Our Story
Hi, my name is May and I grow flowers with my husband Charles, our two kids, and my parents Andy and Lily. Our 3.5-acre farm is located in Goodwood, Ontario, 1-hour away north of Toronto.
Our journey into flower farming began unexpectedly in 2020. Amidst the pandemic lockdown, the small balcony of my townhouse in Toronto became my garden and santuary. Initially I just wanted to grow some vegetables but I quickly fell in love with flowers because of one potted pink dahlia. Despite my prior struggles with growing plants, this dahlia flourished, gracing us with a relentless cascade of blooms throughout the summer and into the waning days of October. It was more than a flower; it was a symbol of resilience and possibility.
The dahlia gave me so much confidence that I decided to learn more about growing flowers. It wasn’t long before I stumbled upon Erin Benzakein's book, Floret Farm's Cut Flower Garden. Erin's story resonated with me and fueled my aspirations. I immersed myself in learning the art of cultivating unique, breathtaking specialty cut flowers. Initially, my endeavors were confined to my balcony, then to my parents’ backyard. However, I never felt like I had enough space to grow all the flowers I wanted to grow (and my parents too, but for vegetables). In pursuit of more growing space, we relocated to Goodwood in 2022.
I am deeply grateful for my parents, my mentors in gardening. My father, a professionally trained agricultural scientist, has been instrumental in my learning. He graduated from the Department of Agriculture of Yunnan Agricultural University (Class '77). From 1986 to 1987, he studied seed inspection and production technology in the Department of Agriculture, University of Queensland, Australia. His extensive knowledge in agriculture and gardening, honed through years of research and practical experience, has been invaluable. This shared passion for gardening has strengthened our bond, and we often work together in the field, building our dream garden.
Today, our farm is a testament to the joy that flowers bring. They’re not just plants; they’re messengers of happiness and beauty. It’s this joy that I yearn to share with you through each bloom we nurture.
Thank you for joining us on this floral adventure!
Our Mission and Values
At Goodwood Flowers, our mission is simple: we want to spread joy, one bloom at a time. We firmly believe in the transformative power of flowers—they heal, celebrate, and forge connections. Our aim is to provide florists with the freshest, most beautiful, and unique botanicals for their artful arrangements.
But we’re more than just flower farmers. We consider ourselves stewards of the land. We cultivate our flowers using only sustainable, organic practices, without any synthetic chemicals or pesticides. We prioritize the long-term health of our soil by avoiding tillage, enriching it with compost, and practicing crop rotation. When it comes to pests, we rely on natural methods like companion planting and fostering biodiversity. Our unwavering commitment lies in harmonizing with nature and creating a safe sanctuary for wildlife and pollinators.