We started growing berries in 1981, on a farm located at Barnsdale and Cedarview Roads in south Nepean. Ron planted 2 acres of strawberries that first year, and then 3 more acres the next.

It grew to 15 acres of raspberries, 25 acres of strawberries, and a test acreage of 2 acres of cloned wild blueberries.

In 1990, with the new highway 416 coming, we moved to a larger farm on Rideau Valley Drive, just south of the village of Manotick. We started with raspberries, then added pumpkins, gourds and Indian corn. Our produce was all sold at the entrance to the farm on a wagon with an 'honour' jar. This only worked for a while, and in 1995, we built a new sales shed. This gave us a better place to work from and we expanded the produce and items for sale. Fresh local and Ontario produce was added, then a gift shop, selling quilts, collectibles, jams and preserves, small gift items and garden decor. And the rest, they say, is history.

Last year (2008), our son Simon started working with us on the farm full time. It is great to have him. This spring we opened a Garden Centre. Ron and Simon have been very busy in the green house, looking after the annuals, perennials, vegetable plants and herbs. We also have a nice assortment of hanging baskets, flowering shrubs, roses, evergreens, and even some caliper size maples and other deciduous trees. We will even deliver mulch and soils (sold by the yard, 1/2 yard or bag), to your home, or you can pick up your own.

Next year, we will have a crop of strawberries. The raspberries are usually ready early to mid July, then our sweet corn and fresh field tomatoes in August. Frank and his dog Chester help out in the fall with the tractor rides to the pumpkin patch on the weekends. Story time and apple snack happens under the maples for the school groups, during the week. Marycke Henry keeps the gift shop well stocked, and along with the summer students and Catherine Stark (in the fall) at the cash, we have a great time looking after our customers and friends.

Suzie Miller