Garden Profile

Dickinsfield Blooms Community Garden

The Community of Dickinsfield is characterized in part by low income, single parent, immigrant and refugee families struggling through the day-to-day trials associated with poverty: inadequate housing, isolation, family violence, drug and alcohol abuse, racism, illiteracy, poor health and nutrition, teen pregnancy and youth crime.

In January 2007, with the help of an enthusiastic staff from the Dickinsfield Community Partnership and gardening committee the garden project, “Dickinsfield Blooms” Community Gardening Project was created. The first community gardening information session was held on April 12, 2007. Information was provided about the project and the participants were asked questions about what they would like from this initiative. 11 families signed up to participate right then and there! Since that first meeting another 21 families have signed up for the project. The majority of these people are taking English as a second language classes through the Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers. They will be using the project to help them learn English as well as learning new gardening skills.

The partnership is extremely motivated to offer this program because of the desire to make the neighbourhood a friendlier, cleaner and safer place to live and raise children. Due to living under tight financial restraints most people living in this area are considered low income, living on some form of government assistance or are new to this country and have to support their very large families. The Partnership hopes to offer the gardeners items or experiences that they might not be able to buy.

Unlike traditional community gardens, Dickinsfield Blooms encourages gardeners to take advantage of their own back yards, while coming together as a group to discuss techniques and tips. While they are still in need of volunteers to help mentor the new gardens, each member is putting in a strong effort to make the best of their new plot.