Dear VJCG Community,



Welcome to the VJCG newsletter! It will serve as your go-to source for regular updates on everything taking place in the garden. From the latest growth spurts and blossoms to the fantastic contributions of our community volunteers and the bountiful harvests we reap, we'll keep you in the loop about the vibrant life unfolding within our cherished garden space. While the frequency of updates may adjust during the quieter months, we assure you that whenever there's something noteworthy happening in the garden, you'll be the first to know. Let's cultivate a shared sense of wonder and appreciation for the beauty and abundance of this community garden.

We are excited to share with you that gardening-related activities have resumed in the garden. Small volunteer groups have resumed harvesting, planting, and other gardening tasks. While large social gatherings remain temporarily halted, we are encouraged by this progress and are looking forward to the city's approval for the return of all programming.

Volunteers from the whole community came out in March and April to plant 13 different fruit trees, perennials like raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, and currents, as well as many ornamentals. 

During their visit to the garden in March, VTT students seeded peas to take back to their classrooms to germinate. In April, the seeds were brought back to the garden and transplanted. They are now growing up and over the 8 ft trellises and producing lots of snap and English peas!

Later in April and May, more volunteers came to plant spring greens, radishes, herbs, and much more, including:

The apple trees flowered and the fruit are starting to grow and ripen. By Rosh HaShana, we should have some beautiful apples.

The first harvests, in early June, included arugula, mustard greens, kale, and beautiful radishes.

We started harvesting peas in late June and have continued to harvest snap peas and English peas.

We harvested our first zucchinis in early July and have harvested several more since then. Peas and zucchinis are being donated to The Kitchen, for use in JFS’s food programs.

While the raspberries and strawberries have been producing smaller batches of fruit, their vibrance is something to behold!

The Vancouver Jewish Community Garden has already made a remarkable positive impact on the community despite being in its first year of harvest. The garden's abundant harvests have contributed to nutritious meals and food bags for those in need, demonstrating its immediate and tangible contribution to addressing food insecurity. As the garden flourishes and grows, it fosters hope and resilience, making a positive impact on the community.

We’d like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the volunteers who have contributed their time and energy to the garden. Your support is instrumental in creating a vibrant and thriving community space.



To ensure the blooming vitality of this space we need the ongoing support of our entire community. Support the VJCG and make a meaningful impact today.

Looking to get involved in the garden? Get your hands dirty with regular garden maintenance or offer your expertise for special garden projects. 

Join Maggie for weekly garden maintenance, with tasks such as planting, harvesting, weeding, and general upkeep. 

Sundays, 10 am -12 pm: Aug 20th & 27th

Thursdays, 10 am -12 pm (except Aug 10th 11am-1pm): Aug 10th, Aug 17th, 24th & 31st

Everyone is welcome - there are tasks for all abilities and experience levels.

Do you have graphic design experience? Do you have woodworking experience? Get in touch with Maggie to hear about the garden's design and building projects.

RSVP appreciated! Click here to email Maggie Wilson, VJCG Coordinator.

We look forward to seeing you in the garden, as we continue to nurture our green oasis together!

The Vancouver Jewish Community Garden was established in 2020 through a collaborative effort by Vancouver Talmud Torah, Congregation Beth Israel, and Jewish Family Services and made possible by the Diamond Foundation. The Diamond Foundation secured a long-term lease of this land for future development and is allowing the land to be used on a temporary basis. We are grateful to the Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver in partnership with the Jewish Community Foundation and the Ronald S. Roadburg Foundation for their significant financial seed gifts.