The Shire Garden Plots

The Garden Path Society operates The Shire, a plot-rental Community Garden, (Calgary's largest!) with 103 plots and several community beds. We allow members to harvest their crops for charity, or if it has not been planted, we contact those on the waiting list to take the plot.

All community garden plots were rented out during the 2010 growing season. It is a good idea to contact us to be on next year's waiting list. At times people do fall ill or move away during the summer. If you want to be placed on a waiting list for a garden plot please contact Michelle Sadlowski at Michelle.Sadlowski@gov.ab.ca.

Here are just a few of the reasons that our members garden:

• "I would love the opportunity to grow organic produce",
• "I am hungry for another kind of community, one that grows food together",
• "I'm trying to improve the amount of fresh fruits and vegetables we eat daily to improve our health",
• "We can donate a portion of our garden to other families!!", and
• "I want to get back to eating vegetables that come from within 100 miles from my home".

Plots

• 4 handicap/special access plots - $45 for the season
• 96 regular 4'x 12' plots - $45 for the season
• 3 smaller 4' x 8' plots - $35 for the season
• Community beds - No Fee
  • 5 border boxes at west-end fence filled with bushes and assorted plants
  • Flower beds at the east entrance
  • Gardening for 100+ volunteers
  • Growing food for the local community groups
  • Growing food for an urban garden cooperative, allowing produce shares to be bought

How do we do it?

A Board of Directors elected at the Annual General Meeting in April is the primary decision making body for the garden. Board meetings, which are held every month except December, are open to all members. Membership meetings are held during the year, providing input from members and an opportunity to vote on major issues.

Unlike some smaller community gardens, we are currently able to accommodate people from all across the city. We do not restrict where our gardeners come from, whether they live in houses, apartments, or condos and we have many gardeners with plots in other places throughout the city and in rural areas outside Calgary. We believe that people with a passion for gardening will sustain this garden and will help to educate other people on the many aspects of growing food and other plants.

We compost as much of the organic waste in the garden as possible. Our membership is also encouraged to bring materials from home that can be composted. The garden is organic and there is no use of artificial chemical pesticides, herbicides or fertilizers. Non-organic seeds and seedlings are permitted.

Start a community garden

If you are interested in creating your own Community Garden, there is an excellent resource at the Calgary Horticultural Society. It is a Community Garden Resource Network intended to help people partner with gardens in their neighbourhoods and for groups to partner with already established gardens to help their endeavor. Please contact Gael at communitygardens@calhort.org.