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In 1886 the Canadian federal Department of Agriculture needed a central agricultural research station, the Experimental Farm was established, and ever since Ottawa, Ontario Canada is the only national capital city in the world to have a working farm right in the heart of the city.
Yes, it’s only in Ottawa that you can find a scene as shown in the photo below, right near the center of the city.
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The experimental farm is an active research facility and a National Historic Site, requiring some careful management to allow it to fulfill both roles.
As a National Historical Site the experimental farm welcomes both the citizens of Ottawa and guests to tour the facility. Things to do include seeing the:
• Arboretum
• Ornamental Gardens
• Greenhouses
• Heritage Buildings
• Canada Agriculture Museum
The Arboretum, a lovely 26 hectares in size nestled between the Experimental Farm and the Rideau Canal, offers drive or walk through convenience to see a variety of well established trees, some planted in the experimental farm in 1889, some shown in the picture below.
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Or, you can park at one of the spots to wander the grounds, perhaps have a picnic, or just relax among the beautiful trees.
The Arboretum is open to the visiting public from sunup to sundown year round, and there is no charge to visit and enjoy the grounds.
When you visit The Arboretum, and if you are a Hosta fan, try not to miss the walking tour of the Hosta Garden located on the Arboretum grounds. Though it was May 2007 when I was last there, and though none of the Hostas were in bloom, I think these pictures will show that it’s still a beautiful spot to visit.
Depending on the time of the year, the Ornamental Gardens are just glorious, a small glimpse which you can see from the picture below.
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It was a gorgeous late May 2007 day when I last visited the Ornamental Gardens at the Experimental Farm. Lilacs of all colors and kinds were in rich, fragrant bloom, their bouquet infusing the warm, humid spring air with indescribable fragrance. A late May visit to the Ornamental Gardens will let you, too, experience this.
Here’s a series of pictures of the Ornamental Gardens for your interest. Please click here.
There’s much more to see and do at the Experimental Farm than I have shown here. Best visit to see for yourself.
Getting there:
See the Google map here. The Experimental Farm fills the grey area between Fisher and Prince of Wales Drive, and Baseline and Carling. You can zoom out or in on the Google map to help orient yourself to where you are staying in Ottawa.
On the map, please note the little white circle route at the right end of Promenade National Capital Commission Parkway. That’s the Arboretum area.
It’s just over 6 kilometres (4 miles) to the Central Experimental Farm from the Parliament Buildings. As noted earlier, it is located right in the heart of Ottawa.
Contact details:
E-mail: cef-fec@agr.gc.ca
Mailing address:
CEF Information
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
K.W. Neatby Building - Room 1103
960 Carling Avenue
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0C6
Telephone: 613-759-1837
Facsimile: 613-759-6901 (Be sure to mark "Attn: CEF Information" on your cover page)
Central Experimental Farm Web Site
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