LDR Holistic Treatment Services, is excited to announce that we are in the process of developing a new project that is focused on establishing an all natural community garden. On March 8, 2010 we invited Bruce & Cheryl from the Maple’s Discovery Gardens Co-op to survey our potential garden. During our conversation, Bruce (the gardener from MDGC) stated that the location was perfect for a large garden (approx 5,400 square feet) and would be happy to provide assistance and education staff and clients on the process of starting our “all natural garden.”

(picture is an example)

What does our Community Garden Look like!

With this size of a garden it is estimated that we will be able to have 30 large plots at 150sf and 12 medium plots at 75sf. Each large plot is estimated to easily feed a large family for the whole year! We will be only using natural products and materials with specific standards to help maintain the projects longevity and overall commitment to a healthier planet. In consulting with MDGC, we have been assured that there are many healthy and practical resources for maintain and keeping a perfectly well balanced all natural garden.

What is a Community Garden?

Very Simply, it is: Any piece of land gardened by a group of people.

It can be urban, suburban, or rural. It can grow flowers, vegetables or community. It can be one community plot, or can be many individual plots. It can be at a school, hospital, or in a neighborhood. It can also be a series of plots dedicated to “urban agriculture” where the produce is grown for a market.

Benefits of Community Gardens:

• Improves the quality of life for people in the garden
• Provides a catalyst for neighborhood and community development
• Stimulates Social Interaction
• Encourages Self-Reliance
• Beautifies Neighborhoods
• Produces Nutritious Food
• Reduces Family Food Budgets
• Conserves Resources
• Creates opportunity for recreation, exercise, therapy, and education
• Preserves Green Space
• Reduces city heat from streets and parking lots
• Provides opportunities for intergenerational and cross-cultural connections

Our goals with the community garden:

• Develop and promote sustainable holistic resources for community development
• Provide a learning opportunity for the participants and members of the CG
• Provide local community initiatives with an opportunity to a) receive fresh produce for people in need b) become involved, educated with gardening activities
• Demonstrate effective community leadership
  • To strengthen relationships and support amongst community gardens, and to build relationships with organizations and individuals outside the membership.
  • Provide a low-cost way for people to participate in local food production

The LDR Holistic Community All Natural Garden always welcomes volunteers.  A great range of opportunities are available to suit every interest and availability:

Board Members

The LDR Holistic Community All Natural Garden is currently seeking candidates for its Board of Directors. It is expected that monthly meetings and additional committee responsibilities will be approximately 6-10 hours per month. Candidates are asked to consider a commitment to the LDR Holistic Community All Natural Garden Board for a three year rotation. Please contact Jason Spies for more information at 604 530-9508 or visit our website for more contact information.

Garden Help

If you have skills in gardening or composting our community gardens can use your help. Occasionally our gardens hold workshops or information sessions and require a facilitator. There is no set monthly time commitment as it is on an as-needed basis.

Community Partners

Help us to create and implement a strategy to form partnerships with local businesses as we seek resources for our gardens. For example, help us to build partnerships with local builders for recycled wood, tour garage sales to buy used tools, and obtain special discounts for soil, garden and building materials. Time commitment: July onwards each growing season, about 3 hours per month.

Community Garden Membership

An annual membership fee of $50 pays for metered water, maintenance of fences and the water system, tools, association membership(s) and other related expenses. Membership Guidelines and Rules must be signed each year by members to renew/obtain their plot. One garden meeting is held each year at the 5724 Glover Langley, BC location to discuss general business and garden concerns. Two general garden clean-up parties, as well as section work parties, are held each season to maintain the common areas of the garden. Members are expected to participate in three garden clean-up parties (two general, one section) each year. In addition, community garden members should be prepared to volunteer some extra time to the garden (e.g. being a section rep, taking minutes at meetings, doing additional garden maintenance or improvements, working on special projects, etc.)

For membership guidelines and rules, please e-mail: admin@ldrholistic.com or call 604 530-9508