It’s summertime: the living is easy, the sun is shining, and it’s the perfect time to sit on a patio and enjoy some of the best food and drink that the Kawarthas have to offer.

With so many lakes and rivers, there are plenty of waterfront destinations to sit and sip. Prefer something a little more urban? Soak up the sun and people watch on a street-side patio.

And if you enjoy music, many restaurants also offer live bands on their patios — making for a perfect summer evening out.

And don’t compromise on taste: these include some of the top restaurants and craft breweries in the region. Cheers!

The Hunter Street Cafe District

Kettle Drums (224 Hunter St. W., Peterborough, 705-874-1500)

Sangria lovers will want to head to Kettle Drums, where you can pick from a red, white or rose sangria. The white sangria has peach schnapps, fresh fruit and mint leaves, the red kicks things up a notch with a nip of cherry brandy, and the rose features strawberry puree and basil. Chin chin!

La Hacienda (190 Hunter St. W., Peterborough, 705-742-1559)

Come in the morning for chilaquiles, huevos rancheros and mimosas. Come in the evening for sopa azteca, and enchiladas. La Hacienda’s patio is a great place to enjoy authentic Mexican cuisine, or simply to cool off with an outstanding margarita.

Black Honey (217 Hunter St. W., Peterborough, 705-750-0014)

If it’s brunch time on the weekend head to Black Honey, where you can get a really great cup of coffee and a nice meal on the patio. Be sure to save room for dessert, and take some time admire the murals in the area painted by local artist and kawarthaNOW columnist Shannon Taylor.

Spanky’s Downtown Pub and Patio (201 Hunter St. W., Peterborough, 705-874-5078)

Spanky’s patio is a great destination for evening drinks, and with this street-side view it’s a great place to people watch. Feeling the heat? Grab something icy from the slushie machine.

One Eighty Sports Pub (180 Hunter St., Peterborough, 705-874-0989)

Caesar lovers need look no further. One Eighty Sports Pub’s build your own Caesar menu features kielbasa, pepperettes, pickles, smoked bacon, brie, jalapeno havarti and more. You can enjoy your snack and drink in one on their street-side patio in the heart of the Hunter Street Cafe district.

The Only Cafe (216 Hunter St. W., Peterborough, 705-743-7591)

The Only Cafe patio is one of the most beloved patios in the downtown core. It’s a good pick day and night: stop by late in the morning for one of their famous breakfasts. Stop late in the evening for last call overlooking Jackson’s creek.

Peterborough Downtown

Silver Bean Cafe (130 King St., Peterborough, 705-749-0535)

The Silver Bean’s patio is nestled in Millennium Park, and it’s one of the most scenic in downtown Peterborough. Come to the Silver Bean for beautiful river views, lots of trees for shade, great coffee and a locally focused menu.

Fresh Dreams (373 Queen St., Peterborough, 705-559-7731)

Fresh Dreams’ patio is a little slice of Europe, and it’s the perfect place to enjoy their Spanish cuisine. Tapas include Spanish artichoke hearts, oyster mushrooms, patatas bravas and a mini cheese fondue. Paella is served on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Riley’s Pub (251 George St. N., Peterborough, 705-750-0375)

Get ready to shout it from the rooftops: Riley’s rooftop patio is a great place for a beer and some crowd-pleasing pub food overlooking the downtown and the river.

The Riverside Grill and Gazebo (150 George St. N., Peterborough, 705-740-6564)

The Riverside Grill and Gazebo has a lot going for it: perfect views of the Otonabee River and Little Lake, regular live music nights, a locally focused menu and lots of space for you and your friends. If the weather takes a sudden turn, head inside: the large picture windows still offer a great view, and the dining room menu is exceptional.

The Ashburnham Ale House (128 Hunter St. E., Peterborough, 705-874-0333)

This small but mighty patio is a great place to try a new craft beer in the sunshine (there is also outside seating for small groups along the side of the building facing the Rotary trail). Not feeling the beer? (Absurd!) Their weekend brunch menu is outstanding.

The Publican House (300 Charlotte St., Peterborough, 705-874-5743)

With a variety of outstanding beers made on the premise and a kitchen overseen by Chef Brad Watt, the patio of the Publican House is a great place to relax outside while enjoying some truly outstanding food and drink.

Buckhorn, Woodview, and Young’s Point

Main Street Landing (1939 Lakehurst Road, Buckhorn, 705-657-9094)

Watch the boat traffic at Buckhorn’s Lock 31 and enjoy a meal at Main Street Landing, known for its large patio by the water. The menu offers a good selection of pub grub and lots of tasty breakfasts.

