July 2026 Farm Notes

Friends of the Central Experimental Farm

Farm Notes - July 2026

Ornamental Garden Tours

Please click on the links below to see more information and to register for these free events.

W.T. Macoun Memorial Garden: Wednesday, July 8

Perennials Garden Tour: Saturday, July 25

Rock Garden: Tuesday, September 8

Rose Gardens (both the Heritage Rose Garden and the Explorer Rose Garden): Saturday, September 19

Dominion Arboretum Tree Tours

Native Tree Identification in the Arboretum

Sunday, July 19

An Overview of our Recent Events

The Annual General Meeting was held on Saturday, June 13th.

The meeting was held in person for the first time in many years. It was great to see such a large number of attendees, both members and non-members alike. Special thanks to Riley Brockington, River Ward Councillor for his support and participation

The Friends of the Farm Used Book Sale was held on May 30th and 31st.

After a break in 2025 the famous used book sale was resurrected in a new location this year. We collected and sold thousands of books and raised $8,000 for the Friends of the Central Experimental Farm! It was all made possible by the FCEF’s dedicated volunteers who spent a hectic week lugging boxes, sorting books, pricing them, setting up tables, working the tills, assisting customers, and delivering leftover books to various charities and other organizations. Congratulations and sincere thanks to Aline Michaud, the Book Sale Coordinator. Special thanks also to all those who generously donated books.

The Annual Mother's Day Plant Sale

Despite a cold windy day the 2026 edition of our plant sale was a resounding success. Over 30 vendors participated and the event was very well attended. Thank you to those who stopped by to the many volunteers who helped out. Profound gratitude to Susan Bailey, the Plant Sale Coordinator

Summer 2026 Newsletter

“From the first American Robin returning in early spring to the last swallows departing in September, the Arboretum tells a seasonal story of movement, renewal, and life.” Thus writes Raja Khanal in a lead article about birds in the Summer Newsletter. They are a focus of this issue, with thoughts by former AAFC horticulturist Crispin Wood on the planting of trees and shrubs to attract birds. There is also a look at efforts to protect birds at the Farm.

Is volunteering good for your health? Our Volunteer Director, Christina Fiedorowicz points to evidence of physical health benefits, improved mental health, and enhanced social well-being. And, she writes, studies consistently report wellness and physical benefits from volunteer gardening and fundraising. “Volunteering with Friends of the Farm, in particular, offers many wellness benefits.”

Blaine Marchand continues his story about trailblazing women at the Farm. He begins with Faith Fyles, who broke out of the box of “women’s work” in the early 1900s by becoming an Assistant Botanist and then the first Botanical Artist in the Horticulture Division. After joining the Botany Division in 1924, Irene Mounce did pioneering research on how wood-rotting fungi affected Canadian forests. Before she got married and was thus required to resign from her government job, she played a role in the 1930s in the hiring of Mildred Nobles, who continued the work on wood-destroying fungi. She became a world authority on identifying such fungi.

Read the Summer Newsletter here

Curious about this gorgeous Catalpa tree now in bloom in the Arboretum?

Find its full description on Page 114 of Pathways to the Trees at the Experimental Farm.

Order Your Copy Now

Please visit our online Boutique to order your books and greeting cards today! Thank you for your orders -- the proceeds help support the valuable work we do!

Shop Now

Plan to visit the Ornamental Gardens in July

Below are a few pictures of just some of the plants that are flowering as we turn the calendar over to July. The FCEF volunteer garden teams and AAFC staff have been working hard to ensure the gardens are at their best.

The roses are in full bloom - and, (touch wood!) as of June 28 have been untouched by Japanese Beetles. The last of the irises are fading but the first day lilies are starting. The bloomers in the perennial gardens include fleece flower, yarrow, rose campion and the first cheerful rudbeckia are peeking out. The Macoun Garden features daisies, astilbes and hostas, among others. The rock garden, as always, offers a peaceful shaded oasis to escape the hot sun.

Members and Supporters

We welcome your comments and suggestions on articles, events, activities, and more.

Please contact us at info@friendsofthefarm.ca

or call us at 613-230-3276.

Charitable number: 118913565RR0001

Website Links

Stay Connected

Friends of the Central Experimental Farm | 613-230-3276 | Building 75 | Central Experimental Farm, 960 Carling Ave., Ottawa, ON, K1A 0C6 | www.friendsofthefarm.ca

Our office hours are Mon-Tues-Wed-Thurs 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

﻿Dominion Arboretum Tree Tours

Dominion Arboretum Tree Tours