Quadra Cedar Hill Community Association

Quadra Cedar Hill Community Association

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Container Gardening with Native Plants Workshop – April 28

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There’s no space too small to have a positive impact on local biodiversity.

This workshop will discuss the benefits and importance of planting native species – even at a smaller scale.  Included in the session will be a variety of examples as well as a demonstration for making your own pollinator container gardens followed by a Q&A session.

This is a FREE session, open to all and timed perfectly to help you get ready for the season.

Find more information and register at https://anc.ca.apm.activecommunities.com/saanich/activity/search/detail/147668

While no space is too small to grow native plants – there are a limited number of spaces available in this workshop.

Date:  Tuesday, April 28, 2006

Time:  7pm to 8:30pm

Venue:  Cedar Hill Rec Centre (Art Room #2)

WHAT’S CHUFF – 2025 Year in Review

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2025 marked the 4th year of this kindly community of food growing friends in our Quadra Cedar Hill neighbourhood.  CHUFF – the Cedar Hill Urban Food Farmers – sprouted April 2022 as an initiative of our Community Association’s Climate Action group.  In Saanich, food and our food systems are the third greatest contributor to carbon emissions after transportation and buildings.  Food waste plays a significant role.  CHUFF’s goal is to encourage our neighbours to grow more food, consume more local foods, eat more of what’s in season, and prevent wasting food.  Luckily for us, on southern Vancouver Island we can grow and purchase good, locally grown food year round and this contributes to a climate solution.  CHUFF members gather most months of the year on Sunday mornings.  Here are some of what CHUFF offered in its 4th year of operation.  Curious about what’s coming in 2026?  New Quadra Cedar Hill members are always welcome!  Get in touch with an email to qchca.chuff@gmail.com

January 2025

Extending the variety of nutritious foods we grow in winter was our goal at this evening workshop on How to Grow Microgreens and Sprouts led by the Compost Education Centre’s delightful Kayla.  Here we are gathered in CEC’s warm ‘n cosy straw bale learning centre. Participant comments: Great workshop. Really enjoyed it. I learned lots. Will definitely try growing sprouts. Workshop was good. I'm motivated now! Kayla was lovely. Great to see CHUFF friends again.

If you are new to food growing, we heartily recommend taking one of the Compost Education Centre’s many workshops.  Or, join CHUFF!

March 2025

CHUFF-ians braved a downpour for our annual Seed Swap and tour of our host’s garden.

Lisa was looking for advice on how to maximize production in a backyard which is semi-shaded by Garry Oaks.  Getting into each other’s gardens to share members’ years of experience, in differing grow situations, is one of the benefits that keeps CHUFF growers engaged.

Lisa’s comment on the day: I feel very fortunate to have had so many lovely folks who love to grow food come to our garden.

 

May 2025

Late in May CHUFF hosted its first ever, super successful Garden Tour & Plant Giveaway.  This event was open to the public!  Dubbed ‘It’s Not Too Late to Plant’, the tour and veggie starts giveaway attracted over 50 Quadra Cedar Hill neighbours.  Karen’s Wicklow Village Plant & Seed stand overflowed with free vegetable starts and seeds, and even some native pollinators.  All thanks to CHUFF members who started way back in March seeding dozens and dozens and dozens of extra tomatoes, peas, celery, zucchini and much more – all for the giveaway.

One lovely story comes from Marian who brought her granddaughter who was visiting from out of town.  The youngster took home a cucumber seedling in a 4 inch pot, her first experience with trying to grow food.  Later that summer Marian shared this photo of her very proud granddaughter with her Gigantic Cuke.  Wow!  Congratulations to this new generation food grower.

Watch for CHUFF’s 2nd annual public Garden Tour & Giveaway coming late May 2026.

June 2025

Members returned to Jeannette and Gavin’s newly renovated food, herb, and fruit garden to learn what they’d decided to change things up after many years growing in the same location, and why.  A family of scientists who are always experimenting, these folks seek maximum calories for a vegetarian diet and have much knowledge to share.

August 2025

Each late summer or early autumn CHUFF hosts Taste Testing Our Garden’s Best. Members bring their favorite ‘fruits of the season’ for everyone to taste-test. There is usually a plethora of tomato varieties for instance, and when a particular favorite is found the grower will usually save seeds for others to plant next year. Folks share preserved foods too – we dipped into fig chutney with goat cheese, a new pesto recipe, and even a lightly-smoked tomato sauce.Eric’s biggest ever garlic was the 2025 show stopper with a circumference of 16.5cm and weighing in at 870 grams. Wow!

October 2025

October marks our annual Harvest Potluck and member garden tour.  Not all CHUFF members have expansive backyards and folks were impressed by how much food Delma grows in pots on a sunny south facing balcony.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As for the potluck, urban farmers know not only how to grow good food but also how to cook it! What better dish to celebrate another great growing season than strawberry rhubarb pie?

November 2025

CHUFF closed out the 2025 season with a member survey, asking What folks want to learn and share, next year? This reflecting CHUFF’s credo: our activities will reflect what engenders the interest of members.

