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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT COMMUNITY GARDENING
What
is a community garden?
How
many community gardens are there in Toronto?
What is the difference between a community garden and an
allotment garden?
What can you grow
in a community garden?
How
much time do I need to spend in the garden every week?
How
much does it cost to join a community garden?
How
can I find a community garden that is near me?
How
can I start a community garden?
What
is the Toronto Community Garden Network
What is a community garden?
It is any group of people that come together to garden. Community gardens
come in many different shapes and sizes. They can be large or small, on
the ground or on rooftops, in plots or in planters. And they can be a
mix of all of these things. They don’t have to be “communal”
either, where everyone shares the work and the harvest. Gardeners can
have their own individual plot within the community garden and can also
join with others to grow some crops communally. Like zucchini, for example.
Squash, zucchini and other plants in the squash family can often be such
vigorous growers that they can take over an entire plot and often neighbouring
plots as well. Community gardens will often designate a communal squash
plot where people can share the work and the harvest. Another good crop
to plant communally is corn. If every gardener had 5 or 6 corn plants
in their plot, the tall corn from one plot would shade neighbouring plots.
By planting corn communally in one large plot this problem is solved and
the corn will actually grow better because it needs to be planted in a”
block” for better pollination. So every community garden is different
and is determined by what the gardeners themselves want.
How many community gardens are there in Toronto?
Toronto now boasts over 100 community gardens, plus 12 municipal allotment
gardens. The total number of individual plots
probably totals well over 4500. There are new gardens starting up all
of the time and we don’t know all of them.
What is the difference between a community garden
and an allotment ?
Allotment plots are administered by the various (former) municipalities
of Toronto. They are usually larger than community plots and there is
a fee to rent a plot. As well, they aren’t usually located within neighbourhoods,
so they might not be within an easy walk of the gardeners. There are plots
at Leslie Street Spit, High Park, and a few other places. There is usually
a long waiting list to get an allotment plot. Community gardens plots,
while smaller, are close to home and all decisions concerning the running
of the garden are made by the gardeners themselves..
What can you grow in a community garden?
Community gardeners grow many things, not just vegetables. You can grow
fruit, herbs, flowers, you can grow a butterfly garden, a bird garden
or a woodland garden. Most community gardens start out as vegetable gardens
but will often have a communal area where flowers, both annual and perennial,
are grown. Often this flower garden will have a particular focus, like
a rose garden or garden that attracts butterflies and provides habitat
for them.
How much time do I need to spend in the garden
every week?
Most gardens require that every gardener must spend enough time in his
or her garden so that each plot is kept properly maintained and as weed
free as possible. Most gardens hold a couple of group work days every
year, usually for spring and fall clean up. Often there will be an improvement
project that the garden committee organizes, like building a seating area
or a children’s garden area. Every community garden sets their own
rules about required participation for these group work days.
How much does it cost to join a community garden?
Every garden is different. If they charge anything at all, it is usually
between $15 and $50 depending upon the size of the plots. Some gardens
don’t charge anything at all.
How can I find a community garden that is near
me?
Call the FoodLink Hotline at 416. 392-6655. We have a complete list of all
of the community gardens in Toronto, as well as community kitchens, foodbanks,
baby food making classes, and lots more things all to do with food.
How can I start a community garden?
First, talk to your friends and neighbours about it. If you can get at
least 5 people who will commit to the project, then look for some land
close by. The next step is to call FoodShare's Urban Agriculture Programme
at 416 363- 6441 ext 225 to help you get started. Every year, usually in mid winter, we hold a 5 session course on community garden start up.
We also have many helpful information sheets that
you can order for free or an extensive manual, HOW
DOES OUR GARDEN GROW: A GUIDE TO COMMUNITY GARDEN SUCCESS.
What is the Toronto Community Garden Network?
The Toronto Community Garden Network works to encourage a healthy community
gardening movement in the City of Toronto, supporting and linking community
gardeners. We do this by holding fun events throughout the year so that gardeners from all over Toronto can come together. Events include a mid-winter mini conference, Seedy Saturday in early spring, and potluck getotgethers during the summer.
Sign-up for the TCGN E-bulletin to be sure to get the latest info on dates and times for these and other events.
For more info on TCGN contact Ravenna Barker at 416-363-6441 ext 225 or email: ravenna@foodshare.net
For more details go to TRAINING + NETWORKING
