Performing Arts Lodge (PAL) Toronto was awarded funds towards the creation of a rooftop community garden. The project was initially scheduled to be completed early summer 2024; however, due to delivery delays and amendments to the soil the rooftop was not ready for planting until December 2024.

The only other deviation from the initial proposal was the configuration of the community beds. Instead of three beds 4'X12", two of the beds were amalgamated into one 4'x24' to make better use of the space. The garden is comprised of 40 prefabricated containers and therefore we were restricted to the type of plant materials used, i.e. no trees or oversized shrubs due to the root system.

Plant materials include 15 pollinator shrubs from LEAF, a combination of herbs, flowers and vegetable seedlings from BACKYARD URBAN FARMS and pollinator seeds from EVERGREEN. All purchases were made and delivered from April to mid-May 2025.

The North Community Flower Garden contains a mixture of perennials and annuals such Cosmos, Sunflowers, Sedums, Shasta Daisies, Black Eyed Susans, Milkweed, Bee Balm, Nasturtiums, Poppies, Iris and more. A number of small flowering shrubs, such as blueberries, were included.

The South Community Vegetable and Herb Garden was a mixture of edibles and flowers such as marigolds, tomatoes, strawberries, radishes, tomatillos, kale and more. Individual pots and planters were added to the mix as the gardens developed. Special containers were used for herbs, lettuces, potatoes and leafy greens. Many of the seedlings and shrubs did well; however, seeds were slow to take, perhaps due to the changeable and cold spring weather and abnormally hot summer temperatures.