This year, Communities in Bloom Ontario (CiB Ontario) is in full swing, brimming with excitement and a renewed sense of purpose. We are especially thrilled to extend a warm welcome to Blake Tubby, who has graciously accepted the pivotal role of chair of CiB Ontario. Tubby’s leadership marks a significant moment for our program and his extensive background promises a vibrant future for our initiatives.

Tubby brings an impressive 23 years of experience in the landscape industry. As the visionary owner and operator of Arbordale Landscaping, a highly respected firm dedicated to enhancing the green spaces of the Greater Toronto Area, Tubby possesses a deep understanding of horticultural excellence and community beautification. His passion for the profession extends beyond his business as he shares his knowledge as an instructor in the Landscape Technician Program at Humber College. He also currently serves on the advisory panel for Seneca College's Environmental Landscape Program. Tubby’s commitment to the industry is evident through his continued service as a member at large on the Landscape Ontario Provincial Board of Directors and is active on several advisory committees. Tubby’s experience, combined with his infectious enthusiasm, will undoubtedly be a tremendous asset to CiB Ontario. He is excited to bring a fresh perspective to our program and is looking forward to collaborating with the CiB Ontario board to further the organization’s goal of helping to beautify the entire province.

This year, CiB Ontario is proud to announce we will be evaluating five communities vying for recognition for their dedication to horticultural excellence and community engagement. Our judges will be visiting Brantford, County of Brant, Township of Southgate, North Grenville and downtown Kingston.

In addition to these communities, we are delighted to include three "friend" communities who are actively participating in the spirit of Communities in Bloom, focusing on growth and improvement: Greater Napanee, Town of Amherstburg and Vaughan.

To ensure the highest standards of evaluation, our judges have undergone rigorous training by Communities in Bloom National. Furthermore, CiB Ontario has taken an innovative step by creating a special video specifically designed to assist our judges in their assessments. This valuable resource will soon be readily available on the CiB Ontario website, providing comprehensive guidance and ensuring consistency in the evaluation process.

A particularly exciting aspect of this year's program is our engaging theme: edible gardens. We can’t wait to see the innovative and creative ways communities will embrace this theme, showcasing the beauty and bounty of locally grown produce. The theme not only highlights sustainable practices, but also encourages community engagement through shared harvests and green initiatives.

The evaluation period for communities in Ontario is scheduled to take place between the end of July and August — a time when gardens are at their peak and community efforts are flourishing. 

The culmination of this year's hard work and dedication will be celebrated at the Communities in Bloom Symposium and Awards, which will take place Oct. 16-19, 2025, in Stratford, Ont. This prestigious event offers a wonderful opportunity for communities to share their successes, learn from one another and be recognized for their outstanding achievements. More information about the symposium and awards can be found at communitiesinbloom.ca/symposium-awards.

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