The Boathouse at Viamede Resort (595 Mount Julian Viamede Road, Woodview, 705-654-3344)

Overlook the water in a former boathouse at Viamede Resort. The kitchen sources locally, with some items foraged or farmed from Viamede’s own grounds. The Boathouse is open only in the high season: from the Canada Day weekend to the Labour Day weekend.

Lock 27 Tap and Grill Restaurant (2824 River Ave, Young’s Point, 705-652-6000)

With an outstanding view of Clear Lake and lots of daily specials, Lock 27 Tap and Grill Restaurant is a great place to soak up the sun by the water. The beverage menu includes refreshing cocktails and local craft beer.

Bridgenorth, Ennismore, and Lakefield

Chemong Lodge (764 Hunter St., Bridgenorth, 705-292-8435)

Bridgenorth’s prime rib destination also has a sunny patio featuring live music every Friday and Saturday throughout the summer.

Sippin Dip (1500 Yankee Line, Bridgenorth, 705-292-0292)

After a day spent at Bridgenorth’s Jones Beach, head to the Sippin Dip, where you can enjoy a pickerel dinner by the water under the shade of a thatch umbrella.

The Canoe and Paddle (18 Bridge St, Lakefield, 705-651-1111)

The Canoe and Paddle patio is a great place to soak up the sun and listen to the Otonabee River rush by. Their menu of pub food truly has something for everyone. You’ll want to stop by on the weekend: they have live music on Saturdays and $5 Caesars on Sundays.

Lindsay, Fenelon Falls, and Bobcaygeon

The Grand Experience (171 Kent St. W., Lindsay, 705-324-9444)

Spanning half a city block, The Grand Experience has been around since the 1980s. Their street-side patio is a great spot to grab a few beverages and do some people watching in Lindsay’s beautiful downtown.

The Pie Eyed Monk (8 Cambridge St N, Lindsay, 705-212-2200)

The Pie Eyed Monk patio is a great place to sit and enjoy the architecture of the historic C.L. Baker Building, but with house made craft beer options like the Laughing Troll, the Angry Viking and Blasphemous Rumours, you won’t just be enjoying the architecture for long. The menu includes a variety of wood fired pizzas and fish and chips breaded with spent brewing grains, among others.

Murphy’s Lockside Pub and Patio (3 May St., Fenelon Falls, 705-879-1100)

Located close to Lock 34 in Fenelon Falls, Murphy’s Lakeside Pub and Patio is the perfect spot to watch the boat traffic. Opt for a refreshing mojito or a mint julep, or try something from their craft beer fridge.

That Place on Cameron (16 Oriole Rd, Fenelon Falls, 705-887-7690)

The patio at That Place on Cameron has a beautiful view of Cameron Lake. You can travel there by car or boat, but be sure to come with an appetite. Portions here are generous.

The Kawartha Coffee Company (58 Bolton St, Bobcaygeon, 705-738-1500)

The largest patio in the Kawartha Lakes region doesn’t just serve coffee: there’s a full beverage menu, and a menu featuring Mexican cuisine. On the patio there’s a food truck, plenty of space to lounge, and a mural painted by artist Penni Holdham to honour the local nature and wildlife, Bobcaygeon’s Indigenous heritage and the famous song by the Tragically Hip. Looking for some fun? Come for live music or karaoke night.

Bobcaygeon Inn (31 Main Street, Bobcaygeon, 705-738-5433)

Unwind by the river at the Bobcaygeon Inn: their expansive patio has plenty of space to sit and enjoy the views.

Rice Lake, Bewdley, and Keene

The Wild Blue Yonder Pub and Patio (1045 Settler’s Line, Keene, 705-295-4591)

Head to the Wild Blue Yonder Pub and Patio at Elmhirst Resort for angus burgers from cattle raised on Elmhirst’s own farm, local craft beer, and an outstanding Tuesday night music lineup.

Muddy’s Pit BBQ (3247 Country Rd. 2, Keene, 705-295-1255)

Southern BBQ is best enjoyed outside, and Muddy’s offers a covered patio where you can do just that. Their Sunday afternoon music lineup is outstanding, as are their regular specials. Pulled pork, bacon and brisket on an apple fritter bun? Only at Muddy’s.

Rhino’s Roadhouse (5078 Rice Lake Drive, Bewdley, 905-797-2744)

Open since 1988, Rhino’s Roadhouse is a Bewdley institution. Grab some of their famous wings and a beverage and enjoy the view of Rice Lake.

There are so many great patios in the Kawarthas, we couldn’t get to them all! Did we miss your favourite? Feel free to comment below to let us (and our readers) know!

With growing season upon us, many of us are eagerly planting vegetables, annuals, and perennials in our yards.

However, before heading to a nearby nursery or taking a cutting from an attractive plant, consider that some plants are more suitable for our local environment than others.

You may have heard plants being referred to as native, aggressive, or invasive. These terms are important to know when it comes to selecting your plants, but the choices can be difficult to navigate.

