Success Stories from Our Alumni!

Discover how the students of our two programs are now harvesting fresh organic food all year round, indoors and out — and the joy their gardens have brought to families.

Alumni – Indoor Gardening Academy

Before, I was riddled with confusion about growing food indoors. Where does one start? Should I grow hydroponically or in soil? Do I need to invest serious money in professional growing equipment like a grow tent and sodium lights? All these concerns brought my desire to grow food indoors to a halt.

Then I met Helene, radiating her passion for organic gardening in all directions. Armed with her knowledge, she quickly reassured me that gardening indoors was achievable and easy with simple equipment. In fact, I already had most of it lying around my home.

Without Helene, my longtime dream of growing quality organic food indoors would still be just a dream. Thank you!
Érika Cléroux
The Indoor Gardening Academy

I’m really emotional right now. I just came in to check on my indoor garden, and honestly, we did it this week — we already have radishes, kale, and basil coming through. I don’t know what to say. “Thank you” isn’t enough. I honestly cannot believe this. It’s bringing me so much happiness. I’m emotional because I’m happy. Hélène, you’re amazing. Thank you so much. I can’t wait to show the kids.
Janet Escordio-Pedro
The Indoor Gardening Academy

Before the Indoor Gardening Academy, I previously did plant a small summer garden outdoors but purchased my plants from a garden nursery. When I tried planting from seed indoors, my success rate wasn’t great, and my plants were usually too thin and toppled over.

The idea of being able to start my own seedlings indoors really appealed to me, and also to have some plants (especially herbs) indoors all year round was exciting!!

I believe the group (of students) gained so much during the Q&A. I feel more confident about being able to produce seedlings and plant them outdoors. I also feel I have the knowledge to troubleshoot some of the problems that happen.
Kim Carscadden
The Indoor Gardening Academy

Manon graduated from the Indoor Gardening Academy to grow her own seedlings. She said, “I’ve never had so many cucumbers and tomatoes in my life! – 100 tomatoes and 55 cucumbers later!”
Manon Bélanger
The Indoor Gardening Academy

I was a very enthusiastic but not very skilled gardener, and I put a lot of hours to trying to make things grow both inside and out with very little success.

I find that Hélène is a very organized and clear teacher. The material that she presents is very relevant to my needs and experience. She is very responsive to the questions from students, and she goes the extra mile to find a detailed response. She takes the time to really research the topic.

I’m having much more success with my vegetable growing attempts. I’m grateful that I have resources to access to answer questions that come up. I’m able to access her and I’m very grateful for that.
Stéphanie Sewell
The Indoor Gardening Academy

From one foldable table with grow lights…to a foldable table AND a shelving unit full of grow lights.

Setup lights, timer & fan today for shelves with help from my husband and dad (took the twins out to do errands and a trip to the car wash). Another stepping stone in my gardening journey setup & functional. Feeling proud & accomplished. If I can do it… you can do it !!!!
Brianna Séjourné
The Indoor Gardening Academy

I was never certain about how to proceed before I took Indoor Gardening Academy. I thought my new found hobby might not fit with our plans for the back yard. What I liked the most was the clear and complete information on various aspects. The handouts were excellent. I feel much more confident now. I had never done much in the way of growing seedlings. Since taking this course, I have been successful with many varieties/vegetables.
Diane Melanson
The Indoor Gardening Academy

Before taking Indoor Gardening Academy, I had spent one season working for a market gardener, a few years working on vegetable gardens and did ecological landscaping for 9 years.

I took this course to give me theoretical and practical tools to allow me to set up an indoor gardening system. What I liked the most was the clarity, simplicity and organization that allows you to get started while following the program. It demystifies the questions and allows you to take action!

Now I feel more confident! I am willing to do trial and error. I have about ten trays filled with plants and I feel launched to continue the experience year-after-year. Thank you very much Hélène for sharing your passion with such enthusiasm and generosity!
Mona Grégori
The Indoor Gardening Academy

I’ve been gardening for about thirty years. I mostly read articles about gardening online or in magazines, but I had never taken a course. I gardened by trial and error, which takes time and can lead to disappointments.

My partner gave me this course. It allowed me to learn tips more quickly, to try different approaches, and to understand certain things I was doing or using that were no longer necessary—or won’t be in the future.

I’ve always had just a summer garden, and I will definitely try a spring or fall garden in the coming years. I feel more confident, and I feel that I’ve gained enough knowledge through this course to take on this challenge.
Manon Forget
The Indoor Gardening Academy

Here’s a glimpse of what our indoor garden looks like at Les Partenaires du Secteur Aylmer. Since the start of the Academy, our Acti-Leaders (teens 14–17 years old) have been working very hard, and they are very proud of the results.
Rachel Gagné
The Indoor Gardening Academy

Alumni – All Year Round Gardening School

I’ve gardened for most of my life, but I never had the results I was looking for, and I worked so incredibly hard to get good results, keep weeds at bay, and preserve all that I could so that we could benefit over the cooler months.

The idea of having food growing over a longer period of time without the demand of intense work over a limited growing season seemed like a dream come true!

I loved Helene’s energy, constant supportive attitude, and incredible knowledge! She’s authentic! I was able to learn to take heavy expectations off myself and just enjoy my garden. We’ve been eating from it for several months, even more as the seasons pass. And I have NEVER seen results like this!! Plus, I’ve made pickles and dehydrated generously. I’m sharing with anyone who is open to listening!

I’m currently in the final bit of finishing the course and getting my next season’s plant plan in place. My husband and I are absolutely in love with my new gardening methods—thanks to Helene! We will never return to the old ways!
Liette M. Collier
All Year Round Gardening School

It worked! I’m so happy and amazed. Even my son’s pepper plants, bean plant and marigold survived – and they look healthy, too. Thank you for what you’re doing. You’ve figured out a way to beat winter.
Melissa Pennarun
All Year Round Gardening School

I have had some sort of vegetable garden for over 10 years so I’m not a newbie but Helene is a MASTER. Her approach increases productivity, yield and the gardening season. Really happy to have engaged her for some assistance in learning about winter gardening and excited to apply what I’ve learned in the upcoming season and in years to come. On top of it, she is a super kind, approachable person who really makes gardening accessible to all.
Amy Riv
All Year Round Gardening School

Just a few post from Social Media

I get emotional today when I realized that I grew from seed enough carrots, celery, turnips, parsnips, kale, chards, collards for ourselves and my parents for the winter, not counting my fall/winter garden!!! I came to realize this while washing, chopping, blanching, and bagging my harvest, and knowing my parents have the same amount! My dad even said I’m not going to send mom over again, there won’t be any room for my moose or deer!!! This shows you don’t need a huge space to grow enough food!!!
Érika Cléroux
All Year Round Gardening School

A beautiful strawberry it taste juste like candy! Im about to harvest some garlic scapes, and look at those broccolis and cauliflowers!!!! My garden is on fire!!!! I have already harvasted so much and there’s so much more to come! I don’t even think the word abundance even makes it justice!!!! The best thing I did this year was taking these classes!!!
Érika Cléroux
All Year Round Gardening School