Above average temperatures have gardeners eager to get their hands dirty this spring.
The Diamond Valley Community Garden is holding its spring registration in mid-April so gardeners can begin preparing their plots for a fruitful growing season.
The community garden is located in northeast Black Diamond. It has 77 garden plots, as well as compost bins, benches, picnic tables and two sheds filled with gardening tools.
“These beds, even though they’re small, they can be quite productive if you tend to them,” said Ron Gibbar, an avid gardener. “We don’t need a lot, but I like the variety. I started off with one plot the first year. (The next year) I saw another one was available that was close to mine so it took that one as well. It’s amazing what you can do with just a small parcel of garden plot.”
Last year Gibbar and his wife planted peas, kale, Swiss chard, potatoes, lettuce, squash, zucchini, onions, leaks, garlic and a variety of beans in the Diamond Valley community garden.
“It’s a good excuse to get outside and enjoy the great outdoors for one thing,” said Gibbar, who is semi-retired. “I like to go down almost every day and grab enough fresh vegetables for supper that evening.”
In addition to fresh vegetables, Gibbar enjoys the social aspect of the community garden.
He participates in the biweekly barbecues and various workshops and presentations held by the garden’s subcommittee throughout the season.
“Personally I like to see people get together a little bit more – maybe meet down there at a designated time and pull some weeks or hang around for coffee,” he said. “Make more of a social event out of it than it is right now.”
Meg Porter, the subcommittee’s chairperson, said many people sign up for the social aspect of it.
“I think a lot of people join the community garden not just to have a garden, but to be a part of the community and meet people,” she said. “I learn from other gardeners as I haven’t been gardening for long. It helps to build the community a little bit more. We have a really good retention of people.”
The Diamond Valley Community Garden has been in its current location since 2009. It was previously located in the town’s southeast near the water tower, but was relocated due to the need for more space.
Last year’s membership saw 40 gardeners, many who rented more than one plot. Those plots not spoken for are sometimes used to plant random veggies that the gardeners can enjoy, said Porter.
One of the key components to having the garden is providing an educational experience. Porter said the subcommittee organizes presentations throughout the season ranging from native pollinators and their importance to the ecosystem to water conservation.
“The one thing that I really like about our garden is we try to promote sustainable practices,” she said. “We talk about the importance of pollinators, non GMO seeds and fertilizers that are not chemically based.”
The subcommittee also organizes workshops and Porter hopes to bring in a specialist to talk about composting this season.
“It’s something I think a lot of people are into, but not a lot of people know how to do properly,” she said. “The main thing for me is that we’re trying to do good things and be part of the community.”
Porter said the community garden is well supported in the community, receiving grants and money from local businesses, organizations and fundraising events.
The subcommittee received a grant from the Millarville Horticultural Club last year that Porter said will be used to plant fruit trees and shrubs at the garden.
“The idea is for the gardeners to have additional things and our hope is to have a fruit forest,” she said. “We are thinking some apple trees, some Saskatoon bushes and currants.”
To register for a plot in the Diamond Valley Community Garden go to the Sheep River Library on April 11 between 10:30 a.m. and noon or April 14 between 7:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.
The Diamond Valley Community Garden has its own Facebook page.
