If you have a green thumb but nowhere to use it, the Whitecourt Community Garden is a great choice

With the gardening season not too far off, residents are reminded of the opportunity available at the Whitecourt Community Garden. Those without space for a garden at home can rent a plot and use the tools provided. Located just beyond the paved parking lot at Rotary Park, in front of the big, blue Air Cadets building, the Whitecourt Community Garden features 49 spots for rent for $40 each.

Fay Arcand, the FCSS Program Coordinator for the Town of Whitecourt, said planning for the garden began in 2008 and featured several community groups. “It was a partnership with Tennille’s Hope Community Soup Kitchen, Whitecourt Health Services, ECHO Society, and Communities in Bloom. A big partnership started the garden, and it has blossomed through the years.”

With a grant in hand, the group helped bring the garden from a plan to reality, and since then, residents have brought out their green thumbs to make use of it. Everyone from children to seniors and those who need support through an assistant can get their hands dirty and learn a life skill in growing their food. “It enables agencies and groups with barrier clients to have the space to have hands-on experience. It also helps low-income clients because they can grow produce during the summer months,” said Arcand.

Residents have until June 15 to rent their spots. After that date, any leftover plots will be offered to those signed up already or given to volunteers who will grow food to donate it. “We also partner with the Rotary Unplugged Program. They take care of our flower beds in exchange for a community garden plot for free. The Rotary Unplugged Program includes the maintaining and growing of a garden plot so that kids can have some hands-on experience through that program in the summer months.”

Providing unrented plots to those that will use it keeps weeds from taking over an unused spot and makes sure the garden is fully utilized. Last year, volunteers from Communities in Bloom took care of a couple of unrented plots. They grew potatoes and carrots and donated their goods to Tennille’s Hope Community Soup Kitchen and the Whitecourt Food Bank.

The garden is pesticide-free, utilizing organic methods. The plots, made out of untreated wood, need replacing from time to time as they slowly break down. Thanks to generous community support, the Whitecourt Community Garden is repairing plots this year. Arcand said that a few years ago, they asked Millar Western to partner with them, to which they happily obliged, providing $550 each year towards the replacement of plots. She added that Home Hardware provided discounts toward wood purchases to round it out.

“With this year’s lumber prices so high, we reached out to Canfor, and they donated the lumber to the Whitecourt Community Garden. With these great partnerships, last year, we replaced eight raised beds and this year, we will be replacing another eight raised beds. Those donations allow us to keep our revenue from plot rentals, which enables us to buy future hand tools and equipment for the garden itself,” said Arcand.

She said that receiving the wood donation this year is very exciting, and they will be purchasing the nuts and bolts at Home Hardware. “It’s really nice because last year it took our full donation plus all the revenue we received to buy the lumber, so this donation of the lumber is really helping the garden.” Since those without a garden at home are not likely to have the tools needed to garden, the Whitecourt Community Garden provides those free to use for members. Having some cash in the bank to purchase equipment as required is essential. “The water is provided too. There’s a water tank filled by the Town of Whitecourt when needed,” explained Arcand.

This year, Communities in Bloom will again be offering workshops at the garden after a hiatus due to restrictions. One will be on composting, but the date has not been set. “May 15 is when things typically get going down there, but it is always weather-dependent,” said Arcand, adding that there will also be early activity as they fix the eight plots thanks to an in-kind donation from the Town of Whitecourt to build them.

“If anyone is thinking about learning to garden, the Whitecourt Community Garden is a great place to start because chances are you’ll be down there with some seasoned gardeners that can help you. “We have gardeners that have been there since almost the beginning of the garden and keep coming back each year. They are happy to share their experience with new gardeners,” said Arcand. “It’s also great for a young family to get involved because it’s fenced in, so kids are safe there and can have some freedom while working in the garden with their parents.”

As a non-profit, Arcand said the Whitecourt Community Garden is thankful for the support they receive from Canfor, Millar Western, Home Hardware, GFL, Case+Point, Twin River Aggregates, Communities in Bloom, and the Town of Whitecourt. “It’s a great opportunity for people to get into gardening. Our many returning gardeners speak to the benefits of the garden itself because they keep coming back.” To learn more about the Whitecourt Community Garden, visit www.whitecourtcommunitygarden.com or call 780-778-3637 ext. 417 to speak with Fay Arcand.