June 15, 2026, Newsletter

Subject: JME 🌱 Garlic pests: what to do? ➕ Plot numbering challenge

Hello everyone! 🌱

Notice #1: Insect Activity on Garlic Plants

Pests (likely leek moths) are starting to affect our garlic plants again. To protect your crops, please note that you can treat your plants effectively and organically using BTK. Happy gardening!

Notice #2: Last Day to Pick Up Compost → June 28

A reminder for anyone who has purchased compost but has not yet picked up their order. The deadline to collect your purchase is June 28. If you have already paid, you can pick it up from the large bag located next to the toilet.
After June 28, any remaining compost will be added to the communal compost.

🎨 Numbering Operation: Let’s Give Every Garden Plot an Identity!

Dear gardeners,

To help everyone find their way around and make life easier for our amazing committees, it's time to take on a fun collective challenge: every plot at the Mile End Community Garden must be clearly identified with its plot number!

Many of you have already gotten a head start, but now we need every garden plot to display its number.

You have complete creative freedom when it comes to displaying your number, as long as it remains clearly visible, permanent, and stays in place!

🖌️ Let Your Creativity Shine!

Now is the perfect time to add some colour and personality to the garden pathways. We encourage you to get creative and design a plot number that reflects your style.

To keep this activity completely free (or nearly so!), let's embrace the spirit of reuse! Take a look through your drawers and leftover project materials at home for things like:

• Scrap wood or plastic
• Pebbles or painted stones
• Pieces of ceramic or broken dishware
• Rope, stencils, and leftover paint

💡 A simple, neat, and functional number display is absolutely welcome too! The important thing is that we can easily identify your plot.

🗓️ Mark Your Calendars!

You have until June 28 to install your masterpiece.

Important: Ideally, everyone will take part! After that date, plots that have not been numbered will receive a visit from volunteers from our committees, who will install a standardized marker (which may not be removed).

Bonus: 🎉 All members who participate before June 28 will be entered into a prize draw during the Harvest Celebration.

🌟 Calling All Creatives: What About a Workshop?

Do you enjoy organizing activities or making things with your hands? If a few members would like to organize a small sign-making workshop at the garden, that would be fantastic!

It would be a great opportunity to share tools, leftover materials, painting tips, and spend some quality time together in the sunshine. If this sounds like fun to you, reach out to Patrice directly. He'll be happy to coordinate the sign-making workshop!

Grab your paintbrushes, rope, and pieces of wood... We can't wait to see your creations brighten up the garden pathways! 🌻🎨

Anne-Marie Blanchet
On behalf of the JME Team

Quick Links:

• Website
• Calendar

June 2, 2026, Newsletter

JME 🌱 June 13: Tool Sharpening at Jardin Mile-End

Hello everyone! 🌱

Are your pruners crushing stems instead of cutting them? Does your shovel seem to negotiate with roots rather than slice through them? Good news: help is on the way. 😄

On Saturday, June 13, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., Tony, a professional tool sharpener, will be at Jardin Mile-End to restore the edge on our community tools.

It’s a great opportunity to give them a second life and learn a little more about how to keep them in good shape.

👉 Members are also welcome to bring their own tools for sharpening on site (cash payment preferred).

Approximate prices:
• Pruning shears: $5 (small blades) or $10 (large blades)
• Axe: $10
• Shovel and half-moon edger: $10
• Lawn mower blade: $20
• Knives: $5, $10, or $15 depending on blade length

No registration is required. Simply drop by during the activity with your tools.

⏱️ Service will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis. To avoid disappointment, we recommend not arriving at the very end of the activity.

A big thank you to the Maintenance Committee and to Gilles Thériault, who coordinated this activity for the benefit of all members. 🌿

We look forward to seeing you at the garden, with your dull tools and your ambitious gardening plans!

Anne-Marie Blanchet
for the JME Team

Quick links:
• Website
• Calendar

May 21, 2026, Newsletter

JME 🌱 Plant Exchange This Saturday + Cleanliness Reminder

Hello everyone! 🌱

The Bon Voisinage Committee is launching its very first initiative of the season and honestly… It already smells like extra tomato seedlings. 🍅

This Saturday, May 23, during the morning corvée (10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.), members are invited to take part in a plant and seedling exchange directly at the garden.

