The Jardin communautaire Serge-Bertrand is starting its 9th season in 2025. Located behind the Donalda-Charron Library, it is primarily reserved for residents of the Plateau. Composed of 64 ground-level plots and 8 on stilts, it is part of the 22 community and collective gardens in the city of Gatineau.
The garden is governed by a code of conduct and regulations. The principle is simple: each gardener has a plot after paying the seasonal fee and is responsible for its maintenance. They must complete at least three collective tasks during the season. They may plant the varieties of vegetables and fruits of their choice, following the regulations to avoid invasive or unproductive crops (e.g., corn, sunflower, mint, Jerusalem artichoke). They are the exclusive beneficiaries of their harvest.
Members have access to fruit trees and shrubs, as well as herbs and edible flowers. The maintenance of common spaces is the joint responsibility of all members. To this end, tools are provided free of charge for planting, maintaining plots, and the garden itself.
Even though winter is still in full force, the garden is already gearing up! Registrations are complete, and all plots have been assigned for the 2025 season. Now is the perfect time to buy seeds and plan your sowing. Some seeds need to be started in the next few weeks, typically in March and April, so the plants are ready to be transplanted once the risk of frost has passed.
The benefits of starting seeds are numerous: cost savings, a sense of accomplishment, a greater variety of crops, and an enjoyable activity to share with children! There are many resources available online and at the library to guide you. For beginners, some varieties are particularly easy to grow, such as cucumber, zucchini, onion, lettuce, cabbage, pepper, and tomato.
When purchasing seeds, it is recommended to start your seeds a certain number of weeks before the last frost. For the Outaouais region, the "Lazy Gardener" suggests using June 5 as a reference for calculating when to sow indoors.
A few useful resources:
The Vegetable Gardener's Bible by Edward C. Smith
Seed to Seed: Seed Saving and Growing Techniques for Vegetable Gardeners by Suzanne Ashworth
Interested in joining the waiting list or have questions about the garden? Contact us at [email protected].
Happy gardening season!
Le comité Jardin Serge-Bertrand