Organic Gardens

		Organic gardening is a land stewardship practice
				eating locally means less gas and oil used for food transportation, eating seasonally means less energy for storage
				growing food organically releases fewer harmful synthetic substances like pesticides and herbicides into nature
				growing food organically helps protect the biodiversity and health of ecosystems. It also requires less land than industrial farming
				purchasing local food supports a healthy and diverse local economy, which is good for small farmers, businesses, and local communities

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The extensive permaculture of the Great East and Sweetwater gardens has been developed over the past 18 years. With Sweetwater Brook pooling and riffling through them, they cover several acres of at the edge of the ponds and marshlands near Wentzell Lake. The fertile sandy loam soils are further enriched by compost from the barn, which is in continual process of decomposition. In this and other ways, the gardens are connected to all other aspects of farm life in a closed loop system. In fact, “closing the loops” is a dominant theme at Windhorse.

These tranquil and productive gardens include perennial flowers, annual and perennial vegetables, blueberries, raspberries, and a variety of tree fruit. The bounty feeds family, visitors, program participants, neighbours and customers, all of whom come to a greater appreciation of “local, seasonal, and organic”. Cold frames and greenhouses provide vibrant living green food, particularly enjoyed in the winter and early spring.

A very important part of these gardens is the abundant and diverse web of wild life. Brush walls offer protection for insects, amphibians, snakes, birds and small mammals. Many trees and shrubs fruit with delectable sustenance for wildlife. The brook and marshlands are home to fish, beaver, mink, fox, and white tail deer. Eagles and osprey soar overhead and fish in the ponds and lake. Altogether, the diverse web of interdependent life is what makes organic gardening so rewarding. In order to encourage others, these gardens include the Sweetwater Native Plant Nursery, a great opportunity to “take it all home.”

The Windhorse gardens stimulate all our senses with the sights, sounds, smells, tastes and touches of familiar and surprising delights. Guided tours can be arranged by contacting Margaret, or unstructured aimless wandering is even easier.

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