Have you ever wondered about the tomatoes, beans, sunflowers and other edible plants growing in the summer sunshine in the Davenport Garden behind Lash Miller Hall?
The Lash Miller Garden, along with one at Sid Smith and many others on campus, is the work of a student group, The Dig In! Campus Agriculture Network. According to the group's site, the network supports small-scale and sustainable food production at the University of Toronto. "We represent a network of autonomous urban agriculture projects, rooted in particular colleges, campus organizations, and academic departments."
Maintained first by Chemistry students who have long since graduated, and then by other Dig In volunteers since 2019, the Lash Miller Garden supports large plants and crops that need a good deal of heat and solar energy.
"This garden provides ample space for our larger crops, including squash, corn and amaranth," says the Dig In description of the garden. "The sandy soil has proved to be great for root vegetables such as beets, parsnips, carrots, and radishes. Finally, our sun-loving plants such as tomatoes and peppers grow well here ever year due to the large amount of light Lash Miller receives."
In 2025 the garden saw the addition of a new container garden, containing marigolds, strawberries, and hyssop.
For information on how to connect with the group and a sneak peek on they what might be growing in the future, Dig In maintains a lively Instagram with regular posts on their planting schedule, garden planning workshops, and Thursday afternoon food stands, which offer free produce to members of the University community. Or, simpler still, head down to the garden in person to breathe in the scent of the fresh herbs, check for insect pollinators, and catch a moment away from the lab by reconnecting with the rhythms of the growing season.