Notes from The Farmer’s Daughter – A Noteworthy Weekend!
Are you getting out more now that restrictions have lifted and Spring has sprung? I am, and I love it!
Saturday’s weather was warm enough to inspire us to uncover the boat, rake the protective layer of leaves off the strawberry patch, and do more house hunting.
Sunday was all about flowers, food, and farm animals as my friend Marcy and I participated in the great Greenhouse Car Rally of 2022. Our excitement was met with equal enthusiasm as we joined forty-five other eager gardeners on the tour organized by Connie Zeran of Beyond The Arbour.
Our convoy of happy gardeners explored seven local businesses by travelling the nearby country roads. Like myself, the garden enthusiasts filled their vehicles with plants, pots and dreams of future flower beds and fragrant herb gardens.
Marcy and I oohed and awed at the beautiful blooms in the greenhouses and snapped pictures of some unexpected furry farm animals and their feathered friends. We chatted for hours as we drove from one stop to the next, taking time to admire the painted glass tumblers crafted by Leslie Welch, owner of The Firelight Farmgirl at 184 Sweet’s Corners Road. I won’t lie; the unique flowerpot “heads” at Gemmells Garden Centre in Brockville also caught our eye.
There were pretty polka dot petunias at Let it Grow Greenhouse on Hwy 32 outside Seeley’s Bay and Valley Acres Greenhouse in Lansdowne. Salt of the Earth in Lyndhurst had some yummy maple syrup for sale at their roadside stand. Wendy’s Country Market had lettuce baskets spilling over with fresh greens ready for the plate and a broad mix of perennials, annuals and herbs.
Wendy’s daughter Leigha had some adorable ducklings and chicks visiting the grounds for the day, and it’s safe to say that they were a hit with everyone, young, old and even us in between. Though I wasn’t allowed to take home a little duckie, I got lucky by picking out a lovely pink morning glory already reaching for the sky.
Another must-have that spoke to me that day was a deep pink magnolia tree that I was thankful to receive a discount on at Ritchie Feed and Seed in Brockville. I made good use of the coupons that were contained in my garden goodie bag, and I look forward to planting the seeds also included in our gifts.
The event’s timing meant it was an ideal time to pick up some Mother’s Day gifts and ideas, and it isn’t too late for you to get out and do the same! I think everyone’s spirit was made a little bit brighter with the outing. The lunch stop at lovely Furnace Falls Farm was a welcome treat, especially since it included freshly made rhubarb cake.
The weekend’s highlights were many, and to top it all off, we found our next home, a farmhouse fixer-upper on the water that you are sure to hear more about in the next leg of our journey.
