Exploring Hopeful Harvest, a Charming Family-Owned Farm and Garden CentreMinutes From Seeley’s Bay
A Friday afternoon free to explore led me to Hopeful Harvest, a short ten-minute drive from Seeley’s Bay to 1239 Sunbury Road (just off Hwy 15).
Arriving minutes before opening, I was instantly greeted by two friendly, four-legged farm greeters, Daisy and Lilly, tail-wagging and happy to see me. Close by was Owner Carole-Anne Keys, who cheerfully welcomed me to the farm and encouraged me to take my time looking around.
Entering the site through a festive rustic garden arbour dressed in flowering Thunbergia with colourful, unique metal jack-o’-lanterns and an oversized smiling Charlie Brown sign set a joyful atmosphere, as did the cute-as-a-button mini red barn, surrounded by pretty fall floral arrangements, brightly coloured pumpkins and gourds, and uniquely artisan-crafted goods all around.
Carole-Anne, along with her husband Stan, set out five years ago to establish the farm and garden centre on the property that Stan’s Grandfather, Charles Keys, last farmed in the early 1950s. While some called the hardworking couple ‘crazy’ for taking on a task like this later in life (at 60), the two are quick to say they love what they do, calling the farm business their oasis.
Their love and pride in the farm are evident in every arrangement and display, designed with care and a creative flair that inspires those lucky enough to find this hidden treasure, ‘Hopeful Harvest’, just off the beaten path.
The name ‘Hopeful Harvest’ has family roots and a heart-centred origin, named after their daughter, ‘Hope’, the gift of a late-in-life pregnancy at the age of forty that kept Carole-Anne hopeful. This same hopefulness was the underlying feeling Carole-Anne and Stanley held onto during the initial planning, as they planted the first seeds of their vegetable and flower crops and began their new farm adventure.
To keep an appealing selection of flowers and rustic garden décor to accompany their plants and seasonal vegetables, and to support the local community, Carole-Anne says they carry hand-crafted items from about a dozen local artisans.
While I was visiting, a local farmer named Don delivered a pail full of fresh flowers from his wife, Viv, to use in arrangements that include perfectly sized pumpkin centrepieces and bountiful baskets of flowers and gourds creatively blended for an autumn-inspired table or entryway. Don and Viv, retired Kingston Farmers’ Market vendors, also create the concrete mushrooms for sale and on display at Hopeful Harvest.
Wandering the garden centre grounds is half the fun, with something quirky and sure to inspire around every corner. Plants that include cacti and succulents in stylish upcycled pots, green thriving plants in terrariums and rustic décor galore kept me circling, knowing I had to make multiple trips through to appreciate all that is on display.
Hopeful Harvest radiates gentle enchantment, and Carole-Anne’s uplifting and warm personality invites an atmosphere of wonder, making the perfect match for hosting creative workshops such as the Pumpkin Bouquet Workshop on October 9th and 10th, and the Rustic Christmas Workshop on December 5th and 6th. Workshops include “all materials needed, seasonal treats, good company and lots of festive inspiration in a relaxed atmosphere,” and bonus: Santa will stop by during the Christmas Workshop days to welcome visitors for free pictures with the big guy. To learn more about the workshops, follow them on social media, email info@hopefulharvest.ca, or call 613-387-3921.
The farm and garden centre is open Thursday - Friday, 12 pm to 6 pm and Saturdays and Sundays, 10 am to 5 pm, where they offer “a beautiful selection of flowers, seasonal vegetables, and rustic garden décor. Whether you’re looking for something fresh for the table, a unique gift, inspiration for your garden or a fun workshop to enjoy, there’s always something to discover.” Carole Anne also welcomes those who “maybe just need a quiet place to wander, take in the flowers, and enjoy a little calm in a sea of busy.” Her invitation also extends to those who would like to volunteer and help plant in the greenhouse, starting in March.
My visit to Hopeful Harvest will definitely lead to more visits, as I went with no real purpose and left with a basket of tasty ground cherries, lovely gift items for others, even a few gifts for myself, a lighter, more joyful attitude, the feeling of having chatted with a good friend and of course a story to share.
There is no doubt that Carole-Anne throws herself into her work, as she says, “3000%,” with a heart that fully supports local artisans and the community at large. Hopeful Harvest Farm and Garden Centre is so much more; it is a place I encourage you to take time to explore. P.S. They accept cash, debit and credit.
In Carole-Anne’s words, “Come for the flowers, stay for the fresh vegetables, find something special, and leave feeling just a little more hopeful.”
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