The deadline of April 14 is approaching fast for green-thumbed youths wanting to join the 2022 Chilliwack Schools Garden Program (CSGP).
Founded in 1904 and rolling into its 118th year, the program gives Chilliwack students the opportunity to grow their own flowers and veggies while competing against other kids. For $5, children are given seeds and instructions. They can set up their garden plot or container at home or anywhere within Chilliwack School District 33 boundaries and get to growing.
Gardeners in grades K-12 are encouraged to keep a journal and enter what they’ve produced in the Chilliwack Fair, which happens this year from August 5-7.
CSGP judges will visit each garden, and according to chilliwackschoolsg.wixsite.com/home, “they love to provide tips to successfully guide you through the process of soil preparation, planting, and tending to your plot or container garden.”
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The program routinely has 200-plus entrants. Each year they are eligible to win certificates, ribbons and “maybe a trophy” at season’s end.
The CSGP operates through the generosity of community donations, and is run by volunteers.
The program is open to any Chilliwack school student (public, independent and home-school). This is the first time ever that the CSGP is accepting online registration. While students can still register at their school, they can also fill out an application form at chilliwackschoolsg.wixsite.com/home/application-form.
Seeds will be delivered to the schools in early May.
More info can be found at facebook.com/ChilliwackSchoolsGardenProgram or by calling Maureen Jones at 604-858-6957.