The Montreal-based group Alternatives first introduced the concept of soil-less method planting in 2001. Peggy Bradley, an American developing soil-less techniques in an effort to offer low cost, ecologically sustainable and low-tech gardening solutions for poor, rural communities in places like Brazil, Morocco and India caught the attention of Alternative representatives while observing the work and efforts by the Institute for Simplified Hydroponics in Tehuacan, Mexico. After studying the method used in Mexico, Alternatives saw the benefits and possibilities for the Montreal community. The attempts to use this system in an effort to tackle food security and hunger issues on a global scale and locally was not something Alternatives could turn away from. In 2001, the Institute for Simplified Hydroponics brought their initiatives to Montreal. In 2001, Jane Rabinowicz of Santropol Roulant and Ishmael Hautecoeur of Alternatives joined forces; harvesting Roulant's local community ties and Alternative's knowledge and resources, they created what is now known as the Rooftop Garden Project. These two young groups joined forces to create a demonstration garden of 500m2 on a rooftop located near Burnside Hall on McGill University campus and by 2006, Roulant managed to produce one third of the food used for the program by growing their own produce. Determined to get the entire Montreal area and beyond growing green, the Project has been relentless in creating community gardens in social-housing complexes, at schools and seniors' residences, and on rooftops, balconies and stairwells. The Rooftop Gardens Project has dedicated countless efforts to grow produce but to also make it a community run and sustained project. By visiting schools and offering interactive programs for students from elementary to university, the Project wants to educate as many people as possible about how accessible and relatively simple it can be to grow produce. The Project encourages local businesses, building owners, educational institutions, government and borough run organizations and the Montreal citizens at large to get on board and start growing produce. The Project's desire to make gardening accessible gave them the idea to offer ready-made home grow kits so anybody who wants to can grow produce.
The Soilless-Cultivation
The soil-less cultivation process uses self watering containers that are portable and adaptable for any area. The containers are constructed by recycled materials and are simple to build. In 2002, Alternatives converted a 50-gallon olive barrel into a rooftop container. Other recycled items like tires, storage bins and many other day to day items that hold water without leaking can be used. The recycled material is then lined with material such as saw dust or vermiculite to help absorb nutrients and moisture. Organic compost from vegetables, coffee grounds and even paper is used to offer nutrients to the planted items. The containers are watered by rain, either by direct rain fall or simple irrigation systems set up using tubing leading directly into the container. The roots stay moist but need to be periodically aired out to prevent ruined crops. Produce like cucumbers, tomatoes, cherries, basil, flowers, lettuce and other leafy crops thrive in these environments and take little space to grow.
Garden Organizers
The initial demonstration garden is run by volunteers and staff. The Project initiative has led to autonomous gardens run by enterprises and locals, with personal gardens and collective ones. In Montreal, personal soil-less garden containers can be seen hanging from drain pipes, swirling staircases and any other area outdoors. The Project's first system, simple hydroponics has now been revamped for a more eco-friendly alternative. The new semi-hydroponic has ditched the chemical output from the simpler system and has replaced it with a self-watering system which uses compost as nutrients and soil as irrigation. This system is cleaner, inexpensive and more organic.
Volunteers and Funding
The initial volunteers were young adults and students, which led to high turnover rates. Since Rooftop Garden Project's initial launch in 2001, their volunteer base has become more concrete. This has facilitated its relationships with external partners. Many of Montreal's universities have come forth to help out with the projects growth by adding some of their own rooftop gardens. Concordia University in the centre of the downtown Montreal core has a recent project at its greenhouse; a great example of the many diverse factions of this burgeoning movement. McGill University, UQAM, TelUQ and the Engineers Without Borders volunteer groups have all provided funding and volunteers to the Project's vision. Santropol Roulant is itself a volunteer and donation run organization and does not have the resources to fund and expand the Project. Thus the majority of the Rooftop Garden Project is funded by Alternatives. The Project also relies heavily on donations and fundraising from the local community members and organizations like Action Comuniterre’s collective garden in the NDG borough of Montreal. To help raise funds for the Project, Comuniterre sells organic heritage seeds and plants to individuals with their own gardens and a portion of the produce grown is sold to local markets.