“Native species are plants that have been here for such a long time that other plants and animals have evolved, and sometimes adapted, around the existence of the native plant,” explains Vern Bastable, manager of Greenup Ecology Park.

Ecology Park carries a wide selection of native plants, including bee balm, purple coneflower, and wild strawberry. In addition to providing excellent habitat for pollinators, each of these plants has edible and medicinal properties for humans. These plants are perennials, meaning that as long as they are planted properly and regularly watered, they should come back year after year.

Aggressive plants can spread quickly, moving into unintended areas of a garden. But this does not mean they are necessarily affecting the environment in a negative way. For example, the aforementioned wild strawberry is known to spread aggressively through its trailing root system, but its native status and fruit bearing ability make it favourable.

In addition to all the native plants and some not-so-bad aggressive plants in the province, there are plants that are invasive in Ontario. This means they have been brought here from elsewhere in the world, commonly Europe or Asia, and have a known tendency to spread — and even outcompete native species.

“When invasive plants are allowed to establish, they will take over the ecosystem, altering it irreversibly to the detriment of the environment, economy, and social enjoyment,” says Belinda Junkin, executive director of the Ontario Invasive Plant Council. “If invasive plants are allowed to spread uncontrollably, they will become a costly and difficult issue to resolve in the future.”

Invasive species outcompete native plants by growing earlier and faster, and by taking in more nutrients and sunlight than native species. The Invading Species Awareness Program and the Ontario Invasive Plant Council have more information about which plants and animals are considered invasive in the province.

Some invasive species have been intentionally introduced in Ontario for food, or because they are attractive and self-sustaining in garden plots. For example, European buckthorn was planted in fencerows and windbreaks on North American farms in the 1880s. Buckthorn produces bluish black berries. When birds eat the berries, the seeds are quickly and widely distributed through their fecal matter, allowing this plant to proliferate and outcompete shrubs that are native to this area.

By contrast, other invasive species have arrived unintentionally, such as European Common Reed (phragmites australis). It is unknown how this species arrived in North America from Eurasia. Phragmites is often seen growing along highway ditches or wetland shorelines, and can grow up to six metres (20 feet) tall. This invasive grass is able to spread quickly by seed and through underground shoots.

Densely packed phragmite stems can make it difficult for slow-moving turtles to access wetlands or waterways where they live. Further, this plant emits toxins from its roots that inhibit the growth of other plant species near it, allowing it to proliferate further.

With all of this in mind, you may be wondering what you can do to prevent the spread of invasive plants in Ontario.

First, you can learn which plants are invasive, and be sure to research plants before you take a cutting or purchase them for your yard. The Ontario Invading Species Awareness Program and the Ontario Invasive Plant Council are great resources for learning about these species, which you may not have known are invasive.

For example, periwinkle, goutweed, and English ivy are frequently found at garden centres and sold as ornamental ground covers, but are actually native to Europe and Asia and are extremely invasive here in Ontario.

You can also learn what kind of soil and light conditions you have on your property, and consult the Grow Me Instead: Beautiful Non-Invasive Plants for Your Garden guide for selecting native plants that can beautifully replace the invasive options.

For example, replace invasive periwinkle with native wild ginger, wild strawberry, or mayapple. The guide provides a great list of native swap-outs for the invasive counterparts.

Researchers are monitoring the spread of invasive species. You can help by reporting them online at the EDDMapS (Early Detection & Distribution Mapping System) website.

This reporting app includes images, descriptions, and distribution maps to help you identify invasive species. You can also take your own pictures and use the built-in GPS to quickly report invasive species, right from your location.

You can also get involved in invasive species removal programs through the Invading Species Awareness Program or Ontario Invasive Plant Council.

And consider making a donation to the Ontario Invasive Plant Council. The provincial government has recently cut all of its funding to the council, which is the province’s primary source of information and the coordinating body for invasive plant management and control.

If you’re removing invasive species from your yard, be sure to dispose of them properly. They should not be composted but rather put in the garbage, or used as fuel for your next campfire.

You can also learn to make use of some invasive plants. If you’re pulling garlic mustard plants, you may later add the leaves to salads because this plant is edible. Another great use of an invasive is to make solitary bee houses from invasive phragmites; the stems are hollow and can be bundled to make perfect nesting areas for native bees to lay their eggs.

Enjoy your garden this summer by planting native, locally adapted species that will not only look beautiful but will also showcase our natural heritage.

To purchase a wide selection of native wildflowers, shrubs and trees, visit Greenup Ecology Park at 1899 Ashburnham Drive in Peterborough. The Garden Market is open Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Friday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Ecology Park Plant Catalogue is available at www.greenup.on.ca/plant-category/plant-catalog/.