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A place to grow together

What started with a handful of enthusiastic volunteers has grown into one of Silver Springs' most beloved gathering spaces — a pesticide-free garden where residents grow their own produce, share a thriving food forest, and connect with their neighbours.

Garden box waitlist information

Contact us for general inquiries or to add your name to the garden box waitlist.

Contact us

Established

2009

Garden boxes

36

Policy

100% pesticide-free

Box rental

$35

Community

Membership required

Our story

From a few volunteers to a flourishing garden

Born from the efforts of a small group of passionate neighbours, the Silver Springs Community Edible Garden planted its first seeds in November 2009 — and by 2010 we were already harvesting the rewards.

In 2020, the garden took a major leap forward with the addition of a Food Forest, a Gathering Space, a garden shed with a living roof, a bike rack, and a "barking lot" for four-legged visitors.

That same year, we expanded from 34 to 36 garden boxes and introduced an elevated box prototype — raised 6 inches off the ground to keep tree roots at bay. The design proved so successful that all boxes were upgraded by 2024.

Today, the garden remains a vibrant, thriving space in the heart of Silver Springs — and there's always room for more community members to be part of it.

Rooted in community since 2009

A community garden with people in the background, surrounded by a fence, located in a park with a large grassy field and sports courts.

Raised garden beds filled with various green leafy plants in a backyard garden with a gravel pathway.

A garden with a sign that reads 'Silver Springs Edible Garden,' surrounded by flowering plants and green foliage. A chain-link fence runs behind the garden, with structures and trees visible in the background.

A small wooden garden shed with a flower bed on top, filled with tall ornamental grasses, situated in a landscaped yard with houses and trees in the background.

Our mission

"The Silver Springs Edible Garden exists to bring neighbours together — to grow, share, and care for a space that belongs to all of us."

Our garden is proudly pesticide- and herbicide-free. No chemicals are permitted anywhere on the grounds. We believe in responsible stewardship of our land, water, air, and biodiversity — and in sharing that knowledge across all ages through hands-on gardening education.

Garden box renters

What’s involved in renting a box

A small annual fee covers the cost of renting a garden box. A signed rental contract and SSCA membership are required to participate.

The Head Gardeners Group serves as the steering committee and welcomes all gardeners to participate. The group communicates via email and meets as needed, in person or virtually.

Volunteers, who include garden box renters, serve as Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer, Communications, Box Steward, and Newsletter Editor, while liaising with the Silver Springs Community Association (SSCA).

• Maintain your bed

According to the guidelines in your rental contract, throughout the season.

Minimum 4 maintenance sessions

•

Per season, plus spring and fall cleanup.

No pesticides or herbicides

•

Anywhere on the grounds — ever.

Inside the fence

•

(including the perennial bed perimeter) is reserved exclusively for box renters.

SSCA membership required

•

for all box renters — $30/year for adults.

Education & community

A living classroom for all ages

Local teachers and students — including those from Silver Springs' three elementary schools — are welcome to arrange educational field trips. Throughout the season, we host pop-up workshops open to both box renters and the wider community.

Whether you're a first-time gardener or a seasoned one, there's always something new to learn and someone willing to share their knowledge.

Silver Springs schools

All three elementary schools in Silver Springs are welcome to arrange educational field trips to the garden.

SOKO | After school program

SOKO has a dedicated presence in the garden with their own boxes and planting areas — produce grown is offered to the community.

Scouts, Cubs & Beavers

Local Scout groups have dedicated boxes and planting areas. Experienced garden members love passing on their knowledge to young growers.

Community workshops

Pop-up hands-on workshops throughout the season, open to box renters and the whole community.

Flower garden with a wooden barrel filled with orange, yellow, and purple flowers, surrounded by raised garden beds filled with green leafy plants on a gravel surface.

A hand holding a bunch of freshly harvested orange carrots with green stems, some dirt visible on the carrots.

A lush garden with various green plants and flowers, a gravel pathway, and a red wooden trellis, with trees and a grassy yard in the background.

A lush vegetable garden with various green plants, flowers, and a gravel pathway under a wooden pergola, with houses and cars in the background.

A community garden with various plants and vegetables, a wooden fence, and a small shed in the background. There are trees and houses visible beyond the garden on a partly cloudy day.

Join the garden

Interested in a garden box

Garden box rentals are $35 per season. A Silver Springs Community Association membership is required for all renters. To add your name to the waitlist or ask a general question, email us directly.