Beyond creating beautiful urban gardens, we believe in actively supporting initiatives in our community. Since 2017, we have been involved in the Victoria Urban Food Garden Tour, raising funds and promoting access to local organic food for some of those without access to home gardens. Our efforts reflect our commitment to sustainable food growth, education and fostering a sense of connection and fun within our community.
In 2024 the Times Colonist featured one of our gardens from the Victoria Urban Food Garden Tour in their Home Beautiful section- take a peek at the article A stunning oasis of plants and pollinators - Victoria Times Colonist
You can also check another of our gardens from the 2019 Urban Food Garden tour highlighted in the Times Colonist here
Melinda Minkley poses in her “Urban Oasis”, a creative collaboration with us! Melinda’s garden will be one of the many featured in the Victoria Urban Food-Garden Tour - you can find out more about Melinda’s garden and the tour in the Times Colonist Article here. (Photo from Times Colonist Article.)
Beechwood Boulevard Gardens and Seed Exchange:
In 2021, Rebecca took the idea of the ‘little free library’ and turned it green using an old mailbox and an overstock of vegetable seeds. The seed exchange operates the way any little library does: take something you like, leave something if and when you have an abundance to share. The stock of seeds ebbs and flows with the growing seasons, but it’s always worth a peek inside to see what gems your neighbours may have left!
As of 2023 you can now find TWO seed exchanges in the 200 block of Beechwood Avenue!
A map of all little free libraries, including known seed libraries in the city can be accessed here.
Rebecca being interviewed in the 2022/23 BBC Gardeners’ World Winter Special.
BBC Gardeners’ World Winter Special Episode 1 Feature
In December of 2022 the Beechwood Boulevard Gardens and Seed Exchange were featured on BBC’s long time running show “Gardeners' World”. In 2020 when the ability to film offsite was hindered by the pandemic, Gardener’s World asked viewers to send in clips of their own gardens to show off what they were doing at home.
Any Thyme Gardening sent in a video showcasing the boulevard space and seed exchange and ended up included in the first ‘Winter Special’ of 2022. For the Any Thyme crew who are big fans of the show and its host Monty Don, this was pretty exciting!