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Specializing in
Unique Berries

Wainfleet, Niagara Region, Ontario

haskaps 2025.jpg

About

ABOUT OUR FOREST GARDEN

We are a small-scale forest garden centrally located in Wainfleet township (Niagara Region). Turaida means "Thor's Garden” in Livonian, and is named after a castle in Latvia.

We focus on growing unique berries, small fruit, as well as nuts using organic methods without pesticides.

Click here to learn about forest gardening.

Click the red PDF button to learn more about the berries

Wild Berries

WHAT'S GOING ON

We operate a self-serve farm stand

on site during the summer months.

What we grow

Haskaps (honeyberries)

Mulberries

Goumi berries

Red Currants

White Currants

Black Currants

Jostaberries

European Gooseberries

Elderberries

Sea buckthorn

Blackberries

Raspberries

Quince

Aronia

Hazelnuts

Heartnuts

Buartnuts

Hickory

Pecans

Hicans

☀HAPPY SUMMER SOLSTICE! ☀
THE BERRY STAND IS OPEN FOR THE SEASON!!
10-6 DAILY.

☀HAPPY SUMMER SOLSTICE! ☀
THE BERRY STAND IS OPEN FOR THE SEASON!!
10-6 DAILY.

Yeah! We have a haskap crop to offer this year.
They are our most labour-intensive berry to harvest, but so worth it!

Yeah! We have a haskap crop to offer this year.
They are our most labour-intensive berry to harvest, but so worth it!

Went on a walk around the garden this morning and needed to rescue a bird from a haskap drape. While doing this discovered the heat has ripened up the berries. Just started picking berries and doing alot of sweating in the humidity. Hope to open the stand on Friday in time for the Solstice!

Went on a walk around the garden this morning and needed to rescue a bird from a haskap drape. While doing this discovered the heat has ripened up the berries. Just started picking berries and doing alot of sweating in the humidity. Hope to open the stand on Friday in time for the Solstice!

Will this be the year we finally get hardy kiwi fruit?
After an overdue super hard prune this winter, we are spotting lots of flower heads!

Will this be the year we finally get hardy kiwi fruit?
After an overdue super hard prune this winter, we are spotting lots of flower heads!

Will this be the year we finally get hardy kiwi fruit?
After an overdue super hard prune this winter, we are spotting lots of flower heads!

Will this be the year we finally get hardy kiwi fruit?
After an overdue super hard prune this winter, we are spotting lots of flower heads!

Are we getting horses?? NAY 🐎🐎🐴
Just assembling the stand for the upcoming season and trying to make it a more permanent structure.

Are we getting horses?? NAY 🐎🐎🐴
Just assembling the stand for the upcoming season and trying to make it a more permanent structure.

Critters and Flowers 🐞🌸

Critters and Flowers 🐞🌸

Blue! Blue! Blue!
Columbine blue /lavender blossoms
Robin eggs
Haskaps ripening under protective veil from birds.

Blue! Blue! Blue!
Columbine blue /lavender blossoms
Robin eggs
Haskaps ripening under protective veil from birds.

Iris time of year

Iris time of year

Iris time of year

Iris time of year

Lots of berries and trees blooming :)

Lots of berries and trees blooming :)

Happy Easter Monday. Lots of buds popping now!

Happy Easter Monday. Lots of buds popping now!

Finally got some pictures of the Horned Lark that is hanging with the group of Snow Buntings. Has such a cute perpetual grumpy face :)

Finally got some pictures of the Horned Lark that is hanging with the group of Snow Buntings. Has such a cute perpetual grumpy face :)

New species visiting our feeder. A group of Snow Buntings!

New species visiting our feeder. A group of Snow Buntings!

What species of bird is this? 🤣

What species of bird is this? 🤣

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween!

Just a few cosmos blooms + plus a few manti friends hanging out

Just a few cosmos blooms + plus a few manti friends hanging out

Have a Wonderful Last Long Weekend of the Summer!

Have a Wonderful Last Long Weekend of the Summer!

That's a wrap for 2024 - see you in 2025!

That's a wrap for 2024 - see you in 2025!

and that's a wrap on elderberry season

and that's a wrap on elderberry season

**ELDERBERRY UPDATE**
Yes! We are still harvesting and we have a decent amount available at the stand...BUT.... we only expect to be harvesting for a few more days as our late ones finish up.
Get 'em before they 're gone!

**ELDERBERRY UPDATE**
Yes! We are still harvesting and we have a decent amount available at the stand...BUT.... we only expect to be harvesting for a few more days as our late ones finish up.
Get 'em before they 're gone!

Monarch caterpillars munching on milkweed.

Monarch caterpillars munching on milkweed.

Elders oh my!
Our later elderberries are ripening like mad. We've already cleaned a few bowls of berries and haven't gotten to have the shrubs yet.

Elders oh my!
Our later elderberries are ripening like mad. We've already cleaned a few bowls of berries and haven't gotten to have the shrubs yet.

Can you believe we are almost at the halfway point in August?
Wow. It is zipping by faster than the Olympians in the 100m.
We are still doing lots of harvesting. Farm stand is open daily until Labour Day.

