Melfort community garden renting out plots for the upcoming planting season. (Facebook/Melfort Communities in Bloom)

By Angie Rolheiser

Melfort Communities in Bloom

Communities in Bloom cancels national competition; community garden still a go

Apr 16, 2020 | 11:37 AM

The Communities in Bloom judges’ visit will be canceled this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic but the Melfort group can still go ahead with its community garden.

The garden plots are far enough apart to abide by social distancing rules according to Peggy George with Communities in Bloom.

“They really are far enough apart that there could be several people in there and we would still be sociably distanced from each other,” George said.

There are 30 plots available for rent that range between $30 and $40 for the season, depending on the shape and size.

George expects the plots will be spoken for fairly quickly.

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“The trend right now seems to be growing your own food,” George said. “With what has been going on over the past month, people are being a bit more aware of where food comes from.”

A few of the 30 plots at Spruce Haven have names on them already but there are still plenty left for rent as of right now.

“We have about six weeks yet until planting time so by then we hope the snow will be gone and we will have some wonderful moisture to make for a great planting season,” George said.

Plots can be rented by sending a message to the Melfort Communities in Bloom Facebook page.

“Plant a row, grow a row, and if you don’t need it, donate to the food bank or give to someone you know that needs it,” George said.

When it comes to the rest of the work by Melfort CIB, things may look a little different.

“We will be planting our planters but we are still working on a plan to do that safely so that too is up in the air,” George said.

In 2019, the group competed in the 2,501-7,000 population category for the first time and intended to compete nationally again.

Melfort CiB received a score of 82.5 per cent – 2.5 per cent short of a bronze rating – and an Outstanding Achievement Award for landscaping and a special mention for the meditation garden at the city’s cemetery.

On April 14, Communities in Bloom Canada announced due to uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, the evaluation tours for the 2020 national competition and international challenge would be cancelled.

Instead there will be a 2020 special edition that will showcase communities on social media that would include a outstanding achievement awards.

Provincially, things are still being evaluated.

“We are in lockdown but that has not stopped the dreaming and the scheming of what is to come,” George said.

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angie.rolheiser@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @Angie_Rolheiser