By: Harry Fischer, CAFES Board Member
Gardening used to be simple – find some bare ground, stick a seed in and wait for Mother Nature to do the rest. Well, times have changed and so has gardening in Ottawa, especially with regards to growing on city property. After years of tangled rules and processes, a bit of lobbying by numerous groups including CAFES Ottawa and Wild Pollinator Partners, and a push by some key City Councillors including Marty Carr, the City of Ottawa has finally carried out some overdue and necessary pruning to the Community Garden program. The result is the coming new and improved Community-Led Greening Initiatives and Gardening Program!
All gardeners need tools and supplies, and the city’s new tools include moving the program to a new city department: Recreation, Cultural and Facility Services (RCFS). RCFS is better positioned to support the program, and has hired two new staff (Krissy May and Katie Lester) to detangle the old model of de-centralized departmental responsibility into a one coordinated group that will centralize program applications, permitting and coordination.
This new group includes key representatives from relevant city departments to give us a functional one-stop point for applications to various community-led greening and gardening and greening proposals. This will ensure all proposals go through a common structured review process with one point of contact, complete with an integrated review of physical, environmental, and safety concerns.
Another key component of this revised program will be the city’s internal "Rule of Three" process - that community applicants will receive timely and clear reasons for any delay or rejection to their application, with suggested modifications and alternate steps to get the project back on the proverbial track.
Since the new staff had a lot of prep work to do, including detangling years of backlogged applications, the new program is a bit delayed (lots of bind weed and stuff like that to cut through!) but it’s anticipated that they will start accepting new applications in early 2026. They can be contacted at: communitygardens@ottawa.ca
The city standards will be benchmarked against current best practices, with opportunities for exemptions on a case-by-case basis. A key change is that soil testing costs for approved food garden projects located on city property will be covered by the city, supporting long-term sustainability.
A Public Information session will be held on Tuesday, February 24th, 2026 at 6:30pm at Ben Franklin Place, to inform city residents about the new changes and processes. Just as any good garden surprises the gardener with new shoots and flowers, this garden program still has some surprises to come, including online application management, a city site inventory and further work integrating program objectives with broader city strategies.
Long-term sustainability will be supported through community engagement, resource sharing, and potential policy adjustments such as fixed-term agreements and updated operational standards. Work is ongoing to get invasive plant removal permitted as an eligible program activity, as is coordinating with the "Adopt-a-Park" program on native pollinator gardens, and exploring GIS mapping for community gardens and greening projects to enhance visibility across Ottawa.
The result of this new program should result in an increase of streamlined community initiatives that lead to a greener, more beautiful, resilient city. Now go plant something!
The author, Harry Fischer can be reached at Ottawagarden1957@gmail.com
For more information, check out the latest memo from RCFS on program updates.
Invasive plant species are a serious issue threatening Ottawa's biodiversity and ecosystems. Invasive plant species are classified as non-native plants that have been introduced, whether intentionally or unintentionally, from other geographical regions that outcompete native vegetation.
Invasive species are problematic not just because they outcompete native plants, but because native wildlife - including pollinator insects and birds - do not naturally use them for food and habitat. Since native wildlife evolved to feed off plants that naturally grow in this region, non-natives that have only been introduced relatively recently do not provide the same nutritional value or key characteristics that many wildlife species need to thrive. This threatens the stability of our ecosystem and further endangers at-risk species, such as Bumble Bees and the Monarch butterfly.
On Friday June 27th, Erica Shardlow, the CAFES' Trees and Greenspace Coordinator, was pleased to attend an excellent walk with members of the Ottawa Field Naturalists Club (OFNC) and the Rideau Trail Association. Guide Alan Smith led the group on an informative hike through the Lime Kiln trail while pointing out invasive plants on the rise, some of which are featured below.
Phragmites are a major invasive in Ottawa, reproducing through roots and often seen spreading along waterways. It is being actively controlled in Ontario through conservation authorities, mainly by spraying, as infestations are often extensive. Research has begun to examine biological control methods via two species of moths whose larvae can damage and kill the plant.
Buckthorn is a massive concern due to its aggressive spreading. The two problematic species in Ottawa are Glossy Buckthorn and Common Buckthorn. They are native to Europe, northwest Africa and western Asia and have veiny leaves with round berries that are enjoyed by birds. Interestingly, the seeds in its berries pass through birds' digestive systems unharmed, allowing the seeds to spread widely and rapidly. Several community associations/organizations in Ottawa have been leaders in removing Buckthorn, including Friends of Hampton Park and Action Sandy Hill.
