Tag Archives: garden

VVBM Community Garden update

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Varsity View Bishop Murray Community Garden Celebrates 14 Years of Growing Together

Now in its 14th year of growing, Varsity View Bishop Murray Community Garden (VVBMCG) enables the gardening ambitions of over 80 families and a variety of local partners including Bishop Murray School, White Buffalo Youth Lodge, Lady of Lourdes’ sponsored refugees and Saskatoon Open Door Society. A unique partnership on the school grounds, the garden is an extension of VVCA and led by a volunteer committee of gardeners.

With two levels of options for fees/volunteer hours, the garden provides growing opportunities and just as importantly, community and social engagement for like-minded hobbyists. A highlight of this social engagement is the Summer Garden Party, held each July and organized by the Garden Committee.

At this year’s Summer Garden Party, we recognized two former Garden Committee members with a Lifetime Membership Award. The award recognizes outstanding contributions to the garden in many ways over several years. Former Committee members Patty Lozowchuk and Rebekah Bennetch provided years of leadership on the committee, focusing on our Terrace space and in our volunteer garden administration.  We thank these exceptional volunteers and value the enrichment gardening adds to our community.

For more information about the VVBMCG or to inquire about a plot in 2025, please email VVBMCG@gmail.com We do not monitor this over the winter months and new gardeners are invited to apply in the Spring each year.

Urban Gardening Presentation

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May 4, Free Public Urban Gardening Presentation

Growing Vegetables in Small Spaces
Come and learn about growing your own food without pesticides at this free, public event presented by Sandra Schweder, Urban Ag Coordinator at CHEP Good Food Inc, with support from the Steep Hill Food Co-operative and the Nutana Community Association Community Gardens. 
Join us in learning how to make the most of the space you have, including container and vertical gardening, and improving soil quality. 

Saturday, May 4 from 9 to 11 am 
Location: Brainsport: 616 10th St E, Saskatoon, SK S7H 0G9 – the Community Room.   

Urban Ag Tours

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Brought to you by the Saskatoon Food Council and CHEP Good Food Inc.
Urban Ag Tours
Saturday August 19, 2017

Your chance to visit Saskatoon’s most vibrant urban ag projects and connect to your home-grown food community.

8:30am Permablitz Site – 1802 Ewart Avenue
9:15am Permablitz Site – 1402 Ewart Avenue
10:00am Varsity View Community Garden – 615 Wiggins Avenue South
10:45am Parking Lot Garden – 411 Main Street
11:15am Backyard Chickens – 1946 Lorne Avenue
12:00 pm Lunch at the Saskatoon Food Bank’s Garden Patch (bring your own bag lunch) – 900 Block of 3rd Avenue North
1:15 pm City Park Community Garden – North Side of Wilson Park
2:00 pm Askiy Project, Kiscikanis Garden- Across from Station 20 West (1120 20th St W)
2:45 pm Chain Reaction Urban Farm – 434 Avenue D South
3:30 pm Riversdale/King George Community Garden – Victoria Park, corner of Avenue H South and 16th St West
4:15 pm Future Urban Farm- Victoria Park, South of King George Community Garden

Please contact Gord at gordon.enns@usask.ca or Jessie at jessie@chep.org with any questions.

Urban Agriculture report

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Last summer, you may have participated in a study on urban agriculture in Saskatoon. Now the final report has now been published! If you would like to read the full report, it’s available online at: https://urbanagresearchsk.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/asap-report-april-20171.pdf

Thank you again for your help with the project – regardless of whether it was participating in the online brainstorming exercise, coming to one of the community meetings, completing the questionnaires online, or just sharing our poster with people in your community, your help and interest was appreciated!

The purpose of this research was to inform changes to urban planning, including changes to the built environment, in order to promote access to high quality food and active living. This can contribute to improved health and self-reliance, and it is aligned the City of Saskatoon’s strategic plan.

School Gardening Conference

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School Gardening Conference: February 3-4, 2017

There is a growing and vibrant school gardening community across the province, both in- and outdoor, collectively strengthening the relationships students have with agriculture, gardening, food, composting, and environmental stewardship. Educators are discovering school gardens as a means of strengthening academic, personal and social skills, while building curiosity, communication and character.

Agriculture in the Classroom (AITC-SK) is proud to offer opportunities for educators to gather and share how the garden-based education has come alive in their learning communities. Whether you are a beginner or a garden veteran, join us in February to learn and share innovative strategies for engaging diverse learners through garden-based education.

Friday, February 3, 1:30-8:30pm
Saturday, February 4, 9:00am -5:00pm
Wanuskewin Heritage Park, Saskatoon, SK

Registration fee of $50 includes all meals and several resources for attendees to take home. If cost is a barrier to attending, please contact us. Register by January 16, 2017. Scholarships available. Find more information and register at: www.aitc.sk.ca

Boulevard gardens

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Boulevard gardens can create beautiful and diverse streetscapes, add character to neighbourhoods, and increase feelings of community pride and safety. They also increase ecological diversity and create habitat for insects and birds.

A boulevard garden includes non-woody plants such as perennial and annual flowers, herbs, and vegetables. Only trees and shrubs planted by the City of Saskatoon are permitted. Boulevard gardens may include temporary structures that can be moved by one person, including potted plants and birdbaths.

Please note that the City of Saskatoon may require occasional access to the boulevard to maintain underground utilities, build or repair sidewalks, install street signage, access hydrants, or prune street trees. This could mean that plants or other garden features may be removed or damaged.

You may garden on the boulevard adjacent to your home if you read the City of Saskatoon’s Boulevard Gardening & Maintenance Guidelines and complete the Boulevard Garden Agreement here.

Learn How to Compost!

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Learn How to Compost! – Workshops May 7th, 9th, 13th, and 23rd

Our Master Composters are teaming up with Saskatoon public libraries to put on 4 “Learn How to Compost!” workshops. Join one of Saskatoon’s Master Composters for an introduction to composting. These workshops are perfect if you have questions about how to get started, or how to help a current compost bin work better. Each presentation will be followed by Q&A. Please spread the word about these workshops to anyone you know who might be interested!

Dates and locations:
1. May 7th, 7 – 8:30 pm – Frances Morrison Central Library, 311 23rd St. E
2. May 9th, 2 – 3:30 pm – J.S. Wood Library, 1801 Lansdowne Ave.
3. May 13th 7 – 8:30 pm – Alice Turner Library, 110 Nelson Rd.
4. May 23rd, 2 – 3:30 pm – Mayfair Library, 602 33rd St. W