gardening

Our Neighbourhood in Bloom

CELEBRATING RITCHIE GARDENS

New for 2025, Our Neighbourhood in Bloom is a collaborative pilot project between Edmonton's Community Leagues and the Edmonton Horticultural Society (EHS). This initiative helps Ritchie Community League deliver a yard recognition program right in our neighbourhood!

Building on the beloved, 25-year legacy of the City of Edmonton’s Front Yards in Bloom program, this year's pilot offers RCL a chance to continue honoring the creativity and care residents pour into their front gardens. With a focus on local involvement, storytelling, and celebration, we aim to keep the tradition of garden recognition thriving—one front yard at a time.

WHY?

RCL is participating in this pilot project because we know our residents LOVE their yards, and put great care and attention to them. We want to help recognize our neighbours’ beautiful, practical, and environmentally friendly spaces, and are grateful for the support of EHS and their partners.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE

It’s easy!

  1. Fill out this form

That’s it, just one step! Once you have filled out the form with the address (or addresses) of spectacular yards in our neighbourhood, our RCL volunteers will deliver a postcard to the deserving recipient, formally recognizing their efforts.

Criteria

Any front yard or boulevard garden qualifies, but we are looking for that extra care and attention. If you see a front yard or boulevard garden that fits within the following parameters, please consider recognizing their efforts:

  • More than grass

  • Creative use of the space, interesting features

  • Food gardens and fruit trees

  • Conversation area, making your front yard part of your living space

If you can tell that the person put the effort into their space, we want to know about it!

Volunteer opportunity!

We are looking for 2-5 volunteers to help distribute postcards.

Please email communications@ritchie-league.com if you’d like to help out!

FINE PRINT

  • Only one recognition postcard per yard will be delivered

  • We are collecting addresses from community members and our RCL volunteers

  • Only yards within Ritchie borders will be recognized: 82 avenue, Mill Creek Ravine, 72 avenue, Gateway Boulevard

  • Boulevard and food gardens qualify

  • Photos of your garden might be shared on RCL communication channels

  • Program runs until August 31 or until our postcards run out

Our Neighbourhood in Bloom is a collaborative effort led by the Edmonton Horticultural Society, with support from key partners like the Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues, the City of Edmonton and the Edmonton Native Plant Society.

July 2024 - Civics Update

July 2024 - Civics Update

Review the July 2024 Ritchie Community League civics update for the latest news, including information about participating in the City of Edmonton's Boulevard Gardening Program to enhance our neighborhood's beauty and ecological diversity. Also, learn about the conclusion of Phase 3 of the Old Strathcona Public Realm Project, with insights and next steps to be discussed at the September 17th Council meeting.

League members are Tool Library members too

Borrowing privileges are free with your Ritchie Community League membership

Ritchie Community League members are now members of the Edmonton Tool Library and can borrow from among its 1,150 items FREE. At its June 6 meeting, the league joined 42 others in sponsoring the Library, which is housed at the Bellevue Community Hall (7308 112 Ave.). It’s open twice a week for pick ups and drop offs, but its collection is searchable online, anytime.