Green thumbs—this one’s for you!

Gooood morning everybody and Happy St. Paddy’s Day! What a weekend! Even with yesterday’s rain, it was a perfect reminder that spring is right around the corner. Time to shake off those winter blues and start thinking green. Whether you're ready to get your garden going or just enjoy being outside, there's plenty to look forward to this week. Let’s kick it off with some energy and excitement!

Today Around YGK:

• Whip out your gardening gloves

• Four-week oil painting workshop for beginners

• Sign up for a yoga and bracelet making workshop

and much more…

Weather

Monday
High 5°C | A mix of sun and clouds
Low -5°C | Wind: 27 km/h

Tuesday
High 7°C | ☀️ 
Low -3°C | Wind: 23 km/h

7-Day Forecast

Weather loves to keep us on our toes! Be sure to check an official weather source closer to the date for the latest forecast. ⛅️

Green thumbs, this one’s for you!

With winter finally packing its bags (knock on wood), your garden is begging for a comeback. It's time to evict the weeds, fluff the soil, and let spring do its thing. 

New to gardening?
Here are 3 easy ways to prep for the season:

Clean up & prune – Remove leaves, branches, and debris to keep pests away. Trim dead or damaged branches on trees and shrubs for healthy new growth.

Prep the soil – Test pH levels (kits available at garden centers) and mix in compost or aged manure to improve drainage and nutrients. Ontario’s clay-heavy soil benefits from extra organic matter.

Plant early crops – Cool-season veggies like kale, spinach, and peas can go in now, while warm-season crops like tomatoes and peppers should be started indoors.

Want to learn more? Check out Gardening Kingston Facebook page and their upcoming Plant Sale event on Saturday, May 24!

Where to get your garden essentials:
Sun Harvest Greenhouses *Gold winner of the 2024 Community Votes for Plant Stores
Potter’s Nurseries
Marshall’s Nursery and Garden

You can also buy homey house plants from these local shops:

Happy Roots House Plants *Platinum winner of the 2024 Community Votes for Plant Stores
The Plant Shelf - * Silver winner of the 2024 Community Votes for Plant Stores
Daughters General Store
Neil’s Flowers and Greenhouses
Chartreuse Flower Works
Butternut Creek Flowers

Want to get more involved with the gardening scene in Kingston? Apply to volunteer for Kingston’s Community Gardens! (City of Kingston)

Weekend Wrap-Up

World's oldest brewery makes non-alcoholic wheat beer and it’s available in Kingston!
The Everly Wine & Spirits Shop is offering a non-alcoholic wheat beer from the world’s oldest brewery! It’s the perfect option for anyone craving that classic beer taste without the buzz.

Mark Carney Sworn in as Canada’s 24th Prime Minister
Mark Carney has officially taken the reins as Canada's 24th Prime Minister following a swearing-in ceremony at Rideau Hall. His new cabinet, blending both seasoned leaders and fresh faces, marks the end of the Justin Trudeau era and sets the stage for what could be a Spring election. (Kingston Daily)

Remembering Leonore Foster
Former Kingston councillor Leonore Foster, a powerhouse in local politics, has passed away. Known for her dedication and big impact on the city, she leaves behind a lasting legacy. (Kingstonist)

Support Extend-A-Family Kingston’s Hydroponic Greenhouse Fundraiser
Extend-A-Family Kingston is working towards a hydroponic greenhouse to grow 20,000 heads of produce annually and boost local food security. The fundraising campaign runs until March 31, and you can donate at any KCCU branch or online. Every $20+ donation comes with a tax receipt! (City of Kingston)

Musician Archibald to explore Titanic’s history through music
David Archibald is bringing the Titanic's tragic history to life through music! The Kingston-based artist will dive into the infamous story with a unique performance that blends history and melody, offering a fresh perspective on the ship's legacy. (The Whig)

Take-home croissants & pain au chocolat now available for delivery!
Mac’s Chocolate Bakeshop is making mornings even better! You can now order their delicious take-home and bake croissants and pain au chocolat for delivery. Fresh, flaky goodness—straight to your door!

Christian Purboo Named OUA East Goalie of the Year!
Big congrats to Christian Purboo, who’s been named OUA East Goalie of the Year! His stellar performance between the pipes earned him top honors. Well deserved, Christian! (Queen’s Gaels)

Local Find

Olivea’s menu is a must-try, featuring standout dishes that will have you coming back for more! They’re also part of Kingstonlicious, offering special curated selections that you can enjoy before March 31, but if you can’t make it in time, their regular dishes are worth a visit any day of the week.

What’s Happenin’

Yoga + Crystal Bracelet Making | Saturday, April 5, 2025 | 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. | The Yoga Loft | $35 + HST | Stretch, flow, and design your own crystal bracelet. Perfect combo of zen and creativity—bring your mat, they’ll supply the beads!

Monday

Run Club: Lagers & Joggers | 5:25 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. | Fine Balance Brewing Co. | Run first, beer later. Join Runners’ Choice for a casual jog, then reward yourself with a pint and pizza. Free and fun for all paces.

Live Jazz (All Ages) | 8:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. | Musiikki Café & Whiskey Bar | Smooth jazz, stiff drinks. Pay what you can, or add a tip to your tab if you’re short on cash. Minors can vibe, but the bar is 19+.

Tuesday

Lululemon Weekly Fun Run | 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. | Lululemon| Run, jog, or power walk—this free weekly meetup is for all skill levels. Meet at the store and hit the pavement.

Wednesday

Crisis Communications for Startups & SMEs | 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. | Free | 945 Princess Street | A crisis can make or break a business—learn how to respond effectively while maintaining trust with customers and stakeholders.

Thursday

Beginner Oil Painting | Thursdays, March 20 - April 17 | 6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. | Artist Studio Loft | $256.93 | Learn oil painting in this 4-week course with Shannon Dickie. Explore colour mixing, clouds, and water—perfect for beginners. Materials included!

Hosting an event? Submit it to our calendar here.

_{Note: Events may be cancelled or have changed times. Be sure to see our event calendar and reach out to the venue before going.}

Signing Off

Share this with a friend who loves gardening—or wants to give it a try!

See you Wednesday for our next newsletter, where we’ll have more fresh ideas and local updates.

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