The St. James Horticultural Society was organized in November 1914 by 13 St. James gardeners, during the First World War when Victory Gardens were encouraged and many plots were put under cultivation.

In November 1929, the Society applied to the Manitoba Government for a Certificate of Organization under the Manitoba Horticultural Societies Act, and received Certificate No. 8 dated December 1, 1929.

Around 1938, the St. James municipal council allowed the Society use of land in the north part of the city for annual competition plots. Cultivation of the area has continued ever since.

In 1965, the Society also began a test-plot project with the University of Manitoba Plant Science Department, giving members a broader field of usefulness and new keenness in their hobby.