The idea is simple: many of us started our seedlings at the end of winter with lots of enthusiasm… and occasionally a slight lack of restraint. Result: 14 tomato plants, 9 okra seedlings even though we’re not entirely sure we like okra, and a mysterious quantity of zucchini. 👀

👉 If you have extras, bring them this Saturday!
You can trade them, give them away or simply share them with other garden members.

It’s also a great opportunity for new 2026 members to fill out their plots a little, especially for those who didn’t have time to start seedlings before plots were assigned.

A big thank you to the Bon Voisinage Committee for this lovely initiative that adds even more life (and chlorophyll) to our community 🌿

Friendly reminder while we’re talking about the garden:
Watering cans and tools must be returned to the shed after use. During my visit yesterday, there were already only 4 watering cans left available while there were only 4 people on site 😅.

Cleaning reminder (or how to help keep the garden clean):
Tools should not be cleaned in the barrels or in the sink.

• The barrels are for filling watering cans
• The sink is for washing hands ✨ only

To clean garden tools: a quick rinse with the hose or the more eco-friendly technique: a good old wipe with a rag. Works every time. And it’s fast!

Looking forward to seeing you Saturday with your seedlings and your good mood!

Anne-Marie Blanchet
Communications Lead

Quick links:
• Website
• Calendar

Mai 15, 2026, Newsletter

JME 🌱 To come: Spring Corvée

Hello everyone! 🌱

The little eco corner (aka the toilet 🚽) is now installed thanks to the compost committee. City water is connected, the hoses are out, the barrels are ready… in short: the season has officially begun!

On my side, the first plants are already growing despite the cold. Hopefully yours are too! 🌿

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🧤 Spring Corvée
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Friendly reminder: every member must participate in one corvée during the season.
👉 If you participate in this one, your contribution will be counted for the year.

To accommodate as many people as possible, two time slots are available:

📅 Thursday, May 21
• 3:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

📅 Saturday, May 23
• 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

👉 You can participate in one OR the other.

Tasks will be explained on site the same day. No experience needed: we mostly need helping hands, good vibes, and ideally people who can tell the difference between a dandelion and a tulip. 👀

📅 Small Google Calendar issue: the Saturday event is currently refusing to cooperate with me. I’m still trying to negotiate with it.

Worst case, the full calendar remains accessible right here.

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🌱 It’s also planting time!
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Normally, the Victoria Day weekend marks the end of the main frost risks. You can officially start planting.

⚠️ Small warning for more fragile plants:
It’s still recommended to wait a little longer before planting basil, tomatoes, and other cold-sensitive plants.

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🔎 City Inspection — Monday, June 2
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The City will conduct its spring inspection on Monday, June 2.

Please make sure that:

• your garden is maintained and visibly in cultivation
• the paths north and east of your garden are weeded
• your garden respects the assigned boundaries (minimum 6 inches from center lines, including structures)
• installed structures do not exceed 1.5 metres (4.9 feet)

⚠️ Gardens that are not maintained or insufficiently planted may receive a warning.

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♻️ Important Reminders
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🗑️ Zero-Waste Policy

There are no garbage bins in the garden. Each member must take home any waste generated by their gardening activities.

👉 Please also avoid using the public trash bin near the garden entrance.

🥕 Zero Food Waste Policy

Harvests should not end up forgotten in the back of a garden 👀

👉 Please consider sharing extra produce:
• with other members
• with Mission Mile-End
• or through the garden Facebook group

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❓ Quick FAQ (yes, again!)
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What is a corvée?
➡️ A 2-to-3-hour group work session where we improve the garden (and sometimes make friends).

Do I need to stay the whole time?
➡️ Not necessarily. One hour is enough. Really.

Can someone replace me?
➡️ No. No replacements by your co-gardener, your dad, your neighbour, or your clone. Your garden, your presence 🌱

What happens if I don’t do any corvée?
➡️ Let’s just say your garden plot might pack its bags. In short: possible eviction. 🥾😭

Where can I find the event calendar? 📅
➡️ Right here. All corvées, meetings and events are listed there.

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🌻 In Summary
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👉 One corvée = mandatory
👉 Two dates = more flexibility
👉 City inspection = June 2
👉 Tomatoes = still a little patience 🍅
👉 Garbage = goes back home with you 😇

Serious questions: jardin.mileend@gmail.com
Corvée attendance: RSVP via the calendar
Replies to this newsletter: let’s skip that 🙏

Looking forward to seeing you at one of the corvées!

