Urban Gardening with Kids in Montreal

Growing Little Green Thumbs in the City

You don't need a big backyard to teach kids the magic of growing things. Montreal's vibrant urban gardening community, long growing season (May to October), and extensive community garden network make it one of the best cities in Canada for family gardening — even if you only have a balcony.

Community Gardens

Montreal has over 8,500 community garden plots across the city, managed by borough eco-quartiers. Getting a plot is one of the best family activities you can invest in:

• How to apply: Contact your local éco-quartier or borough office in winter/early spring. Wait lists vary by borough — some have immediate availability, others have multi-year waits
• Cost: Typically $10-25 per season for a standard plot
• What you get: A plot (usually 3m x 6m), access to shared tools and water, and a community of fellow gardeners

The best community gardens for families include Jardin communautaire du Centre-Sud (with children's programming), Jardin communautaire de Rosemont (large, well-organized), and the gardens at Parc Frédéric-Back (newly established with modern amenities).

Balcony and Container Gardening

No garden plot? No problem. Many of Montreal's best family gardening experiences happen on balconies:

Easy wins for kids:

• Cherry tomatoes — fast-growing, fun to pick, and kids love eating them warm from the sun
• Herbs (basil, mint, chives) — fragrant, useful in cooking, and nearly indestructible
• Strawberries — compact plants that produce sweet rewards
• Sunflowers — dramatic growth that kids can measure daily
• Snap peas — fun to pick and eat straight from the vine

Container tips:

• Use large containers (minimum 5 gallons) with drainage holes
• Fill with quality potting mix — not garden soil, which compacts in containers
• Water daily in summer heat — containers dry out faster than ground beds
• South or west-facing balconies get the most sun

Where to Buy Seeds and Supplies

Jardin Jasmin in Lachine is Montreal's family-friendly garden centre. Their spring workshops for kids (seed starting, container planting) are wonderful. The nursery itself is a fun outing — kids love exploring the greenhouse.

Botanical Garden Shop at the Montreal Botanical Garden sells seeds, tools, and books curated by expert horticulturalists.

Les Fermes Lufa — while primarily a farm-to-table delivery service, they sell seedlings in spring that are already adapted to Montreal's climate.

Educational Gardening Programs

Les Amis du Jardin botanique run children's gardening workshops through spring and summer at the Botanical Garden. Programs include planting, composting, and learning about pollination.

Santropol Roulant operates urban agriculture programs that welcome family volunteers. Kids can learn about food systems while contributing to community food security.

Why Gardening Matters for Kids

• Science in action — photosynthesis, life cycles, ecosystems, weather effects
• Responsibility — plants need regular care; kids learn commitment
• Nutrition — kids who grow food are more likely to eat vegetables
• Patience — in an instant-gratification world, waiting for seeds to sprout teaches delayed reward
• Environmental stewardship — understanding where food comes from builds ecological awareness

Montreal's Growing Season Calendar

Month	Activity
March-April	Start seeds indoors, plan your garden
May (after Victoria Day)	Transplant seedlings outdoors
June-August	Water, weed, harvest, enjoy!
September-October	Final harvest, plant garlic for next year, clean up

Explore more outdoor activities for families in Montreal on FamiliQC.