To clarify, this isn’t our property, it is the common property of our apartment building. We are lucky in this scenario that our unit is closest to this corner and it’s along the path to our lower patio. Our strata could easily have said no to us using this space. If you were to attempt the same sort of ask at your building I would start by being a helpful neighbour. We make sure we do our share of snow shovellng in the winter and water plants in the summer. We try to be good neighbours, though I mostly credit Trevor with this as he always tends to care for and charm the neighbours. He’s a master at small talk while I just smile wave and run away. So after a year of helping around the building, the ask of a small garden plot might have been an easier yes.
Co-op Garden
The other month in our building a tree had to be removed due to drainage issues and another tenant of our building suggested a shared herb garden. It only began last week but I love this idea! One tenant planted it all and the work will be shared. It’s in a sunny spot, full of herbs, tomatoes and greens. All tenants are welcome to take from the garden as long as they leave enough for others. I feel this model can be used in shared living spaces across the city. And I love that they just took an existing spot and converted it rather than building out a whole new area.
