The award-winning Get Growing, Victoria! program supports communities in need through partnerships with non-profit organizations. The City of Victoria program helps distribute seedlings and soil-building materials to residents who face barriers to growing their own food.
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. The program has been in operation since 2020. Each year, the City distributed 100,000 seedlings in partnership with 67 organizations, and delivers over 700 cubic yards of soil-building materials.
For more information about each seedling variety and tips for seedling care, visit Get Growing Victoria! | Growing Together
Distribution Days
Calling all green thumbs! Free leaf mulch, compost and woodchips will be available at locations across the City. See the table below for details. Please bring your own shovel and containers. Materials will be available while supplies last.
| Neighbourhood | Date and Time | Location |
| Jubilee | Wed. March 12 1:30 p.m. until supplies are gone | Bank Street School 1625 Bank Street Street Parking Only |
| Fernwood | Thurs. March 13 3 p.m. until supplies are gone | Fernwood Community Centre 1240 Gladstone Ave Street Parking Only |
| Vic West | Fri. March 14 Noon until supplies are gone | Vic West Community Centre 405 Craigflower Road In the parking lot of Chicken on the Run |
| Oaklands | Sat. March 15 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. | Oaklands Community Centre 1-2827 Belmont Ave Street Parking Only |
| Burnside Gorge | Wed. March 19 Noon until supplies are gone | Cecelia Ravine Park 465 Burnside Road E. In parking lot by the community garden |
| James Bay | Sat. March 22 10:30 a.m. until supplies are gone | MacDonald Park 215 Simcoe St In the parking lot |
| North Park | Sat. March 22 12:30 - 2:30 p.m. | Franklin Green 1045 Mason St Street Parking Only |
Spring seedlings will be distributed between May 13 and 31. Summer seedlings will be distributed between July 29 and August 16. More information on distribution dates and locations will be available soon.
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!
Program Recognition
Get Growing, Victoria! is the winner of the 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.