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LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON
A community gardening initiative in Fort Simpson got a fertilizing boost on July 9.

Elizabeth Hardisty and her grandson Blake Speed plant a tomato plant during an event at the Fort Simpson community garden. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

The Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment (ITI) held a barbecue and transplant planting session on Saturday at the garden, located at the papal site. The purpose of the event was to generate interest and participation in community gardening, said Ashley Janes, a business development officer with the department.

The village has had community gardens before but they were communal affairs, where people shared in planting and tending the plants and then split the harvest. At the current garden, which was created in late May, residents can sign up for a plot where they can grow their own fruits and vegetables.

Prior to the event, five people had registered for plots. An additional five people indicated their interest in the garden on Saturday.

Janes said the overall response has been good considering this is the garden's first year.

"I think over time it will grow," she said.

The department does have big plans for the garden. One of the goals is the creation of a Fort Simpson community garden society so ITI can step back from the management of the garden, said Renalyn Pascua-Matte, the regional manager of trade and investment with the department.

"We want the community to have some kind of ownership," she said.

The society would manage the garden and could apply for funding for projects from ITI. The garden initiative falls under ITI's strategic mandate to reduce the cost of living in the territory. The plan is for the garden to increase in size every year.

A total of 14 people gathered at the garden on Saturday to participate in the event. Some tended to their own plots, while others created community areas.

The department provided approximately 500 transplants purchased from the Territorial Farmers Association including tomatoes, cabbages, pumpkins, kale, swiss chard and brussel sprouts. All of the new garden beds will be enclosed in raised boxes to create a uniform look, said Janes.

Most of the basics needed for gardening are provided at the site. After signing up for a plot, new gardeners get a key to a garden shed that contains a rototiller as well as rakes, shovels, hoes and other tools.

Two full 500-gallon water tanks have also recently been added. ITI is also looking at fencing in the area to keep dogs and other wildlife from disturbing the garden.

Elizabeth Hardisty and her grandson Blake Speed were two of the people who attended the event. Hardisty already had a plot at the garden but said she came out to assist the cause by planting more plants.

"I like the idea of everybody helping," she said.

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