At our last meeting which held on April 17, Kingsville Horticultural Society members and guests were introduced to Sondra Giles of Grape Lakes Farm & Vineyard.

Sondra’s passion for real food, sustainability, and self-sufficiency led her to make a dramatic shift from the corporate world to one that would allow her to cultivate nutritious, organic produce while living in harmony with the land.

In 2014, Sondra and her husband, Scott, purchased a beautiful piece of property at 710 Seacliff Dr. and transformed it into Grape Lakes Farm & Vineyard. Sondra grew up on a farm – her heart is in the garden, particularly the organic garden!

Why spend the time and effort to grow our own food?

Positive reasons are improvements to health, more flavourful food, better nutrition, cost savings, avoiding pesticides and increased mental and physical benefits.

Did you know that commercial products are often treated so that they ripen on their journey to our stores?

The audience was shocked to hear that, through her research, Sondra found that commercial strawberries contain about 45 different pesticides, celery 64, cucumbers 86 and peppers 53 kinds of pesticides. 

There has been a great decrease in the nutrients found in commercial products, as well. 

Sondra told us that potatoes have lost 100% of Vitamin A and 57% of Vitamin C from 1950 to 1999 mainly due to soil depletion. 

Growing our own produce or purchasing from local organic farmers will provide us with the freshest and best food.

Kingsville is in Zone 7a of the plant hardiness map.  Being in this zone provides us with a long growing season so that we can plant a diverse selection of vegetables, fruits and herbs.

Remember that you don’t need a large space or a lot of tools to grow produce. Start with an herb or favourite veggie. Containers, hanging baskets, a trellis, raised bed and ergonomic tools make it easy.

Don’t forget pest control! Sondra shared her homemade pest control solutions which are a safe and effective way of keeping your food bug free. 

Too many tomatoes? Runaway zucchini? Overgrown oregano?  Extra food can be frozen, canned or dried. You can get creative with new recipes.

Perhaps, the best way to use extra food is to share it with family and friends, or donate it for the benefit of others.

If you’d like to speak to Sondra, visit her at the Grape Lakes Farm Store and see everything from asparagus, heritage fruits and vegetables, organic eggs to non toxic, eco-friendly skincare and handcrafted herbal remedies.

Grape Lakes Farm & Vineyard is located at 710 Seacliff Drive in Kingsville.

The farm can be reached at +1 519-551-9398.

Grape Lakes Farm & Vineyard Website

Facebook