the Herb Garden

Greetings...

the Herb Garden is now closed for the season and will reopen on Saturday, May 1, 2010. Thank you for your patronage and we look forward to seeing you in the spring.

It is “thyme” to come back to “the Herb Garden”. We open for the season on Saturday May 2nd. A wide variety of potted herbs for your garden are available, along with a great selection of beautiful pots, gourmet foods and gift items.

We have scheduled a number of new activites as well as some old favourites – Mother’s Day Brunch, Buffet Dinners, Workshops and, of course, Herbfest. Please refer to our “Events” list for details.

Everyone is being affected by the downturn in the economy. Because of this, we have spent many hours researching all aspects of our business. We have not increased the price of our potted herbs or our brunch and dinners and we are pleased to be offering complimentary workshops throughout the summer.

Come. Visit. Bring a picnic. Linger on our patio. View the art in our gallery. Browse through our gift shop. Stroll around our display gardens. Stay awhile. Now is the time to support local businesses and help support the local economy.

Bergamot Barn Art Gallery

The "Bergamot Barn Art Gallery" was built in the 1860's as a barn to house pigs, sheep and other farm animals. In 2003, it was completely renovated. The entire building was raised, the inside walls were sandblasted back to the original cedar log colour and a verandah was added to the back of the building. In 2004, a stone patio was built behind the barn with a large green basil leaf in the centre.

Every month of our season, we have different artists hang their work in the "B Barn Art Gallery" . The cedar walls "show off" the art pieces beautifully. We invite you to come and view the various artists' works. Bring a picnic if you wish and make a day of it.

Weddings

As the owners of the Herb Garden, we want your wedding day to be as special as was our own. We want you to feel comfortable, enabling you to organize and experience your wedding day exactly as you envisioned it. We would be pleased to assist you with catering, tent rental, flowers, musicians, etc. We promise to assist you in every way possible.

The Herb Garden is located just twenty minutes west of Scotiabank Place, at the corner of Old Almonte Road and Upper Dwyer Hill Road. For your out of town guests, it is easily accessed from all directions. There are a number of bed and breakfasts in the area.

The Herb Garden offers a beautiful setting for your wedding. Our gazebo, surrounded by the beauty of our display gardens, is the perfect place to hold your ceremony. Small wedding receptions can be hosted inside our beautifully renovated 130 year old Bergamot Barn. For larger receptions, a tent can be set up close to the barn and it can be used for dancing or bar or buffet setup. Your caterer will appreciate the large canopy, set up beside the barn, exclusively for your use. There is ample parking available for your guests.

The rental fee for use of the Herb Garden amenities is $800. It is available for set up, ceremony, reception and take down from Thursday to Monday.

Please call to set an appointment to visit us, view the property and discuss how we can assist you to have your special day your way.

Events

HerbFest

“Herbfest” has been an Ottawa Valley tradition for thirteen years and is a must-attend event for those interested in herbs, gardening, cooking and living a healthy lifestyle. There are a wide variety of fun activities to get involved in. There's something for every member of the family to enjoy.

Herbfest is held every year on the grounds of “the Herb Garden”. The main highlight of the festival is the amazing range of vendors that participate every year. Many have been coming for ten years or more, but many talented new vendors are added each year. Last year there were some 90 vendors representing a vast array of products and services. Most vendors are from the Ottawa Valley, but some come from the far reaches of Ontario and Québec.

Every year there are also a wide variety of culinary treats to savour in the food fair. Come early and enjoy breakfast with a cup of locally roasted fair-trade coffee. For lunch you choose from a variety of wholesome choices including some ethnic favourites. Later in the day slow down the pace in the beer garden.

Throughout the day there are lots of activities to enjoy including live music, dance and demonstrations galore. The Chef' Cook-off and garden tours are also popular every year. There's a full day of activities available so come early and stay late. There are lots of places to explore and get away from the crowds. Washroom facilities and lots of low-cost parking are available on site. There is truly something for everyone at Herbfest!

Visit the HerbFest website for details about the day.

YogaFest

YogaFest is a meeting of mind, body, spirit, and nature. It provides a forum to educate the citizens of Ottawa and the Ottawa Valley about the importance of eating locally produced food and practicing modalities such as Yoga, and other forms of physical exercise.

