GROW Whistler
Welcome to GROW Whistler: The Community Greenhouse and Garden Program
Growing Food | Cultivating Health | Building Community
AWARE’s GROW program helps people grow their own organic vegetables at four greenhouse and garden locations throughout Whistler. Growing vegetables close to home reduces the carbon footprint of our food, eliminates packages, and heightens our connections to our food. Community gardens are a great way to connect with neighbours, spend time outside and reap physical and mental health benefits as well as delicious food.
The GROW Community Greenhouses & Gardens are located on the shared, unceded territory of the Líl̓wat and Sk̲wx̲wú7mesh Nations. We respect and commit to deep reflection and support of their history, culture, stewardship and voice.
| 2024 Pricing | |
|---|---|
| Garden Box | $90 |
| Second Garden Box (space permitting) | $65 |
| Maintenance Fee, per box (the maintenance fee can be waived if you volunteer for 4 hours, per box) | $30 |
| For the 8th year, WCSS & AWARE are partnering to subsidize garden boxes for individuals facing financial barriers accessing the GROW program. 15 plots are available on a first-come, first-served basis. To apply for the subsidy, please make an appointment with a WCSS Outreach Worker. Book online at mywcss.org or call 604-932-0113. |
Annual GROW registration dates
- February 15: Early bird registration links emailed (to previous year gardeners & AWARE members). Become a member here.
- March 1: General registration (with sign-up details available on this page once registration opens).
- Please note: The program fills up quickly so sign up early to avoid any disappointment. Spaces are assigned in order of registration timestamp, and being on the waitlist does not guarantee a spot.
Garden locations & details:
The GROW program provides users with tools, compost and all the things you need to get growing.
Space is allocated on a first come, first serve basis with gardeners from the previous year and AWARE members offered an early-bird registration each growing season.
Cheakamus Community Garden
At Cheakamus Community Garden over a hundred 4ft x 8ft outdoor boxes are available for outdoor growing. The annual fee of $90/year for an outdoor garden box includes compost, tools and each spring we host a seed swap for people to exchange organic seeds.
Neighbourhood Greenhouses
GROW Whistler includes four greenhouses; two at Spruce Grove Park, one at Myrtle Philip School and one at Alpha Lake Park. Each greenhouse contains eighteen, 2.5ft by 8ft boxes. Greenhouse temperatures are automatically controlled and beds are irrigated by automatic watering.
The annual fee of $90/year for a greenhouse box includes a wide variety of organic seeds, soil amendments, water, a gardening guide and lots of support. As the greenhouses are fully organic closed eco-systems and in the interests of keeping them disease-free, only seeds and materials provided by the program are permitted.
Gardener Pledge
The success of the community garden and greenhouse program is achieved through gardeners commitment and support. The Gardener Pledge highlights what it means to be a GROW member and all gardeners agree to gardener conditions around organic principles, avoiding bear attractants, looking after shared spaces, and more.
Read the pledgeGardener Resources
- Outdoor Gardening 101 | New to outdoor gardening? Start here!
- Greenhouse Gardening 101 | New to greenhouse gardening? Start here!
- Local Climate Resources | Tips and tricks for our local climate, plus links to online educational libraries and other nearby resources.
- How To Video: Greenhouse Box Setup | A great introduction or reminder on how to set up your box.
- How To Video: Greenhouse Watering Systems | A great introduction or reminder on how the greenhouse watering system works.
- Recipe Ideas | Looking for new ways to use up your fresh veggies? Look no further! If you have a recipe you’d like to contribute please email grow@awarewhistler.org.
- Whistler Seed Library | The Whistler Seed Library was created in partnership with the Whistler Public Library to increase local food security, reduce our carbon footprint and connect the Whistler community with affordable and healthy food options. Contribute or take home seeds and support sustainable gardening in the sea to sky corridor.
- Get Bear Smart | Find out everything you need to know to be a bear smart gardener!
Volunteer Hours
Without the dedication and cooperation of each and every GROW Member, this program would not be possible. GROW Members each complete 4 hours (per box) outside of shared maintenance duties to contribute to this success. Track hours effortlessly over the summer months by filling your details into our volunteer hour tracker fo. If you are unable to volunteer, you may pay a fee of $30 per box.
Coming soonThis project is proudly presented by AWARE and is made possible by generous grant support from Whistler Blackcomb Epic Promise Foundation and the ongoing support of the Resort Municipality of Whistler.