Disabled Independent Gardeners Association (DIGA)

01/14/2026

🌱 DIGA turns 23 this month 🌱

The Disabled Independent Gardeners Association (DIGA) began with a simple idea: gardening should be accessible to everyone.

DIGA’s roots go back to Vancouver Island, where it was started by Barbara Raynor, a gardening enthusiast living with arthritis. She found that gardening helped her feel present, connected, and briefly free from pain. What began as a single raised garden bed in Victoria grew into a vision for an organization that would support people with disabilities to garden in ways that work for them.

In 2003, DIGA was brought to Vancouver through the Disability Foundation, where it continues today as one of the Foundation’s affiliated societies. Since then, DIGA has supported gardeners across community gardens throughout Vancouver—working to remove barriers like inaccessible spaces, lack of tools, and limited gardening knowledge.

For more than two decades, DIGA has been about more than plants. It’s about independence, fresh food, shared learning, and the simple joy of growing alongside others.

🎧 Want to learn more about DIGA’s story?
Listen to Growing Together – Episode 1, which explores DIGA’s history through the voices of members, staff, and partners:
👉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZ64SXwK9_A&t=10s

Thank you to everyone who has been part of DIGA’s journey—past and present. 💚

12/24/2025

🌻 As 2025 comes to a close, we’re grateful for a year spent growing together in gardens, workshops, and community spaces across DIGA.

Thank you to every participant, volunteer, partner, and supporter who made this season possible.

Wishing you a restful holiday, we’ll see you in 2026!

12/02/2025

💛 Today is Giving Tuesday.
Your generosity helps DIGA offer accessible garden beds, inclusive workshops, and meaningful opportunities for people with disabilities to learn, socialize, and connect with nature.
Your support helps these gardens — and the people in them — thrive.
💚 Donate today and help us grow accessible gardening across BC:
👉https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/347

11/30/2025

✨💚 Giving Tuesday is almost here.
Your support helps create welcoming, accessible gardening spaces where people with disabilities can learn, connect, and find joy in nature.
💚 Giving Tuesday is December 2.
Help us grow community, wellness, and access for everyone.
👉 Learn more or donate early: https://digabc.org/donate/

11/27/2025

At DIGA, gardening is about community, creativity, and being able to take part fully with the right tools and support.

Our volunteers and members work together to plan gardens, adapt tools, tend shared plots, and enjoy the experience of growing something from the ground up.
Your 50/50 ticket helps us continue offering accessible workshops, adaptive equipment, and fully accessible garden spaces across Metro Vancouver.

And when you take part, you’ll also be entered for a chance to win up to $10,000.

🎟️disabilityfoundation.rafflenexus.com

11/03/2025

Join Kristen Miskelly of Satinflower Nurseries for a free online workshop on how native plants can make gardens both ecologically rich and accessible for everyone!

🗓 Date: Thursday, November 6, 2025
🕑 Time: 2:00–3:00 PM (PT)
💻 Location: Online via Zoom
🔗 Register Here 👉 https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/FJf9ulZMSuWpK4LtKA_M0A #/registration

10/06/2025

🌱 Looking back on 2024!

Our 2024 Annual Report is now available — highlighting a year of growth and connection across DIGA’s nine community gardens. From supporting clients to the efforts of our dedicated volunteers, last season was made possible thanks to our amazing community of gardeners, donors, and partners. 💚

📖 Read the full report athttps://digabc.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2025/09/2024-DIGA-Annual-Report.pdf

10/01/2025

That’s a wrap on the 2025 DIGA gardening season!

A big thank you to everyone who joined us in the gardens, took part in our workshops, and shared the joy of growing together this year. We’re so grateful for this community.

See you back in the gardens next season! 🌸

09/23/2025

09/19/2025

B. Marshall discovered DIGA through the Disability Alliance newsletter and wasn’t sure if gardening would ever be possible for them again.
“I used to garden when I was younger, before the disability. Honestly, I’d given up on the idea of gardening, but the assistance and setup that DIGA provides makes it possible. It’s been both amazing for my mental health and for extra healthy food.”

One of their favourite moments was their very first harvest:
“A volunteer and I were able to get so much food that I had to freeze some and give more away.”

For B. Marshall, DIGA means connection, healing, and hope:
“This makes us feel more human, more part of the community. And having someone there to help can make all of the difference. I’m honestly floored with how much they manage to do on what is likely a shoestring budget.”

And their message for anyone thinking about joining?
“Do it. It’s the best. Join as a participant or join as a volunteer and help people like me. Gardening is healing for the soul.”

👉 Want to get involved? Join as a participant or volunteer: digabc.org

09/17/2025

Yesterday we gathered in the GF Strong courtyard for our Fall Planting Workshop! Together we planted garlic, cilantro, lettuce, and radicchio in our adaptive raised beds and learned how cool-season crops can keep gardens thriving into the fall. 🍂

A huge thank-you to Katherine O’Block for leading the session and to everyone who joined us. 💚

09/15/2025

Don’t forget! Our Fall Planting Workshop is tomorrow 🌱🍂
To register, email SPasco@disabilityfoundation.org

🍂 Fall Planting Workshop 🍂
Join us on September 16, 1–2:30 PM at the GF Strong Courtyard Garden for a hands-on session with Garden Coach Katherine O’Block. 🌱

Learn how to plant for the winter and keep your garden growing year-round!

📩 To sign up, email SPasco@disabilityfoundation.org