There are two active sites operated by the Nanaimo Community Gardens Society. They are listed below with links to their pages. In addition, there are other community gardens in our area which may be closer to you. Check them out!
NCGS Beban Learning Gardens – Located in Beban Park, volunteers work together to grow food year round for themselves and to produce hundreds of organically-grown, vegetable seedlings to sell to the public in the spring. If you would like to participate with this fun-loving core group of volunteers please contact blg@ncgs.ca For more detailed information and to see pictures click here.
NCGS Pine Street Community Garden– The long-running garden has been operating in the downtown area of Nanaimo for about two decades. Operating year-round, enthusiastic volunteers garden communally to grow food for themselves and to maintain a demonstration garden for the community. This site is where much hands-on education and horticultural therapy takes place through field trips, tours, workshops and volunteer placements. To see more about what goes on at Pine Street click here and to contact us please email us at pinestreet@Ncgs.ca.
Other community or school gardens not run by Nanaimo Community Gardens Society
Barsby School Gardens — At the corner of 7th and Bruce Ave. near the tennis courts at John Barsby Community High School. Contact Nanaimo Foodshare, 250-753-9393 or foodsharegardens@shaw.ca
Beaufort Park — This garden has 23 rental plots as well as variety of communal growing areas to supplement the personal plot. A set minimum hours working in the community plots is required as part of the annual rental. If you are interested in getting on the waiting list for a plot please contact beaufortcommunitygarden@gmail.com
Beban Urban Gardens (BUGs) — Located at Beban Park. Contact Karen Streeter at the VIEX Show Office at250-390-4245 or email dkstreeter@shaw.ca.
Fairview School Gardens — At Fairview Community Elementary School on 2nd St Contact Nanaimo Foodshare, 250-753-9393 or foodsharegardens@shaw.ca
Forest Drive Gyro Park – A small community garden with 8 raised beds to rent and several communal beds as well. Very pleasant surroundings and a family atmosphere. Email: forestdrivegarden@gmail.com or 250-585-1444
Gabriola Commons — #9-755 Church St. Contact Heide Brown 250-247-8144
Georgia Ave Elementary School Gardens — Contact Misty 250-753-4511; community assistance welcomed.
Ladysmith Community Gardens — 25 allotment beds rented to community members and an area where food is grown for the Ladysmith Soup Kitchen and the Born Healthy Organization. Located at Kiwi Cove Lodge, 5130 Brenton Page Rd.Contact Rita Balboni at 250-245-0070 or lcgladysmith@gmail.com. Find them on Facebook or http://ladysmithcommunitygardensociety.weebly.com/
Parksville Community Allotment Gardens — McVickers St. at the Old Island Hwy at the Shell station and Liquor Store. Contact Annette Dexter adexter@shaw.ca.
Pauline Haarer Garden — along Campbell St. edge of school grounds. Contact Wendy: 250-753-5187. Community involvement welcome.
Pawson Park Community Garden — Administered by the Pawson Park Committee, this raised bed garden is in a small, city-operated Park on the corner of Machleary and Franklyn Streets in the Old City Quarter. Contact Myra at myrathomson@hotmail.com.
Princess Royal Family Centre — 260 Irwin St. Contact Eileen Bennewith (Community Nutritionist, VIHA) 250-755-7855 eileen.bennewith@viha.ca.
Protection Island Community Garden — 173 Colvilleton Trail Contact Jim Harris 250-740-0317 m.e.harris50@gmail.com.