We are Walter and Emily Wiebe and we began Fernland Greenhouse in 2022, our first season being spring of 2023. We have a family of six children, one girl and five boys, ranging in age from 20 years down to eight years. So, with a workforce like that, we look for opportunities to make use of all that energy in profitable ways!
I grew up on a ranch in the back country of north-central B.C., where my grandfather and father ran a big herd of beef cattle and raised cattle feed. I thoroughly enjoyed being ranch hand - riding horse on the open range, calving out cattle, and working in the fields. My mother always had a big garden and a greenhouse, and we raised a lot of our food. My parents enjoyed sourcing local wild berries and foods and turning them into pies, jams and jellies, and various dishes. We all grew up knowing what hard work was, thoroughly enjoying the great outdoors, and how to live off the land respectfully.
My husband grew up on a farm in the same part of the country, but he was also highly involved in the logging industry. Fishing was something he and his dad and brothers enjoyed very much. Both my husband and I come from families that greatly enjoy nature.
I have started my own garden and greenhouse plants for many years. I find working with plants very therapeutic, and my garden, greenhouse, and flowerbeds are my 'happy places'. Browsing garden and plant magazines and wandering through other folks' gardens and flowers is a joy to me. Growing up, my mother and I spent time identifying the wildflowers as well as birds in our part of B.C. So, the greenhouse is not just a way to make money for me - it is something I truly am passionate about. Stepping inside my greenhouse and seeing all those growing, healthy little plants is mentally stimulating and delightful to my soul!
My goal is to offer plants to the public of the best quality I can produce. I grow both vegetable plants and flowers, as well as hanging baskets. I will also custom fill pots and planters if someone brings me personal ones they wish to have filled. I plant a good percentage of the plants from seed myself, but some that are more difficult start, I will order in little plugs or seedlings. Once the seeds have germinated and are well-established, we transplant them into bigger containers that we can sell them in. I fertilize enough to keep them green and healthy.
We still have only one greenhouse that we make maximum use of space in, but we hope to put up a second one soon so we can spread out more efficiently and have the room to offer as great a variety of bedding plants as is practical. I feel like I have lots of things to learn yet, and I marvel at the support and patience the community has shown in this learning curve for me. Offering the community a quality product that is vital to daily life motivates me to put my best into this venture. The enjoyment my family and I get out of working together with something we enjoy is a great blessing to us, too. Plants are necessary for the health of mind and body, and they draw us closer to God who created plants!
We are located northwest of Tolstoi on Rd. 6, 2 1/4 miles west of Highway 59. We have signs along the 59 to show folks how to find us. Google Fernland Greenhouse for a pin to help you locate the right place. We will be open Monday to Saturday and closed Sundays, starting on May 8. Our hours are technically 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., but we are flexible on that and sure do not mind if folks come in the evenings if that works better in their schedules. We can be reached at 365-886-6061 (Emily) and 204-304-0698 (Walter).
See you in May!
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