Highlights to watch for in 2026 include: a Beginner’s Garden “Advice Please” tour; a farm visit featuring native pollinator plants & indigenous medicinals; the ever-popular Taste-Testing, Harvest Potluck, and member Seed Swap. In the Let’s Investigate category CHUFF members hope to also tour a nearby allotment garden, potentially take a group field trip to Saltspring for its fabulous Apple Fest, learn more from each other about growing avocados, yams, ginger and mushrooms, learn how to better utilizing the winter greenhouse, and up folks’ success with winter brassicas.

We encourage our QCH Community Association neighbours to watch for CHUFF’s 2 nd annual, open to the public It’s Not Too Late to Plant Garden Tour & Veggie Starts Giveaway, in late May.

 

 

 

‘Til then, as Sarah’s T-shirt advises, we hope you can:
Romaine Calm 🌿Be Sage 🌿 Take Thyme 🌿Squash Fear 🌿 & Stay Peas-ful while growing your own good
food, and/or consuming locally grown foods to support our local farmers.

For more information – contact qchca.chuff@gmail.com

Be Bylaw Aware and Know Your Rights!

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A message from Saanich Bylaw staff about residents’ responsibilities, rights, and how Saanich Bylaw staff can help you.

Some key bylaws to be aware of:

Boulevard Maintenance

It’s the responsibility of residents with a boulevard in front of their homes to maintain that boulevard.

This includes managing weeds and invasive species. Alterations to a boulevard require a boulevard permit prior to commencing the work.

Bylaw at https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Local~Government/Documents/Bylaws~and~Policies/Boulevard%20Regulation%20Bylaw,%20No.%209487.pdf

 

Parking Around Schools (especially drop-off and pick-up areas)

Saanich enforces strict parking regulations around schools to ensure safety.  Vehicles cannot park within 1.5m of a driveway, and improper parking in, or blocking drop-off lanes is prohibited.  Pull-through lanes are for active, temporary drop-off and pick-up areas and drivers must not leave vehicles unattended in these areas.

Bylaw at https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Local~Government/Documents/Bylaws~and~Policies/streets-and-traffic-regulation-bylaw-2002-no-8382.pdf

 

Noise 

Noises that disturb the quiet, peace, rest, enjoyment, comfort or convenience of the neighbourhood or of persons in the vicinity.  Construction and the associated noises are permitted from Monday through Saturday – 7am to 9pm.

Bylaw at https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Local~Government/Documents/Bylaws~and~Policies/noisesuppresionbylaw.pdf

 

General Parking

Vehicles cannot park on or over a sidewalk, bicycle lane or on a crosswalk.

Bylaw at https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Local~Government/Documents/Bylaws~and~Policies/streets-and-traffic-regulation-bylaw-2002-no-8382.pdf

 

The Saanich Bylaw Enforcement team is available to help with any questions.  Residents who have concerns, questions or issues that involve Saanich bylaws should contact staff via the Report a Problem form at saanich.ca/report

You can also call Bylaw Enforcement at 250-475-5456

The Bylaw team will review all submissions and will reach out if they have further questions or need clarifications.   Otherwise, staff will add the reported issue to their ticketing system and take further action as necessary.

Community Meeting for Proposed Development – Dale at Lovat

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Neighbours are invited to a community meeting to learn about a proposed 20 townhouse development at 927 Dale / 3478 Lovat on Tuesday, March 17, 2026 from 6pm – 7:30pm at the 1st Douglas Scout Hall (3266 Glasgow Avenue).

Developer contact is Pierce Colpman – contact at 1-343-989-4429.

Scroll down to find more information at https://largeandco.com/projects/

City of Victoria improvements planned for Cook Street between Bay and Maplewood

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Saanich has shared information from the City of Victoria re planned improvements on Cook Street between Bay and Maplewood to “enhance safety and comfort for all road users while advancing the City’s long-term transportation vision outlined in Go Victoria and the Official Community Plan. The project also supports the City’s 2023-2026 Strategic Plan by expanding the AAA bike and roll network, improving safety and creating a better travel experience for everyone”.

Saanich has shared the information  as the construction will include traffic impacts to Saanich residents travelling through the area.

Residents near to the area are encouraged to learn about the project, sign up for project updates (with the City of Victoria) and consider alternate routes of travel in the Cook Street area during construction – from now through fall 2026.

For more info:

Affordable rental housing project proposed for 3861 Cedar Hill Cross Road

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M’akola Housing Services is assisting Community Living Victoria (CLV) with a proposed new affordable rental housing development on its property at 3861 Cedar Hill X Road.

M’akola has asked us to post their letter to the community providing more background on the proposed project and details on how to contact them for more information.

CLV’s goal is to ensure neighbours feel comfortable reaching out to learn more about the development as it progresses and anticipate ongoing communication over the next few years.

