English
The Program
- Does taking part in the program cost anything?
Participation in the My Space for Life Garden program is completely free. - I live outside Montréal: can I take part in the My Space for Life Garden program anyway?
Yes, the My Space for Life Garden program is open to all residents of the province of Québec. - Is the My Space for Life Garden program open to company gardens, green roofs and community gardens?
Yes. If you are a company or an organization and would like to create a Space for Life garden, you can apply for certification the same way as individuals. For more information, contact us.
The certification
How long does it take to get certification?
There are more and more of you applying for certification for your gardens, and we’re delighted! At peak periods, when we get a large volume of simultaneous applications, you can expect a delay of 4 to 6 weeks for the certification process to be completed. Not to worry: we answer all requests.
- Can I apply for certification for more than one garden theme at home?
Of course! It’s entirely possible to apply for certification for more than one theme if your garden meets the established criteria. The themes are suggested to inspire you in the choice of the plants that will go into your arrangement and based on the benefits that those plants will provide pollinators, monarchs, birds and small mammals. - Can I have a kitchen garden certified?
Certainly, if it meets the requirements of an edible garden or another garden covered by the program. - Is there a minimum or maximum size of garden eligible for certification?
Whether they’re large or small, all gardens are eligible for certification if they meet the criteria. From the little balcony garden to an extended layout on several hectares in the countryside, every space arranged with a diversity of plants can be beneficial for biodiversity. - What type of photos do I have to send in to have my garden certified?
Choose photos taken in horizontal (landscape) format. Photos must be limited to 8 MB each. They can be sent in JPG, GIF or PNG formats. - Am I obliged to buy the sign to get certification?
Not at all. The sign is offered free of charge, once certification is granted. - Where should I install the certification sign?
The sign is perforated top and bottom so that you can nail it or otherwise attach it to a wooden post or stake, which you can then plant in your garden or in front of your home. You can also choose to attach the sign to a fence or any other support. We strongly encourage you to make your concrete gesture promoting biodiversity visible: you could very well inspire your neighborhood! - How long is the certification valid for?
The certification is valid for one year. If you apply for certification again the following year, you’ll get a sticker to attach to the sign to indicate the year in which certification was granted.
The gardening
- I don’t have a garden, but I’d still like to take part in the My Space for Life Garden program by greening my balcony. Is that possible?
Absolutely. Even if you don’t own a garden, you can lay out a space for biodiversity by gardening in containers on your balcony. There are quite a few solutions for planting outside the soil, allowing you to tailor the program to the surface available to you. Discover our material on container gardening. - What are the easiest native plants to find and grow when you’re getting started?
There are numerous options available depending on how much sun your garden gets. Look over our list of Native plants for your garden and experiment with some of your favorites. Pick those plants up at specialized garden centers. To start your garden or to expand the diversity of your plants, ask people in your circle who garden if they have native plants they can share at the start or at the end of the season. - Can I fertilize my Edible Garden?
The best way to nourish your soil while respecting biodiversity is to add compost or other organic amendments to it.