Heather Latter
Registration for this year’s Fort Frances Community Garden is underway and plots still are available for those interested.
“We have many of our returning gardeners signed up and ready to go,” noted Elaine Fischer, health promoter with the Northwestern Health Unit, which helps co-ordinate the garden each year.
Fischer said the first registration session was held last Wednesday and there were several new gardeners who signed up, as well.
“We have some plots still available and we definitely have some spaces in the kids’ garden club this year,” she remarked, adding there will be some changes to the program this year.
“We have a new group of volunteers at the table and they are looking at doing weekly learning—a hands-on activity and a healthy snack,” Fischer explained.
“They have lots of new ideas for the hands-on activities so it should be an exciting club this year.”
But she noted that while garden care will continue throughout the growing season, the structured activities won’t run during the height of summer.
“Into July and August, because things are busy with family vacations and other things, we won’t be going weekly,” Fischer noted.
“And then we’ll pick it up in late August when it’s time to pick crops.
“So we’re switching a few things around based on some feedback we got from parents and kids from last year.
“We’re still encouraging parents and kids to come weekly, but the organized part for July will be a little less than last year,” she reiterated.
“We’re just trying something new.”
The kids’ club is for those aged three-12 (although children outside of those ages won’t be turned away) and meant to teach gardening skills.
It will run Wednesdays from 6-7 p.m., with the only requirement being to purchase a kids’ plot for $5.
“It’s a great program,” Fischer enthused, adding it’s beneficial to learn food skills early on.
“Just the smiles from kids when they see their crops grow or they can pick their fresh veggies,” she reasoned.
“It’s a highlight for some of the kids, for sure.”
Fischer also noted the raised beds and the ground beds cost $20.
Another registration session will be held next Wednesday (April 20) from noon-5 p.m. at the Métis Hall, in conjunction with the healthy living food box.
People can stop by the Northwestern Health Unit office Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. to register, as well.
“We’re off to a good start for sure,” Fischer enthused.
“We have a great group of volunteers on the planning committee, as well as the kids’ club.”
She added they’re also thrilled to be looking at expanding the community garden.
“We got approval from the town to expand the south garden, so we’re definitely adding in more raised beds,” Fischer remarked.
“And we’ll also be adding in another shed for storage and more access to water in the south garden.”
Other additions for this year include a shared crop area for perennials and a “buddy” gardener system.
“We do have new gardeners come in who have never been involved, and we have some great gardeners who are willing to help the new gardeners,” Fischer noted, referring to the “buddy” gardener system.
“We get questions about what can I plant and what goes well with something else, so we have formalized that system this year,” she explained.
The “buddy” gardeners also have offered to help if people are going away on vacation for a week to assist with watering.
Fischer said they are using feedback from last year to make this season a great one.
“We had a few glitches last year so we’re really trying to iron them out,” she stressed.
“The garden thrives because of volunteers, and I just have a great group of volunteers who are working on a variety of tasks right now.”
Fischer attributed the growth of gardening, in part, to the recent push on local foods and sustainability.
“People have also mentioned they don’t have the space in the yards, so they are happy to see that there is some communal space in the community,” she noted, adding there is some sociability to being a part of the community garden.
She added they’re hoping to be in the garden by the middle of May, with tilling set to be done the week of May 11.
A worker bee then is scheduled for May 18.
“We’ll get the staking done in the garden and we hope to have everything ready to roll by the long weekend because some people do like to plant over the long weekend,” Fischer said.
“And this is, of course, weather dependent,” she conceded. “But it’s shaping up to be a good season.”
People are encouraged to visit the “Fort Frances Community Garden” on Facebook, or call Fischer at 274-9827 ext. 3638, if you have any questions.
