Matthew House’s community garden blooming thanks to generous donation

The garden at Matthew House is much more than a collection of plants.

Fort Erie’s Matthew House, located at 183 Central Avenue, is a non-profit which assists newcomers to Canada who have fled violence and persecution in their homeland in search of a better and safer life.

John Mtshede, executive director at Matthew House, told Fort Erie Radio that the garden is a place for refugees and newcomers to plant a variety of fruits and vegetables including some African varieties to add a taste of home.

“It is a community garden,” he said. “It is educative. It’s here we can get the youth to know the importance of gardening.”

Mtshede added that they also invite seniors to come out and participate in the project.

“The plan is to take them out of isolation and have them get out and communicate with the plants,” he explained.

Thanks in part to generous $2,500 donation from Scotts Canada, the garden helps to fill out the 0.6 acres of land where Matthew House sits providing transitional housing for refugees.

There are plans to build affordable housing in the spot, but in the meantime, they are using it for the community garden.

Mtshede said in addition to common local produce, gardeners are also growing African varieties of kale and spinach.

“The kale we have here is different from the kale in Africa,” he explained.

Another slight difference is in the spinach.

Last year Mtshede planted some African varieties and he said, to his surprise, the plants all lasted through the winter.

On October 5, Matthew House will be hosting their annual Ride for Refugees event. More details will be available in the coming weeks.

Stay Informed

Events, offers, contests, and breaking news, all delivered straight to your inbox.

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Subscribe