Les jardins communautaires sont ouverts à tous les résidents de Montréal.
1. Montréal's community gardens: an urban tradition
Montréal has one of the largest community garden networks in North America — more than 100 community gardens managed by the City across 19 boroughs, totalling over 8,000 plots.
These gardens allow residents without private outdoor space to grow their own vegetables, herbs and flowers. The annual cost is nominal — typically $5–30 depending on the borough and plot size — and includes access to irrigation water, shared tools and composting space.
For a newcomer, a community garden is much more than a vegetable patch: it's a place to meet neighbours, a way to put down roots in the neighbourhood, and often a source of pride and joy in daily life.
2. How to apply for a plot
The application process varies by borough, but general steps are:
- Identify community gardens in your borough — the garden map is available on the Ville de Montréal website.
- Contact the borough or garden coordinator for registration details. Most registrations happen online in January–February for the season starting in May.
- Waiting lists can be long in popular neighbourhoods — several months to years in areas like Le Plateau or Rosemont. Register as soon as possible, even if you're unsure of your long-term address.
- If your wait is long, explore collective gardens and corridor or alley gardens — shared gardening spaces without a wait.
3. What you can grow and the garden rules
Each community garden has its own rules, but common principles include:
- You can grow most vegetables, herbs and annual flowers on your plot.
- Some gardens allow small shrubs or raspberry canes — check with your garden.
- Invasive plants and plants that grow very tall may be banned to avoid encroaching on neighbouring plots.
- You're responsible for maintaining your plot — weeding, watering, harvesting. An abandoned plot can be lost.
- Many gardens organize collective work sessions for common area maintenance — participation is often mandatory or strongly encouraged.
- Chemical products, herbicides and certain pesticides are generally prohibited in Montréal community gardens.
4. See also
These related guides may be useful:
- Balcony gardening in Quebec — for those without access to a community garden.
- Free activities in Montréal — other free ways to enjoy the city.
- Montréal public markets — to supplement your garden with local produce.
5. Official sources
For the community garden map and registration information in Montréal: Ville de Montréal — montreal.ca.
Author's Note: the community garden is one of the places in Montréal where you'll meet people from all walks of life — retirees who have gardened for thirty years and know all the local tricks, young families, students, immigrants from every country. A conversation starting with 'what are you growing there?' can lead to a friendship. It's one of the most naturally multicultural spaces in the city.
