Harvesting Hope

Discover the independence of growing your own food—from seed to harvest. Food literacy empowers communities and learning how to grow food builds confidence, resilience, and sustainability. This philosophy is at the heart of AMA’s School Garden Studio, and through this campaign, we’re extending that knowledge from classrooms into backyards, balconies, and community spaces. You can also support your local community by donating any extra bounty to a local food bank.

How to start your garden

With grocery prices continuing to rise and the ground starting to thaw, maybe you are thinking of growing some of your own veggies this year, or picking up some seeds from an AMA centre to get started. Growing your own vegetables and fruits can save you money but also has so many other benefits.

Benefits of growing your own food:

• Increases your food security
• Increases independence
• Builds confidence, resilience and sustainability
• Can be a stress reliever
• Creates peace of mind knowing how and where your food was grown
• Helps the climate with reduced food travelling time, money and use of fossil fuels
• Allows you to eat vegetables and fruits that are more nutrient dense due to freshness
• Gives you the ability to eliminate herbicide and pesticide ingestion

Before you dig in, here are some things to consider:

💲 Budget
You can get started for as little as $10, or spend thousands if you choose. We advise starting small and building up your experience before investing heavily.

📏 Space
Gardening can mean anything from one container on a balcony to a full backyard or community plot. Choose something you can comfortably maintain for several months.

⏱ Time
Some gardens need just 10 minutes a week, while others require daily attention. Be realistic about your schedule.

🥕 What to Grow
Grow foods you enjoy eating. Trying something new is great—but start with favourites to reduce waste and frustration. Some veggies make better neighbours than others. Here’s a list of vegetables you can plant together, and here’s a list to avoid.

🌎 Growing Zone
Your growing zone matters. Some plants thrive locally, while others struggle. Be sure to select varieties suited to your region.
North Zone Recommendations
South Zone Recommendations

🪴 Soil Basics

• Black soil: Ideal—nutrient‑rich, soft, and spongy
• Sandy soil: Drains well but dries quickly and lacks nutrients
• Clay soil: Nutrient‑dense but difficult to dig and drains poorly

Tips: You can improve any soil by adding compost, manure, or peat. Most vegetables prefer soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0, though some plants have specific needs.

💧 Watering Tips

• Ensure you have access to water during dry periods
• Water early in the morning or in the evening
• Water deeply—about 1 foot down
• Water less often but thoroughly (1–2 times per week) to encourage strong root growth
• Rain barrels are a great option—just make sure you keep them clean and mosquito‑free

🌿 Weed Control

• Prevent weeds from going to seed
• Mulch to retain moisture and suppress weed growth

There’s a lot to learn—but you don’t need all the answers to start. Begin with something simple and forgiving, and learn as you grow.

Donating to your local food bank

Once your garden starts producing, you have options:

• Enjoy what you grow and experience the reward of home‑grown food
• Donate surplus produce to help support others in your community

If you’d like to donate, you can find a food bank near you through Food Banks Alberta.