Greetings and welcome to all 2009 new and returning gardeners!

The Community Gardens is one of the programs that are part of the South Zone Recreation Board. The Gardens are located near the corner of Wascana Parkway & Grant Road. In 2009 there will be 295 garden plots will be available at this location. The Community Gardens program is financially self-sufficient and operates from the garden user fees. However the gardens could not operate without the many hours of contribution by many volunteers who organize all the services throughout the season.

This will be an exciting year for us with the addition of 28 - ½ sized plots along the west side of the parking area. These plots were added to accommodate those who do not need a full size plot. This will open up some full sized plots to those who could not obtain a plot last year as all the plots were rented. We had many requests for plots that we had to turn away in 2008. Hopefully with the addition of these ½ plots we can satisfy all who would like to rent a plot no matter what size.

Please keep an eye on the bulletin board located at the entrance to the parking area for updates on events we plan to hold this season. The first event will be putting up the posts and strings early in the spring. A group effort will make this job much more enjoyable. Another event we will be organizing is another garden tour mid season. We will keep you posted as to the date and time.

If you have any questions, concerns or issues relating to the community gardens or an individual garden plot, you can contact one of the Directors of the South Zone Community Garden Association by calling 565-1312 or by sending an email to szcomgardens@yahoo.ca. Gardeners are to leave a message and the appropriate Director will respond to the message. Do not direct concerns to the Wascana Center Authority or to its personnel.

The Directors of the South Zone Community Gardens Association have an agreement with Wascana Centre Authority. The agreement allows WCA the right of access to the Community Gardens and the right to fulfill its obligations to maintain the property in and around the Community Gardens. This maintenance may involve the application of herbicides and pesticides after consultation with the Directors.

Vandalism was a problem in the fall of 2008. We are working with WCA on signage to be posted at the gardens. Hopefully this well help reduce this occurrence in 2009. We need your help with this one. By getting to know your neighbours’ you can detect when there is a stranger at the garden. Just by asking questions you can deter them from thinking about taking what does not belong to them.

As stated above this facility operates on the many hours of work provided by many volunteers. This work includes things like: checking the plots throughout the garden season, replace stakes, install strings in spring and remove mid season, put out and take in water hoses, fixing water taps, mow and trim grass. As you can see there is a lot of work to be done so if you can help in any way, please let us know. We welcome all volunteers. Contact via phone – 565-1312 or by e-mail @ szcomgardens@yahoo.ca. You can also visit our web site at www.oocities.org/szcomgardens/szcomgardens.html.

Your 2009 South Zone Community Gardens Volunteer Executive.

President	Marlene Hooper
Past-President & Secretary	Vacant
Garden Registrar	Victor Tétreault
Treasurer & Garden Equipment	Paul Jones
Spring Director & Garden Equipment	Bruce Vicq & Doug Elliott
Summer Director & Garden Equipment	Vacant
Fall Director & Garden Equipment	Arnold Fritsch
Director at Large	Vacant

Prepared by Marlene Hooper, President 2009