MEET THE TEAM & SEE OUR PLANS
ABOUT FAIRMONT GARDEN
Fairmont United Church is located at 29 Tweedsmuir Avenue in the Fairmont neighbourhood in London. Under the administration of the Metropolitan United Church, we are designing, constructing, and operating a market-style vegetable garden, beginning in 2023. Our long term goal is to support and expand upon the capacity for residents in the City of London to provide healthy food for our families, while living in an urban environment. We will learn, practice, and teach about the importance of growing healthy food while we manage our own production of fresh vegetables at our Tweedsmuir location. We hope you'll come to see us!
THE TEAM
Rev. Dr. Jeff Crittenden is an assistant professor at Huron University and the Fairmont Market Garden Project Owner. He is providing the land and the people to support the project as well as helping to engage financial supporters to make it possible. Jeff is also supporting two summer student positions to help with the daily operations.
Ron Koudys is a leading Landscape Architect in Canada and the Project Developer for Fairmont Market Garden. Ron and his friends in the business are bringing the crucial elements of soil, compost, irrigation, and their expertise to help create the garden and build the necessary infrastructure for long-term venture.
Mark is the Farm Manager for Fairmont Market Garden and responsible for the operation and management of the project. Mark comes from a background in healthcare and aims to continue to support the health of the London community by connecting people to fresh, organic and locally grown vegetables.
THE PLAN
The Property
29 Tweedsmuir Avenue
Fairmont United Church was acquired by Metropolitan United Church and was being rented by a few groups for various purpose. The property had a basement where the indoor nursery could be located, a kitchen where the processing could be completed, and a parking lot that was larger than needed for the occupancy of the building.
The Location
Dig Up a Parking Lot
At the back of the parking lot there was a 5,000 square foot section of land that was partly gravel and partly grass. It was here we decided to place the vegetable garden, still allowing for sufficient parking at the building. The gravel and grass would be removed and our new garden would be string-lined in this area.
The Design
Our Vegetable Field Blocks
For the first year, our garden size is approximately 90 feet by 65 feet. There are 9 field blocks created, each with 4 - 30" garden beds that are 25 feet in length. The proposed vegetable selection for the 36 garden beds was selected to give us a good range of experience, with respect to the growing, while still providing the vegetables that are common for most people.
THE VEGETABLES
36 VEGETABLE BEDS - 30 VARIETIES
HIGH MOWING ORGANIC SEEDS
Our vegetables will be grown using organic practices to support of health and nutrition of our community. The seeds purchased were organic and no artificial additives will be applied to the beds. Compost will be added to the existing soil for organic material and copper antennas will be used to provide energetic nutrition to the plants. A few of the varieties chosen for the beds are shown in the table below.
VEGETABLE SEED ORDER - 2023
General Inquiries
admin@fairmontgarden.ca
Mark Read, Farm Manager
mread21@kolabnow.com
Phone: (519)636-9254
Metropolitan United Church
admin@metropolitanchurch.com
Phone: (519)432-7189, Press 4