Can you believe we are almost at the halfway point in August?
Wow. It is zipping by faster than the Olympians in the 100m.
We are still doing lots of harvesting. Farm stand is open daily until Labour Day.

Our tent didn't withstand the wind the other day, so we said let's build something more permanent that we hopefully can move.
Using our limited Red Green skills, we smashed this sucker together.
We are still harvesting elderberries daily, and oodles of blackberries. Our tomatoes are also coming out in full force,and as usual we planted more than we need, so are putting the overflow at the stand for your tastebuds pleasure.
#newfarmstand #thosepopuptentsarenotmeanttolast

Our tent didn't withstand the wind the other day, so we said let's build something more permanent that we hopefully can move.
Using our limited Red Green skills, we smashed this sucker together.
We are still harvesting elderberries daily, and oodles of blackberries. Our tomatoes are also coming out in full force,and as usual we planted more than we need, so are putting the overflow at the stand for your tastebuds pleasure.
#newfarmstand #thosepopuptentsarenotmeanttolast

Here's a great memory of last August's cutest little nut cluster we found hanging out in our Heartnut trees. A mum Eastern red bat and her 3 wee ones.
We've kept our eyes peeled for bats again this summer but haven't spotted any sleepy fuzzballs yet. 🦇🥰
#easternredbats #easternredbatpups

Here's a great memory of last August's cutest little nut cluster we found hanging out in our Heartnut trees. A mum Eastern red bat and her 3 wee ones.
We've kept our eyes peeled for bats again this summer but haven't spotted any sleepy fuzzballs yet. 🦇🥰
#easternredbats #easternredbatpups

Our early seabuckthorn have been harvested and we are now offering them frozen for $12/lb 2/$20.
We also have a very tasty syrup available and our super popular jam.
#forestgardenniagara #foodforestniagara #icecreamsyrup #seabuckthornjam #seabuckthorn

Our early seabuckthorn have been harvested and we are now offering them frozen for $12/lb 2/$20.
We also have a very tasty syrup available and our super popular jam.
#forestgardenniagara #foodforestniagara #icecreamsyrup #seabuckthornjam #seabuckthorn

IT'S BLACKBERRY SEASON!
They are ripening in full force again this year and we are filling the fridge with fresh picked ones daily. $4/box 6/$20.
We also have jams and strained blackberry syrup.
We find the berries really come alive when cooked, they are also tasty straight up and we are working on soil amendments to try and produce a sweeter crop.
#augustberries #goodthingsgrowinontario🎶 #ontariosmallfruitgrower #blackberriesfordays

IT'S BLACKBERRY SEASON!
They are ripening in full force again this year and we are filling the fridge with fresh picked ones daily. $4/box 6/$20.
We also have jams and strained blackberry syrup.
We find the berries really come alive when cooked, they are also tasty straight up and we are working on soil amendments to try and produce a sweeter crop.
#augustberries #goodthingsgrowinontario🎶 #ontariosmallfruitgrower #blackberriesfordays

ELDERBERRY UPDATE:
We are past the peak of our early heavy yield York elderberries, so from now on in our daily yields lessen. BUT.. we have a fully loaded fridge today.
Elderberries have a short shelf life and are one of our most popular crops, so if you are hoping to grab some fresh ones don't delay!
#elderberriesfordays #elderberryharvesting #uniqueberries

ELDERBERRY UPDATE:
We are past the peak of our early heavy yield York elderberries, so from now on in our daily yields lessen. BUT.. we have a fully loaded fridge today.
Elderberries have a short shelf life and are one of our most popular crops, so if you are hoping to grab some fresh ones don't delay!
#elderberriesfordays #elderberryharvesting #uniqueberries

It may be a long weekend, but it's been busy for us with lots of harvesting and jam making.
The stand is STOCKED!
OPEN DAILY 9-7

It may be a long weekend, but it's been busy for us with lots of harvesting and jam making.
The stand is STOCKED!
OPEN DAILY 9-7

Stand OPEN 9-7 all long weekend.
Have a great one!

Stand OPEN 9-7 all long weekend.
Have a great one!

Our battle with the birds has been going well, and the heat has really been ripening our early elderberries.
We are mostly harvesting our York variety. This type was developed in Geneva NY in the '60s and produces very big berries with more dark reddish tint than other varieties. #augustberries #forestgardening #elderberryharvesting #goodthingsgrowinontario🎶 #elderberriesfordays

Our battle with the birds has been going well, and the heat has really been ripening our early elderberries.
We are mostly harvesting our York variety. This type was developed in Geneva NY in the '60s and produces very big berries with more dark reddish tint than other varieties. #augustberries #forestgardening #elderberryharvesting #goodthingsgrowinontario🎶 #elderberriesfordays

It's steamy out there and this heat is helping ripen the blackberries.
Now available $4 box.
We will have oodles available in the following weeks. They are just starting right now.
Jam also available, and coming soon...syrup!

