COME PUT YOUR HANDS IN THE SOIL
Hummingbird Forest Garden
OTTAWA-GATINEAU AREA FOOD FOREST & RETREAT CENTRE
LOCATED IN THE OUTAOUAIS REGION OF QUEBEC, CANADA
A Space to Feel Grounded & Connected
Honouring the relationships of all living things as we create a space to connect with community, the truth of who you are, and this beautiful Earth. Come by and settle in for a while.
Be part of what happens here and see yourself reflected in the interconnectedness of all.
PLAY LEARN GATHER REST
BE Yourself HERE
A growing food forest and retreat space to nourish your soul. Feel the breeze on your face, the sun on your skin, put your hands in the soil, and eat fresh food from the garden. Sit a while and watch the pollinators and hummingbirds do their thing. You can just be here.
The HUMMINGBIRD FOREST GARDEN Experience
You will be welcomed by huge old white pine trees, a breeze off the peaceful lake, apple, pear, and cherry trees nestled amongst tall grasses and natural meadows. Walk paths of tall native flowers buzzing with pollinators, herbs, veggies, and dahlias. The winter has its own character with a toboggan hill, outdoor campfire, and possibly an ice rink - weather dependent of course.
WANDER HERE. HAVE A CHAT WITH A CHIKCADEE.
The clarity that comes from joining Elle in these experiences is so mind-opening and healing in the deepest kind of way. The location is beautiful, the food was delicious, and the approach was gentle and enlightening.
- Pamela 2022
OFFERINGS & INVITATIONS
RETREATS
Seed Sharing Socials
LEARN PERMACULTURE
Native Plant Workshops
WELLNESS WORKSHOPS
Spiritual Programs
Garden Dinners
BUSINESS MEET-UPS
THE STORY OF THIS FOREST GARDEN & RETREAT CENTRE
This has been my dream since I was a child…
I DREW THIS PLACE. I FILLED IT WITH VEGETABLES, BERRIES, HERBS, FRUIT TREES, SO MANY FLOWERS, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY A FAMILY AND A DOG OR TWO!
Since then, so much has happened and now this place has expanded into a dream for all of us - each of us has our own chapter in this story.
Our son loves Scarlet Bee Balm because it means he sees so many hummingbirds, my daughter is an incredible flower artist and bouquet arranger, my youngest is the guy behind the peas and carrots, and the dogs take care of spreading love all over the place.
When we got married, one of our vows (which we wrote ourselves) was “Your dreams will be my dreams for you”…and, Andrew, my partner in all things takes on so much of the big stuff like building and digging even when it’s not his first choice for how he’d spend his time. Without his hard work, this place would not look like it does. Without him, this vision would not be so real.
We are restoring the old 1800s log house and transforming it into a retreat centre so more people can experience this place and so we can host more events and workshops.
Follow along on YouTube for those stories…
Above photo by Leanne Mueller
A list of perennial plants, bushes, and trees we are growing in our food forest garden in Zone 4, Quebec, Canada.