the MARE, from the beginning, supports Judy Levac-Bourbonnais, graduate in horticulture and gardening in her projects of creating new green spaces.

Here is an excerpt from Judy's text describing the nourishing forest project that has now started near the Four Seasons Nature Center.

Establishment of a nourishing forest at Boisé Quatre-Saisons in Coteau-du-lac.

We are currently starting the creation of five developments that will respect the principles of permaculture. This permanent culture is inspired by nature and maintains biodiversity, it creates abundance and advocates sharing among the living: plants, animals and humans.

Our mission is to share the knowledge of each other on various subjects, mainly horticultural and wildlife.

My vision of this new green space comes down to a family and peaceful place.

A place focused on respect, sharing and mutual aid.
We have created a vacant layout where people are invited to plant their surplus / divide plants and leave with the surplus of another.

This nourishing forest is created by citizens for citizens.

The plants are still young, we will have to wait 2 at 3 years before seeing them bear fruit. Until then, we can beautify the place!

Thanks to the grant from’Trees canada, the support of theCity of Coteau-du-Lac et du MARE, donations from sponsors (U-Haul, center garden Del Esta, Cité des Jeunes nursery) and the involvement of several volunteers, a nourishing forest is born.

To read the article published by Néomédia, click here.

Spring-Summer 2022

Brave volunteers got down to earth planting many varieties of vegetables. The Ebriclore nursery made a generous donation of around fifty tomato plants.

The nourishing forest is only in its 2nd year and, déjà, we can see the abundance that nature has to offer us. The plot of strawberries and haskaps gave delicious fruit!

The volunteer team took over to maintain the vegetable plots which required regular watering and weed control..

Autumn 2022

The MARE invited you, sunday the 9 October, to come and give us a little help at the Food Forest of the Center nature quatre saisons, in Coteau-du-Lac (the Great Canal Gardens).

To see the location on Google Maps, click here. Despite the bad weather, great work has been done !

A week later volunteers came to plant. 41 new trees pampered at the MARE nursery!

This activity was a great success !

Here are some pictures of this event.

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Saison 2024

Thanks to everyone for the Saturday blitz 15 June !

A big thank you to the many people (including those that do not appear in the photos !) came to give a helping hand tothe nourishing forest, located near the Quatre-Saisons nature center in Coteau-du-Lac, to give it a makeover !

And, if the heart tells you, you are always welcome to maintain it, but also to harvest the harvest when the time comes or simply to take a bath in nature !

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Autumn 2024

The Grands Jardins du Canal – Coteau-du-La Food Forest, it is a space open to the general public. Throughout the season, you are invited to take advantage of the abundance that the nourishing forest offers.

At the beginning of summer, we had the pleasure of harvesting wild strawberries and haskaps. Ensuite, there were blueberries and various fine herbs, flowers and elderberries as well as goldenrod flowers in late summer.

Currently, there are a few end of season pickings left !

Here is information on certain plants.

SO, good picking !

Licit (Goji bath)
Part used : Berries
Considered a superfood, they are rich in antioxidants.
Goes well with cereals, yogourts, salads, etc.
Dried, They can be kept for up to 12 months.

Horseradish
Part used : Racine
Grated horseradish root, is used as a substitute for mustard.
Keeps 4-6 weeks in the refrigerator.
Immune properties, anti-inflammatories, digestive and antibacterial.

Raspberries
Part used : Fruit, leaf
Currently, we harvest the fruit.
However, next summer, you can also pick the young leaves.
An infusion, the leaves tone and restore energy.

Marshmallow
Part used : Leaf
As an infusion to help the bronchi.

Melissa
Part used : Leaf
The leaves, fresh or dried, can be added to fish, riz, omelettes, salads and others
place. They pleasantly scent the teas, herbal teas and cold drinks. Their aroma being volatile, on
add them when serving.
Lemon balm is an effective relaxant for anxiety, mild depression and irritability.

Three-lobed viburnum (Pimbina)
Part used : Berries
Small, clustered fruits taste better after a little frost, but to eat fresh, the harvest is done
late in the fall. To make jelly, you must harvest in early autumn before the first frosts
to have the highest pectin content.
Rich in vitamin C.
Jam, jellies, sauces, jus, vin, liqueurs, flavor aroma, kombucha, alcoholic beverages, sirops.
Prepares well with poultry and wild meats.