It's steamy out there and this heat is helping ripen the blackberries.
Now available $4 box.
We will have oodles available in the following weeks. They are just starting right now.
Jam also available, and coming soon...syrup!

Yep we have elders at the stand.
$10 for 1lb bags.
Just a reminder, it is not unusual for these to sell out by the end of the day, so we recommend coming by in the morning for best chances.
Sorry, we cannot accommodate "holds".

Yep we have elders at the stand.
$10 for 1lb bags.
Just a reminder, it is not unusual for these to sell out by the end of the day, so we recommend coming by in the morning for best chances.
Sorry, we cannot accommodate "holds".

This will be an interesting year for the elderberries. Although they've looked great with lots of nice full heads, like most fruit this year they're ripening early. While that may seem good, it's a bit of an issue as the birds here haven't all flown the coop like they usually are when they ripen.
We've given the robins their eviction notices, and are trying some scare tactics, so time will tell how much we lose to them. The battle is ON!

This will be an interesting year for the elderberries. Although they've looked great with lots of nice full heads, like most fruit this year they're ripening early. While that may seem good, it's a bit of an issue as the birds here haven't all flown the coop like they usually are when they ripen.
We've given the robins their eviction notices, and are trying some scare tactics, so time will tell how much we lose to them. The battle is ON!

**ELDERBERRIES AND BLACKBERRIES ARE JUST STARTING**
Limited quantities are available right now...more coming soon!!

**ELDERBERRIES AND BLACKBERRIES ARE JUST STARTING**
Limited quantities are available right now...more coming soon!!

SEABUCKTHORN JAM - Now available!
🍍🍋🍍🍋🍍🍋🍍🍋🍍🍋🍍🍋
#northernpineapples #seabuckthornjam #seabuckthorn #seabuckthornpalooza #ontariosmallfruitgrower #uniqueberry

SEABUCKTHORN JAM - Now available!
🍍🍋🍍🍋🍍🍋🍍🍋🍍🍋🍍🍋
#northernpineapples #seabuckthornjam #seabuckthorn #seabuckthornpalooza #ontariosmallfruitgrower #uniqueberry

1st batch of seabuckthorn jam cooling! If you've never tasted it - it's a delight for the tastebuds. Pineapple/citrus flavour! 🍍 🍊
Will be ready for sale soon.
#northernpineapples #seabuckthornjam

1st batch of seabuckthorn jam cooling! If you've never tasted it - it's a delight for the tastebuds. Pineapple/citrus flavour! 🍍 🍊
Will be ready for sale soon.
#northernpineapples #seabuckthornjam

SEABUCKTHORN....what the heck is that weird orange berry??
Also called seaberry, this thorny bush with silver leaves is a super hardy nitrogen-fixing spreading shrub.
The berries are PACKED and we mean PACKED with Vit C, antioxidants, and fatty acids.

What do they taste like...well like many things packed with vitamin C - a bit sour but with an astonishing PINEAPPLE- CITRUS flavour! 🍍🍋
They are terrific used in jam, syrup etc, and can add vitamin C punch to your smoothies.

They are very tricky to pick, but worth it in our opinion - and so UNIQUE!
We offer them fresh-picked, and will likely have some available later in the season frozen. We also have fantastic syrup mixed with sparkling water or drizzled-on ice cream. We hope to whip up some jam soon.

#ontariosmallfruitgrower #seabuckthornpalooza #uniqueberry #seabuckthorn

SEABUCKTHORN....what the heck is that weird orange berry??
Also called seaberry, this thorny bush with silver leaves is a super hardy nitrogen-fixing spreading shrub.
The berries are PACKED and we mean PACKED with Vit C, antioxidants, and fatty acids.

What do they taste like...well like many things packed with vitamin C - a bit sour but with an astonishing PINEAPPLE- CITRUS flavour! 🍍🍋
They are terrific used in jam, syrup etc, and can add vitamin C punch to your smoothies.

They are very tricky to pick, but worth it in our opinion - and so UNIQUE!
We offer them fresh-picked, and will likely have some available later in the season frozen. We also have fantastic syrup mixed with sparkling water or drizzled-on ice cream. We hope to whip up some jam soon.

#ontariosmallfruitgrower #seabuckthornpalooza #uniqueberry #seabuckthorn

Our early seabuckthorn berries are extra early this year. We have just started harvesting these tricky-to-pick berries.
$12 / bag (1 lb ~ 3 c)
also available - seabuckthorn syrup.
#localgrown #uniqueberry #ontariosmallfruitgrower #seabuckthornpalooza

Our early seabuckthorn berries are extra early this year. We have just started harvesting these tricky-to-pick berries.
$12 / bag (1 lb ~ 3 c)
also available - seabuckthorn syrup.
#localgrown #uniqueberry #ontariosmallfruitgrower #seabuckthornpalooza

What a pretty blush on the white currant jam. A few jars available at the stand, along with red currant jelly, black currant jam & triple currant jam, and their cousin jostaberry jam.

What a pretty blush on the white currant jam. A few jars available at the stand, along with red currant jelly, black currant jam & triple currant jam, and their cousin jostaberry jam.

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