Inspiration
Growing Together in St. James Town
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Families with young children living in high-rise buildings in St. James Town in downtown Toronto grew these edible container gardens as part of the 'Grow Our Own' balcony and community garden project. This project was born out of a grant received by Growing Together in 2003 from the Food and Hunger Action Fund, and has continued and expanded every season since. We now start our own seedlings at Allan Gardens Children's Conservatory, in partnership with City of Toronto. Growing Together is a program of the Hincks-Dellcrest Centre.
Since 2003 we have been learning more and more about how to grow something to eat in the most unlikely places. We've made an effort to use recycled containers and affordable materials, and we're constantly demonstrating that it's possible to do container gardening without purchasing fancy supplies - there's a lot you can do by reusing materials at hand!
The soil mix includes up to half compost, mixed with potting soil (i.e. lightweight, water absorbent, usually containing coconut fibre (coir) or peat, with perlite or vermiculite). We don't recommend growing tomatoes unless you have at least 6 hours of full sunlight per day! Big, fruiting plants like tomato or eggplant also need large containers - at least 5 gallons is best. We've learned that starting small is a good approach for successful gardens, and we recommend herbs and greens that can grow in part shade - like basil, parsley or celery and most importantly, compost, compost, compost!
We are writing down the things we've learned in much more detail. Please check this page again soon for more information, pictures and helpful hints!
If you live in the St. James Town area and are interested in programs for families and children please contact Growing Together - Hincks Dellcrest at 416-921-8716 x223 and ask about the garden project. If you would like to bring our project coordinators to your organization for a balcony garden demonstration or workshop, please leave a message for Lara.
Toronto's First Edible Container Garden Show
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Toronto’s first Edible Container Garden Show was held Saturday, August 8th, 2009 at Withrow Park Farmers' Market. The Show was a joint initiative of Withrow Park Farmers’ Market and Toronto Balconies Bloom set up to help spread enthusiasm and experience for growing edible plants in containers.
There were some 30 containers on display, exhibiting a wide range of crops-in-pots, imagination and possibilities. The result was an inspiring array of funky pots, from reconstructed kitchen items, recycled household ware and reclaimed hats and helmets, each at least 50% full of edible plants.
Lorraine Johnson, Gayla Trail and Paul Zammit brought their knowledge and passion to the event through their volunteer participation as judges.
CONTEST WINNERS… for:
Innovation: Marco Pagliarulo’s DIY balcony composter wowed audience and judges. Marco’s nifty composter was hidden within a fountain-like arrangement of pots filled with basil, parsley and tomatoes. For a detailed description of how to make one yourself, go to www.torontobalconiesbloom.ca/demo.html.
Creativity: Nanthini Pirapa (of “Growing Together in St. James Town”) used pots recycled from a landscaper to create a thriving vegetable garden on her 18th floor balcony. Judges were especially excited by her ginger crop and clever technique for growing leeks that provides her family with a continual supply of fresh, organic onions through summer and fall.
Educational value: Natacha Diniz (of “DiscoverAbility”) brought an old apple-bushel barrel, given new life by the children of “Kids Get Growing” at the Carmelite Day Nursery. This hand-painted container with a 4-foot bean plant belonged to a trio of “three sisters” planting (corn, beans and pumpkins/squash). With Natacha’s presentation of the project, this wonderful pot revealed much about the value of ‘green’ education with children.
Aesthetic value: Eloise Carmichael’s container presented an eye-catching pineapple plant nested among a delightful display of purple basil, lavender, rosemary and ornamental peppers.
Honourable mention goes to Zora Ignjatovic for her helpful contribution to the event and presentation of the Living Food Box.
Duncan Mills Housing Co-operative
Located at Don Mills & 401
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Four years ago, a project was started to turn a 12th floor terrace (in 15-story co-op building of 221 units) into a sustainable, accessible, chiefly vegetable, community garden. It was the idea of Mary Hynes, who has continued to drive its implementation.
As a first step, Mary explored whether residents in her co-op were interested in pursuing the project, which would be funded principally by a grant from the federal program New Horizons for Seniors. Residents needed to be willing to join a committee to plan the project and help write the grant proposal. Those who signed on had varying gardening experience and none had been part of any community gardening initiatives previously. To date, there has been a core group of about ten consistently active individuals, with about another ten more peripherally involved.
A great deal of research was undertaken, which included one committee member attending a rooftop garden symposium at Toronto Botanical Garden.
The Co-op’s board was approached for permission to convert the existing space into a garden. Permission was given with the proviso that the Co-op did not have funds to contribute. An engineering report was needed to ascertain whether the surface would be strong enough to support a garden. The building is about 15 years old. During the engineering study it was discovered that the terrace had been built with a mind to terrace plantings. This plan was never implemented. During the planning it became obvious that repairs were needed on the terrace to make it safer for people with mobility difficulties.
The terrace garden committee received a $25K grant for the project. It hired Terry McGlade of Gardens in the Sky to design the garden and build the necessary accessible structures.
The Co-op association pays for the Co-op coordinator's (property manager) time, water used, seed, and additional materials, such as fertilizer.