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Getting started

tomato seedlings with sunlight coming throughIf you're excited about the idea of gardening but don't know where to begin, here are some resources that will help you take the first steps.

If you are looking to start a garden to sell produce, please check out our market garden page.

Some questions to ask yourself before you start:
  • What do I like to eat?
  • What space do I have for growing - on the ground, on a balcony or rooftop, on a windowsill, other small unused space? 
  • How many hours a day of sunlight does the space get?
  • How much time do I have for gardening?
You can find resources on specific topics in the menu on the left. 


Online resources


If you want to start a community garden, see our Start a Community Garden page.

Gayla Trail's You Grow Girl has a number of manuals and photos of her Toronto gardens, as well as books you can order.

The City of Toronto's Get Growing Guide contains many useful ideas on how to grow food near your home.

Garden.org has a food growing guide with crop-specific articles on vegetables, fruit & herbs.

If you're concerned about contaminated soil, the Toronto Public Health Guide to Soil Testing in Urban Gardens can help you assess the level of concern and reduce risks. 

Orchard People has webinars, manuals, a blog, workshops and consulting services on growing fruit trees and plants.

Hands on help


These businesses offer one-on-one help with garden start-up:




Urban Farms Organic Inc (hanging indoor microfarms and earthworm systems)
Page updated on 2024-03-22 11:58:19