Go-Go Grafton Gardeners Contribute to Fare Share

There has been a youth component to Grafton Horticultural Society since 1969 when it was known as South Haldimand Horticultural Society. This junior gardeners group, known as Go-Go Grafton Gardeners, meet at Grafton Public School and have fortunately had a greenhouse to use for a number of years.

Program leaders decided that the youth needed a more hands-on experience and asked to use a portion of the school yard to build raised beds and grow flowers and vegetables. In 2008, on a rainy day, they built raised bed frames in the hallways and moved them outdoors to a garden space. After they filled the beds with soil and manure they planted their first vegetable garden. In September they harvested what they grew and as a group delivered it to Fare Share. Cobourg's Fare Share Manager, Lori Vout awarded the students with a tour of the facility where the students saw first hand how the food bank stocked food and prepared same for distribution.

Each year since they have been fortunate to plant a garden and harvest vegetables to donate. A few years ago they redesigned their growing area and increased the number of raised beds. They grow mostly root vegetables which takes less maintenance through the summer. Beginning in February they plant onion and leek seeds, followed by tomato and pepper seeds in March. These are nurtured in the greenhouse until planting out in May. The students weed and plant carrots, parsnips, beets, lettuce and our seedlings. Lettuce is cut in June and taken to Fare Share. They also plant summer turnip and/or rutabaga some years. The last couple of years they’ve grown tomatoes and peppers because one of their activities is cooking with what they grow.

The range in age of those participating in the program is from 7 – 13. Students and program leaders meet monthly during the school year from 3:45 – 5 p.m. to learn all about gardening. What a fanatastic program a win - win - win relationship. If you have a Grow-A-Row program like the Go-Go Grafton Gardeners we'd love to help you get started or tell your story. Let us know admin@fareshare.ca