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Monday, April 12, 2010 Today Editor
BARBARA TAYLOR
 • 519-667-5468 • barbara.taylor@sunmedia.ca
GREEN PLANET
How does your garden grow?
SUZANNE ELSTON
QMI Agency
From Victoria to St. John, community gardens are sprout-ing up across Canada like spring
owers. A community garden is simply any piece of land that is gar-dened by a group of people. Gar-dens can be located on private or public lands such as school- yards, church lawns, hospitals, or neighbourhood parks. Gar-dens can also be a series of plots dedicated to urban agriculture,  where the produce is grown for a market. For Mary Drummond, com-munity gardens are about creat-ing and strengthening commu-nities. Drummond is a registered nurse who
rst became involved  with community gardens in her capacity as a trained parish nurse in Whitby, Ontario.“We were dealing with a congregation that had a lot of issues — diabetes, low-incomes and mental,” said Drummond. “These were people who were trying to deal with an incredible amount of stress without the bene
t of strong relationships or social networks.”The solution was to create a community garden that would provide access to healthy, nutri-tious food, raise environmental awareness and provide a place  where people could come together to work for a common purpose. “In growing their own food, they ultimately grew themselves into a community,” said Drum-mond. “Air, water, food — it all con-nects,” said Drummond. “You can’t grow food without a good, healthy environment.” Community gardens also help to foster a sense of community pride and ownership, which in turn helps to lower local crime rates. “Where gardens flourish, crime rates drop because people are engaged in their community,” said Drum-mond. “Community gar-dens are the most cost effective way for govern-ments to deal with a broad range of issues.”In Drummond’s case, her garden has grown into a 100-bed cooperative that is com-prised of both volunteers and community members. Food is grown and donated to food banks and people in need. “Last year we donated over 3,900 pounds of produce to the Salvation Army, food banks, a Muslim welfare home, a  youth shelter, and Eng-lish as a second lan-guage (ESL) classes,” said Drummond.
Steps to launch your community garden
 
Identify your resources
Do a community assessment to discover what already exists to help you create your garden. Contact your local municipality, conservation area or horticultural society.
Approach a sponsor
Churches, schools, private businesses or parks and recreation departments are all possible supporters.
Put the rules in writing
Before you begin, agree on basic rules such as how plots are assigned, who does basic maintenance and how the garden is funded.
Organize a meeting
Invite anyone you think might be interested. Decide what kind of garden you want to grow and who should benefit.
Choose a site
Vegetables need at least six hours of sunlight a day, as well as access to water. Find out who owns the land and approach the owner about leasing it.
Organize the garden
Decide how many plots are available and how they are assigned. Allow extra space for pathways between plots, a compost pile and a place to store tools.
Prepare and develop
Invest in soil sampling to ensure that the land isn’t contaminated. Organize volunteers to help clear and prepare the soil.
Let the children play
Create a special area just for kids to help them learn about how their food is grown.
Growing food in our cities, right where we live, is something that we need to do. Not sometime in the future but right now, before we forget how, or the land is put to “better” use by being paved over or built upon.
Toronto FoodShare
Form a planning committee
Delegate tasks according to skills, interest and availability.
Trowel
From container gardening to large beds, a well-made trowel is essential for getting your plants into the soil.
Good communication is the key to success
Stay in touch with members via email, bulletin board, website or telephone tree.
Claw or cultivator
Helps to cultivate soil, chop up clumps and work compost and mulch into the soil. Also necessary for cultivating in closely planted beds.
Hoe
A long-han-dled hoe is a gardener’s best friend for keeping weeds at bay.
Hand pruners
Various sizes, depending on type and size of plants.
Fork
For dividing plants.
Shovel & spade
Needed for planting large perennials, shrubs, and trees, breaking ground, moving soil and leaves. The sharper the blade, the better.
Wheelbarrow
Indispensable for haul-ing soil, compost, plants, mulch, hoses and tools.
Gloves
Protect skin and nails and keep hands clean. Leather gloves hold up best.
Hoses
Invest in drip irrigation hoses to con-serve water.
Essential tools of the trade
 

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