Gardening @ UVic

This past week, we had the chance to visit the community garden at UVic as part of our science course, and wow, it was such an eye-opening experience. Lyndsay, the garden coordinator, led us on a tour, and it really deepened my understanding of how connected gardening and community truly are (and yes, I’m totally here for the pun of community gardens).

What I absolutely love about this space is the way it brings people together. Often strangers at first, people get to connect over a shared love for growing and nurturing plants. It’s amazing how these garden plots serve as little hubs where people can connect and bond over their gardens. It’s a reminder that gardening isn’t just about plants; it’s about community, connection, and a shared joy that grows over time.

Lyndsay also shared how the garden acts as a drop-in space where anyone can come to connect with nature. There are “work parties” that anyone can join to help out in the garden, and for me, as someone who’s still new to gardening, I can see how joining these work parties would be such a great way to learn from others and meet like-minded people. It’s the perfect opportunity to get my hands dirty and continue learning in a supportive environment.

One of the most fascinating parts of the garden was the “food forest” area. It’s an entire section dedicated to growing plants that are not just beautiful, but also edible and useful in some way. The goal of this food forest is to be self-sustaining over time, which is just incredible. I’ve heard of this concept before—permaculture—but hearing it explained in the context of this garden really made me think more deeply about the roots of sustainability.

Lyndsay also touched on how the concept of food forests comes from Indigenous traditions, which was a perspective I hadn’t fully considered. She also spoke about the colonial undertones often associated with the modern permaculture movement. This really made me pause and reflect on how colonialism’s influence is embedded in so many aspects of our society, including the way we think about sustainability and land management. It was a powerful moment that challenged me to think more critically about the history and ethics behind the concepts we often take for granted.

Overall, the visit to the community garden was a wonderful reminder of how gardening can be both a personal and collective experience. It’s a space for learning, for connection, and for reflecting on how we can grow together, not just in our gardens, but in our understanding of the land and its history.