VANCOUVER—On the sixth floor of a downtown parking garage, a farming valley is being carved out of concrete.

Vancouver-based Alterrus Systems is installing its vertical farming system, which can grow up to 80 varieties of leafy greens, on the parkade’s rooftop — the first North American commercial farming operation in a parking lot.

Urban gardening has been around for decades with non-profits such as City Farmer urging residents to grow food at home in backyards, community gardens or on flat roofs.

Michael Levenston, executive director of the organization, believes more commercial ventures will follow if it is successful.

“The new thing, the next thing, is taking it to the commercial level, so it’s not just in backyards,” says Levenston.

http://www.thestar.com/news/insight/article/1249959--vancouver-company-installing-vertical-garden-in-parking-garage