Workshops for neophytes or
seasoned urban gardeners

Some twenty free workshops throughout the summer at the Jardins nourriciers de l’Avenue du Mont-Royal

June 24, 2022

L’Avenue du Mont-Royal is partnering with Cultiver Montréal to install nurturing gardens on Mount Royal Avenue, an 800-foot garden island with a variety of edible plant spaces, and to animate them throughout the summer by offering workshops for both novices and seasoned gardeners.

Image: Jonathan Kemper / @MyCollectif

“The installations are already initiating a dialogue between the residents and merchants of the Plateau, as to the possibility of perpetuating nourishing spaces on Mount Royal Avenue,” says Céline Duhamel, general coordinator of Cultiver Montréal. About twenty producers and facilitators from the Montreal agricultural network have mobilized for this project.

At the Jardins nourriciers, located between Garnier and Fabre streets, some twenty free workshops will be given on Wednesdays and Saturdays from July 2 to September 3, 2022. The program includes a number of topics, from Agriculture 101 to Making Nature Art, Gardening with Urban Wildlife and Growing Mushrooms at Home.

JULY WORKSHOPS

• Registration opens for the July 2, 6, 9, 13 and 16 workshops: June 27
• Registration opens for the July 20, 23, 27 and 30 workshops: July 11

Registrations via the Mount Royal Avenue Facebook page and the website mont-royal.net. The August workshops will be announced during the month of July. Please note that the workshops are held in French.

Saturday, July 2 at 10:30 am

La Radicule / Introduction to vegetable seed production
Marie-Claude Comeau, La Radicule in Manseau (Centre-du-Québec)

In this theoretical and practical workshop, participants will learn the basics of seed production, at the scale of the urban yard, species, equipment…

Wednesday, July 6 at 5:30 pm

Introduction to Urban Beekeeping
The Santropol Beekeeping Collective Santropol Roulant

The collective’s mission: to maintain a healthy bee population and train new beekeepers. This workshop aims to reconnect city dwellers to the source of their food.

Saturday, July 9 at 10:30 am

Agriculture 101
Pascale Nycz

Newbies will learn how to consider the specific needs of their plants, light, water, nutrients, air, soil and potting soil to start a garden and maintain it throughout the summer season.

Wednesday, July 13 at 5:30 pm

Mushroom / Champignon
MyCollectif

In this workshop, MyCollectif’s mycology enthusiasts will impart a wealth of knowledge about mushrooms as a component of urban agriculture. (For adults only)

Saturday July 16th at 10:30 am

Les 3 sœurs et le compagnonnage 
Pascale Nycz

Participants will learn the agricultural technique of companion planting in order to optimize their garden and allow the plants to exchange various services (fertilization, repellent or toxic action on insects and weeds.)

Wednesday, July 20 at 5:30 pm

Gardening with Urban Fauna
Joanie Béland of the Maison d’Aurore

For a smooth cohabitation, it is necessary to recognize different species of small animals that frequent our gardens, to understand how they harm or contribute to our crops and how we can encourage their presence according to their needs.

Saturday, July 23 at 10:30 am

Making Nature Art
Lilia Luna from the Maison d’Aurore

Here, we will learn how to make art with nature’s treasures: leaves, petals, seeds, clay and other materials on site. Let your imagination run wild to make biodegradable creations! (Children 5 years and older accompanied by a parent)

Wednesday, July 27 at 5:30 pm

Introduction to growing mushrooms at home
MyCollectif

Mushroom lovers, it is possible to grow mushrooms at home. At the end of this workshop, which will provide the necessary basics, participants will leave with their own little “low-tech” growing kit.

Saturday, July 30 at 10:30 am

Harvesting techniques
Pascale Nycz

This workshop will cover the cycle of the seasons, the different techniques for harvesting food in the garden (leafy vegetables, herbs, cucurbits, etc.) and identifying the appropriate time for each harvest.

Cultiver Montréal’s mission

Cultiver Montréal is the multi-sectoral network of urban agriculture in Greater Montreal. It brings together, accompanies, supports and promotes all forms of urban and peri-urban agriculture in Greater Montreal, in consultation with its members, to make Montreal a sustainable, resilient and nourishing city.

Associates and financial partners

Design and production: ODACE Events and Cultiver Montréal, Humanicité, the Institut national d’agriculture biologique du Cégep de Victoriaville and its students, as well as students from the École de design de l’UQAM with the support of Fertile et Cultiver Montréal. Our financial partners are Avenue Mont-Royal, Desjardins, the Caisse du Plateau Mont-Royal, and the Government of Canada.

“Contributing to urban agriculture and circular economy projects, as well as initiatives aimed at the ecological transition and the fight against food waste, is something that speaks to us! For more than 10 years, we have been investing in our community to contribute to a greener future, with, among other things, the implementation of our own garden on the roof of our headquarters. It is with natural enthusiasm and the same values that we are joining this great initiative. – Benoit Sauvé, General Manager of the Caisse Desjardins du Plateau-Mont-Royal.

Featured image: Filip Urban – Unsplash

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