Local Gardening Events in March 2025
Your free monthly roundup of gardening events, plant sales and green community projects, happening in Prince Edward County and the surrounding areas.
We’re creeping ever closer to the last frost date! For those of us in and around the County, this means that somewhere around April 28 - May 8 we can begin to feel confident that the cold won’t kill off most of our plants.
Those dates might sound a long way off, but time flies when you’re planning a garden project - especially when there’s a seed sowing schedule to keep up with!
So, whether you’ve filled your boots with seed packets at the local Seedy Saturday, or you’re on your fifth list of “must-have” plants for this year’s garden, there’s plenty of planning to be done this March - and lots of great local gardening events to help you with it.
(Plus, if you’re still looking for native seeds, Blooming Boulevards just added a few extra to their shop so check it out before they sell out again!)
🕰️ Now’s The Time
…to pre-order your seedlings!
Not everyone has the time or inclination to start seeds, baby them and pot them up multiple times. Luckily, there are people who can do that for you!
If you’re looking to grow plants you can eat, including some gorgeous heirloom tomatoes, then check out the seedling sale at Vicki’s Veggies. They also sell Zinnia seedlings, and their drive-thru pickup process is excellent.
For trees and shrubs, look no further than this Tree & Shrub Seedling Sale. This annual fundraiser is organised by multiple community groups, and the pricing is super simple: $20 for 5 seedlings (bare-root, about 12-18in tall).
📆 What's Happening This Month
Lots of in-person events and online shopping this month as the garden clubs start back up again and the seedling sales continue.
Vicki’s Veggies Seedling Sale NOW open [online]
Get your tomato seedlings, in all shapes, colours and sizes, from Milford’s own self-proclaimed “Crazy Tomato Lady”! Vegetable, fruit and gorgeous Zinnia seedlings also available.
Order before April, pick up is in May.
Tree & Shrub Seedling Sale NOW open [online]
$20 for 5 seedlings of native evergreens, deciduous trees, and shrubs (one species per bundle). Each seedling is 12-18in tall.
Order at CountyGardenClub.ca/shop to pick up in Picton on May 3.
Fundraiser for Trees for PEC, organised by County Garden Club, 4-H, PECFN, Master Gardeners and Ameliasburgh Garden Club
Seedy Saturday Belleville - March 1, 10am-3pm
At: Centennial High School in Belleville
Free admission (donations welcomed). Seed swap table, kids activities, speakers, vendors, food and refreshments, plus information booths (meet your local garden clubs!)
Organised by: Belleville Garden Club, Belleville’s Green Task Force and Quinte Conservation
‘Growing Vegetables in any Situation’ - March 4, 7pm [online]
$12 or $55 for series of 5 lectures
Judith Cox introduces a range of methods used to grow vegetables.
The first of five lectures presented by the Friends of the Central Experimental Farm and the Master Gardeners of Ottawa Carleton.
‘Native Plants for Beauty and Biodiversity’ - March 4, 7-8pm [online]
Free to watch
Lorraine Johnson will share how to incorporate native plants into existing gardens, with a focus on easy-to-grow species for conditions from shade to sun, dry to moist and more.
Organised by: Canadian Wildlife Federation
‘The Dirt on Dirt’ - March 4, 7pm
At: the White Building in Tweed Fairgrounds
Carson Arthur will explain bagged soils, fertilizers and amendments and the benefits of compost and different manures.
Organised by: Tweed Horticultural Society
‘Design Your Own Pollinator Garden’ - March 8, 10am [online]
$5 donation
How to provide food and shelter for native pollinators, assess site conditions and create a beautiful garden design using templates available for download.
Organised by: Blooming Boulevards
‘Nature & Neighbours: Trails, Talks, and Tastes’ - March 15, 10am
$5/person
New to the area and keen to learn about this region’s trails, plants, and wildlife? Lindsay will share how to identify hazardous and invasive plants, different types of animal species you may encounter and how to dress appropriately for biting insects. Followed by food and social time, this is a great opportunity to make new friends.
