Our final tour of the summer offers GardenKitchener members the opportunity to explore a piece of Kitchener’s agricultural and horticultural history! Originally settled in 1833 by John and Esther Steckle, Steckle Heritage Farm is now operated as a non-profit organization that offers educational programming and hosts all kinds of events.
About the tour
Our self-guided tour begins at the farm’s parking lot entrance at 205 McIntyre Drive. From here, you can follow the pathway to explore the property at your own pace.
- The farm will be open to tour between 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, August 18th.
- GardenKitchener volunteers will be on hand to check memberships. Please bring proof of membership with you.
- Farm staff will be available on site to answer questions you may have as you wander.
- A note that the property is quite large and the terrain is uneven, so please wear appropriate footwear and be prepared for a stroll.
About the farm
You’ll start by passing the farm’s 80-year-old apple orchard, which still produces Red Spy, Northern Spy and Cortland apples today, as well as a formal ceremony garden space featuring hydrangeas and a living willow arch. The arch was created by local artist Agnes Niewiadomski (who you may remember from last year’s pumpkin carving workshop) and the willow for the arch is sourced from a patch at the back of the property. Opposite the orchard you’ll see a large garden plot known as The Three Sisters Garden. This is cultivated by the local urban Indigenous garden collective, Wisahkotewinowak and produces a combination of Three Sisters produce (corn, beans and squash), tobacco, sunflowers, and other vegetables.
Don’t miss the shade gardens surrounding the farmhouse. The front of the farmhouse is original to the property and many of the plants that surround it (including ferns and hollyhocks) were added by Jean Steckle, the last member of the Steckle family to live on-site. There are many mature trees on the property, including a red oak in front of the house that’s over 150 years old. This one was nominated for ‘Tree of the Year’ in 2025.
Past the barn, you’ll find two gardens side by side. One is a pollinator garden filled with native and ornamental plants including salvia, bee balm, daisies, false sunflowers, blue star amsonia, perennial hibiscus, and more. This garden is ever-evolving and is primarily curated by Kim Hardy, and her daughter Amber Baptiste, the farm’s Executive Director. The garden next to it grows mostly vegetables. It’s used as a teaching garden for the farm’s children’s program and features a number of raised beds of different sizes and heights. Find grapevine-covered trellises here, with berries and a good sized lavender patch. A small circular garden with a wooden structure at its centre is also in this area. It’s a miniature meadow with perennial wildflowers, designed by some highschool students earlier in the year. It’s a bit of a playful experiment that the team is excited to refine and repeat again next year.
As you tour, keep an eye out for the farm’s animal residents, including chickens, geese, goats, and cows, and take a moment to step inside the beautiful, historical barn. It was built in 1840 and is now a wonderful event space that can be rented for birthday parties and weddings, but is also used for their summer camps. Accessible washrooms can be found here for anyone who needs a break.
The Steckle Heritage Farm property is diverse and beautiful, end to end. It’s absolutely filled with inspiring spaces and whimsical moments. Whether you’re curious about new additions for your pollinator garden, looking for a way to make next year’s veggie beds more “aesthetic”, or just seeking a change of scenery for your next summer evening stroll, this tour is one that shouldn’t be missed.