Through their participation in the initiatives of the first edition of May, Garden Month, our residents showed their enthusiasm for preserving biodiversity, reflecting their support for our objectives. Once again this year, our teams are organizing horticultural events for you throughout the month of May. You have the chance to learn more about biodiversity in Saint-Laurent and even get free seedlings and other greenery. As I had the opportunity to emphasize last December at COP15, biodiversity remains a priority for Saint-Laurent and we are counting on each and every one of you to help us protect and beautify it. I encourage you to take part in these activities with your family and friends.

At its April 4 general meeting, Saint-Laurent Council adopted a new proclamation making May “Garden Month”. 

This symbolic gesture aims to launch a unique program to raise Saint-Laurent residents’ awareness of the importance of increasing biodiversity and protecting our green spaces. Many activities will be organized for the public to encourage them to learn more about the subject and to create a garden in their yard or on their balcony.

Program of activities

Throughout the month of May and even during the summer, residents are invited to take part in the following activities:

Selection of books on gardening and biodiversity

Bibliothèque du Boisé and Bibliothèque du Vieux-Saint-Laurent
Starting May 1

Conference-workshop: Gardening in the city and learning how to plant your own seeds (in French)

On Saturday, May 6, at the Bibliothèque du Boisé with Vertcité. Participants will receive free seedlings. Registration required online at montreal.ca/en/saint-laurent.

Festival Cultivons la biodiversité à Saint-Laurent
On Saturday, May 13, at Parc Beaudet.

Free baskets of seedlings and seeds
Three giveaway days are planned: Saturday, May 13, Saturday, May 27 and Sunday, May 28.

Compost giveaway
On Saturday, May 20, residents may come and pick up free compost and mulch outside the Ateliers municipaux building. In addition, the first 300 visitors will receive a flowering shrub.

Most Beautiful Gardens Contest
Photos submitting from July 10 to July 28 online votes from August 7 to August 25. More information will be posted online in early June 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 one of the top priority projects—Environment, implementation of the Climate Emergency Plan—which aims to carry out 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.