Community Garden grows in Rainy River

By Ken Johnston
Editor

With spring being about a month ahead of schedule this year, people are itching to get their gardens planted even if it is a bit early.
The Rainy River Community Garden has already been growing, but not vegetables! In fact since its inception last year, the garden itself has doubled in size.
Last fall the partner organizations, Rainy River Farmers’ Market (RRFM), Town of Rainy River and the Healthy Communities Coalition (HCC) utilized grant money from the Ontario Government to plow a plot of land just east of Riverview Elementary School in Rainy River. They also began construction of a garden tool shed and the Town of Rainy River installed a water line for irrigation purposes.
With no idea how many people would sign up for use of the community garden, they were pleasantly surprised when they filled all the plots in the first garden. “We had room for about eight families and they are all full,” said Heidi Ivall of the HCC. So they decided to expand the garden. It is now approximately 66 feet by 137 feet; about double what it was. “We are now accepting applications from the public to rent a space in the new garden,” said Ivall.
While volunteers worked on the garden shed last Wednesday, the community garden also took delivery of mulch from Hydro One. The power company was in town trimming trees back from hydro lines and converting them to chips. They then delivered the trees that were once a problem for power lines to the community garden where it will be a benefit.
“We will use the chips for pathways in and around the garden,” explained Norma Blight of RRFM. “The idea is to make the garden as maintenance friendly as possible.” The mulch will be used in paths hence limiting the amount of mowing that will be needed at the garden site.
Garden plots are available to families, individuals and through a new partnership this summer with the Best Start Hub, HCC and the RR Rec. Board to a group of kids. Recreation director Megan Shanks will be coordinating the kids group this spring and summer for 17 weeks. Kids need to sign up at the Best Start Hub where they will learn about gardening as well as cooking and eating the fruits of their labour. Families or individuals can sign up for a plot at the Northwestern Health Unit in Rainy River.
With spring fever here, many locals are starting to plant their gardens. However, community garden officials are telling users of the garden they will have to wait until mid-May. “We still have prep. work to do,” said Ivall and Blight.
There will also be raised beds available for people who have trouble working on the ground. Space filled up fast for the first half of the garden so anyone interested in the second half is encouraged to call the NWHU as soon as possible.