GET GROWING

CANADA’S FIRST BACKYARD  GARDEN
PROGRAM IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19

The City of Brampton launched the Backyard Garden Program, a new eco-friendly initiative to help support food security and encourage residents to get active at home during the COVID-19 emergency.

This is the first municipality in Canada to launch a citywide initiative to support residents in growing their own gardens in response to COVID-19.

The new Brampton Backyard Garden Program is chaired by City Councillor Doug Whillans in partnership with the City’s Parks Maintenance and Forestry division, and will include community partners as required.

With physical distancing measures in effect, this program encourages residents to grow produce and herbs from the comfort of their own homes, and donate their homegrown crops to local food banks and community organizations.

In order to ensure food is equally distributed to those in need, a request form will made available for food banks and organizations to complete.

This initiative supports the Mayor’s Social Support Task Force’s focus on food security and reaffirms the City’s priority of being a sustainable Green City.

The new Backyard Garden Program, through which residents can continue to stay active and green, is an extension of the existing Community Gardens program.

Residents can request free supplies (soil and seeds) by emailing Brampton GreenCity@brampton.ca. Tutorials and tips on how to maintain gardens will be shared at www.brampton.ca/parks.

With the 50th anniversary of Earth Day having been celebrated on April 22, this is the perfect opportunity for residents to contribute to urban agriculture, give back to the community, and help Brampton become a more healthy, resilient, and environmentally sustainable city.

DONATIONS NEEDED! If you are a business that can donate gardening soil and vegetable plants and seeds to the City, please email Brampton GreenCity@brampton.ca.

Image by FRAN HOGAN from Unsplah.

TIME TO TEND TO YOUR LAWN

From NEWS CANADA

April’s showers are behind us, and May’s flowers are blooming. But did you know that flowers are a good indication that it’s also time to tend to your lawn?

Now is the perfect time to prepare your lawn for the summer season by applying fertilizer to promote thick, lush grass. Lawn fertilizer is made up of a blend of nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P) and potassium (K). Nitrogen boosts growth and green colour. Phosphorus feeds seedlings and stimulates new root growth. Finally, potassium provides all around vigour and health while strengthening resistance to disease and stress.

Supplying your lawn with fertilizer three or four times per year helps to ensure your soil is replenished with enough nutrients to feed your grass for the entire growing season. This results in lush, thick, green grass that will be the envy of your neighbourhood.

There are several benefits that you and your family will receive as a thank- you from your lawn for taking good care of it.

All plants (including grass) act as air filters, removing carbon dioxide from the air and replacing it with oxygen. A healthy 15 metre by 15 metre lawn creates enough oxygen for a family of four every day and reduces dust by trapping as much as 10 billion kilograms of dust and dirt per year.

Grass has a root system that acts as a natural filtering system, absorbing chemicals and other contaminants before they reach the supply of groundwater. A healthy lawn also absorbs rainwater, reducing flooding and soil degradation and can keep the surrounding environment cooler by reducing surface temperatures.

Thick grass can also work to reduce noise pollution, absorbing sound by up to 20 to 30 per cent compared to hard surfaces.

Healthy lawns and greenspaces give back as much as you put in. A few hours of your time this spring to fertilize your lawn could mean reaping the benefits for months to come.

More about the benefits and methods for using lawn fertiliser at greenerworld.ca.