Find plants, deepen your knowledge, and connect with people who garden here.
Plants
Streamside Native Plants — Bowser.
Natural Abundance nursery — Nanaimo.
Satinflower plant catalogue — Browse native plants.
Books and resources
The Garry Oak Gardener’s Handbook — A free native-garden planning guide (PDF).
CRD native plant guides — Choosing plants for different conditions.
Habitat Acquisition Trust resource library — Gardening for wildlife and habitat.
All times are local. Please check with each organizer for the latest details and available spaces.
Event • October 15, 2026
Native Plants: Nature’s Blueprint for Healthy Streamside Ecosystems
A Native Plant Study Group talk with Stephanie Gurney. Thursday, October 15, 2026 at 7pm, at Swan Lake Nature House, 3873 Swan Lake Road, and online via Zoom. Donations welcomed; free for members.
Event details and Zoom registration
Workshop • October 23, 2026
Practical Tools for Measuring Soil Health
Try hands-on soil testing with the Compost Education Centre. Friday, October 23, 2026, 10:30am–noon, in Victoria’s Oaklands neighbourhood. Free; registration required. The exact address is emailed to registrants.
Workshop details and registration
Workshop • October 24, 2026
Starting Native Plants from Seed
A Nanaimo & Area Land Trust workshop. Saturday, October 24, 2026 at 10am, at Rotary Field House, 850 Third Street, Nanaimo. $30 includes seeds from about 20 native grasses and flowering plants, plus a flat of 18 ten-centimetre pots. Space is limited.
Workshop details
Workshop • October 25, 2026
Winter Sowing with Connie Kuramoto
Get a head start on next year’s garden with a simple approach to sowing seeds in fall and winter. Sunday, October 25, 2026, 1–3pm, at Beban Learning Gardens, Nanaimo. $20. Search for course 176061 when registering.
City activity guide · Registration information
Class • October 31, 2026
Plant Identification & Culture with Jane Tice
Build your plant knowledge in the classroom and gardens. Saturday, October 31, 2026, 1–4pm, at the Gardens at HCP, 505 Quayle Road, Saanich. Meet in the classroom. $50 per session, or $40 for HCP members, including garden admission. Advance registration required; six participants are needed for the class to run.
Class details · October 31 registration
Online talk • November 2, 2026
Small Garden Fruit
Explore berries and other small fruits with Master Gardener Sylvia Neden. Monday, November 2, 2026, 6:30–8pm, on Zoom. Free, presented by Vancouver Island Regional Library and the Vancouver Island Master Gardeners Association. Register to receive the link.
Talk details and registration
Garden club talk • November 6, 2026
Pruning with Debora Gurrad
Join the Nanoose Garden Club at Nanoose Library Hall on Friday, November 6, 2026. Registration opens at 1pm and the meeting starts at 1:15pm, with the speaker usually presenting from 2–3pm. The club’s AGM is also on the agenda. Guests are welcome for $5, cash only.
Meeting details
