Our community garden has long been a place of joy, connection, and growth – where members rent plots, nurture their vegetables, and share in the beauty of the season’s harvest. Unfortunately, a troubling trend has emerged this year: theft.
Over the past few weeks, several members have reported missing vegetables from their plots. What’s especially disheartening is that many of these vegetables were harvested prematurely – pulled out before they were ripe, and in some cases, simply left discarded in the beds. This not only wastes the produce but also damages the plants and the spirit of the gardeners who have invested time, care, and resources into their plots.
For many, gardening is more than just growing food. It’s a therapeutic activity, a way to connect with nature, and a source of pride. The recent thefts have left members feeling discouraged and questioning whether they’ll return next season. This is a loss not just for individual gardeners, but for the entire community.
See Something – Report It!
We ask everyone if you see suspicious activity or notice someone harvesting from a plot that isn’t theirs, please report it to [email protected]. We’re also exploring ways to improve security and signage to remind visitors that these plots are privately rented and lovingly maintained. Let’s work together to restore trust and ensure our garden remains a place of growth – for plants and for community spirit.
Have ideas for improving garden security or fostering community respect? We’d love to hear from you. Reach out to [email protected]. Interested further in what the Community Garden is all about? Check us out at https://renfrewcommunitygarden.wordpress.com/ and always feel free to chat with any of The Smiling Gardeners you may meet onsite!
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