U of G News

Virtual Propagating Plants from Cuttings
2025-02-26 19:00 - 20:00 (America/Toronto) | ONLINE, Ontario, Canada
Cuttings are a great way to propagate all kinds of plants including perennials, trees, shrubs and houseplants. This workshop will look at different ways to propagate cuttings and compare them to using seeds. Most of the time will be spent on techniques that use media other than water.
We’ll distinguish between softwood, semi-hardwood and hardwood cuttings. Have a look at different media and examine the role of rotting hormones, both commercial and DIY options.
The speaker will show you his simplified method that is great for gardeners since it requires no special equipment.
Fee: $10 (plus HST) per person.

Virtual Composting for Gardeners - Introduction to Composting
2025-03-04 19:00 - 20:00 | ONLINE, Ontario, Canada
An introduction to the composting process including the role of microbes, greens and browns, carbon to nitrogen ratios, moisture levels, the importance of temperature and a definition for finished compost. We’ll take a brief look at the pros and cons of various composting methods so that you can select the right workshop for you, in the following weeks.
Fee: $10 (plus HST) per person.

Virtual Bird Sounds Series
2025-03-17 12:00 - 13:00, 2025-03-19 12:00 - 13:00, 2025-03-24 12:00 - 13:00, 2025-03-26 12:00 - 13:00, 2025-03-31 12:00 - 13:00, 2025-04-02 12:00 - 13:00, 2025-04-07 12:00 - 13:00, 2025-04-09 12:00 - 13:00 | Arboretum Centre, 250 Arboretum Rd, Guelph, N1G 2W1, Canada
Into birding but the songs have you stumped? Whether you are new to learning bird sounds or you want a good refresher, this course is for you. Join Chris Earley, Arboretum Interpretive Biologist and author of 5 bird field guides, for a series of eight virtual noon-hour lectures that cover over 150 bird species! We will focus on songs and some common, distinctive calls and will apply different methods to remember them. Each course will start with a short intro topic about birding by ear before we dive into the bird species. Learn how to make your own calls, read a sonogram, make up your own memorable bird song sayings, and more! Each class will finish with a 10-15 minute discussion period so you can ask all your bird-related questions. See the descriptions below to find out which bird groups are covered in each class. All eight programs cost of $70 (plus tax) – that’s less than $10 per program! This fund-raising initiative will help support other Arboretum educational programs.
Fee: $70.00 + H.S.T. This event will take place on Zoom. The list of topics with the presentation date is listed below. If you miss any of the programs, each one is recorded and the recording will be sent to you the next day. The recordings will be available for one month after the last program.
Mondays and Wednesdays, March 17, 19, 24, 26, 31, April 2, 7 and 9, 2025, Noon – 1 p.m.

Composting for Gardeners - Composting Piles, Bins and Drums (Virtual)
2025-03-18 19:00 - 20:00 | ONLINE, Ontario, Canada
The previous workshop provided information about the composting process. This workshop is more hands on and looks at various methods for completing both hot and cold composting. Hot composting is the traditional method using one or more bins. This is a great system that makes faster compost, but it is impractical for smaller gardens. Various plastic bins and drums are more suitable there. We’ll have a look at various commercial and DIY systems.
At the end of this course you will be able to select the right composting system that meets your requirements and you will know how to start the process, care for it, and what to do with the finished compost.
If you are going to take this course it is a good idea to also take Introduction to Composting for Gardeners.
Fee: $10 (plus HST) per person.

Composting for Gardeners - Vermicomposting (Virtual)
2025-03-25 19:00 - 20:00 | ONLINE, Ontario, Canada
Vermicomposting is a way of using earth worms to compost organic material. One benefit of this method is that it can be done in the home using special bins that require a very small space.
The course will introduce you to the equipment needed including some inexpensive DIY options. It will help you select the right kind of worms and show you how to maintain them to keep them healthy. We’ll review ways of harvesting the vermicasts – the worm poop – and explain how it should be treated for best results in the garden.
At the end of this course you will know the basics of taking care of your new pets and how to resolve any problems you might have.
If you are going to take this course it is a good idea to also take Introduction to Composting for Gardeners.
Fee: $10 (plus HST) per person.

Spring Social for Faculty and Staff
2026-04-30 11:30 - 13:00 | University Centre, 150 Research Ln, Guelph, Ontario, N1G2W1, Canada
Thursday, April 30
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
University Centre
Join President Rene Van Acker for lunch and to connect with your colleagues as we celebrate the end of the academic year.
Lunch will be served in the courtyard with seating available throughout the main floor of the University Centre, in Branion Plaza, and Thornbrough atrium. Menu will be posted on U of G Insider closer to the event.
Get your free ticket.
Tickets will be required to attend the event.
Before claiming your ticket, faculty and staff will need to log into the ticket platform using the button in the top right corner that says “Log In / Register.”
