Calgary Food Bank to benefit from 'freestyle' gardening

You've likelyheard ofguerilla gardening, butthere is a movement offreestyle gardeners in Calgary.

Unlike guerilla gardeners, "freestylers"get permission to grow produce in people's backyards and on vacant plots of land.

"Communities that are not necessarily well-off or have a lot of problems with vandalism if we implement these gardens and give the community a sense of pride in them, these problems are going to desist,"saidCalgaryFreestyle Gardening co-founderKatePugatschew.

Pugatschew says the group would like to start with two main plots in the north and south ends of the city, but are hoping to expand as the movement gains popularity.

She says freestyle gardening is also different than community gardening because it's volunteer-driven and growers don't pay to garden.

"Anybody can come in and weed it and pick the fruit and vegetables," said Pugatschew.

What is not harvested by the public will be donated to the Calgary Food Bank and other non-profit or community groups.

"We're a Prairie province, we're known for our wide open space. But a lot of that is not being utilized," she said.

The first freestyle gardening location will be attheGrow Calgaryacreage near Canada Olympic Park. The group is still looking for volunteers.