Luay's Urban Farm and Kitchen

Luay loves cooking. A food garden was a natural next step to his passion for cooking.

We talk with Luay, from Urban Farm and Kitchen in Toronto, about how he started growing food, his gardens, some favourite recipes, failure, and tips for new gardeners.

His day job in the engineering industry is hectic and includes lots of travel. Gardening and cooking are his way of unwinding.

Getting into Food Gardening

Luay currently grows in his backyard and at a municipal allotment garden.

But he didn’t grow up gardening. His interest in gardening was piqued by unusual vegetables he got through a CSA subscription.

Once his interest had been piqued, he started small—with a tomato plant on his balcony.

“Gardening is a hobby that turned into a passion.”

His interest in gardening grew into a passion. He now shares that passion on social media and his website.

His backyard includes raised beds, fruit trees, and an area to eat and entertain…but he admits that potted edible plants make their way into all parts of the yard.

“I’m trying to maximize every square inch possible.”

In the Kitchen

Luay loves to cook with what’s in season. As we talk, it’s fresh tomatoes.

The kitchen is his place to unwind.

“It’s also kind of cathartic, because it’s relaxing when you’re in the kitchen and you’re just spending time on cooking and everything else fades away.”

Failure in the Garden

Luay tells new gardeners that failure is part of being a gardener.

He aims to have backup options in case something doesn’t grow in his garden. One way to do that is to keep a few extra seedlings on hand in case things don’t go as planned.

“Failure is part of being a gardener.”

Having a succession of crops to plant throughout the year is another way that he rolls with the season, the growing conditions, and the challenges of a particular year.

“Every year is different; you roll with the punches.”

Tips for New Gardeners

He tells new gardeners to start small. He finds that herbs are a great way to start small.

“It’s important to pace yourself.”

Many new gardeners, he says, feel the need to grow everything from seed. He suggests buying transplants to start.