Seeds of urban farming growing in Windsor

 

Urban farming – the practice of growing a significant amount of food in an urban setting – is beginning to take root among Windsorites.

Types of urban farms include community gardens, setups on rooftops, over balconies and in repurposed shipping containers which contain all the elements needed for a garden to thrive. These are provided either by being exposed to the elements or by artificial means like artificial lighting and misting water.

John Marcoux is the owner of the Urban GreenHouse store, a supplier of equipment needed for urban farming like lights and fertilizer. He said there have been many changes since opening in 2010. 

 “Urban farming has come quite a ways in the last 10 years. When we first started the store, I can only think of maybe two or three community gardens that were in Windsor. Now, I can think of at least 10 or 12,” said Marcoux. 

Marcoux also said many business owners are creating gardens for their employees locally, with some examples including American store chain Kohl’s installing a 4,000 square foot garden at their corporate headquarters.

To those willing to try out gardening, Ray Demarco, 30, said urban farming presents a business opportunity as well.

“I think people love supporting local business, and this just brings it into a hyperlocal area where they can see the product growing and buy it from a reseller like me,” said DeMarco. 

Another food provider in agreement with urban farming is Kevin Black, 39, who is vice-president of business development at Kingsville-based farm Lee and Maria’s. 

“We encourage people that they should try to grow their own garden first. There’s no reason just because we sell vegetables doesn’t mean that we don’t expect people aren’t going to get vegetables elsewhere and grow their own if they can,” said Black.

Google Trends confirm Black’s view of encouraging gardens for food as searches for the keywords “indoor plant” from January 2008 to July 2019 in Canada increased steadily according to BookNet Canada.

Black also said urban farming benefits agricultural stores like Lee and Maria’s.

“If anything, all it can do is really help promote the idea of eating local and hopefully that gets people becoming more curious in our own service, but also other people that are growing around,” said Black.

Ultimately, Urban GreenHouse owner Marcoux said the best way for aspiring gardeners to begin is to experiment.

“Don’t be afraid to make some mistakes. Just get in there and start to use what you have around there, get some seeds sprouted and start growing. That’s the only way to learn,” said Marcoux.