Kitchen Garden

Each year the Kitchen Garden celebrates the culture and cuisine of a particular country or geographical area by carefully planting combinations of vegetables and herbs common to the chosen area.  In 2011, the theme of the kitchen garden drew inspiration from the beautiful country of Ireland.

Visit often and explore the possibilities of what can be grown in your own home garden. Be sure to watch for our Taste of the Garden special evenings throughout the summer months which sample and draw inspiration from the theme of the kitchen garden and its contents.

Toronto’s multicultural population offers a global perspective on the history of food. Each year the vegetables of a particular culture, country or continent are featured in the kitchen garden using the expertise and advice of the appropriate local community. This diverse space demonstrates a variety of methods for growing vegetables, fruit, flowers and herbs in a sustainable, organic and aesthetically pleasing manner.

Highlights:

• Toronto’s multicultural population offers a global perspective on the history of food. Each year the vegetables of a particular culture, country or continent are featured in the kitchen garden using the expertise and advice of the appropriate local community.
• The TBG’s kitchen garden is a diverse space that demonstrates a variety of methods for growing vegetables, fruit, flowers and herbs in a sustainable, organic and aesthetically pleasing manner. Organic gardening techniques, crop rotation and companion planting are practised here for plant health and maximum food production.
• Vegetables harvested from the garden are donated to the North York Harvest Food bank.
• Fruit trees that have been espaliered or cordoned (that is, trained into one main stem through vigorous pruning) demonstrate kitchen garden techniques for small spaces. Also featured are specialized fruit pruning techniques and potager gardening particularly relevant for small gardens.

Yearly Cultural Themes:
2011 – Irish
2010 – Italian
2009 – Ukraine
2008 – Inspired by India
2007 – Caribbean
2006 – Japanese