Grow - find land

Not all of us have access to space for growing. Yet there’s loads of land in Canada that’s under-used or forgotten. Some of it could be cultivated for vegetables and fruit, or even bees, chickens (where allowed) and other animals, which is where Landshare Canada comes in.

Here's how you get started:

1) Sign up! First you need to create an account. You'll create a username and password which you can then use to log into the site at any time.

2) Fill in your profile with as much information as you can so that owners get a sense of who you are and whether you'd be suitable for their plot. An image will really personalise your profile.

3) Now post a listing saying where you are and what you’re looking for.

4) You can check for replies to your listing in your Console in My stuff. Keep checking your Console for new replies, and do make sure that you answer people who contact you. You will be notified by email every time you get a new offer or message. However, many email clients don't like automated emails, and send them straight to the junk mail folder or - worse - delete them completely! To make sure you receive notifications, add info@landsharecanada.com to your address book, and check your junk mail folder.

5) Increase your chances of finding your perfect plot by regularly searching the Landshare Canada map by postal code to spot new landowners near you. When you find a listing that sounds suitable, you can apply to grow there.

6) When a land owner gets in touch, have a chat - then see where it goes. You can use My messages for this. These emails are kept separate from offers of land relating to your listing. Again, check these regularly and remember that it's courteous to reply.

7) Use our pro forma agreements to help you come to an arrangement with the landowner.

8) When you've agreed your match, please remember to go back to your console to record your listing as matched! This helps us keep track of how much land is being shared, and also lets other landowners know that you're not available.

9) Celebrate your new plot by telling the community through our forums and by starting your own blog. It's a nice idea to post an image of your new plot in the resources section, then you can go back after all your hard work to compare the bare plot to your wonderful edible garden that you've created. You can also find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to keep in touch.

10) Access how-to guides and ask questions to help you get stuck into transforming your plot, and search for helpers.

11) If you like, you could join or start up a local group in your area. This would allow you to get together with other growers near you to swap advice, and even get together on your plots to swap seeds and food.

12) Help others do the same. Once you've got the skills and the experience, you could help other new growers get started by updating becoming a helper and answering community questions. You could also help promote and take part in our campaigns to get more people growing their own food.

Have a look at our FAQs if you have any questions about how to start growing. If they don't answer your query, please contact us for help.