The Native Plant Victory Garden

[Northern Light]

In the light of Covid, some people have revived the idea of the Victory Garden, or really, simply, growing one's own food.

In truth, at the moment, this doesn't seem necessary; though for many it is enjoyable, and can be a cost-effective way of getting super fresh produce, in season.

But most people think only of growing typical supermarket food.

So tomatoes, herbs, beans, peppers etc.

Nothing wrong w/that, I grow those too.

But as may of you know, I'm familiar w/native plants............and in hearing this idea again..........I thought, why not combine the two?

Why not a food garden of stuff that would grow in Toronto naturally.

Below I will describe/identify some plants that are native to Toronto and could supply good food every year.

Some of these definitely require a yard..........while others could be done on a balcony.........though may require pruning!

Lets start with spring foods........

If your familiar w/Fiddleheads............these are tips of unfurling Ostrich Ferns. Kindly don't poach these from the wild.........

They are super reliable growers though, and will produce in part-sun to full sun conditions.

Probably best with a yard, since to sustainably harvest you can only take a few fronds worth.

Please note that Fiddleheads must be washed/cooked..........otherwise.......uh..........not good.

They taste a bit like Asparagus

Image from: https://www.thespruceeats.com/sauteed-fiddlehead-ferns-2217487

Plant looks like this:

Image: https://osera.org/houseplants/ostrich-fern/

Then there are Wild Leeks, aka Ramps. While these easily grow in containers, you need an awful lot to be able to sustainably harvest; so better suited to yards, where you can plant 30!

These have a garlic/onion taste. Both bulb and Leaf are edible. Great in Pasta.

Allium tricoccum

Photo from: https://deerhurstresort.com/2018/04/wild-leek-season/

Also in spring/early summer are Wild Strawberries...........they like part-shade/part-sun.........and are great for balconies.

Fragaria vesca

Photo from: https://www.crocus.co.uk/plants/_/fragaria-vesca/classid.2000017268/


Summer in next post.

 

[Northern Light]

For summer choices..........

Serviceberry: Amelanchier laevis

Essentially 'Saskatoon Berries' though the eastern species is a smidge different.

Make nice jams and compotes

Yes, this is a small tree.

Image: http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/FullImageDisplay.aspx?documentid=1350

Plant in flower:

Photo: https://plants.connon.ca/11100004/Plant/611/Cumulus_Serviceberry



Purple-Flowering Raspberry (not super tasty....but ok)

Image credit: http://www.vanberkumnursery.com/plant/rubus-odoratus/

Red Raspberry, Rubus idaeus var. strigosus, or Rubus strigosus Delicious!

Photo: https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/166422148713430356/

Black Raspberry, Rubus occidentalis

Photo Credit: https://www.gardenia.net/plant/rubus-occidentalis-jewel

Blackberry, rubus allegheniensis

Rubus allegheniensis (common blackberry): Go Botany

gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org

Finally..........how about Canada Plum! Prunus nigra

Prunus nigra (Canada plum): Go Botany

gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org

Canada Plum Tree

The Canada Plum (Prunus nigra) is a wild-growing native tree that is the best pollinator for hybrid plum trees. It also produces sweet-tasting fruit.

www.hardyfruittrees.ca

 

[Northern Light]

Now for the Fall Plants.

Jerusalem Artichoke, .Helianthus tuberosus

Bit of a pain to get the edible root out, but very pretty large yellow flowers if you just leave'em.

You can roast or mash these as you would potatoes.

Image Credit: https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/glossary/jerusalem-artichoke

Here's what the flower looks like:

Image Credit: https://nature.mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/jerusalem-artichoke-sunflower-artichoke


Paw Paw, Asimina triloba

Image credit: https://gardenerspath.com/plants/fruit-trees/grow-pawpaw/

This tree is technically native no further north than Burlington, but I'm perfectly OK w/it being planted here, it is hardy to Toronto.

It provides Canada's only native 'tropical' fruit. The insides are soft and taste like a cross between a mango and a banana.

Good as straight-fruit; but also makes an interesting ice cream!

 

[TRONto]

Great posts. Keep em coming if you got more info

 

[Johnny Au]

Very few places in Toronto can grow pawpaws, such as the Leslie Street Spit and Long Branch.

 

[Northern Light]

Very few places in Toronto can grow pawpaws, such as the Leslie Street Spit and Long Branch.

If you mean 'naturally'; Toronto is just a bit beyond their northern range (Burlington)

However, they have been planted here in dozens/hundreds of backyards and they also are growing in the lower Don Valley (planted), and can also be found at Toronto Botanical Garden and Mt. Pleasant Cemetery.

 

[Johnny Au]

If you mean 'naturally'; Toronto is just a bit beyond their northern range (Burlington)

However, they have been planted here in dozens/hundreds of backyards and they also are growing in the lower Don Valley (planted), and can also be found at Toronto Botanical Garden and Mt. Pleasant Cemetery.

Thank you for the clarification.

According to the Köppen classification, pawpaws can grow in climate zone Dfa but not climate zone Dfb. The parts of Toronto that you mentioned are in climate zone Dfa. Much of Toronto, however, is in climate zone Dfb.

The urban heat island effect is causing more of Toronto to transition to Dfa.

 

[Northern Light]

In general, Paw Paws are hardy to Zone 6 (temperature zones for plants).

Though there will be variation, high areas vs low, sheltered vs windy.

This is zone map for Ontario.

Toronto is zone 6.

Higher number = warmer temperature range.

Image Credit: https://media.gardenmaking.com/wp-c...3028/Plant-hardiness-map-southern-Ontario.png

 

[Northern Light]

Thank you for the clarification.

According to the Köppen classification, pawpaws can grow in climate zone Dfa but not climate zone Dfb. The parts of Toronto that you mentioned are in climate zone Dfa. Much of Toronto, however, is in climate zone Dfb.

The urban heat island effect is causing more of Toronto to transition to Dfa.

Koppen and Hardiness aren't quite the same.

Koppen does a good job of showing were species are likely to reproduce or thrive on their own.

Hardiness is more a measure of will survive and do well if planted there.

To the best of my knowledge, Paw Paw will not reproduce in Toronto or at least, I haven't seen it do so yet.

Image Credit: https://www.plantmaps.com/koppen-climate-classification-map-canada.php

The Lighter Blue reflects the natural range of Paw Paw in Ontario.

Edit to add: Should climate change occur as forecast. An upward shift of 2 degrees C at the lower end would extend the natural range of Paw Paw and many Carolinian species into Toronto.

It would also end natural reproduction of some more northerly species where Toronto is currently their southern limit such as White Spruce.