Jo-Jo’s Community garden was launched in 2017 with a plan from Kim Bonin as a 100% organic, non-profit community garden. The Kassis family of Jo Jo’s Pizza kindly offered the property behind their restaurant on Stittsville Main Street for the garden. Residents can apply for a plot to grow their own vegetables, herbs, fruits and flowers.
The community garden has continued to expand and improve for all gardeners over the past decade by adding accessible raised beds, an insect hotel, a Food Forest, an Enchanted Forest with fairy gardens, a water distribution system, tables to eat a Jo-Jo’s pizza or ice cream cone, and a large log cabin shed for tool storage. During the summer, Jo-Jo’s hosts a Thursday night of live music in the garden.
On September 5th, with fine weather, the Stittsville Goulbourn Horticultural Society (SGHS) held their 2nd annual successful Fall Plant Sale at Jo-Jo’s. The Society holds two plants sales each year – a spring sale at Frederick Banting Alternative School and a fall sale at Jo-Jo’s Community Garden. All the plants are from local gardens so are guaranteed to survive in our climate with proper care.
Kim Bonin, Manager of the community garden, was excited to show and share with us that “A new addition to the community garden has been added – a native plant maze.” The SGHS will be assisting by showcasing native plants in the maze.
The ‘Maze Garden’ can be found next to the neighbouring dental office parking lot. SGHS had used some of the space to overwinter native plants that would be added to the Lee Boltwood Park in spring. SGHS is excited to be using their gardening expertise to be tending the maze area for their Native Plants Program. SGHS members say, “It is fast becoming a great place to showcase native plants both for our use and for education about local native plants.”
In the maze, you will find native grasses (M4), edible Fruit (M8), familiar and less known plants (M9). The maze is still a work in progress, but will be a focal point in the community garden where all residents can enjoy the plants and learn about growing native plants in their own gardens.
The community garden offers residents the opportunity to learn, make new friends and volunteer. Take a moment out of your day to visit the garden and maze and just relax.
For more information and to get involved, follow Jo-Jo’s Community Garden on Facebook. For information or to join the Stittsville Goulbourn Horticultural Society visit their website.