The Little Great Gardening Weekend and its virtual version

For this 24th edition: it will be a two-stage affair, with a totally virtual version from May 25 to 27, followed by a “Little” Great Gardening Weekend—meaning that it will be adapted to the current public health situation—at the Montreal Botanical Garden from May 28 to 30. Two versions, one and the same objective: offer gardening tips and advice as a way of contributing to the ecological transition. You’ll be able to explore different aspects of the transition: urban farming, buying locally, gardening without pesticides, composting, community science and much more. Whether from the comfort of your own home or on site at the Montreal Botanical Garden, you’ll be able to indulge your love of gardening in a spirit of good humour, discovery and respect for public health guidelines

Gardening Weekend

Photo: Mathieu Rivard

VIRTUAL VERSION: EVERYONE’S WELCOME
May 25, 26 and 27 will see the return of a concept that was a resounding success last year (the pandemic left us no other choice!): the broadcasting of free virtual talks. Wherever you are in Quebec, you’ll have free access to engaging workshops run by research, community science and gardening experts from all over. It’s a sure sign that a little adaptation can go a long way!

Tuesday, May 25, from 7 to 8:40 pm
● Round table: Les agricultures montréalaises pour la transition écologique (in French)
Participants: Marie-Anne Viau, president and co-spokesperson of Cultiver Montréal; Laura Charpentier, general manager of Coopérative de solidarité Miel Montréal; Isabelle Gareau, urban farming coordinator at Éco de la Pointe-aux-Prairies; and Laurie St-Fleur, urban farming project manager at Jardins collectifs de Montréal-Est.

Wednesday, May 26, from 7 to 8:40 pm
● La transition écologique à l’horticulture au Jardin botanique de Montréal (speaker, in French: Marie-Claude Limoges, head of the Horticulture and Collections Division at the Jardin botanique de Montréal)
● Les jardins de pluie en climat froid (speaker, in French: Henry Beral, doctoral student at the Institut de recherche en biologie végétale, Université de Montréal)
● Attirez les abeilles, colibris et papillons dans votre jardin (speaker, in French: Albert Mondor, horticulturist, teacher, lecturer, columnist and author)

Thursday, May 27, from 7 to 8:40 pm
● Un paysage nourricier à entretien minimal (speaker, in French: Guillaume Pelland, founder and director of Paysage gourmand)
● Les fermes de ténébrions comestibles – projet pilote dans les écoles primaires (speaker, in French: Noémie La Rue Lapierre, director general of Friends of the Montréal Insectarium)
● Rien ne se perd, rien ne se crée, tout se composte! (speaker, in French: Vanessa Grenier, doctoral student at the Institut de recherche en biologie végétale, Université de Montréal)

To take part in the talks, you have to register.

FOCUS ON THE ECOLOGICAL TRANSITION AT THE JARDIN BOTANIQUE

From May 28 to 30, come and reconnect with nature at the Jardin botanique / Montreal Botanical Garden as part of a revamped concept for the annual Great Gardening Weekend. With 30 or so exhibitors and a special focus on explaining how you yourself can contribute to the ecological transition, the event is reinventing itself. This year, more than ever, the Little Great Gardening Weekend is inviting you to review and develop your know-how and attitudes, for the greater benefit of the environment. Are you interested in learning more about urban farming, buying locally, gardening without pesticides, composting, developing green spaces, community science, protecting biodiversity or sustainable development? Experts and keen amateurs will be on hand to share their knowledge and exchange tips, as well as to offer you exceptional plants and products at their booths.

Gardening Weekend

Photo: S. Castellan shootstudio.ca

You’ll also have an opportunity to learn how to boost biodiversity at home through the My Space for Life Garden program, and talk community science with Mission Monarch and urban farming with Cultiver Montréal. Students and researchers from the Institut de recherche en biologie végétale (IRBV) are also organizing a guided tour of the phytotechnology stations at the Jardin botanique (places limited, passes available at the IRBV booth). This year, more than ever, let’s garden greener!

For more information, including a detailed list of exhibitors, visit: calendrier.espacepourlavie.ca

Due to Covid-19 reduced capacity measures, it is strongly recommended that you purchase your tickets online before travelling to the Jardin botanique. https://espacepourlavie.ca/en/ticketing

And don’t forget to bring your reusable bags!