Design and Process 

Legacy Garden was established in 2014 by Phil Ferraro, one of the first certified organic producers in Atlantic Canada. The garden has grown to become one of the largest urban farms in all of Canada. The 8.5 acre garden site hosts a wide range of garden spaces, including a hummingbird garden, butterfly garden, children’s garden as well as an array of fruit and nut trees, berries, herbs, and flowers.  There are currently over 200 community garden plots and people from all backgrounds, including newcomers, have embraced the idea of participating in the community garden.

The Legacy Garden uses organic land care and ecological practices that support biodiversity and healthy soils.  Steps are taken to reduce the amount of unnecessary waste. Relying on local support, the Garden collects mulch from local tree surgeons. When available, local breweries provide their brewery waste to support the site’s composting efforts. 

Community Collaboration

Community engagement is an element that features prominently at the garden. The Legacy Garden produces thousands of pounds of food in their 2.5 acre “Goodwill Garden”. The produce is donated to local charities to address food insecurity. In tandem with supporting local charitable organizations, staff have also implemented various workshops and events. The site is used to host community events such as gardening workshops, and a Therapeutic Horticulture program offers support and guidance to people living with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. 

Along with Community Engagement, staff and volunteers have also adopted community outreach programs. Their ‘Engaging Youth in the Era of Climate Change’ program assists youth-at-risk. Many projects at Legacy Garden are undertaken with the support of hundreds of enthusiastic volunteers. 

For more information, visit the Legacy Garden website.