YogaFest includes a wide variety of activities, healing modalities and alternative therapies that fit under the umbrella of yoga and healthy living. There is a labyrinth to walk through, a meditation area, a demonstration area to showcase different types of yoga and other physical practices, group talks and presentations about meditation, yoga, healthy living, nutrition and more.

Visit the YogaFest website for details about the day.

Brunch and Dinners

Again this season, we team up with Bonnie and Paul of “Savoury Pursuits Catering “of Almonte to bring you our Mother’s Day Buffet Brunch and theme dinners. The cost for brunch and the dinners is $29.95 per person. Reservations can be made by calling “the Herb Garden” at 613-256-0228.

Mother’s Day Brunch will be served on Sunday May 10th with Lucas Haneman playing acoustic jazz guitar. Sitting times are 10:00, 11:30 and 1:00.

Our Thai Buffet Dinner will be presented on Thursday August 20th our Indian Buffet Dinner on Thursday September 17th. The menus are below. Sitting times are 6:00 and 7:30 PM.

Book early. Don’t be disappointed.

Mother's Day Brunch Menu

Wholewheat Bread With Basil and Sundried Tomatoes *Curried Squash Soup *Gazpacho Soup With Cilantro *Our Signature Stuffed French Toast With Braised Fruit And Lanark County Maple Syrup *Kids Bearpaw Pancakes *Poached Eggs In Smoked Salmon Dill Mornay Sauce *Apple, Stilton and Tarragon Quiche *Tomato, Feta, Basil Quiche *Ham, Roasted Garlic And Swiss Quiche *Brie, Braised Red Onion And Peach Quiche *Poached Eggs With Asparagus *Three Peppercorn Encrusted Roast Beef *Turkey Breast Stuffed With Sorrel And Wild Rice *Stuffed Pork Loin Roast With Sage, Apricots And Raisins *Smoked Peameal Bacon *Market Garden Salad With Baby Greens And Edible Flowers *Warm Blackened Potato Salad With Capers And Balsamic Vinaigrette *Lavender Cookies *Warm Chocolate Mint Torte *Fresh Berry Shortcakes With Lemon Verbena Cream *Herbal Teas

Thai Buffet Dinner Menu

Thai Rice Paper Rolls - Vegetarian and Shrimp *Thai Crisp Spring Rolls - Vegetarian and Pork [Both Served with Warm Peanut Sauce and Sweet and Sour Sauce] *Ginger, Lemongrass and Vegetable Soup *Cucumber Salad *Thai Greens *Thai Coconut Red Curry with Chicken *Green Curried Vegetables *Yellow Curried Beef *Pork and Vegetables in Satay Sauce (Peanut Sauce) *Pad Thai *Jasmine Rice *Deep-Fried Bananas *Sticky Rice with Mango

Indian Dinner Menu

Samosa - Vegetarian & Chicken *Crisp Papadums *Warm Homemade Naan Breads *Curried Lentil & Vegetable Soup *Cucumber Raita [Yoghurt & Herbs] *Crisp Indian Greens & Mango *Butter Chicken *Vegetable White Korma [Contains Coconut Milk & Ground Nuts] *Curried Beef Masala *Chick Pea Chana *Lentil Dhal [Curried Side Dish of Lentils] *Sag Aloo [Potatoes In Curried Spinach Puree] *Basmati Rice Pilaf *Gulab Jamun [Indian "Cake" in Sweet Syrup] *Indian Rice Pudding *Mango "Fool”

About Us

Hours of Operation

September 1 to October 4th

CLOSED
Monday to Thursday
OPEN
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
10:00 AM to 5:30 PM
CLOSING DAY
Sunday October 4, 2009

Contact and Location info

the Herb Garden
3840 Old Almonte Road
Ottawa Ontario K0A 1A0
Tel – 613-256-0228
Fax – 613-256-7134

Email us: George & Gerry

Directions

The Herb Garden is nestled in the Ottawa Valley, about 45 km west of Parliament Hill towards Almonte. We are easy to find - located just east of the Upper Dwyer Hill Road on the Old Almonte Road. If you are coming along Highway #7 or Regional Road #44, look out for our blue Ontario Tourism signs at the Upper Dwyer Hill Road, and again at the Old Almonte Road.

If you need more information than the map provides, please phone ahead for specific directions.