The Magnetawan Horticultural Society should know by April if it's one of 25 communities in Canada awarded a $2,500 grant from Scott's Canada.
If the local group is one of the lucky 25, the money will go toward building several plots for a community vegetable garden, says president Barbara Stewart.
It's the first time the group, which normally focuses on garden flowers, has applied for the grant.
Stewart says members will start with four three-by-10-foot plots and increase the number of beds in the future.
The members will employ companion planting, which maximizes space, helps to increase crop production and control pests, contributes to pollination and provides a habitat for beneficial insects.
As for the types of vegetables the society will plant, Stewart says it will be a variety of beans, peas, carrots, tomatoes, lettuce, cucumbers and herbs.
In addition, if there's enough space in the plots, the group also will plant corn.
Although only a few years old, the society has more than 70 members. In its short history, Stewart says it's become heavily involved with Magnetawan Central Public School and in pre-COVID days would conduct many workshops teaching students how to grow flowers.
Society members will build the plots and then move ahead with planting the various vegetables. Stewart says the hope was to involve the students in the growing segment, but COVID-19 nixed the plan.
“I spoke to the principal and they're not allowed to take the students off school property for any extracurricular activities,” Stewart says.
“But maybe in the fall when school starts back up, they can help us with the harvest. And, if not, then by spring of 2022 for sure they should be able to help us with the planting.”
As for who will receive the vegetables when they're ready for picking, Stewart says “we're going to reach out to mainly the seniors in our community.”
Stewart says the veggies also will be available to any families that may be in need or to people who would like fresh garden vegetables but cannot garden themselves.
In the future as the society builds more plots, Stewart hopes that will open the door to community members at large having a small spot where they can grow their own vegetables.
The plot beds will be two feet high, but Stewart says the society is keeping an eye toward the future in the event many seniors want to become involved.
“If we have a majority of seniors who are interested in their own space, we can build the beds higher for them so they have easier access,” she explains.
As for where the plots will be located, the preferred site is across Albert Street from the fire station, which is an open area of land also used by the Magnetawan Friendship Club.
Stewart says rain barrels will likely be used to water the crops and, she says, Fire Chief Joe Readman has assured the group the fire department will make sure water is not an issue by keeping the barrels full.
Being across the street from the firehall should also act as a deterrent to theft and vandalism, Stewart says. In addition, the area will be fenced in, the street is well lit and there are several homes nearby.
Stewart says the society will move ahead with the vegetable garden even if it doesn't get the Scott's Canada grant.
That's because Magnetawan council has told her it will put up the money for the project if the grant application falls through.
“We're extremely grateful for their help,” Stewart says. “Any time we've approached council about a project within the community, they've been on board 100 per cent.
Rocco Frangione is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of the North Bay Nugget. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.