Dog Strangling Vine (DSV) is yet another huge concern due to its ability to spread rapidly and its difficulty to kill. DSV can grow to be 4-5 feet tall by mid-summer, suffocating understory plants and young trees. DSV is actually related to the milkweed family, at times confusing Monarchs who may lay eggs on its leaves, only for the caterpillars to be unable to feed on the plant after hatching. DSV is a priority species that is seeing active removal efforts by the City of Ottawa and Ontario conservation authorities.
This photo below is of Coltsfoot, another invasive that loves gravel and stony areas and is often seen at the edges of car parks. These plants have bright yellow flowers that resemble dandelions. They are native to Europe, and were likely cultivated by settlers for medicinal properties to treat cold, flu, gout, fever and respiratory illness.
Check out the photos below for some of the other invasives we came across on the walk. Other invasives not seen on the trail but discussed on Friday included Norway Maple, Garlic Mustard, Goutweed, Periwinkle, Russian Olive, Wild Parsnip, Japanese Knotweed, and Giant Hogweed.
Many of these species were introduced by European settlers, and many more continue to be spread as a result of globalization and transportation of goods. Invasives can also be spread by everyday human activities - like hitching a ride on the bottom of our hiking boots or by transporting fire wood when we go camping. Boot cleaning stations at trailheads - which include boot brushes to remove mud, seeds and brush, complete with informative signage - are gaining traction in Ontario as one way to minimize spread.
Many community organizations in the CAFES network are actively engaged in invasive species awareness, advocacy and removal - pushing for more community/volunteer stewardship opportunities with the City of Ottawa.
In fact, CAFES is once again partnering with Carleton University for our annual Community Engagement project, and our topic this year is on invasive plant species! If you are from a Community Association and interested in learning more / sharing your knowledge, consider participating - see here for info.
Also be sure to check out the Ontario Invasive Plant Council for a comprehensive species list and in-depth guides on how to remove key species. You can also find information on what's being done, and what you can do.
Mark your calendars - Wild Pollinator Partners will once again be celebrating Pollinator Appreciation Day at Fletcher Wildlife Garden on Saturday, June 7th, and CAFES will be there! Come on out between 10am - 2pm to meet with others who have created pollinator gardens, learn from scientists who study pollinators, and connect with organizations that support pollinator projects.
This year’s theme is "EVERY BIT MATTERS". Simple actions like adding native plants to your garden, removing a hard surface, or waiting a couple of weeks to tidy up your yard in spring and fall can help preserve biodiversity and increase natural habitat.
You'll be able to learn how to plan your own garden to provide flowers for pollinators, find out how to start a pollinator garden at your local school or park, learn to identify invasive species, and tour the Fletcher Wildlife Garden to see pollination in action. Games and crafts will also be available for kids.
A variety of experts and volunteers from local organizations will be there to share information, answer questions, and tell you everything you need to know about helping pollinators.
CAFES will be selling perennial plants and herbs!
CAFES is excited to be in attendance to sell some of our native perennial plants, which attract pollinators like bees, butterflies, other important insects and hummingbirds to your garden. We will have Black-Eyed Susan, Wild Blue Indigo, Wild Bergamot, Purple Coneflower, New England Aster, Joe Pye Weed, Oxeye (False Sunflower), and Swamp Milkweed. We will also have some herbs available for purchase including Lavender, Oregano, Parsley, Tarragon, Sage and Dill. Visit our table on June 7th to get yours, or pre-order HERE to pick-up in advance at 166 Glebe Avenue.
Wild Pollinator Partners are also holding a free raffle at the event to give-away a little something for your garden. They are offering pollinator favourites that are sure to attract bees and butterflies to your yard: Serviceberry tree (small), Red Osier Dogwood, Figwort, Flat-topped Aster, Heart-leaved Aster, and more.
More information about the event is available here. No registration is required to attend. See you there!
Volunteer Call Out - we are looking for a couple volunteers with a vehicle to help with the set-up for the event including loading up supplies starting at 8am, and to stay for the morning of the event to help sell plants and speak to attendees visiting the CAFES table. Please contact eshardlow@cafesottawa.ca if interested.
