Roots & Shoots:
Our Story
Our Mission Statement
To foster the love of gardening and beautification of our city
Get to Know Us
The North Bay Horticultural Society has been beautifying our city and fostering a love of gardening since 1962.
We are a non-profit organization that offers a variety of programs and events for gardeners of all ages.
Our goal is to provide our community with the resources and support they need to create beautiful, thriving gardens.
We are excited to share our love of gardening and helping others cultivate their skills. Join us today and discover the joy of gardening with the North Bay Horticultural Society.
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Lilac Beds at the
North Bay Waterfront
In 1995, the Society embarked on a significant project, part of the Civic Beautification Program, focusing on replacing shrubs along the waterfront.
Guidance from the Royal Botanical Gardens in Hamilton led to the selection and planting of fifteen Prestonian and French hybrid Lilacs, overseen by Ruby McLeod, Helen Tripp, Audrey Morton, Ella Fudge, Vickie Wiemer, and Orida Cuksts.
Over the years, dedicated members have tended to the bed, weeding, mulching, and pruning the hybrid lilacs after blooming, working alongside members of the North Bay Heritage Gardeners and City of North Bay staff.
The Lilac team gathers on Thursday mornings at 8:30 and invites anyone interested in helping maintain the garden's beauty. To join as a "Green Thumb" and partake in the camaraderie, please contact Maureen at nbayhort@gmail.com.
Your involvement promises shared stories, laughter, advice, and friendship, making this a rewarding endeavour to anticipate and cherish.
Canadore College
&
Nipissing University
Members prepare for the June convocations by designing and planting the gardens by the Canadore College pond and the Nipissing University entrance.
We enjoy sharing gardening knowledge with the Canadore Maintenace staff and summer students. Laporte’s Nursery and Greenhouse offers consultation on beautiful perennial and annual plants for planting.
It is a fun-filled morning ending with an appreciation lunch.
North Bay YMCA
At the YMCA, North Bay Horticultural Society members and YMCA staff decided to spruce up the entranceway garden beds with a burst of colour.
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In 2023, a local scout troop pitched in, earning their gardening badge while working alongside members and leaders.
It's more than just gardening; it's a shared effort that reflects the community's spirit and cooperation at the YMCA.
What We Do
We are passionate about plants and living green!
We love to show the young and young-at-heart the joys and benefits of gardening. Members include friendly local gardeners with all levels of experience and knowledge who enjoy learning more about gardening.
Come join us at our meetings and enjoy guest speakers who offer a wide range of topics. Also popular is the question-and-answer segment with local Master Gardeners, as well as social time.
We hold our popular plant sale annually in May. Join us for group garden activities with garden installations at Canadore College and Nipissing University, the upkeep at the YMCA and the waterfront lilac bed, a strawberry social, and so much more!
Ontario Horticultural Society
The North Bay Horticultural Society is within District 18 and includes a vast geographic area ranging from as far south as Gravenhurst to the west in Parry Sound and north to North Bay. We are under the umbrella organization of the Ontario Horticultural Association which has over 270 organizations throughout Ontario.
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Land Acknowledgment
As members of North Bay Horticultural Society, we acknowledge that we gather and work on the traditional lands of the Anishinabek territory, on lands occupied by the peoples of Nipissing and Dokis First Nations whose aboriginal and treaty rights are recognized by the Robinson Huron Treaty of 1850 and affirmed by Section 35 (1) of the Constitution Act of Canada, 1982.f [Ind, who have stewarded this land for generations.
We recognize the enduring presence and resilience of Indigenous Peoples, and honour their past, present, and future connections to this land, water, and sky.
As stewards of the land ourselves, we commit to ongoing learning, dialogue, and action towards reconciliation.
We commit to building respectful relationships based on mutual understanding, trust, and solidarity.
In the spirit of reconciliation, we offer our heartfelt gratitude to the Indigenous Peoples whose traditional territory we inhabit, and pledge to honour their knowledge, wisdom, and teachings as we cultivate a more just, inclusive, and sustainable future together."
