City planting new community garden funds
New vegetable gardens may be springing up in St. Catharines thanks to the city.
The municipality announced in a news release that it will be supporting community gardens with a new funding program.
Incorporated charities and not-for-profits wishing to build or expand a community garden for the purpose of growing produce for personal consumption or donation can apply to receive a match in funds covering up to half of eligible startup costs for lumber, soil, seeds, rain barrels and the like.
“We want to partner with community groups who are working to establish community gardens and provide more opportunities for our residents to come together,” development horticultural technician Ilyse Norton said in the release.
“These gardens not only improve access to healthy food options for residents, it helps them to grow deeper roots in the community as well.”
This investment is one way St. Catharines is continuing to strive for the environmental sustainability and social sustainability goals outlined in its strategic plan, according to the release, as community gardens contribute to the biodiversity of species and support the growth of pollinators.
For more information or to apply to the program, go to stcatharines.ca/Gardening. Applications are due by 4 p.m. on Wednesday, March 8, and projects must be completed by Oct. 31.