Edith Schaeffer has organized an annual community garden project near Blackfalds for the past 10 years, and she believes the globally rising cost of food makes the initiative more important this time around.
“This year I would like people to really wake up and realize the cost of food isn’t getting any less expensive,
“If they want to eat well they can’t depend on others to always supply them,” Schaeffer said.
The community garden offers experienced green thumbs a 900-sq. ft. plot of Schaeffer’s land to use during the growing season (which typically runs from May to September) for $90; and once a week, Schaeffer will provide novice horticulturists with hands-on lessons to help them yield best produce and richest experience.
That is of course, when winter gets the memo it has stayed past its welcome, Schaeffer said.
“When you look outside today, you just close your eyes and hope that we can get started in early May.”
Schaeffer said the hundreds of pounds of the more than 30 different varieties of vegetables grown in her community garden each year can stock up a family of four with fresh veggies for nearly half a year.
“We start harvesting in June right until the end of September, and every week or so something new pops up for people to take home,” Schaeffer said.
Schaeffer will be accepting applications for this year’s community garden plot rentals and gardening classes at the Kerry Wood Nature Centre on Sunday, between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Interested applicants can also call her directly at 403-885-4666.
The community garden class is $30 to register, which covers the cost of seeds and supplies, and a $7 per person fee is charged each week during the growing season (every Wednesday from 6-9 p.m.).
syoung@www.reddeeradvocate.com