The City of Grande Prairie is showcasing a few ways for residents to engage with nature this season while sowing and reaping the rewards of growing their food. Gardening at Home, edible landscapes and community orchards with fresh fruit will be sprouting up around the City this season. Click on the categories below and get growing and learning!
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This year, GP Grows is hitting the road, embarking on a captivating tour across our community to showcase a diverse range of solutions for your garden.
June 21- Crystal Heights (89b Street & 113 Avenue)
Time: 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Theme: Pests and invasive species
July 19 - Dave Barr Arena (9535 Prairie Road)
Time: 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Theme: Garden and landscape design
September 13 – Dalen Park (76A Avenue and 98 Street)
Time: 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Theme: Tree planting
GP Grows returns to the community at Earth Day 2023, with residents able to visit a GP Grows Seed Bar to select from 13 different seed varieties for their customized garden. Residents can learn about how to support the growth of these plants and take home a customized seed growing kit to grow at home.
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Instructions for planting in your seed pellets
Instructions for planting zucchini seeds and seed potatoes
We’ll be checking in along the way on social media with tips, tricks and troubleshooting to ensure your garden is a delicious success.Everyone participating in GP Grows is encouraged to share photos of their gardens on social media using the hashtag #GPGrows. For more details, visit cityofgp.com/earthday
Fresh fruit is at your fingertips in the City of Grande Prairie’s Community Orchards.The city’s first community orchards were planted in 2015, with more added in the following years. Several different types of fruit-bearing plants are in your community orchard and ready to harvest at various times throughout the season.
These green spaces beautify our communities and entice neighbours outdoors regularly, where they build friendships and community ties.
In 2020 the City of Grande Prairie implemented the first learning garden at the Design Works Centre to teach participants of the GP Grows Gardening program how to grow and care for their gardens. Through this project, we were able to donate 6 full garbage bags of Swiss chard (3 harvests), approximately 10-15 lbs of radishes, 327 beets, and 350 carrots to the Grande Prairie Friendship Centre Community Kitchen.
This year we are expanding the learning garden program to include gardens at the Reverend Forbes Homestead as well as our flagship garden at the Design Works Centre.
We can't wait to share our harvest results with you this year. To catch up on all our tips for growing in Grande Prairie view the videos below.
The City of Grande Prairie is proud to be protecting pollinators in our community as an official Bee City. Some of the work we are doing to protect and support the local pollinator populations includes:
- Eight pollinator gardens created in GP specifically to boost pollinators during times when other nectars and pollen sources are in short supply
- Ground cover in our community orchards planted to provide pollen when sources are in short supply
- Committed to an Edible Landscaping Policy 212 across the City to plant a specific portion of trees each year that produce edible crops. These trees produce flowers that feed pollinators. Since 2014, Parks Operations has planted hundreds of edible trees, including apple, pear, apricot, plum, and cherry trees
- Created a Bylaw that allows for naturalization of areas of land which to support local pollinators
- Significantly reduced the use of insecticides since 2015
Celebrate International Pollinator Week with Us!
International Pollinator Week is June 20-26, 2022. Stay tuned for more information on the event!In 2014 the City of Grande Prairie committed to an Edible Landscaping Policy (Policy 212) which sees the City plant a specific portion of trees each year that produce edible crops on municipal landscapes. Since 2014, Parks Operations has planted hundreds of shrubs and edible trees, including apple, pear, apricot, plum, and cherry trees. In addition to our community orchards, you can find edible landscapes in our parks and downtown core.
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Looking to start or expand your garden this year?
Join us on May 6 from 12 p.m.-4 p.m. at the Activity & Reception Centre for an exciting event that will get your green thumb itching!
We're giving away seed potatoes, carrots, radishes, beets, seed onion and triple-mix soil for FREE!
Bring your own container (up to 5 gallons) and get ready to start your vegetable garden at home.
Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting out, our team will be on-site to answer any questions you may have and provide tips and tricks to help you get the most out of your plants.
Don't miss this opportunity to kick-start your gardening journey and enjoy the benefits of homegrown produce. See you at the Activity & Reception Centre on May 6!