Spring is one of the most beautiful times of the year in the garden when the earth is soft and moist and baby plants break through into the light struggling to live. At this moment no drought or storm or cucumber beetles have had the opportunity to spoil the dream that lives in the heart of every plant. Now that the plants have broken through the surface, I can weed them without having to worry about what I might be damaging. The days are long, the birds are nesting, the garden smells of new life and I can work out there well into the evening.
Last week, while I was in Vancouver, I had a guided tour of their community gardens network, pretty spectacular with everything from groves of heritage apple trees through courses offered on site on ecology to individual allotments. Ours has just begun. On Thursday morning we will officially open the first gardens site at Fleming College. What it lacks in spectacle it more than makes up in dreams. Our first allotments are planted and growing with plenty of room for more. Gardens already form the fabric of our city and the character of our communities. Maybe it is time for gardens to draw our diverse communities together.
What more fitting symbol of our city could there be than flowers and fruit and vegetables, young people and seniors, young families and service organizations all growing together. What a gift we can give to ourselves and others by sharing this perfect pastime with one another.
Anyone or any organization that would like to lease a plot for the season, please accept our invitation to attend the grand opening on Thursday at 9:30 A.M. at the Frost Campus. At that time you will be able to lease an allotment and meet Travis Philp, our garden manager. Anyone wishing to open a community garden in your area, please let us assist with the details. If you want to know more about us just log onto www.communitygarden.ca. Our new web site is up and running thanks to Andrea Percy. As with our gardens, our city is in the spring of its life and we want to help it to grow strong and healthy.
One last note. Gamiing, one of our partner organizations, is hosting its annual Summer Lakeshore Festival out at the centre on Pigeon Lake. If family fun, beautiful walking trails, healthy, wild organic food and great musical entertainment sound good to you then join the fun at Gamiing this Saturday, June 21, from 3 P.M. until dark. Just follow Pigeon Lake Rd. east of Lindsay until you reach Pigeon Lake, or south from Bobcaygeon. Admission is by donation and you are guaranteed a good evening. Bring blankets and chairs. Well, that’s all for now. See you next time.