CONVERTING PUBLIC SPACES INTO TILLABLE LAND
Large
areas of grassy lawns are ideal sites for farming, including public
parks and some corporate and government buildings that are fronted by
wide lawns. Some of these areas should be reserved for grazing by
livestock if they are adjacent to small buildings that can be converted
into barns and coops (see 1:7). The rest will require thorough tilling
to break up the grasses and expose fertile soil for planting crops.
CONVERTING
LAWN SPACES
One
method of removing the grass from lawns to have useable growing soil is
to physically remove all the grass with spades and shovels, and
composting all the grass. This is a labourious method which yields
instant results and provides a massive starter for compost if there is
a shortage of it. Using a flat-edged shovel, cut the sod into 1-foot
squares or larger, then pull up the top layer of grass with a shovel or
spade . Transfer to the compost system. This can be done at any time of
the growing year, preferably in the spring.
Another method
is sod conversion, which decays the grass converting it into soil. This
method requires many months in order for the sod to break down, and so
is best done in the fall to have soil ready for the following spring.
Cover the entire area of lawn with a biodegradable material like
newspaper, to block out the sun. Add a 6-inch layer of compost or soil
on top of the newspaper, watering on top of newspaper and compost/soil
layers.
A third method of composting lawn is by creating
turf loam. In a soil pit, line the bottom with one layer of lawn
grass-side-up, and top that with a layer of lawn grass-side down, so
the grass surfaces face each other. Repeat this with one more layer,
then cover with a top layer of soil (saved from digging the pit). Allow
to decompose for several summer months or until preparing seedling
flats the following spring (see 1:3).
WATER SOURCES
Although
crops will grow with just the water provided by rain, it will yield
much smaller quantities and sizes of produce. Irrigation is necessary
in this climate, and outlined below are sources of water, how to
collect and transport water, plus irrigation systems.
EXISTING
WATER SOURCES
Pollution
is the main factor concerning water sources in the city, but
unfortunately this problem is widespread. The water available will need
to be used for irrigation regardless, but it will affect the quality of
the produce and in any case should not be used for drinking or cooking
without treatment (see 1:2:iv).
PONDS
Grenadier Pond (High Park) – adjacent to parkland
Ontario Science Center – adjacent to parkland
RIVERS
& CREEKS
All
downtown tributaries were buried over a century ago, leaving only the
Don River at the east edge (much too polluted to use for crop
watering), the Humber River at the west end (both too far and too
marshy for irrigation), and Balfour Creek at Yonge and St. Clair
(almost dried up).
IRRIGATION
In
cases where farmland has no access to water bodies, rain can still be a
main source of water, but collected to be used in an irrigation system.
This is rainwater harvesting, a simple technology that greatly suits
this city’s current situation, for farming as well as daily
consumption.
In
the case of High Park, there is a water source directly connected to
the farmland. In cases such as this, irrigation systems can come from
the water source using a conveyor system to carry water up from the
water source to a holding tank. The tank must be elevated higher than
the highest spot on the field, as gravity and water pressure will
propel water through the water hose. Connect the hose to a tap at the
bottom of the tank.
Alternately,
use the tap to fill buckets or other containers to carry water to
fields that are far from water sources. See section 2 for methods of
harvesting rainwater.
For passive irrigation based on water
pressure, install a drip system of interconnected hoses (preferably
between 1/8” and 1/2” diameter) with holes punched
in even increments
to let water leak onto fields directly at plant bases.
DOMESTIC & NEIGHBOURHOOD FARMING
Large
public spaces will provide the majority of produce and pasture land
needed for the citizens of Toronto. To maximize production of foods and
herbs for consumption as well as medicinal purposes, it is best to
convert unused outdoor spaces in homes, buildings and neighbourhoods,
into productive areas. Domestic yards of grass or soil are obvious
sites for growing a garden. For non-soil areas, plants will have to be
container gardened.
ROOFTOPS
All flat, accessible
rooftops can be converted into garden spaces. However, due to the
weight of soil and water, not all rooftops have the adequate
load-bearing support right on the roof. They will, however, be sturdy
enough at the perimeter that large metal grates or planks of wood can
rest on. The containers will have to be large enough to grow plenty of
food, and also to not fall over strong winds common to elevated areas.
DECKS,
PATIOS & BALCONIES
These
areas have sturdy concrete or wood floors and high barriers are built
for extra weight, therefore can house large gardens in constructed
boxes or found containers. This also applies to rooftops with concrete
or decked surfaces.
FIRE ESCAPES
Fire escapes are harsh
environments for growing plants due to the wind, intense heat and
dryness. Container plants in these areas need much watering, and some
plants are more suited to this setting than others, including lavender,
marigold, rosemary, tomatoes, and tomatillos.
