Dreaming of having your own garden to tend to? Living in an apartment doesn't mean you have to give up that dream!

There are cities all over Ontario that have started community gardens to offer residents the space to grow their own fruits and veggies.

Here in Toronto, our four Thorncliffe Park apartments back onto a large community garden. The Thorncliffe Family Garden opened in 2012 and has since been a place the area residents can go to tend to their own plants, fruits, and vegetables. There are 15 plots for individuals or families, 4 plots for seniors, and an additional garden for children.

Learning about gardening can be fun for the little ones; however, some adults appreciate the information as well. That is why kids and kids at heart can join the Children's Garden Program which runs Tuesdays all summer from 6:30 to 8:00pm right at the Thorncliffe Family Garden.

Joining this community garden is easy: just email the supervisor at Burgess Park and let her know that you are interested in a garden plot. Some community gardens charge a minimal seasonal fee which usually covers soil, water, compost, and access to gardening tools.

Use the upcoming fall and winter to start planning your spring garden! If you're new to gardening, this handy planting guide can help you plan the best time to sow your seeds.

 

Other Toronto community gardens include:

The Ryerson University Urban Farm offers several plots open to the public free of charge. Their ground-level gardens consist of raised container gardens and ground level plots. Residents of The Maples Apartments can walk to these gardens in under ten minutes.

Our Spadina and Walmer apartments are only a short 5-minute drive from the Huron-Sussex Community Garden, located on the south side of Glen Morris at Huron Street. Anyone within the area is welcome to join the garden. Fees are $100 for families and $50 for individuals. Contact the supervisor via email to request a plot.

Community gardens not only provide a place for you to plant your seeds, they also bring the community together and encourage healthy lifestyles! To find even more community gardens near you, use this interactive map, which locates community gardens throughout Toronto.