If you dig gardening and helping those in need, you’ll want to attend the Plant A Row-Grow a Row program’s spring gardeners’ party.
Along with speakers offering valuable tips on growing fruit and vegetables, the 16th annual spring gardeners’ party will include coffee, tea and goodies, as well as lots of door prizes. It’s being held on Thursday, March 12.
“I have lots of things to give away,” said program coordinator Claude LeDoux. “We have plants to give away, some seeds. There will be some garden-starter kids.”
The Plant A Row-Grow a Row program holds weekly collections from June to October at St. Thomas More Collegiate and transports the donations to the local food bank.
“People grow their own food and put in an extra row for the food bank,” LeDoux said. “You give it to us at our pickup … and we take it to the food bank.”
The local food bank is thrilled to be able to offer fresh, right-from-the-garden produce to its clients.
Brian Minter, national spokesperson for Plant a Row-Grow a Row, will kick off the gardeners’ party presentations. Conway Lum (GardenWorks Mandeville), Pasquale Porico (mason bee expert), June Hewko (Lee Valley Tools) and Michael Campbell (Edible Oasis-New Westminster) will speak on topics such as mason bees, new garden gadgets and edible gardening.
Besides being a great family activity, LeDoux said growing food is a hot horticultural trend. Vegetables and fruits can be grown in containers, with perennials and in a community garden or backyard plot.
“Every year it is increasing,” he said. “More people are looking to grow their own fruits and vegetables. It’s an amazing explosion of interest.”
Admission to the spring gardeners’ party is free, but donations of non-perishable food for the food bank are appreciated. The launch of this year’s program is taking place on Thursday, March 12 at 6 p.m. at St. Thomas More Collegiate, 7450 12th Ave.
