Some of our neighbors (East York, North of Danforth around Coxwell) have a sidewalk, and then grass or garden between the sidewalk and the curb.
However, our property just has concrete between the sidewalk and the curb.
Is this something we can all the city to change? Do you know anyone who’s done this? Any tips? We called 311 and they didn’t really know, but submitted a ticket to the roads department for “Boulevard repair” with the request.
Your spot between the sidewalk and the road sounds like it has potential for additional gardening space. These spots are sometimes colloquially known as “hellstrips” because the conditions can be harsh. They tend to be warmer because of proximity to concrete and asphalt, be sunnier spots, and plants there are subjected to salt in the winter. Nonetheless, as you’ve seen with your neighbours, growing plants in these spaces is definitely possible.
You did the right thing consulting 311 for accurate information about what’s permissible in this space. Perusing the Toronto.ca website could help dig up more knowledge and specific bylaws around these spaces.
If you’re successful in removing the concrete, the Toronto Master Gardeners Guide to a Pollinator Garden could be helpful in planning your garden design.Toronto Master Gardeners, first and foremost, recommends the use of native plants as they are ideally suited to our local climate. We have two Garden Guides which you might find helpful in making some native plant selections. These include: Native Plants for Habitat and Gardening with Native Shrubs. More and more, native plants are being sold at local nurseries in the city and many nurseries outside of Toronto will ship the plants to you. Specifically for dry, sunny locations, the following resources may be helpful: Grow Me Instead and Healthy Landscapes (published by the City of Guelph). Finally for some ideas about native and non-native perennials, please have a look at this Garden Guide, Drought Tolerant Perennials, again from Toronto Master Gardeners. I’ll also share a list of native plants for the Toronto ecoregion that are salt tolerant. Past gardening posts about this topic on our site have recommended the book Hell Strip Gardening: Create a Paradise Between the Sidewalk and the Curb by Evelyn Hadden that will help you with your design.
Good luck with your project!