A University of Saskatchewan (USask) Horticulture Outreach Specialist with the College of Agriculture and Bioresources says that more people are growing their own gardens each year.

Brooke Coller says there are many reasons for the increase in people taking up gardening.

“Part of it is, during 2020 we were all stuck at home and we needed something to do. I think a larger part of it is that food security piece. About 25 per cent of Canadian households are food insecure and in Saskatchewan that number is actually more like 30 per cent.”

Coller says that the rising cost of living and grocery prices have contributed to the drop in food security in recent years.

She adds that USask offers some great gardening resources, for both aspiring and experienced gardeners.

“A starting point I would recommend is checking out our website, gardening.usask.ca and on our website we have free, accessible and research-backed growing advice. We also offer Garden Line, which is open from May 1st to September 31st each year. For gardeners who are looking to get a little bit more serious about gardening, we also offer the USask master Gardener’s Certificate.”

Coller adds that some events are coming up for gardeners as the days inch closer to springtime, including a Seed Swap at the Rusty McDonald Library on the 28th, as well as the Gardenscapes show at Prairieland Park on March 27th to the 29th.