Dieppe’s raised gardens

Dieppe’s raised gardens are lifting the spirits of the community’s seniors

In 2011, the local branch of l’Association acadienne et francophone des ainés et ainés et ainées du Nouveau-Brunswick, a seniors group in Dieppe, approached the city with the idea of starting a community garden for interested local seniors. Fast forward to one year later and not only are the raised gardens up and underway, but the group has already enjoyed their first harvest!

Gabrielle Maillet, Community Agent for Leisure Services and Recreational Infrastructure with the City of Dieppe, beams with pride when she speaks about the original and innovative program. “They are tremendously engaged. They come out every day and work hard. They absolutely love it.”

And their success can be seen beyond their bountiful harvest. Not only are the gardeners eating well and enjoying a heightened level of physical activity, but the project has fostered many new friendships and relationships, resulting in seniors socializing outside of the garden.

The group has major plans lined up for next year. By inaugurating a new, inter-generational garden project and inviting local children to participate, they want to cap off the end of next season with a massive community harvest. When asked about the success of the project, Gabrielle says “there’s nothing quite like eating healthy, fresh vegetables that you grew yourself.”