Raspberry revolution

Imagine Montreal’s laneways lined all summer with raspberry bushes offering passersby a ripe, healthy harvest of the juicy, delicious red fruit. That’s part of Kevin Walsh’s long-term master plan and don’t count him out: after starting six years ago with a single garden near Monkland, his NDG Victory Garden project (named after a British wartime communal growing effort) has expanded to 20 gardens tended by 200 volunteers. Unlike city gardens that offer citizen farmers a private plot of soil, the Victory volunteers tend communal plots and donate much of their harvest to local food banks. Now the group is calling on NDG residents to donate space in their backyards to allow them to grow more fresh fruit.
Last year the group had 10 such backyard patches and this year they’re shooting for 25. Volunteers may expect to see other odd-looking things growing. In order to promote biodiversity, the gang cultivates 200 types of fruits and veggies, including old-style “Turkish orange eggplants and fuzzy yellow peach tomatoes,” says Walsh. “It’s not just about romanticizing the past. Fresh fruit actually tastes better,” he says. “And there’s a big myth that we can’t grow sweet, juicy fruit here. We have great soil conditions and a long growing season.”

To volunteer work or a West End garden, call 484-0223. Plateau-area gardeners can volunteer their space and efforts at the like-minded Éco-Quartier at 527-4821. :

—Kristian Gravenor