Grow @ the Homestead

May to October, 2024

 

Closed for the season!

This program does not run during the winter months, but we will be back next spring so be sure to check back in April 2025!

This annual program encourages sustainable gardening, education, and outdoor recreation through the planting and maintenance of various on-site gardens, with our harvests donated to the local food bank. Through a series of FREE in-garden workshops and guest speaker appearances, the Grow @ activities offer restorative, inclusive fun for the Niagara community.


Happy gardeners in 2022 with their beet harvest!

Registration

If you would like to participate in any Grow @ The Homestead program, please fill out the form below! This helps us know how many people to expect, so that we can plan accordingly.


Meet our Grow @ Instructors

Meet Randan, a passionate horticulturalist with over 15 years of experience and a former Landscape Construction instructor. This summer, he is thrilled to be returning to The Brown Homestead once again to bring his expertise forward in these exciting workshops. Born and raised in St. Catharines, Randan is eager to give back to his community and share his love for horticulture. When he’s not volunteering with us, you can find him overseeing golf course operations as the Superintendent at the prestigious Queenston & St. Davids Golf Clubs in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Randan Redekop - Landscape Technician

Marie Louise - Indigenous Knowledge Helper

Marie Louise is Irish, Scottish, Welsh and Mohawk of Kahnawake (Kah-nah-wag-ay). She was born and raised in the Niagara Region. She is a daughter, mother, grandmother, auntie, cousin, sister, and friend. Marie helped establish the Willowbank Indigenous Community Love Garden over eight years ago and continues to be caretaker and a volunteer gardener there. The Niagara Native community has been nurturing and guiding Marie for 25 years as she walks with the grandmothers and teachings of traditions.

Currently, Marie is the Indigenous Graduation Coach for the Niagara Catholic District School board, where she provides motivation and support for the youth as they work towards their career goals. We are very grateful to have Marie assisting us with the development of The Three Sisters Garden at The Brown Homestead as she shares her knowledge around Indigenous gardening practices.

Seedling Video Series

In 2023 we started to plant from seed and grow our own seedlings for our garden, as well as for the community. This video series will take you through the steps of planting, growing and caring for seedlings, and how to finally plant them in the garden.