Grade three students from Woodlawn show off their garden

There is still demand among residents in Steinbach for a plot of dirt to grow a row.  Community Garden Coordinator Ernie Klassen says there are 38 plots in use this year at the site near TG Smith Arena.  He explains they were able to fill in some of the low spots and create a few more spots than last year.  "Everything is being used

and I have a waiting list.  We have been able to bring in compost and peat moss last fall which improved the soil.  The ground looks really good and everything that is growing here is just started off really well."

Klassen notes he has some new gardeners, one family has three generations: grandma her daughter and grandson.  "We have also expanded with school participation.  Woodlawn School has four plots of grade threes coming to do gardening here."

"There is lots of positive feedback,"

he recalls in talking to the gardeners.  "Many people are interested in growing their own vegetables, learning how to do it from each other here.  Most of the gardeners are what we would call 'traditional' who use rows.  But you will see several now who are heaping up dirt and making raised beds.  I also have some gardeners from other cultures growing vegetables that you might not usually find in a garden here in Steinbach."

Klassen adds it's a great project to helps people to grow their own food which will be important in the future.  He says what he really likes is the involvement with the children.  "When I met them and asked what they would like to grow, most of them said bananas or mangoes so there is a lot of learning going on there."

Woodlawn grade three Teacher Kristen Reimer says this is the second year her students have been involved with the community garden.  "Last year we had two plots and this year we have four plots.  It's a wonderful opportunity to be hands on and it goes with our

science curriculum which is about plants, soils and the environment."

She notes the school received a grant which has been used to purchase child sized watering cans, a garden claw and shovel for five students.  "We have also been able to purchase seeds and plant them.  During the summer we are hoping for a commitment from parents of our students to volunteer part of their summer to maintain the garden through weeding and watering."

Reimer adds there are lots of plans in the early stages for the garden. 

"We have a parent that will be donating supplies to create a Woodlawn / Community Garden sign and bench which the children will have an opportunity to paint.  We also have plans to paint the Community Garden shed door and our school has been composting so we plan to help replenish the soil when we are done with it at the end of the year."

All of the produce grown by the students will be donated to Southeast Helping Hands.