No, don’t stay at home waiting for the petals to fall off your magnolia. There are far too many things to do and see this weekend after your weeding. F’rinstance…

May 2nd:

• The tulip celebration (all weekend, 10 am to 5 pm, and for the following two weekends) in the rock garden of the Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington.

• Jane’s Walk events across the city all weekend, including some gardeny ones. Like the tour of Seton Ravine to look at Urban Water & Edible Plants with native plant guru Lorraine Johnson — and with the promise of a taste of Garlic Mustard Bruschetta afterwards (so you can weed and eat at the same time.) It’s bright and early at 10 am. Jane’s Walk is an event happening in 24 cities across Canada in honour of, and inspired by, urbanist visionary Jane Jacobs.

May 3rd:

• The plant sale of the Ontario Rock Garden and Hardy Plant Society at the Toronto Botanical Gardens, 1 to 5 pm. Score some unusual plants and shrubs. Note the word “hardy”.

• The High Park Native Plant Sale, 11 am to 2 pm. Get details on this and more to do with native plants from Toronto blogger Native Plant Girl.

That’s just a smattering. And perhaps the petals will last till you get home.

[Note: Though the dates may change from year to year, these events are annual and always happen around the same time. If your time machine has taken you here back in 2009, be sure to look for them in whatever year you’re in.]