The three community garden spaces around Morden started filling up Wednesday as dozens of people signed up for their own 14 by 25-foot section.

Eating healthier was one of the major reasons one woman gave for why she was registering.

"I like to can my own produce; I know what's in it," said Lynda Schroeder.

When Schroeder was growing up on the farm, there was a garden every summer. Now, her yard is enveloped by shade, making a decent garden all but impossible. Community gardens allow staying in control of what she cooks.

"For the people who don't have yard space, renters, it's a great opportunity to grow their own vegetables [and] see the things they plant grow into something they can eat," said Many Hands volunteer, Natasha Doerksen.

Many Hands started running the roughly 140 Morden community gardens last year.

A number of immigrant families have registered for plots since it's not expensive and they may want a taste of home. Charles Harmon moved to Morden 12 years ago from Liberia. He and his family registered for a plot again after their vegetables produced three times last year.

"You get the taste of home," Harmon said. He harvests mostly sweet potato leaves, a staple for Liberian cooking.

"You get to keep some of your culture, that's why we grow stuff from back home so we don't feel we are missing out."

The newest set of plots is on Loren St., near Boston Pizza. The other two locations are on 19th St. north of Co-op grocery store and on Grant St. off 9th St. south.

Charles Harmon