Interesting Perspectives & Wisdom From The Master Gardeners of Ottawa-Carleton (MGOC)

September 22:  In-person:  A panel of Master Gardeners of Ottawa-Carleton

Interesting Perspectives and Wisdom from the Master Gardeners of Ottawa-Carleton

Join us for an engaging panel discussion featuring a group of experience Master Gardeners who will share their insights on a range of timely and practical gardening themes.  From tackling common garden challenges to exploring new trends and techniques, this session promises something for everyone.  There will also be plenty of time for audience questions– come curious and ready to learn from the best!
Speaker profiles
Mary Crawford: Master Gardener of Ottawa-Carleton

Mary joined Master Gardeners of Ottawa Carleton in 2020 and finds this group to be an excellent match for her lifelong passion for the natural world and sharing that passion with others. She enjoys making presentations as well as writing articles for Trowel Talk and publications such as Fifty-Five Plus. Topics range from precision pruning and starting herb gardens to the history of traditional tobacco and the beauty of New York’s High Line park. She has come to realize you never know where plant love will lead you.
Odette McIntyre: Master Gardener of Ottawa-Carleton 
Odette’s passion for horticulture began in Ste. Anne de Beaupré, Québec. working alongside her father in the family garden. She studied in plant science and ecology at the Institut de Technologie Agricole. After graduating, she worked at the Montréal Botanical Garden for four years before moving to Toronto, where she served in a York Region municipality until retirement.
Odette’s gardening career has focused on sustainability and cold-climate production, experimenting with plant varieties and cultivation techniques. She joined Master Gardeners in 2013 in Toronto. Since relocating to Ottawa to be closer to her grand-daughters,Odette has shared her knowledge through presentations and workshops to several local gardening groups, the Ottawa Public Library Gardening Programs, the Ottawa Home & Garden Show and other community events. She is now the Coordinator of meetings for the Master Gardeners of Ottawa-Carleton.
Lee Ann Smith: Master Gardener of Ottawa-Carleton
Lee Ann is rather unique among Master Gardeners (MG): unlike most Master Gardeners, she did not grow up under the guidance of a gardener. Both her parents hated all forms of yard work and her sister declares that any hole she digs for a plant is a grave! Despite the rough start, Lee Ann has been happily creating gardens both at home in Richmond and at her cottage for over 40 years.
When she isn’t gardening, Lee Ann is writing, often about gardening. She is the author of two non-fiction history books, many magazine articles, and is also an award-winning poet.
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Discover the Full 2026 Speaker Lineup
We invite you to explore inspiring season of presentations curated by our Speaker Series Program Leads. Follow the link below to view the complete lineup of speakers, learn about their areas of expertise, and dive into their profiles. It’s a remarkable collection of voices shaping the horticultural conversation in Ottawa and beyond.
View the Speaker Series 2026 Program