Guiding hikers through the man-made pollinator garden oasis at Abbey Gardens last week, ecologist Cara Steele said it’s incredible to see plant life flourish and thrive at the old gravel pit.
Around a dozen people participated in the ‘From Gravel to Greenspace’ event Sept. 20 – one of around 40 excursions offered through this year’s Hike Haliburton festival.
Steele has volunteered as a hike leader for years, feeling it’s important to educate and keep people updated about the work happening at Abbey Gardens. Founded in 2008 by John and Thea Patterson, the 380acre property has transitioned from a space that drew from the area’s natural resources to one that replenishes them.
There’s a two-acre vegetable garden, fully serviced food hub, pony paddock, marquee tent, indoor space for educational programs, a disc golf course, and no end of walking trails to explore, Steele said. The site is also home to three local businesses and a charity – Into the Blue food truck, ACM Designs, Haliburton Wind and Solar, and Brooksong Retreat and Cancer Support Centre.
Steele noted the two pollinator gardens are recent additions, with one established in 2021 and the other in 2023. She manages the plots daily – watering existing vegetation, weeding, and planting new shrubs and plants.
During Friday’s tour, she talked about how the pollinator garden features dozens of species, from New England astor to Culver’s root, wild bergamot, prairie dropseed, pale purple coneflower, and Virginia mountain mint.
Steele said most of the plants are native, but felt it was important to incorporate some non-natives too – pretty plants she thinks people will enjoy. Steele said she’s proud of the transformation over the past few years.
“Compared to what this place was before, it’s unrecognizable,” Steele said, noting the pollinator plants help to sustain local bee populations and ensure Abbey Gardens’ crops are fertilized.
“I’m here to protect what we have on this site and to restore the areas that were lost when it was a gravel pit. It sounds really fun, but in reality, it’s a lot of weeding and watering,” Steele added.
There will be about 1,700 new arrivals soon, Steele said, with decoratives like daffodils, tulips, and irises to be planted. She also hopes to plant about 500 new grass species next year “to fill in some blank spots.”
Happy hikers
Hike Haliburton co-lead Thom Lambert said the 21st annual event went off without a hitch, with four days of outdoor adventure for people to enjoy.
Final numbers were not available by press time, but Lambert noted most of the 40 hikes were full.
“I was very happy with this year’s festival. We had a great range of hikes, from short rambles to long, challenging backcountry hikes,” Lambert said. “The weather was amazing. Even though we had a bit of rain on Saturday, no hikes were cancelled. I personally attended parts of six different hikes, and all of the participants were very happy and appreciative.”
