Living in the centre of a vibrant city has its perks. Unfortunately for plant lovers, they haven’t always included a lot of gardening opportunities. But as the popularity of container gardens grows, that’s starting to change.
Across Toronto, you’ll find many stores that cater to condo dwellers with green thumbs. If you want to grow flowers, vegetables, or greenery on your balcony, here are five stores you should consider checking out.
1) Sheridan Nurseries
Hands down, Sheridan Nurseries is one of the best places to buy plants in Toronto. While many shoppers think of the store as a go-to for landscaping supplies (it is), it’s also the perfect spot to find all things container gardening.
Sheridan carries window boxes, hanging baskets, and containers of all sizes. You’ll also find a wide selection of annuals and perennials that do especially well in containers. If you have a more spacious balcony, you’ll also appreciate the store’s wide selection of wood, wicker, and wrought iron patio furniture.
There are several Sheridan Nurseries stores in the GTA, but the Yonge Street location will prove convenient for many city dwellers.
2) Evergreen Garden Market
Evergreen Garden Market sells a high-quality selection of plants that are native to Ontario, along with a variety of gifts. This Don Valley store prides itself on supporting local artisans and growers. Its proceeds even go to a not-for-profit, Evergreen, which is dedicated to “making cities flourish.”
Due to its focus on sustainability, it’s no surprise that Evergreen Garden Market understands urban gardening challenges. It sells plants that fit well in spaces of all sizes, from “your condo countertop to your backyard in the city.”
Try searching the Evergreen Garden Market website for container gardening tips. You’ll find tons of resources from the Evergreen organization.
3) East End Garden Centre
If you’re just getting started with balcony or container gardening, East End Garden Centre is a great bet. The staff’s expertise can’t be beat, so don’t be afraid to ask questions.
The Leslieville institution also deserves top marks for its pricing. The store carries a variety of reasonably-priced pots and other containers, many of which are well suited for balcony gardening. You’ll also find all kinds of organic soil—and a stellar selection of plants of the edible and non-edible varieties.
If you live in the Beaches, Leslieville, or another east Toronto neighbourhood, make your way down to East End Garden Centre. You’ll find the supplies, advice, and inspiration you need to kick-start your summer balcony gardening efforts.
4) Urban Harvest
Are you interested in growing organic herbs and vegetables? If so, check out the wide selection of organic and heirloom seeds at Urban Harvest.
Of course, some edible plants are hard to grow when you have limited outdoor space. But you’d be surprised by what you can do with a couple of large containers on your balcony. If you’re ambitious, why not go beyond herbs to try your hand at cucumbers—or even small watermelons?
It all starts with seeds and seedlings. But organic growing can be a bit tricky at first, so don’t forget to ask the Urban Harvest staff if you need some guidance. And if they have it in stock, you should also consider purchasing An Illustrated Guide to Growing Food on Your Balcony, by Torontonian Lara Mrosovsky.
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