A interesting, practical and community building project is gathering steam in Toronto. The Sharing Backyards program, which launched locally at the end of June is drawing a lot of interest with people signing onto the website from Scarborough to East York to the Annex and beyond. The concept is simple and easy - if you have a backyard you’re interested in sharing you sign up online (your location marked with a tree) and if you’re looking for a backyard to grow fresh veggies and herbs in you put your request on the website (marked with binoculars).
Once people partner up it’s up to them to figure out an arrangement that works for them. Josee, an East York resident, signed up to share her yard. She’s not using all of it and would be happy to share with someone who lives in an apartment or otherwise doesn’t have access to a yard. She’s only recently had her own yard to garden in so she sees the project as an opportunity to “pay it forward.”
The initiative started in Victoria, B.C. and has spread to cities across North America - Los Angeles, Winnipeg, Thunder Bay. It’ a great way to get fresh and organic food - and food doesn’t get much more local than your neighbours yard. Now I just need to learn how to garden…
