ABOUT laPALMa

Julie Lapalme is a horticulturist based in Lachine who is a passionate advocate for biodiversity and urban greening, with a keen interest in ecological landscape design. Her creative background informs her approach to horticulture as she is deeply connected to Montreal's cultural and historical fabric, celebrating local art and architecture as well as community initiatives. Julie believes in small actions for significant environmental impact.

ACTIVITIES

• Ongoing research and training on ecological landscape design and regenerative agriculture practices.
• Growing native wildflowers indoors from seed using stratification methods: Cutleaf Coneflower, Purple Coneflower, Asters, Black-eyed Susan, Hyssop, Milkweed and prairie grass.
• Planning upcoming potager crops for her backyard garden: Pole Beans, Snap Peas, Coffee Chicory and Ground Cherries among other crops.

PAST SEASON

• Completed an internship with GRAME at the City of Dorval's Royal Dixie Collective Garden.
• Backyard garden won a prize in the 2024 edition of Défi Fleuri in Lachine, which promotes native biodiversity in gardens.
• Volunteered at the Microfarm Les Bonnets Bleus at the site of the old hippodrome.
• Gave a workshop for children at the Dorval Library: Young Explorers Series: Pollinator Gardens, 2023

HORTICULTURE STUDIES

During her studies, Julie's research focused on habitat gardening, urban forests and urban greening. She also earned a certificate to further learn about urban agriculture, organic farming and food security.

Landscape Design II Course
Her Design Development Plan for a landscape design project for a fictional client featured native fruit trees to enhance biodiversity and provide food sources for wildlife. Green infrastructure (GI) functioned as a stormwater management tool. The bioswale, made up of native plants and shrubs, also provided food and shelter for pollinators.
View PDF > (23 MG)

Ecological Design Course
Her Ecological Design Proposal for the naturalization of a suburban yard was centered around four objectives: promoting biodiversity; attracting beneficial insects; restoring and enhancing habitat; and managing stormwater through Green Infrastructure (GI).
View PDF > (51 MG)

Urban Agriculture Internship
While volunteering for GRAME at the Royal Dixie Collective Garden in Dorval, Julie worked on a map of the site putting to use her newly learned skills like drawing a Landscape Plan and Integrated Pest Management (IPM).

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Proud Lufavore for over twelve years, with a keen interest in urban agriculture, green infrastructure (GI) and Nature-Based Solutions (NbS), Julie is committed to lifelong learning and staying up to date with the latest developments in her field. She keeps up her horticulture skills by attending a wide variety of workshops and events as a member of several organizations.

SERVICES

WHERE TO FIND laPALMa

Lachine, Québec.

Set up a meeting with Julie to discuss about your gardening or horticulture needs.

Contact laPALMa