The Get Growing Victoria program supports communities in need through partnerships with non-profit organizations. This City of Victoria program helps distribute seedlings and soil-building materials to residents who face barriers to growing their own food.
Our partner organizations support communities through their programs. Programs include horticultural therapy, gardening and food access programs for community kitchens that support people with disabilities.
About the Program
The seedlings are grown in the City nursery in Beacon Hill Park and distributed in partnership with community organizations. Soil-building materials are generated through Parks operations. The program has been in operation since 2020. Each year, the City distributes approximately 100,000 seedlings and delivers over 700 cubic yards of soil-building materials in partnership with 67 organizations.
Program Recognition
Get Growing, Victoria! is the winner of the 2022 BC Recreation and Parks Association Program Excellence Award. Read the BCRPA article about the impact and importance of the program: Award-Winning Victoria Gardening Program Sows Seeds that Feed and Connect. Get Growing, Victoria! is also the winner of the Social Impact Award in the 2022 Ecostar Awards. This award recognizes outstanding environmental achievements and leadership on Vancouver Island.
Distribution Days
It's almost time to plant your garden for a bountiful fall and winter harvest! Summer seedling distribution days are coming soon.
| Neighbourhood | Date and Time | Location and Details |
|---|---|---|
| Hillside Quadra | Wednesday, July 29 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | Quadra Village Community Centre 901 Kings Rd. Seedlings only |
| Fernwood | Thursday, July 30 1-3 p.m. or until materials run out | Fernwood Neighbourhood House 1240 Gladstone Ave. Seedlings and soil-building materials |
| Victoria West | Friday, July 31 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. or until materials run out | Vic West Community Centre 521 Craigflower Rd. Seedlings only |
| James Bay | Saturday, August 1 10 a.m.-noon | Irving Park 250 Menzies St. Seedlings only |
| Burnside | Wednesday, August 5 4-6 p.m. | Burnside Gorge Community Centre 471 Cecelia Rd. Seedlings and soil-building materials |
| Fairfield | Saturday, August 8 1-3 p.m. | Robert Porter Park 1350 Fairfield Rd. Seedlings and soil-building materials |
| North Park | Saturday, August 8 3-5 p.m. | Franklin Green 1045 Mason St. Seedlings and soil-building materials |
| Rockland | Thursday, August 13 10 a.m.-noon | Government House 1401 Rockland Ave. Seedlings only |
| Downtown | Thursday, August 13 4-6 p.m. | Yates Street Community Garden 1014 Yates St. Seedlings only |
| Oaklands | Saturday, August 15 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | Oaklands Community Centre 2827 Belmont Ave. Seedlings only |
| Jubilee | Saturday, August 15 2-4 p.m. or until materials run out | Redfern Park 1700 block Redfern St. Seedlings only |
Neighbourhood distribution days are held by community partner organizations in each of Victoria’s neighbourhoods and are open to residents of the City of Victoria who may face barriers to growing their own food. A majority of the program's seedlings and soil-building materials are distributed through direct partnerships with non-profit organizations.
Soil-building materials are distributed in March and September by some community partner organizations. In May, July and August, community partners hold seedling distribution days in every neighbourhood. Some of these events are also able to provide limited quantities of soil-building materials.
Neighbhourhood distribution days aim to provide a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. Abusive, disrespectful, threatening or violent language or actions towards staff, volunteers or residents will not be tolerated.
Our Partners
Thank you to our amazing recipient organization who help ensure the success of Get Growing Victoria. We are proud to partner with First Nations and approximately 50 organizations that provide a variety of community services, such as:
- mental health and addictions organizations
- community centre operators
- neighbourhood associations
- mutual aid groups
- emergency food access organizations
- social service organizations
- subsidized and supportive housing organizations
- environmental stewardship organizations
- public health organizations
- greater Victoria School District
- school and community gardens
Thank you to our neighbourhood partners for ensuring smooth and safe collection events, including:
- James Bay Neighbourhood Association
- Oaklands Community Association
- Burnside Gorge Community Association
- North Park Neighbourhood Association and Victoria Immigrant & Refugee Society
- Fairfield Gonzales Community Association
- Fernwood Neighbourhood Resource Group
- Government House and Friends of Government House
- South Jubilee Neighbourhood Association
- Victoria West Community Association and Victoria West Food Security Collective
- Yates Street Community Garden
- Quadra Village Community Centre
Growing in the City Grants
Learn more about the various City grants that support community-led gardening program. City grants support community and boulevard gardening, food tree stewardship and Get Growing Victoria.