It’s officially springtime and that means that getting a garden started is on the minds of many in the city, but for those with limited or no access to suitable outdoor space to do so Hunger in Moose Jaw has the solution.  

The organization operates three community garden sites in the city, totaling 140 individual gardening plots, this total includes 75 raised planter boxes which can be rented for those who wish to do a small amount of gardening, raised planter boxes are available to rent for $15 per box. 

“The cost to rent a plot is $0.15 a square foot, and if you’re a new gardener we ask for a $25 deposit. That includes your water, and your tools, and the ability to access the gardens throughout the summer,” says Sharla Sept, Executive Director for Hunger in Moose Jaw.  

She goes on to say that while plots are typically run by two people, the impact of having grown the food can reach out far further into the community. Produce grown is not just consumed by the gardeners themselves, but also is shared with family and friends.   

Two events are held that utilize produce grown in the gardens to raise funds and assist with the cost of running the garden.  

“We’re really big on growing pumpkins at our community gardens, that then helps provide for the Pumpkin Festival in September,” says Sept. “It’s our annual fundraiser that we do in the fall, we often have our big pumpkin sale, and we have our farmers market.”  

There are only a few plots remaining to rent for this growing season, those interested in participating in the community gardens program can do so by contacting Hunger in Moose Jaw via telephone at (306) 692-1916, the garden coordinator directly at (306) 630-3498 or through email at hungermjgardens@gmail.com