Green-thumbed Londoners will soon be allowed back into the city's 17 community gardens, but with new guidelines to protect against COVID-19.
The City of London announced Wednesday preparations are underway to physically get the gardens ready for reopening while also identifying appropriate safety measures. Up until last Saturday, community gardens across Ontario had been deemed non-essential and thus not allowed to open for spring planting. However, the provincial government reversed its decision following weeks of lobbying, noting the gardens are "essential sources of fresh food."
In light of the change, city officials are currently working with the Middlesex London Health Unit to identify any requirements needed to protect against COVID-19 within the green spaces.
Gardeners won't be able to dig into the dirt on May 1 as they have in past years though. Work to get the gardens ready for planting was halted when the city shifted to minimal operations in response to the pandemic in mid-March.
"We are now working as quickly as we can, but they will not be open by May 1," city officials said in a statement. "We will share the opening date as soon as it can be confirmed."
The community gardens, which provide healthy, low-cost nourishment to those facing food insecurity, are only open to registered gardeners.
More than 450 people are currently registered to work in the gardens located throughout the city. The approximately 200-400 square foot plots are rented on a geared-to-income basis, with fees ranging from $15 to $40. A list of available plots can be found by clicking here.