Plants and Gardening -
Grow Anywhere Virtual Learning
Gardening is a great activity for any age, and there's always more to learn. Explore this growing collection of videos and other resources to learn about plants and how to care for them.
Get to Know Plants
Learn about different types of plants and individual plant species.
Videos from the Humber Arboretum:
- Eastern white pine, Ontario's provincial tree
- Prairie Smoke
- Canada Anemone
- Wild Columbine
Plus a backyard garden tour with Lynn Short
More Resources
- Explore dozens of tree species using the Treepedia from ACER, the Association for Canadian Educational Resources
- Download PDF info pages on the many tree and shrub species planted by LEAF (Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests)
- Search the database of North American Native Plants provided by NANPS, the North American Native Plant Society
Tree Planting and Care
Planting a tree or shrub is an exciting way to contribute to a long-term garden plan or community restoration effort. Learn how to set your tree or shrub up for early success and care for it throughout its life.
- Video: Jimmy Vincent's Tree Planting How-to
- PDFs: Download Etobicoke Master Gardener workshop materials on Pruning
More Resources
- Tree Care Tips from Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests (LEAF)
- Tree Health Information from LEAF
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Composting and Soil Health
Healthy plants and soil need great nutrition, just like us! Learn how to turn your kitchen and yard waste into nutrient-rich compost.
- Video: Take a tour of Master Composter Lynn's home compost set-up
- Video: Learn why Nature Interpreter Laura loves her drum-shaped composter
- PDFs: Download Etobicoke Master Gardener workshop materials from the Soil Health workshop
More Resources
- Evergreen's Guide to Backyard Composting
- Evergreen's Guide to Composting Indoors with Worms
- Video: Can You Make Soil? from the Royal Botanical Gardens
- K-12 Soil Science Teacher Resources from the Soil Science Society of America
- Dig Deeper: Soil4Kids website from the Soil Science Society of America
Native Plant Gardens
Native plants are plants which are naturally occurring in a region, which means they evolved alongside the other organisms that live in or migrate through the area. Native plants can have multiple symbiotic relationships with wildlife, microorganisms, and each other. Choosing to plant native plants in your garden provides much-needed food and shelter to wildlife. Plus, compared to plants brought into an area from other parts of the world, native plants tend to grow deeper roots (which also helps trap more carbon in the soil), need less watering, and are better adjusted to the local climate.
- Webpage: Learn about the Humber Arboretum's Demonstration Pollinator Garden and get tips on how to create your own
- YouTube Playlist: Watch the growing collection of Native Plant video profiles by Humber Arboretum staff
- PDF: Download the Building a Bird Garden in Toronto guide from the Humber Arboretum and Birds Canada
- PDFs: Download Etobicoke Master Gardener workshop materials from Native Plant Gardening 101, Bird Friendly Gardening, and Bird and Pollinator Friendly Gardening
For Kids
- PDF: Download the Humber Arboretum's Bird Garden Colouring Booklet for Kids
External Resources:
- Watch this archived Facebook Livestream video from the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority on planting natives and the Meadoway Restoration project
Control Invasive Plant Species
Along with planting native plant species, it's also important to control invasive species - plants which are originally from other parts of the world that tend to out-compete native plants without contributing to local ecosystems. But controlling invasives can be tricky, and using the wrong technique can sometimes make the problem worse. Learn leading practices for controlling invasive plant species on your own property or when you're volunteering with conservation efforts.
- Video: How to Control Invasive Garlic Mustard with Lynn Short