Anne-Marie Blanchet
Communications Lead

Quick links:
• Website
• Calendar

May 6, 2026, Newsletter

JME 🌱 2026 Corvées Days Reminder

Hello everyone!

📩 First things first: a reminder that saves lives (and our inbox)

Said with love: please don’t reply to newsletters. ❤️

We get everything:
“Thanks!”, “I’ll be there”, “I have a super urgent 4-paragraph question”, …

Result: a cheerful thread of 25 messages 🙄 where important info plays hide and seek.

👉 For any real question: send a new email to Jardin Mile End
👉 To say “I’m coming”: use the shared calendar (we promise, it doesn’t bite)

🔔 Committees: first meetings this weekend!

Two options (and two time slots) for meeting #1:

Friday, May 8
• 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM
• 1:30 PM to 4:00 PM

Saturday, May 9
• 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM
• 1:30 PM to 4:00 PM

🧤 Corvées 2026: yes, it’s mandatory… but it’s actually kind of fun

The garden doesn’t grow on its own (we checked). 👀
👉 Each member must complete at least one corvée during the season.

🌱 Mini opening corvée (optional)
• This Saturday, May 9, 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM
👉 Bonus: good vibes guaranteed, no official credit included

🍪 Snack bonus (call for volunteers)

Quick ask: since there’s no budget for snacks, we’re looking for one volunteer to bring something to share this Saturday.

👉 Feel like contributing with a homemade or simple snack?
Email us at Jardin Mile End
👉 First person to volunteer gets the spot

Eternal gratitude (and a CA smile) included.

Back to our regularly scheduled corvées:

🌿 Spring corvées
• Thursday, May 21
• Saturday, May 23

☀️ Mid-season corvées
• Tuesday, July 28
• Saturday, August 1

🍂 Closing corvées
• Wednesday, October 28
• Sunday, November 1

🚨 The famous toilet corvée 🚽 “Yes, that one!”

Let’s not beat around the bush:
👉 it’s a toilet corvée.

But.
👉 If you do it, it counts as your full corvée for the season. ✅

We call that emotional compensation. 

⚠️ Reminder: the mini opening corvée does not count as an official corvée, except for those participating in the toilet corvée.

❓ Quick FAQ (no jargon version)

What is a corvée?
➡️ A 2–3 hour group work session where we work on the garden (and sometimes make friends).

Do I have to stay the whole time?
➡️ Not necessarily. 1 hour is enough. Really. Stay longer if you feel like it!

Can someone do it for me?
➡️ No. You can’t be replaced by your co-gardener, your dad, your neighbour… Your garden, your presence.

What if I don’t do any corvée?
➡️ Let’s just say your garden might pack its bags. In short: possible eviction. 🥾😭

Where can I find the event calendar? 📅
➡️ Right here. All corvées, committee meetings and events are listed there.

🌻 In short

👉 Questions: email at Jardin Mile End
👉 RSVP: calendar (invites coming soon)
👉 Replies to this newsletter: let’s skip that 😇🙏

Looking forward to seeing you this Saturday (and judging your seed-starting skills, very objectively).

Anne-Marie Blanchet
Communications Lead

Quick access:
Website
Calendar

April 21, 2026, Newsletter

Reminders: JME : Season Opening (April 25, 10 a.m.)

A few reminders:

Our season opening will take place on Saturday, April 25, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Good news: sunshine is in the forecast ☀️!

At this time:

• new members will attend an orientation session
• group purchases will be distributed (compost and straw bales)
• some opening tasks will take place, including installing the water barrels
• members will be able to pick up their welcome kits (assorted seeds and a garden information booklet)

It’s a great opportunity to work in your garden and meet your fellow gardeners. We hope to see many of you there.

(For clarity, this is a social event, not a corvée. The spring corvée will take place in May.)

Committee meetings (Communications, Compost, Good Neighbour Relations, Maintenance)

One meeting per month. Proposed dates for the first meetings:

• Friday, May 8 and Saturday, May 9
• Monday, June 8 and Sunday, June 14
• Tuesday, July 7 and Saturday, July 11
• Wednesday, August 5
• Thursday, September 10 and Saturday, September 12

Please note that the padlock code will change at 10 a.m. that same day.
Water service will begin on May 10.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Thank you and have a nice day!