I Want Land!
Finding a plot in a garden
You can participate in two different types of gardens.
Allotment gardens
Allotment gardens are run by the City of Toronto. You pay an annual fee for the use of a plot in a garden.
Allotment Garden Plot Permits run from March 15th to November 15th every year. If you already have a plot permit, you can renew the permit each season.
If you would like to get a permit for a plot, you need to sign up for one (or more) of the 12 garden waitlists. If you’re not successful the first time, you must sign up for the waitlist again every year. Note that it’s one plot per household and you must be a city resident or own property in the City.
To get on a wait list for an allotment plot, you need to obtain a family number and client number. Call 416-396-7378 to speak to a customer service representative during business hours, Monday to Friday - 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The waitlists for all 12 gardens open at 8 am on the first working day of March. Follow the instructions for applying online at https://www.toronto.ca/services-payments/venues-facilities-bookings/booking-park-recreation-facilities/seasonal-league-permit-booking/?accordion=allotment-gardens.
Community gardens
Community gardens are generally run by community groups or organizations, who set their own policies and operation dates.
Some community gardens offer plots for individual gardeners, but many of them tend some or all of their space collectively. People work together on the garden space and make decisions as a group about the garden. Community gardens can be in city parks or on privately-owned land.
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.
Starting a new community garden
See our Starting a community garden page for 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.
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.