Good for belly, bonding and biosphere

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This article was published 15/02/2025 (405 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Outdoor views remain snow-covered these days, but it’s never too early to start thinking about gardening. Not only because planting requires planning, but, with the increasing cost of groceries and talk of American tariffs, many more of us are realizing we need to be more frugal and creative about stretching our dollars. Growing our own food is a great way to do just that.

But not everyone has a yard or balcony to provide growing space. That’s where community gardens come in. Winnipeg continues to see an increasing interest, as demonstrated by the community gardens sprouting up in various parts of the city. Benefits of these — aside from providing a place to grow food — include developing a connection to food sources, strengthening neighbourhood bonds and promoting environmental mindfulness.

A group of Wolseley neighbours, passionate about growing food and cultivating community, have made it their mission to build, maintain and protect community food gardens in Wolseley for the use, enjoyment and benefit of all. Since 2019, they’ve been working the soil in Vimy Ridge Memorial Park and giving grateful gardeners access and resources for growing fresh produce.

Jade Raizenne, co-chairperson of the Wolseley Community Gardens Committee, has had a love for gardening since childhood, which has continued to grow.

“Over the years, that love has evolved into a passion for sustainability and community-building,” she said. “The Wolseley Community Garden means so much to me because it brings all of that together — a space where people connect, biodiversity flourishes and people from all walks of life can nourish their bodies and spirits.”

Raizenne appreciates the choices in all the gardens, but has a particular fondness for the native plant garden, which serves one of her favourite purposes.

“It’s a haven for pollinators and it’s a small but important way to support urban biodiversity. The orchard and gardens provide fresh, healthy food, and gardening itself has so many benefits for mental and physical health.

She says what makes the garden truly special is the sense of community it fosters.

“I feel a strong responsibility to help ensure the garden’s success, long-term,” she said, adding that as co-chair, she hopes to step into a mentoring role while inspiring new members to join the committee and take on leadership roles and carry the mission forward. “For me, this garden is about so much more than just growing plants — it’s about growing a sustainable, connected and resilient community.”

At the outset, a small group of Wolseley residents interested in establishing a community garden began to meet. Inspired by the South Osborne gardens and others throughout the city, they assessed different areas for the establishment of gardens and surveyed the community at large and the residents around Vimy Ridge Memorial Park.

“We took that information and analyzed the data,” explained Raizenne. “There was a need and a want there. We approached the City of Winnipeg with the data we collected and started applying for grants to establish the garden, and were successful with a number of grants.

“During COVID, we were working in shifts to create the beds. A lot of people came out during that time. From there we built out from the garden.”

The garden has 22 raised allotment beds for individual families measuring four feet by eight feet and two larger community beds that are four by 16 feet. The public can harvest from the latter; the committee also donates the harvest to food banks.

Allotment garden beds are available in Vimy Ridge Memorial Park for the 2025 gardening season. For $25, you’ll get everything you need to start a garden, including water, plants, access to the seed library, plant-based compost and gardening tools. Applications are open until March 9 and all skill levels are welcome. Applicants are selected in a lottery-style draw for the 22 total available beds. Priority is given to community members who live in proximity to Vimy Ridge Memorial Park and those without access to green space for gardening.

Wolseley resident and passionate gardener Coleen Rajotte is happy to see the Vimy Ridge Gardens thrive and the interest in gardening on the rise. The host of APTN’s Vitality Gardening believes we’d do well to think differently about growing our own food, and explore ways to provide affordable food for everyone.

She’d like to see a larger-scale gardening effort in Winnipeg, especially so those on a low income can have access to fresh food.

“In these times, I really feel it’s important to expand the space for community gardening in our province. Public spaces such as parks and unused lots could be converted to growing food. Everyone needs access to healthy fresh food.

“The city plants a lot of flowers every year. They add beauty, but beets, greens or carrots would feed people. We also need to make seeds available for people,” added Rajotte, who is launching a free how-to-garden series on her Facebook page this spring, which will include everything from the basics to information on heritage Indigenous varieties of corn, beans and squash.

Wolseley Community Gardens continues to find ways to expand for the benefit of everyone in surrounding areas. A public fruit orchard was established in the park with hardy fruit-bearing trees, including plum, apple, cherry, highbush cranberry and Saskatoon. Last year, more fruiting trees were added, native trees planted at both Omand and Vimy Ridge parks, and seven garden beds and native trees also added around Laura Secord School.

The group hosts a number of educational workshops and programs through winter, connecting with other gardening experts. Organized events feature local guest speakers on various gardening and environment-focused topics. With community as a priority, there’s an annual Vimy Ridge Memorial Park cleanup in the spring. There are picnics, work bees and tree-planting events.

There will be a square foot gardening workshop with Mick Manfield on Wednesday, March 26, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the R.A. Steen Community Centre, in the Fireside Room. It will cover the core elements of square foot gardening, showcase examples of gardening layouts and provide tips and tricks. Square foot gardening allows for growing more using less water, space and effort. The event is free.

To register and/or volunteer, contact: wracommunitygardens@gmail.com, find on Facebook or Instagram @WolseleyCommunityGardens.

city@freepress.mb.ca