Garden box rentals are $35 per season.
A Silver Springs Community Association membership is required for all renters.
Edible Garden
Garden Box Renewal and Waitlist Information
It's time to renew your garden box for the 2025 season! Renewals: If you're renewing your garden box, please check your email for instructions on how to proceed.
New Garden Boxes: Interested in a garden box for the upcoming season? Please email us to be added to our waitlist.
Monthly Garden Tips!
Spring Planting
There are several vegetables that you can think about starting indoors from seed if you have indoor grow lights (sunlight is still too weak right now to start plants indoors without lights).
According to West Coast Seeds, Calgary has a frost-free season of approximately 114 Days (May 23-Sept 15). Vegetables that are recommended for early starts include: onions, strawberries, peppers, leeks, eggplants, rhubarb, and celery. Flowers that can be started from seed in February and March include: Columbine, Delphinium, Echinacea, Milkweed, Pansy, Snapdragons and Yarrow.
For more information on the timing for starting from seed and direct sowing, see Regional Planting Charts – West Coast Seeds.
Growing Onions from Seed
You might be familiar with growing onions from sets (small onion bulbs) but they can also be grown from seed. Onions are a great addition to a garden, and if growing from seed, are one of the first plants to start in the winter. You can start onion seeds 8-12 weeks before the last frost date, then transplant the seedlings in early spring (2-4 weeks before the last frost). The varieties that grow best in Canada are long-day onions, such as Red Florence and Walla Walla.
Add sterile potting soil to trays or small containers. Moisten the soil, sprinkle onion seeds on top and cover with ¼ inch of soil. Don’t worry about spacing the seeds out, onions can start close together and be separated when ready to transplant outside. After your onions germinate and start to grow- trim the tops so that they stay 3-4 inches tall. This will keep them from falling over and breaking.
Onions like full sun, loose well drained soil and can be grown in ground or containers.
For more information about growing onions, see Growing Onions: Planting, Growing, and Harvesting Onions | The Old Farmer’s Almanac or How to Grow Onions from Seeds | West Coast Seeds
History of the Silver Springs Edible Garden
The Edible Garden began as an initiative of passionate Silver Springs residents. Planning for the project kicked off in November 2009, and after countless hours of planning, grant applications, construction, and planting, the garden was ready for its first harvest in 2010. One of the garden’s early goals was to create a Donation Box to grow produce for sharing with local organizations and charities.
Expansion and New Additions
In 2020, the Edible Garden was expanded to include a ‘Food Forest and Gathering Space’, enhancing the overall experience. Additional improvements included a garden shed with a ‘living roof’, a bike rack, and a ‘barking lot’ for dogs, making the garden a more enjoyable space for all. The ‘Living Roof’ became a notable feature, sparking interest from the community.
The number of garden boxes increased from 34 to 36, and a new ‘elevated garden box’ prototype was introduced. These boxes, raised 6 inches off the ground, prevent tree roots from encroaching. Due to their success, there are plans to replace some of the older raised boxes with elevated ones in the coming years.
Please note that the area inside the chain-link fence, which includes the perennial bed perimeter, is exclusive to garden box renters. Fruit, vegetables, and herbs in the Food Forest outside the fence are available for all community members to enjoy. The community is also encouraged to participate in the planting, maintenance, and harvesting of this shared space.
How is the Edible Garden Managed?
The ‘Head Gardener Group’ serves as the steering committee, making decisions about the garden’s operations. All interested gardeners are invited to participate. The group meets on an as-needed basis and stays in touch regularly via email. Volunteers in this group take on roles like chairperson, secretary, treasurer, communications, box steward, and newsletter editor, all while liaising with the Silver Springs Community Association (SSCA).
Who is Responsible for Maintenance?
Each garden box renter is responsible for maintaining their designated bed according to the guidelines in their rental contract. Failure to comply with the expectations may result in being denied a garden box for the following season.
Composting
Composting is a crucial part of the Edible Garden, ensuring soil health for future harvests. We use a three-stage composting system and incorporate permaculture principles. These practices focus on creating sustainable, productive environments that reduce maintenance work and energy consumption.
Education and Community Involvement
The Edible Garden supports education and community engagement. Local teachers and students, including those from the three Silver Springs elementary schools, regularly visit the garden for educational field trips. The SOKO after-school program also rents a garden box, where children learn about gardening, planting, and harvesting.
The Growing Connection ‘Garden Speaker Series’
In early spring, we offer a Garden Speaker Series consisting of four garden-related presentations, held monthly at the Silver Springs Community Center. A nominal fee is charged for each session. These talks are co-hosted by the Edible Garden and the Botanical Gardens of Silver Springs. We welcome new ideas for topics and presenters!
If you have any questions or would like to get involved, feel free to contact us at silverspringsgarden@gmail.com. We’d love to hear from you!