At: 935 Moira Street West, Belleville ON
Organised by: Quinte Conservation
Container Gardening - March 16, 1pm
$5/person, advance registration required
Get to know the best plants to use in containers, meet the companion plants and their benefits, learn about common issues and solutions.
At: Bloomfield Town Hall, 289 Main St, Bloomfield
Organised by: County Garden Club
‘Garden Art for Cheapskates!’ - March 17
At: St. Andrews Church, 110 Mill St, Stirling
Organised by: Stirling & District Horticultural Society
‘Wildscaping: Wild Planting in a Strong Design’ - March 18, 7pm [online]
$12 or $55 for series of 5 lectures
Lee Ann Smith shows how to design a beautiful landscape where function and a healthy ecology also provide a “wow” factor
The second of five lectures presented by the Friends of the Central Experimental Farm and the Master Gardeners of Ottawa Carleton.
‘Soil Sampling’ - March 19, 6.30pm
At: St. Patrick’s Parish Hall, 179 West St, Napanee
Brad King will be talking about soil sampling and testing for better gardens.
Organised by: Lennox & Addington Horticultural Society & Garden Club
‘How to prepare for a Flower Show competition’ - March 20, 7pm
Guest fee: $10
At: Batawa Community Center, 81 Plant St, Batawa
Get ready for the upcoming flower shows and competitions by knowing how to prepare your exhibits. Presentation by Lezlie Miller, Judge.
Organised by: Trenton Horticultural Society & Garden Club
‘Goodbye Lawn!’ - March 22, 10am [online]
$5 donation
Looking to get rid of your high-maintenance lawn? We will dive into the benefits of replacing existing lawns with locally native plants to help you transform your lawn into an easy-care, pollinator-friendly space where native plants thrive.
Organised by: Blooming Boulevards
Silk Flower Workshop - March 22, 1pm
$65/person
Making a Spring Showers Door Hanger: create a unique and custom topiary design for your home
At: Carson’s Garden & Market in Bloomfield
Orchids, plant photography and viticulture - March 25, 7pm
Three speakers, three quite different topics by Debbie Parry, Claude Gagne and Paul Battilana
At: King Edward Park Arena, Community Centre, 81 Elizabeth St, Brighton
Organised by: Brighton Garden Club
‘Bringing Moths Into The Light’ - March 26, 7pm
This event is free to all, no guest fee
Speaker David Bree will introduce the world of moths and their benefits to our gardens
At: Rotary Hall, Picton Fairgrounds
Organised by: County Garden Club
‘Tips on Growing Vegetables in The County’ - March 31, 7pm
Members can bring a friend for free
Speaker Vicki Emlaw from Vicki’s Veggies has had resounding success in growing organic vegetables and greens on her Prince Edward County farm
At: Ameliasburgh Town Hall, 13 Coleman St, Ameliasburgh
Organised by: Ameliasburgh Garden Club
Events sometimes change or get cancelled, so do check the details prior to making plans.
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💚 The Gardening Community
Local garden clubs are a great place to learn, meet other gardeners, and get involved with the local community. If you’re interested in seeing what they can offer, get in touch with these nearby groups:
County Garden Club meets in Picton, last Wednesday of the month
Ameliasburgh Garden Club meets in Ameliasburgh, last Monday of the month
Brighton Garden Club meets in Brighton, last Tuesday of the month
Belleville Garden Club meets in Belleville, last Tuesday of the month - note: meetings are members-only.
Trenton Horticultural Society & Garden Club meets in Batawa, third Thursday of the month
Lennox & Addington Horticultural Society & Garden Club meets in Napanee, third Wednesday of the month
Stirling & District Horticultural Society meets in Stirling, second or third Monday of the month
Tweed Horticultural Society meets in Tweed, first Tuesday of the month
Note: Club events are often paused during July/August and December/January. Memberships and guest fees vary but are usually around $15/year or $5/event, respectively. Not all club meetings will be open to guests, so check ahead.
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💎 made in Prince Edward County, ON