Get growing this spring, consider an urban garden

Gone are the days when an urban garden consisted of a couple of spider plants and an avocado seed sprouting on a windowsill. These days, condos are sporting rooftop decks with raised beds, and most master-planned communities are making community growing plots a ubiquitous amenity due to rising demand.

The benefits of gardening are well documented – it involves people in active recreation for all ages, engages people in their community, provides mental relaxation, and creates greenspaces for everyone to enjoy. In urban areas, there are three main ways to get your hands in the dirt: Community gardens on city land, community gardens in your strata, and balcony gardening.

Community condo gardens

“Urban gardening is a great way to create and support a thriving community,” says Eshleen Panach of Panach Group. Its new project, 50 Electronic Avenue, has more than one acre of greenspace, much of which is slated for garden plots for residents. “We have a dining area right next to the garden, so people can make and eat their home-grown salad right there,” says Panach. Provisions can be made to ensure the gardens are accessible for people of all ages and abilities. “The raised beds are good for seniors who may not want to be on their knees all day. They can sit at the edge.”

Moving into a condo that supports these kinds of gardens is not only good for your social life, it’s also good for the value of your home. Adera’s vice-president of Development, Eric Andreasen explains: “At Adera, we know that gardening is important to our homebuyers. There has been a surge of urban gardening as more and more people are wanting to grow and care for their own herbs and vegetables.” Adds Panach: “Being able to show usable outdoor spaces really helps bring downsizers into the buildings.”

Providing residents space to grow food and connect with the earth and each other was a priority for Wesgroup when envisioning the urban plan for River District in South Vancouver. Says Wesgroup’s Brad Jones: “The community plan for River District always prioritized useful greenspace; food gardens are an integral part of the plan.”

Adding gardening space to your building

If your strata doesn’t currently have community gardening plots, don’t fret, it’s still possible. If this interests you, bring it up at your next strata council meeting, and you may find your neighbours are just as eager as you are to get digging. Rooftops, balconies, lawns and side gardens can all be re-purposed as garden plots for residents. (Just make sure you check with an engineer before you start.)

Lifespace Gardens is experienced doing rooftops, side gardens and many types of beautiful, edible container gardens – many that are self-watering.

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