Backyard Bounty

Progression of a Yard for Backyard Bounty vegetables.

Thank you to the wonderful community of Guelph for the incredible generosity to donate backyards to our business. Without the use of your yards this project would not be possible.

Homeowners in Guelph experience many benefits from donating their yard.  Often they have found that they have extra space that they are not using, and are happy to have it used for something they feel is beneficial to the community and the environment without having to do the work.  By lending space to us, yard donors have less to maintain through lawn mowing, raking, etc., saving them time and money.   While homeowners who joined in 2009 get a small share of vegetables for free on a regular basis, new donors may save money on the price of a CSA share.  Either way, our donors are able to enjoy organic foods which they feel they have a strong connection with.

Want to apply?

We are looking for more yards for the 2011 growing season.  If you or someone you know may be interested in sharing yard space, or other land with us, please see the list of criteria below to see if your space and needs will match with ours:

1. Your property is located within the City of Guelph.
2. You own the property.
3. The bigger the better and our first choices are often at least 1000 sq.ft. for maximum efficiency.
4. The yard receives a minimum of 7 hours of sunlight.
5. There is little competition from tree roots, especially black walnuts (black walnuts excrete a chemical from their roots which deters the growth of many vegetables).
6. The yard has not been sprayed with chemicals for at least 3 years.
7. There is an outdoor spout for watering the garden. (Water usage will be minimal)
8. No dogs have access to the area.
9. We can have access to the garden all summer during working hours and early on harvest days.
10. You can commit to 3 seasons.

If your yard fits those criteria, please fill out the Land Use Questionnaire.   If we are interested in the property we will arrange to meet with you at the property to see if the space offers suitable growing conditions.If your yard does not fit all of the criteria, you are still welcome to fill out the questionnaire .  Our Senior Farmers may decide that it fits our needs based on location, etc, PLUS, we now also have Edible/Eco Landscaping options!

CSA Share discounts: Yard donors receive $30 off the price of a Backyard Bounty Box.

How your backyard can make you the envy of your neighbours, a hero in your community, provide local jobs and get you discounts on delicious organic food…

Maybe you’ve been meaning to do something with it. Maybe you’ve given up in the battle against the weeds and dandelions. Maybe you’ve been thinking of starting a garden. Well…

…we’d like to make you an offer! It will mean that you never need to mow or tend to your backyard again.

Consider this:

• Much of the food you eat (conventional and organic alike) travels thousands of miles from farm to fork.
• Along the way, food loses nutritional value, burns fossil fuels, and contributes to climate change.
• Guelph has plenty of dormant land that could be used to grow delicious, organic food right in the city.
• Local food – on the other hand – tastes better, is fresher, strengthens our local economy, and creates healthy vibrant communities.

Our Proposal to You:

We would like to use your backyard and turn it into a thriving, organic, highly productive, sustainable ‘microfarm’… And you don’t lift a finger (unless you want to)! You will have inspired, professional young people coming to your home throughout the week to tend your garden.  The water usage will be minimal, as gardens use much less water than lawns.  In addition we are trying to get connected with rain barrel companies to save rain water for your gardens.

You will get to look through your back window to see your beautifully kept garden growing throughout the summer. The produce grown in your yard will be part of what Backyard Bounty will sell locally through CSA shares, at the market and to restaurants in Guelph.

Your neighbours will walk by, peer over their fences and look out their back windows and wonder what is going on. You’ll find yourself speaking eloquently and powerfully about the movement your yard is a part of. You’ll be the talk of your block. Your yard will be part of a local movement to get folks in Guelph more aware about sustainable food and gardening practices, while feeding the community.  It will become a beautiful embodiment of the new green economy – an economy that balances economic, environmental and social values.