Planting season is in full bloom and more community gardens than ever before are taking root in Sudbury.

A total of 16 community gardens across Sudbury will be planted over the next few weeks.

Ty Cumming, a spokesperson with the Sudbury Food Connections Network, said these gardens have become increasingly common over the past two years.

“I'd say that the number has doubled,” Cumming said. “I think you're going to see the trend continue towards community gardening and it's certainly going to be a regular occurrence in communities across northern Ontario.”

Cumming said each garden is started for a unique reason — including helping local food banks and teaching people gardening skills.

June Davis, who helps look after the community garden on Louis Street, said the garden grows both good food and a sense of community within the social housing complex nearby.

“So far this has brought a lot of people together that would have never probably met otherwise, so it's a good project,” she said.

Davis added the garden has helped beautify the neighbourhood and has made people take ownership of the land.