*Each garden has its own regulations. These will be communicated to you during your annual general meeting.

*Each gardener must know and respect the rules of gardening and civic-mindedness in community gardens, any failure to comply with these rules can lead to eviction.

Gardening rules

Access to the gardens

The gardens are open from May 1st to November 1st.
Exceptions may be granted for winter gardening or early sowing, at the request of the committee to the Borough.
Opening hours

The gardens are accessible from sunrise to sunset.
Sowing and planting

On 1 June, at least 75% of the garden area must be sown or planted.
Non-compliance leads to expulsion without further procedure.
Closure of the gardens

All gardens must be closed by 1 November at the latest.
Closure terms

Crop residues
Healthy stems and leaves can be:

Pruned and composted on site;
Deposited in the collective composting area;
Thrown into the green bin (if available);
Brought home.
Perennial plants
They can remain in place if the gardener plans to renew his registration.

Wooden structures
Tutors and supports must be removed and placed on the ground. Anti-marmot fences may remain with the committee’s agreement.

Non-compostable waste
They must be removed. Only certain objects (e.g., tomato cages, small shovels) are tolerated if they do not present a risk.

Recovery of perennials after eviction
The evicted gardener can retrieve his perennials within 10 days of receiving the expulsion letter.

 

Absence

Management of the garden in case of absence

The gardener must entrust his garden to a co-gardener or a registered co-gardener.
Any absence of more than two weeks must be reported to the committee.
Contact
The District must be able to contact the replacement person.

Responsibility
The holder remains responsible for the actions of the person to whom he entrusts his garden.



Plant height

The plants and stakes must allow a person to be seen and to see in the garden.
The height is measured from the ground level of the alleys to avoid shading on the neighboring gardens.
Height of plants and structures



Height limits
This table specifies the maximum heights allowed for plants and structures (e.g.: arbours, stakes). These heights are measured from the ground level of the aisles.image2.png, Image

Definition – Arbor
Arch-shaped or circular structure, made of wire netting or stakes, serving as a support for climbing plants.

Level of the earth
The soil of the garden should be located at 3 cm (1 inch) under the wooden edge of the garden.



Clearance of the common paths

Plants, stakes and structures must be installed at least 10 cm (4 inches) inside the edge of the garden.

The aisles must remain free of any obstacle: objects, plants or unwanted herbs.



Maintenance of wood edges

The committees responsible for maintaining the edges must comply with the construction standards (see annex II). The borders must not contain nails, screws, rotten wood or dangerous objects.

In case of rot, the committee must coordinate the replacement with materials provided by the Borough, according to technical specifications.

If the borders serve as a retaining wall for the entire garden, the Borough is responsible.

 

Materials allowed

The materials used must be non-toxic and designed for outdoor use.

For the borders: only untreated cedar or hemlock planks are allowed.

The use of furniture is prohibited.

Unnecessary plastic materials (e.g. bags) must be removed.



Enlargement of the garden

It is forbidden to expand one’s garden. The common paths must be preserved.

It is forbidden to plant outside the boundaries defined by the wooden planks.



Community garden fences

It is forbidden to attach anything to the outdoor fences without permission from the Borough.



Cultivated area

At least 75% of the garden area must be cultivated during the season.



Cultivated species

Mandatory diversity

Minimum of 5 vegetable species per garden.
Varieties of the same species (e.g., cherry tomatoes and beef heart tomatoes) count as a single species.
A species cannot occupy more than 25% of the area.
Flowers, fine herbs and small fruits

Can occupy up to 30% of the area.
Amaranth

Only one plant in bloom is allowed.
The flowers must be covered to prevent the spread of seeds.
This rule also applies to amaranthus cruentus (red spinach).


Banned plants

The cultivation of the following plants is prohibited in the community gardens of the Borough. This list aims to prevent the spread of invasive species, toxic or harmful to local biodiversity.

Prohibited plants:

Amaranth (uncontrolled or not covered)
Cannabis
Invasive plants recognized by the Ministry of the Environment or the City of Montreal
Plants toxic to humans or animals (ex: datura, castor, black nightshade)
Unauthorized woody or shrub plants
Any plant cultivated for commercial purposes
 

Maintenance of the garden


The garden needs to be maintained throughout the season. This includes:

The control of undesirable herbs;
The management of invasive plants.


Maintenance of pathways and common areas


The maintenance of common areas is a shared responsibility between gardeners, according to the rules specific to each garden.


Gardeners whose gardens line the paths must:

Keep the pathways free of unwanted herbs;
Remove any overhanging objects or plants.


Maintenance of raised bins
No objects should be placed around the bins to preserve traffic.