In considering the proposed development alongside the applicable policy framework, Community Living Victoria (CLV) are confident that this project, through careful, context-sensitive planning, is designed to contribute meaningfully to the wellbeing of future residents and the long-term vitality of the Saanich community. If you have any questions, concerns, or comments about the proposed development please contact Jamie Bégin, Project Manager, M’akola Development Services at jamie.begin@makoladev.com

Proposed Quadra McKenzie Plan Going Before Council – now set for February 2, 2026

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QCHCA has been advised that Saanich Council will consider the Proposed Quadra McKenzie Plan at a Committee of the Whole meeting to be held on Monday, February 2, 2026 (had been planned for January 19th), in Council Chambers, Saanich Municipal Hall, 770 Vernon Avenue, commencing at 6:30pm. 

To speak at the meeting, you may register to speak in person or via video on MS Teams.  Please register by:

  • Emailing the meeting date, agenda item you wish to speak to, and your phone number to council@saanich.ca; or
  • By calling 250-475-5501 and specifying which meeting date and agenda item you wish to speak to.

Deadline for registration is Noon, on the day of the meeting.  An opportunity to speak during the meeting will be available, please watch the webstream for details. All meetings are streamed live on Saanich.ca

Instructions will be emailed to all registrants on the afternoon of the meeting.

Written correspondence received up to Noon, on the day of the meeting will be copied to Council for their consideration.  All correspondence submitted will form part of the public record and may be published in a meeting agenda.

  • Send your comments to Council by emailing council@saanich.ca
  • Mail your comments by post to Legislative Services, District of Saanich, 770 Vernon Avenue, Victoria, BC V8X 2W7.
  • Leave your written comments in the dropbox by the main door at Municipal Hall, 770 Vernon Avenue.

The agenda package is available online, the Thursday before the meeting at https://www.saanich.ca/EN/main/local-government/mayor-council/schedule-agendas-minutes.html

If, after viewing the agenda, you have any questions concerning the report’s contents, please contact the Planning Department at 250-475-5471.

Shelbourne Valley Plan Update

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The Shelbourne Valley Plan Update is now available.

Saanich Planning is currently reviewing the draft plan with consideration of the public feedback received. A revised plan will be presented to Council for consideration in early 2026.  The project team will continue to keep everyone informed as the process moves forward.

Find the plan at https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Community/Documents/Planning/CCVs/2025-12-01-SVP-Phase-4-Engagement-Summary-Report.pdf

Find more information on the Plan at https://www.saanich.ca/EN/main/community/community-planning/centre-corridor-and-village-plans/shelbourne-valley-action-plan.html

 

Holiday Craft Fair at Cedar Hill Recreation Centre – November 2025

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The QCHCA Climate Action Committee was pleased to be invited to participate in the Holiday Craft Fair this year!  We thought long and hard about what we could ‘sell’ on our table and promote the Association as well…. The answer was – Climate-Friendly gifting!

We stocked kits to grow microgreens as a climate-friendly gifting idea for kids or adults!  People were able to pick up an envelope of WestCoast microgreen seeds, a small bag of soil and an egg carton ‘planter’ – all free, and everything you need to sprout these
healthy greens all winter inside.

We also demonstrated many ways to wrap gifts without using commercial wrapping (did you know that in Canada we throw out over 400,000 TONS of non-recyclable gift bags/wrap every year?) Using fabric, newspaper, old maps, old music sheets and brown paper we wrapped a variety of ‘gifts’.

Here are the website resources we shared:

Never Buy Gift Paper Again: the Ultimate Guide to Zero Waste Wrapping


https://davidsuzuki.org/living-green/your-guide-green-holidays/

For those who were curious, the holiday prints on the brown paper were made using an xacto knife to carve the design on a potato which was then painted with acrylic and stamped. We thoroughly enjoyed meeting and talking with so many people and hearing of their support for QCHCA and their ideas for a climate-friendly gifting season!

 

Pollinator Garden Update

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QCHCA’s Climate Action Pollinator project update:

It has been a little over one year since we first ‘broke ground’ on the 2 boulevards on Astoria Street at Willerton Avenue. We didn’t actually ‘break ground’ as we used a ‘no dig’ method to smother the existing grass and weeds, layer goodies like alfalfa, straw and bone meal on top and cover the whole area with a generous layer of topsoil.

Before . . .                                                        Preparation of the beds

                                      

We spread seeds, planted some small seedlings, mulched and hoped for the best over the Winter!  With the support of the Saanich Parks department, we carved out some chip paths and installed log benches on both boulevards for the enjoyment of the many people who walk the street leading into the Cedar Hill Park.

Log benches courtesy of Saanich Parks

      

Spring and Summer saw the emergence of more seedlings, grasses, shrubs and, of course – weeds!  Our neighbours generously donated water during the dry summer and volunteers kept the gardens weeded and watered during the drought.

                                  

Now the gardens have been put to bed for the Winter with a fresh layer of leaf mulch as we eagerly await the arrival of Spring to see what has grown and evolved.  The gardens are approximately 60% planted and we plan to add more plants in the Spring – mostly relying on donations from fellow gardeners.

We would love to engage with a few more people to help us establish and maintain the gardens – no prior skill necessary, just a love of our natural environment and a desire to contribute to mitigating the effects of climate change!

Please contact Susan Morrow at qchca3003@gmail.com with questions, ideas, offers….Thank you!

Quadra Cedar Hill Community Association