Farm Activities

At our farm, pick-your-own is the star attraction. Starting in July, the raspberry season begins, followed by blueberries, cucamelons, mini-eggplants, and bell peppers. To learn about the seasonal availability of our crops, please check our pick-your-own calendar. At La Giroflée, please note that, compared to the products sold at our stand or in the store, in exchange for your labor, a discount will be applied to your basket of pick-your-own fruits or vegetables. A perfect opportunity to stock up for winter.

At Ferme Giroflée, you can purchase a variety of organic fruits and vegetables, eggs, honey, maple syrup, and more. During peak season, we offer two shopping areas: a staffed kiosk and a self-service area based on trust.

During your visit to the farm, take a moment to relax in our charming setting. We’ve set up rest areas and provided a few picnic tables so you can enjoy a meal on the edge of our fields. Cyclists are also welcome to stop by and recharge their batteries. Since Ferme Giroflée is located near the Hemmingford bike trail in the MRC des Jardins-de-Napierville, it’s easy to swing by for a nature break, and you can also stock up on supplies with some products for sale at the kiosk before continuing your adventure.

In addition to our 11 acres dedicated to agriculture, 30 acres are home to a forest, which accounts for 62% of La Giroflée’s total area. A food forest project is currently underway there, and a small sugar shack has been built using recycled materials. Along our forest trails, visitors can admire more than forty species of trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants, including three at-risk plant species: Canadian bloodroot, Canadian wild ginger, and white trillium (Ambioterra assessment, 2022). The 2.5 acres set aside for wetlands, aquatic areas, and riparian zones serve as blue and green corridors that connect the various natural habitats. Wetlands also provide habitats for species that are important to the ecosystem, such as amphibians.

Bees are crucial to food security, the natural balance, and the preservation of biodiversity. It is said that one-third of global food production depends on them. In 2018, experts discovered that certain pesticides—neonicotinoids—pose a threat to bees. Since then, the United Nations has been encouraging the adoption of practices aimed at protecting them. At La Giroflée, we are committed to protecting pollinating insects. In our pesticide-free environment, the hives are set up at the edge of the forest near our fields. By feeding on pollen from blueberry bushes and wildflowers, the bees improve the pollination of our crops and produce a delicious, distinctive honey that you can purchase at our farm stand and in our online store. Feel free to come talk to our beekeeper, Nancy!

In natural and protected areas such as La Giroflée, biodiversity offers an impressive variety of birds. In fact, some forty different species have been observed here, including Bicolor Swallows, Grass Sparrows, American Thrushes, Red-headed Vultures, and rarer species such as the Eastern Bluebird. Birdwatchers and other wildlife enthusiasts are welcome to visit us to observe and hear these wonders of nature.