May is Becoming Garden Month in Saint-Laurent
Saint-Laurent, April 22, 2022 – At its next general meeting on May 3, Saint-Laurent Council will adopt a proclamation making May Garden Month and 2022 the Year of the Garden in Saint-Laurent. This initiative stems from a unanimous motion by the House of Commons on March 23 to recognize the current year as the Year of the Garden across Canada. This initiative was launched by the Canadian Garden Council, with the support of many partners in the field.
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“Our community is very enthusiastic about joining this pan-Canadian movement to highlight not only gardens, but also everyone who enjoys beautifying our outdoor spaces. This activity—which has gained in popularity over the past two years—has many benefits for both our physical and mental health as well as for our biodiversity. Each small space landscaped with tender loving care becomes a cool island welcoming many pollinators that are essential to our survival. I strongly encourage you to take part in any of the activities organized within the scope of this theme month and year!”
Alan DeSousa, Mayor of Saint-Laurent
Program of activities
It is to mark Earth Day that Saint-Laurent unveils its planned program throughout the month of May:
A selection of books on gardening and biodiversity
At both libraries: Bibliothèque du Boisé and the Bibliothèque du Vieux-Saint-Laurent
From May 7
Theme tables with various books on gardening, urban agriculture and biodiversity will be available for consultation or borrowing at Saint-Laurent’s two libraries.
Conference by Albert Mondor, the trendy gardener (in French)
Saturday, May 7, 2 p.m., Bibliothèque du Boisé
Registration required from April 27 online at montreal.ca/en/saint-laurent or by calling 311.
Well-known to gardening enthusiasts, Albert Mondor has been passionate about horticulture for over 30 years. This year, he is the spokesperson for the Year of the Garden in Québec. This author and columnist excels in creating landscapes of all kinds and for all tastes. He will present his talk in French on the new veggie garden, the edible garden for all spaces. Door prizes.
Cultivons Saint-Laurent Festival
Saturday, May 14, noon – 5 p.m., at Parc Beaudet
This urban agriculture fair will give visitors the opportunity to purchase urban agriculture equipment, borrow books on gardening, exchange seeds at the seed library, and much more.
The activity will be postponed to the next day in case of rain.
Mon jardin écolo fleuri- Free distribution of baskets of plants and seeds
Saint-Laurent residents are invited to obtain a free basket of plants and seeds to start their own edible garden in their yard or on their balcony.
There are three ways to get a basket:
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Cultivons Saint-Laurent Festival
Saturday, May 14, noon – 5 p.m., Parc Beaudet
500 baskets available
First come, first served
Bring your own bag or box to transport the plants.
The activity will be postponed to the next day in case of rain. -
Les Serres du dos blanc
Saturday, May 21, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Sunday, May 22, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Location: 625 Avenue Sainte-Croix (Behind Cégep Saint-Laurent) Registration required
May 3-6, just register online at montreal.ca/en/saint-laurent or by calling 311 to reserve your basket by selecting a time slot for pick-up.
1500 baskets available
Bring your bag or box to transport the plants.
The activity will take place rain or shine.
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Biodiversity Day
Saturday, May 28, noon – 5 p.m., Bibliothèque du Boisé
500 baskets available
First come, first served
Bring your bag or box to transport the plants.
The activity will take place rain or shine.
Compost giveaway
Saturday, May 21, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., municipal workshops, 13001 Cavendish
First come, first served.
Residents will have the chance to pick up free compost and mulch. In addition, the first 300 visitors will receive a flowering shrub.
Proof of address required.
Bring your shovel and container.
The activity will take place rain or shine.
Biodiversity Day
Saturday, May 28, noon – 5 p.m., Bibliothèque du Boisé
As part of UN International Day for Biodiversity, Saint-Laurent will celebrate Biodiversity Day at the Bibliothèque du Boisé by offering Saint-Laurent residents interactive booths as well as educational workshops, all in a rally format under the theme of the monarch butterfly! Door prizes. The activity will take place rain or shine.
Most Beautiful Gardens Contest Starting June 15, amateur gardeners in Saint-Laurent will be invited to submit photos of their outdoor landscaping to the borough. Residents will then vote on these photos online. Prizes will be awarded to the landscapes that receive the most votes. More information is available at montreal.ca/en/saint-laurent or by calling 311.
May, Garden Month is part of Saint-Laurent’s 2022-2025 Strategic Plan. It is part of the projects of Focus #1 – Environment, implementation of the Climate Emergency Plan, which aims to implement the first phase of this plan adopted last fall. Covering the years 2021 to 2030, the Climate Emergency Plan contains objectives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions produced on Saint-Laurent territory as well as to protect biodiversity and increase the community’s resilience to climate change.
