City Celebrates ‘Year of the Garden’
Posted on 03/21/2022
Local initiatives encourage sustainable gardening
The City of Charlottetown is celebrating the ‘Year of the Garden’ as part of its commitment to urban beautification and growing local food. As a member of the Canada Garden Council and Communities in Bloom, municipalities are being encouraged to plant red, help residents ‘Live the Garden Life’ and promote the benefits of gardening.
Gardening initiatives encourage outdoor activity, contribute to better mental and physical wellness, and bring people together in a safe and responsible way. Even more, the City encourages sustainable gardening practices including the use of pollinators and natural plantings, along with growing food locally.
There are several urban beautification and local food growing opportunities to explore and enjoy in Charlottetown. Specifically, the City has seven signature gardens, nearly 100 parks and green spaces, one community garden, three edible orchards and 25 community vegetable planters.
There are many ways to practice sustainable gardening which can include leaving the leaves. As an alternative, leaves can be mulched into the lawn, used as mulch in planter beds or added to a backyard composter. Another sustainable practice includes not cutting down dandelions right away as this helps insects, support pollinators and reduces allergy causing plants.
Some of the showcase gardens in Charlottetown include Fanningbank Public Gardens, Confederation Landing featuring the Quebec Garden and Aboriginal Gardens, the ornamental garden at Rochford Square and Legacy Garden at the Farm Centre.
The City is hosting a youth-focused workshop, “Growing Food in Containers” on June 4. More details, including registration, will be available in the coming weeks. In addition, a new gardening component will be included in summer camp programming this year.