Photo: belchonock, depositphotos

By Larry Hodgson

Yes, Canada has declared 2022 The Year of the Garden and garden activities and events will be first and foremost throughout the year.

Here is some information about this exciting yearlong event:

What is The Year of the Garden 2022?

From January 1 to December 31, 2022, The Year of the Garden 2022, a Centennial Celebration of Canadian horticulture sector, will commemorate Canada’s rich garden heritage, celebrate today’s vibrant garden culture, and create important legacies for a sustainable future.

Planning is already underway for a year of exciting Live the Garden Life activities, celebrations, special events and promotions that will take place in communities, schools, businesses, public gardens, and backyard gardens in all parts of Canada.

Join the Celebration. It will be easy to sign up your garden as a Year of the Garden Celebration Garden.

Learn from experts in the field. Canada’s Garden-Family – thousands of plant growers, product manufacturers, retailers, landscape service providers, garden clubs, public gardens and affiliated businesses – will be sharing their knowledge and expertise to help you plant a garden in your life. 

Take advantage of special promotions and events that will be offered by local Garden Family members to help you with garden projects during the Year of the Garden 2022.

Be inspired by garden experiences found in public gardens across Canada. View landscapes that represent different regions, climate zones, and purposes, for fun, and to help you plan your own backyard garden sanctuary.

Be amazed and inspired by beautiful examples of private landscape excellence designed, installed and maintained by Canadian landscape professionals.

Check out the Year of the Garden Calendar, a dynamic document that will keep you updated on what’s happening when, where and how to connect. 

Learn about Garden Traditions such as the First Nations’ knowledge of living in harmony with plants and nature, early “European-style” gardens and their importance at historic sites like Annapolis Royal and Québec City, and fascinating garden traditions introduced by immigrants from around the world.

Discover Canadian Garden Moments. Important personalities and their achievements have helped to shape today’s rich Canadian garden culture and why horticulture heritage matters. 

Plant a Garden in Every School is an important learning opportunity for every child, and for future generations. Get the kit and learn about the many programs available to help schools plant, grow and maintain sustainable gardens. 

Share and learn by becoming a member of a garden organization. Find out what garden clubs, horticulture societies and others are doing in your neighbourhood, and discover the fun of sharing your passion for gardens and learning from others. 

Lend a hand to transform where you live by taking part in volunteer opportunities in your community to help with community gardens, and enhancement of your community with plants and gardens.

Recognize a Garden Hero. Every community has a special person who inspires and leads volunteers in planting a love of gardens and gardening. Why not recognize their passion and hard work by nominating them as a Year of the Garden 2022 Canadian Garden Hero? 

Find Work Opportunities. Canada’s Garden Family is seeking people interested in a satisfying and prosperous career in the horticulture industry. 

Learn How to Make the Future Environment Friendly. Gardens are one of the most effective ways for Canadians to individually impact climate change. Find out about how planting shade trees, rain gardens, green roofs, and food gardens can make a sustainable difference.

Get a Garden Prescription. Discover the many benefits of plants and gardening can have on your health and well being. 

It’s not too soon to begin thinking about how you might Plant A Garden / Put Some Garden in Your Life during the Year of the Garden 2022 at home, work, school, or club, in your community, or even on while on vacation! 

Encourage your municipality to Proclaim 2022 as the Year of the Garden. Download the Invitation and a proclamation template to forward to your councillor or the Mayor, and Ideas to Engage Your Municipality, here: Year of the Garden 2022 – Invitation to Municipalities.pdf, Template – Municipal Proclamation of 2022 as Year of the Garden.docx

How will you Celebrate the Year of the Garden?

Keep an eye on the Year of the Garden website to follow the development of the Year of the Garden 2022 and celebration opportunities.