Grow and share produce with community members.
During the spring, summer and fall, The Depot facilitates garden sessions where garden members learn, grow and share in garden maintenance and harvest. These skill-building sessions are open to everyone in the community, including seniors, families, and Depot program participants.
What is collective gardening?
Collective gardening is when a plot of land is gardened by a group of people who share in the garden work, the decision making, and the harvest. Each garden has a facilitator who is there to share knowledge and skills, and ensure the sessions run smoothly. Garden members come together weekly throughout the growing season to participate in each stage of the cultivation of a variety of different vegetables, herbs and fruits. As part of the larger urban agriculture movement, collective gardening contributes to food security by growing food in underused spaces, increasing access to locally grown produce and increasing community connections around healthy food. The gardens are open to all, and we prioritize people who have no access to a personal or community garden and are living on low incomes or are currently experiencing food insecurity.
What’s included in my garden membership?
- 1 garden session per week
- 33 weeks of gardening (April-November)
- Workshops & events all year
- Share your knowledge
- Learn new garden techniques
- No experience necessary
- The Depot supplies all the seeds, plants, tools, and materials
- Bring water, a hat, and a positive attitude!
- Meet new people, build new connection
- Find out about other community resources •
- Learn about other languages and cultures
- We’ll share the harvest between participants every session!
For more information, please don’t hesitate to reach us at urban.ag@depotmtl.org
Sign up to our programing email to get news about the workshops every month
Thanks to our funders:
Contact Kristen Perry for more information
EMAIL or 514 483 4680 x 216
FAQs
What are the goals of the program?
Provide a source of fresh produce for the community, particularly those living on low incomes. Increase community connections around healthy food. Share gardening and food knowledge and skills. Promote environmental stewardship and sustainability.
Is there a fee to participate?
This program is open to all! Participants who have less access to healthy food and growing space will always be prioritized during registrations. Membership contributions help purchase materials for the gardens. The cost of running the program is about $800 per person. Suggested contributions are $0-400 depending on your capacity. Confirmed participants will receive more information on suggested contributions.
Can I bring my children to the garden?
Children are typically welcome at the gardens. Caregivers are responsible for taking care of children they bring.
We suggest the school gardens who are targeted for kids
- 21 weeks of gardening (June – October)
- Experience a family-friendly environment for learning & collaboration
- Families with children prioritized in registration
- Smaller gardens, in raised beds
- Programming and activities targeted toward children and youth
Can I bring my partner or other family to the garden?
Typically we do very much welcome family members to join, while only one share of the harvest goes to each family.