I Want Land!
Community Gardens
The Toronto Community Garden Network has resources for starting new community gardens.
The City’s Community Garden Program provides information on how to start a community garden in a city-owned park in Toronto.
Each community garden has its own process for taking on new gardeners. It's best to find a garden or an organization near you and contact them directly. The TUG map and organization list can help. We've provided contacts wherever they are available.
The City of Toronto runs a number of allotment gardens where you can rent a plot. It’s often easier to get a plot in gardens further from the city core.
Allotment Gardens
The City of Toronto runs a number of allotment gardens where you can rent a plot. It’s often easier to get a plot in gardens further from the city core.
You need to register for the allotment garden wait list on the first working day in February. In order to get on a wait list for an allotment plot, you need to obtain a family number and client number. The easiest way to obtain family and client numbers is by calling 416-396-7378 (option 3) to speak to a customer service representative, Monday to Friday - 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
More information about the process and allotment garden locations is available on the website (click here) or you can call 416-396-7378, option 2.
Garden Sharing
More and more people with yard space are interested in sharing it with gardeners seeking land. Faith organizations and businesses with outdoor space may also welcome a garden.
Our Garden Sharing page has tools for arranging agreements between landholders and gardeners.
Other Private Land
BUFCO (Backyard Urban Farm Company) and Hoffman Hayes offer coaching for starting gardens on condo tower lands.Other Resources
Section 37 can be a tool for getting funding for capital costs for urban agriculture projects with strong public benefits. It is a section of the provincial Planning Act that allows cities to allow increased height or density of a construction project in exchange for community benefits. See Toronto's info page.