems by Ronna Bloom placed within select participating gardens on Tour Day.
Ronna Bloom is the author of seven books of poetry, most recently A Possible Trust: The Poetry of Ronna Bloom selected with an introduction by Phil Hall. A new collection, In a Riptide, will be out with Brick Books in fall 2025.
Community Partner Gardens
LEGS Community Allotment and Pollinator Gardens
Location: Daily Bread Food Bank - 191 New Toronto Street
Time: 10:00am - 4:00pm
Enjoy two different gardens at the Daily Bread Food Bank. Representatives will be available all day to answer questions.
The Community Allotment Gardens at the south end feature herb gardens, private plots, and an extensive orchard.
At the North End, view the efforts since 2017 to rewild the grounds with native plants to appeal to pollinators.
This is a wonderful opportunity to learn about community gardening initiatives and the importance of native plant species for supporting local pollinators.
Poetry Reading
Take in a live poetry reading with Brett Campbell
(Readings on the 1/2 hour starting at noon)
12:00pm, 12:30pm, 1:00pm and 3:30pm:
42 Thirty Fifth Street, Long Branch
1:30pm and 2:00pm:
38 Thirty Ninth Street, Long Branch
2:30pm and 3:00pm:
20 Hilo Road, Long Branch
Brett Campbell became interested in poetry while completing a degree in English Literature at U of T in the 1980's, reading his poems at various venues, including the Art Bar, a weekly reading series that began in 1991. His first book I SEND LETTERS was published in 2004 and his second book Alchemy will be published this year. He lives in Long Branch.
Expert Q&A
with Master Gardener, Kevin Kavanagh
Location: 56 Delma Drive, Alderwood (Etobicoke)
Time: 1:30pm - 2:00pm
Our kick-off guest speaker, Kevin Kavanagh, will be available to answer your gardening questions.
This is a great opportunity to get personalized advice from a master gardener. Whether you have questions about native plants, garden design, attracting birds and pollinators, or troubleshooting garden challenges, Kevin will be happy to share his expertise.
Poetry
Sidney Gendron aka Sawmill Sid
Location: 56 Lake Promenade, Long Branch (Etobicoke)
Time: 10:00am - 4:00pm
"It is important to understand that my art is not what you see, but what leaves you talking and wondering about long after you have left my stage".
Sawmill Sid is a storyteller and visual artist who is a student of Mother Earth and proudly will never graduate. He is the recipient of numerous awards including Heritage Mississauga's, The Credits - Cultural and Heritage Award.
Urban Sketchers Toronto (USkTO)
"We show the world, one drawing at a time"
Location: Various addresses in New Toronto TBA
Time: 11:00am - 1:00pm
If weather permits, visitors may encounter one of the Urban Sketchers drawing in several New Toronto Gardens. The Sketchers love to capture city and garden scenes and invite visitors to observe quietly while they work.
Urban Sketchers is a global community of artists who practice on-location drawing. They create beautiful, spontaneous representations of the places they visit, documenting the world around them through art.
If you're lucky and catch these wonderful artists at work you will have the chance to witness the participating gardens from a different perspective.
Urban Sketchers
"Throw Down"
Location: 6 Fifth Steet, New Toronto
Time: 1:00pm - 1:30pm
Urban Sketchers display their art at the "Throw Down" to view and discuss with themselves and share with visitors.
A "Throw Down" is a tradition among Urban Sketchers where artists gather to share their work created during the day. This is a fantastic opportunity to meet some of the artists and see a variety of their artistic interpretations of the gardens.
How to make Rose syrup
Use rose petals to make a sweet and healing syrup
Location: 22 Villa Rd
Time: 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
A hands-on demo using rose petals to make a sweet and healing syrup. Laura will talk about its uses, significance and how this simple recipe connects us to the season.
Family Library Fun
Garden activities for all ages
Location: 3500 Lake Shore Blvd West
Time: All Day
Visit the Long Branch Library to tour their garden and participate in their family activities.
The Long Branch Library is a wonderful community hub with a beautiful garden space. During the Garden Tour, they will be hosting special activities suitable for the whole family, making this a perfect stop for visitors of all ages.
Heritage Tree Booth
Discover Long Branch's living history
Location:42 Ash Crescent
Time: All Day
Learn about the four Heritage trees that live in Long Branch and their importance to local history. Some of the trees predate Confederation!
These majestic trees have stood witness to generations of change in the community and represent an important living connection to our past. Visit the booth to learn about these special trees and discover their fascinating stories.
(Heritage Tree locations will be available on the Tour Map.)
City Gardening
Opening Party for Birmingham Street Parkette!
Location:225 Birmingham Street, New Toronto (at 12th St.)
Time: 11:00am - 2:00pm
Come by Birmingham and Twelfth between 11am-2pm for an opening party for a new park! City staff will be available to answer questions for gardeners about City trees, pollinator gardens, and ways to get involved in your local natural spaces.
Celebrate National Indigenous Day
Education and activities for young and old
Location: 22 Villa Road
Time: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day with an introduction to the teachings of the Medicine Wheel and take part in the Solstice Census.
A gentle and respectful activity that creates a living census of the land and is perfect for younger audiences. Métis, First Nations and Inuit culture are recognized in this garden.
Gardening Advice Clinic with Etobicoke Master Gardeners
Q&A with Master Gardeners
Location: 2 Twenty Eighth Street (back yard) - Long Branch
Time: All Day
Meet the experts and bring your garden questions. The Etobicoke Master Gardeners will also run a pine cone feeder craft sure to be popular with kids and birds!
The GARDENS Pod Project
Meet The GARDENS Pod Project volunteers.
Location: 3166 Lake Shore Blvd. W. at Kipling Ave.
Time: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Meet The GARDENS Pod Project volunteers. You will see how much food can be grown in a small urban space, and learn about their work in providing community food security and education.
Origami Children's Activity with Sherry Cayea
Craft activity for all ages.
Location: 2 Twenty Eighth Street Long Branch (back yard)
Time: All day
Local artist Sherry Cayea will be leading a flower and bird origami craft activity for children.
Long Branch Pollinator Garden Planters - Lake Shore Blvd. W.
Various locations along Lake Shore Blvd. W.
Location: Various locations along Lake Shore Blvd. W. (Long Branch Avenue to Twenty Second Street)
Time: All day
Check out the Long Branch BIA's blooming Pollinator Garden Planters along the north and south sides of Lake Shore Blvd. West - stretching from Long Branch Ave. to Twenty Second Street.