Neighbourhood garden plots are growing like weeds.
Morrisroe West will be the latest community to install raised garden plots near the Kinsmen Arenas.
Volunteers will install five raised plots on Saturday.
The addition brings the total to nine across the city in communities and at churches.
Ken Lehman, who works in the city’s recreation and parks department, said the interest in gardening in the city has grown as more people want to know where their food comes from.
“There is a real sense of community in some of these neighbourhoods where the community association is actually looking for things to do with a group,” said Lehman. “It really fits well.”
The Morrisroe West Community Association and the Waskasoo Community Association (on Sept. 26) stepped up to build the last two plots this season.
Lehman said he would like to see a garden plot in every neighbourhood. Groups must approach the city with a proposal and go through a process to obtain the garden.
“It hasn’t been slowing down,” said Lehman. “There has been a lot of groups interested but it doesn’t work on every site. We have to make it work with water accessibility, parking and other things. It’s great. They have been popping up all over the place.”
There are also five orchards in the city with the sixth to be planted next spring in Morrisroe near the garden site. The first neighbourhood garden site was installed in Normandeau at Unity Bapist Church in 2009.
The city also runs a regional community garden plot program at Michener Gardens, Piper Creek Gardens and Parkside Gardens.
To find out more about gardening opportunities for 2016 visit http://www.reddeer.ca/recreation-and-culture/parks-and-trails/gardening-opportunities/.
crhyno@www.reddeeradvocate.com