If you have a love for nature and a green thumb, you’re just who the Hope Community Garden is looking for: the local gardening club is seeking tenants for their low and raised greenhouse beds, as well as their outdoor plots.
The rent for inside the greenhouse is $60 for the year—beginning of April to end of March the next year—and $30 for outside.
“But with the rising cost of vegetables, it’s definitely a win-win to have your own garden,” said Esther Brysch, the Garden’s coordinator.
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“It’s great for early crops when greens like spinach and kale are still really high priced. For off season (produce), these are the big money savers, which is why I’m happy we can offer greenhouse space,” Brysch continued.
In its second year in the current location, Brysch says the Garden is still a work in progress, and that people who wish to garden in the space will also be asked to volunteer to help keep up with the area’s maintenance and improvement by volunteering for work bee sessions, or completing tasks Brysch leaves posted on the greenhouse’s door, which has been converted on one side to a large chalkboard.
“It would be nice to see more new people joining,” Brysch said as she walked the Community Garden. “We have our die-hards, but it would be nice to see more young people join. And nobody’s turned away (due to) disabilities.” You don’t have to have a lot of physical strength, just determination to grow healthy plants.
It doesn’t even have to be produce, Brysch says the public is welcome to grow pretty much whatever they want in their garden plot, it just has to be organically based, with no chemical fertilizers or pesticides used.
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“We just want to try and get everyone involved,” Brysch continued. And if you aren’t interested in gardening yourself, but want to help out, Brysch says you can still rent a plot but donate it back to the Club for them to give to a person in need to help with their grocery bill. Instead of donating to the food bank, donate to the Garden and help people learn to grow food not only for themselves, but the community at large.
“There’s so much value in growing your own food, even picking from your own garden, it tastes better,” she added. “And it keeps you active, and spending time outside.
For more information about the Hope Community Garden, or to rent a space for the current growing season, please stop by Hope Community Services (434 Wallace St.)—who manages the Garden—or call 604-869-2466.
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