Enjoying the fruits of their labour

Horticulture is agriculture at Creek View Acres Brant

At their very core, The Creek View Acres team wants their clients to be successful. They enjoy it when clients return to the farm to share their stories and pictures of their plants from the nursery growing strong in their own back (or front) yards.

By Laura Richardson

It’s often said that farming is in the blood. For Creek View Acres Brant owners, John Bisaillon and Christi Garneau, this seems to be the case.

Christi’s grandfather and great-grandfather were nurserymen and small fruit specialists on their Northumberland County farm, and John grew up growing sod on his grandparents’ Governors Road farm. For a time, they pursued careers in contracting, but that call to farm is a strong one, and in the summer of 2020, they purchased land with the intention of returning it to agricultural production after a 50-year hiatus.

Today, their farm is their primary focus, having built the nursery and orchard. Undaunted by having less than 10 workable acres, the couple quickly set to work planting an orchard consisting of more than 25 apple varieties, cherries, peaches, plums, nectarines and raspberries. Their nursery grew from seasonal herb and vegetable plants in the earlier years, to container growing cold-hardy perennials and shrubs, now emphasizing fruit trees and berry bushes and the most unique ornamental varieties.

For visitors to the farm who come to their open houses, garden tours, and family-friendly events, the scene is picturesque with a 140-plus-year red barn overlooking the orchard on one side, and a managed forest situated along Fairchilds Creek on the other. Farm visitors often also frequent “The Nook”, their farm-based storefront, where folks can enjoy ciders, jams, and jellies produced from the fruit grown in the orchard, along with candles inspired by the farm’s fruits and flowers.

Christi jokingly admits that, “Even though we believe you can always find room for another plant, we know that’s always not the case for everyone and The Nook gives returning clients another way to support us and bring something home from the farm.”

During the colder months, the couple volunteer as guest speakers for community events like Seedy Saturday to share their expertise. Christi is also a director of the Brant Woodlot Owner’s Association, and John barbequed competitively for many years, so is always up for trying something new on the smoker.

Now that spring is upon us, the couple are looking forward to participating in Doors Open Along the Grand again this May, bringing the farm’s history to life. Christi will soon be among her favourite nursery crop, the Eastern Redbud cultivars, where 15 different varieties are showcased in their farm’s demonstration gardens. John, who enjoys working outdoors and deepening his knowledge about fruit trees, will soon be once again enjoying the fruits of his labour - his favourite sweet and tangy apple, the Zestar, as it’s an early season variety.

“We enjoy working together and seeing the fruits of our hard work, quite literally, grow,” adds Christi.

As is the case with all farming, weather can pose challenges, as do fluctuating input costs, but the couple are successful because they not only keep informed of industry trends, but are small enough to be able to adapt quickly as needed.

When asked about tips for those who wish to get started with some fruit trees or shrubs, they recommend planting what you and your family enjoy eating, along with what works for the growing conditions.

“There are great compact options for smaller yards, and you can even incorporate fruit trees and bushes into edible landscapes because they’re showy too.”

For this couple, horticulture is their passion. Christi points out that, according to the 2016 Agricultural Census, Canada has just as many horticultural operations as poultry farmers, “so we account for a larger portion of the agricultural sector than we’re often given credit for!” The couple truly loves connecting people to growing more of their own food, and encourages readers to check out their social media for farm events, tips, and available products.

Christi, being a rural historian, enjoys researching the farm’s history, and feels that she is reconnecting with her rural ancestors. In enabling more and more people to plant their own fruit trees and shrubs, they are themselves planting ‘seeds’ of the love of horticulture all over Brant County. 