To extend their lifespan, it is forbidden:

To paint the bins;
To enlarge them;
To attach objects to it.


Residual materials (waste)

To know how to dispose of a waste:
Recyc-Québec – Recovery points

Recyclable materials

To take home, rinse and dry before recycling.
Organic matter
Green residues can be:

Taken out in the green bins for collection;
Collectively composted (area managed by the committee);
Composted in situ in the garden;
Brought back home.
Ultimate waste

Must be taken home (e.g., soiled pots, empty soil bags).
Goal: zero landfill in Montreal by 2030.
More info: City of Montreal – Zero waste


Waste
In case of impossibility to harvest, the gardener must:

Find a replacement person;
Or offer one’s vegetables to the committee for redistribution.


Pests, diseases and unwanted herbs
Only natural fertilizers and ecological methods are allowed:

Physical barriers;
Size;
Natural pesticides (insecticidal soap, sulphur, copper).
Synthetic fertilizers and pesticides are prohibited


Common tools


Common tools must be stored in the sheds after use.


Appliances for the maintenance of common areas must not be used for gardens.


It is forbidden to hide or keep common tools in one’s garden or that of another.





Rules of conduct

The rules of conduct aim to ensure fair access, a safe environment and a harmonious atmosphere for all those who use community gardens. They apply to all users: gardeners, co-gardeners and their family members, without distinction of age, gender or religion.

The garden committees (NPO) and the staff of the District are responsible for their implementation.



Tranquility of the place

Relations between members must be respectful.
It is forbidden to use rude, insulting, obscene or vexatious language or behaviour towards anyone.


Flight

The flight is strictly prohibited. This includes:

Harvesting vegetables in another garden without permission;
Hide or take away tools;
Transport soil out of the garden;
Take objects belonging to others;
Picking in common areas without permission;
Appropriate an excessive share of the crops intended for sharing.


Harvest in the garden of others

Prohibited without explicit authorization from the garden owner and prior information to the committee.


Circulation in the garden

Foot traffic only.
No motorized vehicle is authorized without permission from the Borough.
The doors must be closed and barred at the entrance and exit.

Wild and domestic animals

Pets prohibited, except guide or assistance dogs.
It is forbidden to kill a wild animal. This leads to expulsion without notice.
Any intervention (e.g., trapping) must be validated by the Borough and carried out by a certified professional.
The movement of marmots is strongly discouraged, as it often results in their death.


Children

Children are welcome, but must be supervised at all times.
They must stay close to their parents and not move around alone.
In case of non-compliance with the rules or breach, a notice of non-compliance will be given to the parent.


Alcoholic beverages, tobacco and drugs

Alcohol prohibited, except during social activities authorized by the Borough (permit required two months in advance).
Banned drugs, including cannabis.
Tobacco prohibited within 9 meters of any facility welcoming the public and near minors.

Paid work

It is forbidden to pay or be paid for carrying out work in a garden or in common areas.


Sale of the production

The sale of vegetables or any production from the community garden is strictly prohibited.


Urine and excreta

It is strictly forbidden to urinate or defecate in the gardens.


Serious reprehensible acts

Any serious gesture is prohibited, notably:

Verbal or physical aggression;
Psychological or sexual harassment;
Intimidation;
Theft or vandalism.


Procedures in case of non-compliance with the rules

Access to community gardens is a privilege. Non-compliance with the rules can lead to temporary or permanent expulsion, without exception, even for committee members.

 First warning

 Operating and gardening rules

Verbal, telephone or email warning, or visual signal in the garden.
7 days to correct the situation.
 Rules of conduct

Warning issued by the committee or the Borough.
Expected commitment to change behavior.
 

 Second warning

Operating rules

Written warning sent by the District.
14 days to correct the situation.
 

Rules of conduct

Notice of intent to expel sent by the District.
Possibility to present one’s version of the facts during a meeting.
7-day delay to schedule this meeting.
 

Eviction notice

Operation

Expulsion if previous warnings are not followed.
Prohibition of access to the garden for 3 years.
Possibility to appeal within 10 working days.
 

Automatic expulsion without notice

Applicable in case of:

Non-sowing on 1 June;
Non-closure of the garden on November 1st;
Serious reprehensible gesture;
Unauthorized absence for more than 2 consecutive months.
 

 Final decision

The Borough communicates its decision by email or letter.
The expulsion is effective immediately if confirmed.
Possible re-enrollment after 3 years, in another garden if required.
 

File of the gardeners

All reviews are kept for 3 years.
A recurrence may result in an automatic warning.

 

Consequences of the expulsion

Prohibition of access to all community gardens in the Borough for 3 years.
Prohibition to re-register on the waiting list during this period.