The main focus of the Nanaimo Community G
ardens Society is educational programming, both formal and informal, that helps families and individuals learn the skills necessary to grow, select, cook and preserve foods of all kinds.
Informal horticultural therapy takes place at all sites. Many individuals find it easy to socialize when working alongside others in the fresh air. By volunteering in this setting some people learn life and employment skills that carry over into other aspects of their lives. Others just value the friendship and regular contact and others feel that the regular exercise helps them physically.
Field Trips – Groups of children from schools and summer camps visit both sites for tours and to learn more about growing their own food. If you would like to bring a group to a garden site for some garden exposure and education, please see our Visit Us page.
Work Parties – The Pine Street and Beban Learning Gardens are open to the public on any work party day (see calendar) for you to visit, ask questions, or to learn how to get involved. No one is permitted on the sites before dawn or after dusk. Work parties are where volunteers work together to garden communally. All ability levels are welcome so novices can learn alongside more experienced volunteers. This peer to peer way of learning is low pressure and a gentle way to introduce new organic concepts. Many volunteers work at a garden site, learn critical gardening skills, gain confidence and start their own gardens.
Plant Sales – Our society is grateful to be able to use plant sales as an excellent educational opportunity. Knowledgeable volunteers are more than happy to give detailed gardening information to novice growers. Stop by our plant sales and ask those with years of experience how to be successful in growing your own food.
Outreach – Nanaimo Community Gardens Society takes advantage of many community events such as Seedy Sunday and Earth Day to educate the public about our programs. At these events, volunteers are also happy to give gardening advice. Society events are also held including our Potluck AGM and
Workshops – Each year Nanaimo Community Gardens Society offers a range of workshops through the City of Nanaimo’s Activity Guide. Workshop topics range from lasagna bed gardening, composting, pruning (basic and advanced), plant propagation, winter gardening and Practical Garden Witchery. The workshops varies seasonally and based on interest. If you have ideas for topics you’d like to see covered, contact us at info@ncgs.ca. Please see our home page for a comprehensive list of our upcoming workshops.
