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LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON - With her arms full of zucchini and bush pickles Daniele Gregoire couldn't be happier.

Putting her own advice into practice this summer, the regional health promotional officer with Deh Cho Health and Social Services, planted a community garden in Fort Simpson.

Gilbert Fantasque holds some of the zucchini he helped grow in the community garden in Fort Simpson. - photo courtesy of Daniele Gregoire

Gardening is a great way to promote healthy food habits, she said.

"It's fresh and it doesn't cost that much," Gregoire said of the garden's bounty.

The village is blessed with rich soil and a good growing climate so people should take advantage of it to garden and supplement their diet, she said.

"It's healthier. It's more natural," said Gregoire.

By putting in the effort to tend a garden, people can reduce their reliance on imported produce from the south and lower their grocery bills.

With a little canning and proper storage, people can grow enough vegetables to last the winter, she said.

The community garden, which is located between the Sacred Heart Catholic parish and the rectory, is providing an example of what can be harvested.

On Sept. 3 Gregoire, with the help of Gilbert Fantasque, picked the first crop of zucchini and bush pickles - a type of cucumber.

The garden also produced a bumper crop of tomatoes but they are still green on the vine.

The garden also contains carrots, beets, rhubarb, a number of herbs and a few varieties of flowers.

The project was a new experience for Gregoire who had never gardened in Fort Simpson before.

"I'm very happy," she said.

Gregoire said she was surprised at the size of the vegetables, especially the zucchini that are up to a foot in length.

"I was amazed by the real taste of vegetables, not the taste of grocery store," she said.

Gregoire had some help tending the garden.

The project was also designed to teach adults with special needs gardening and healthy food skills.

Gilbert Fantasque and Rosie Boots helped plant and weed the garden.

Early in the growing season, youth in the Open Doors Society's summer fun program also learned about seeding.

The learning process isn't over. Gregoire plans to host a workshop on canning for anyone who's interested.

The bush pickles and dill from the garden will make great pickles, she said.

The rest of the vegetables from the garden will be distributed to community members.

With this year's garden almost finished, Gregoire is already looking to next year when she would like to host a zucchini-growing challenge to see who can produce the largest zucchini.

"It would push people to grow a garden," she said.