Hello everyone, I'm new to this forum. I just moved to a condo that doesn't have a garden. I signed up for my local community gardens but it's going to be years until I can get a plot. Fortunately one of my friends has a garden and might allow me to grow some things there. The only problem is that they live in vancouver and so I might not be able to visit the garden more than once a week. What sort of gardening plants/projects would you propose for the once-a-week gardener? Perhaps plants that don't need as much tending, watering or would do well with an aqua bulb/other self-watering item. Any ideas/suggestions?
It is heartbreaking to think that someone like you, who wants to garden, should be deprived of the experience for years. In addition to solving your immediate dilemma, it may be worthwhile to advocate for more space to be made available for community gardens. Another avenue could be reaching out to homeowners who can not longer tend their vegetable gardens but don't want to see them abandoned . . . could be a win-win if someone like you could grow vegetables in return for supplying the homeowner with some of the harvest. To me, once a week gardening isn't nearly enough no matter what and how you grow.
@Estellar, good morning, I am very impressed that you want to do this, if only once a week. If it were me I would go down the vegetable or salad crop route. It can take up very little space and tending is a little weeding and watering once a week. The bonus is some lovely fresh food for the table that you can share with your friend. Good luck with your new gardening venture.
There used to be a site, sharingbackyards.com, that facilitated yard-sharing but which now is apparently defunct: Yard-sharing brings land and gardeners together | Vancouver Sun. The article lists some resources which you can follow up on. Additional resources follow: Community Resources. Perhaps you'll be able to find a yard closer to where you are.
I hate to advertise for a Web site, but nextdoor.com seems to be good for finding things close to your neighborhood; and it's free.
Is there an independent garden Center nursery near you ? Go on and talk to them — even if you can’t garden today - put a word in - somebody will know something to help you toward your goal Is there anything at the Colony Farm nr you? And the campus formerly known as Essondale. ——— For me - I can grow Swiss chard year round in similar climate you have in PoCo - in a container on my deck I like the West Coast Seeds from Ladner BC (they have a website) One must check with the sometimes strict strata before embarking on containers on the balcony. Clutter - water - and weight must be considered Maybe there is spare area at ground level that strata would allow - you can be the instigator ! ——- I know a local school yard in our town that has a garden that people help at with permission approval fr school district of course Often a senior housing residence has a garden and would in normal times welcome a volunteer What about looking east to the Maple Ridge area - I would think an easier drive than forging on to Vanc And for those in Vanc - what happens at what remains of the UBC farm near TRIUMF? AND - one must also consider water restrictions in our usually hot dry summers - which might happen yet! As of July 23 that is!
Go to city hall and ask —- so right now - i that likely means a phone call or email Also lots of towns have a central volunteering “clearing house” meaning they keep track of services that volunteers can provide in the community - so there might be a garden type category Call city hall or explore PoCo website
you should try to plant some plants that lasts longer without water. Or you should try the hydro-plantation since you only get to see your plants once a week.
