Food & Living

Urban Gardening Movement Takes Root in Downtown Edmonton

Community-led rooftop gardens are transforming the city’s skyline while supplying fresh produce to local markets and food banks.

By By Liam Roberts • 2025-07-27

A growing number of downtown Edmonton rooftops are turning green as residents and community groups embrace the urban gardening movement. What started as a handful of small pilot projects has blossomed into a network of rooftop gardens supplying fresh produce to local markets and food banks.

The initiative, led by the non-profit Green Horizons, aims to make better use of underutilized urban spaces while addressing food insecurity. “We’re creating pockets of productivity in the middle of the city,” said project coordinator Liam Fraser. “These gardens not only provide fresh vegetables but also bring people together.”

Each rooftop garden is equipped with raised beds, drip irrigation systems, and composting bins. Volunteers plant a mix of leafy greens, tomatoes, peppers, and herbs, with harvests occurring throughout the summer and early fall.

One notable success story is the rooftop of the old Jasper Tower, which now yields over 500 kilograms of produce annually. The majority of the harvest is donated to the Edmonton Food Bank, with the rest sold at local farmers’ markets to help fund the program.

Beyond the food itself, the gardens are designed as community spaces. Many host workshops on topics such as composting, seed saving, and pollinator-friendly planting. These events often draw residents who might otherwise never meet, fostering connections between neighbours.

Urban gardening also has environmental benefits, including reducing the urban heat island effect and improving air quality. “It’s a small but meaningful way to make our city more resilient to climate change,” Fraser said.

The City of Edmonton has taken notice, offering grants and policy support to encourage more rooftop and balcony gardens. Officials hope the movement will inspire similar projects in other parts of the city.

Green Horizons plans to expand the program next year, with the goal of doubling the number of participating rooftops. Fraser believes the momentum will continue as more residents see the tangible benefits of growing food where they live.