The Ginkgo Tree

09/26/2026

You don’t have to know a thing about herbs to join us.

Maybe you’ve always wanted to learn about the plants growing around you, make your own herbal remedies, or simply understand what herbalism is all about. This is a lovely place to start.

But it’s about more than herbs. It’s about gathering together, sharing what we know, learning from one another, getting our hands in the plants and becoming part of a really lovely community.

No experience needed. Just bring your curiosity.

If you’re interested in joining us, send me a message first and I’ll send you all the details. Come learn a little, make a few things, meet some good people and see where the plants take you.

HerbalCourse LearnHerbalism HerbalCommunity PlantMedicine MedicinalPlants KinaGegoo BotanicalSanctuary BackToTheRoots LearnFromThePlants

09/13/2026

At the heart of the Sanctuary is our Heart Garden — a true labour of love.

My dad and I cleared the space and created the garden, and then Dayna and Candice lovingly laid it out and did the very first planting. And now Trish has been so wonderfully and lovingly caring for it, helping it grow and flourish.

So many hands, so much love, and a little piece of each of us lives here.

It reminds me that beautiful things are rarely created alone. They take a community, a willingness to pitch in, and a whole lot of love.

Our Heart Garden really is just that — **ours.**

09/13/2026

At the heart of the Sanctuary is our Heart Garden — a true labour of love.

My dad and I cleared the space and created the garden, and then Dayna and Candice lovingly laid it out and did the very first planting. And now Trish has been so wonderfully and lovingly caring for it, helping it grow and flourish.

So many hands, so much love, and a little piece of each of us lives here.

It reminds me that beautiful things are rarely created alone. They take a community, a willingness to pitch in, and a whole lot of love.

Our Heart Garden really is just that — ours.

09/09/2026

The Herbal Classroom is coming back to life!

Our first class of the season is Tuesday, September 29th, from 7–9 pm at The Ginkgo Tree, and we’re beginning the year a little differently.

We’ll gather outside around a fire as the evening begins, where Lauri, our friend from the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation, will open our gathering. Bringing her bundle, Lauri will share a welcome and invite us to pause and connect with the land, the plants and one another before we begin our evening.

Then we’ll head out for a twilight walkabout through the Sanctuary. As the light fades, we’ll slow down, meet some of the plants growing around us, share stories and begin our journey together for another year.

We’re also introducing something new: a Plant Exchange.

Bring a plant division, cutting, seed, seedling or something special from your garden to share. Tell us a little about it, then choose something from another student’s garden to take home—a simple sharing of plants, stories and abundance.

We’ll then move into the Herbal Classroom for our first lesson, beginning our journey with the plants we’ll work with throughout the year. And, of course, we’ll make something together to take home.

To all our returning students, we can’t wait to welcome you back. And if you’ve been thinking about joining The Ginkgo Tree Herbal Course, this is a wonderful evening to begin. New students are warmly welcomed.

Tuesday, September 29
7:00–9:00 pm
The Ginkgo Tree

To register or learn more, email Penelope at [email protected].

All returning students please RSVP.

Come for the plants. Stay for the stories. Gather around the fire. Begin the year with us.

06/08/2026

This year I'm inviting you along on the journey of my Potager Garden!

Back in May, two wonderful students bartered their time and energy to help prepare the garden beds, and I couldn't be more grateful. Thanks to their hard work, the beds were ready for planting, and in early June I began sowing vege and flower seeds and planting out the garden.

My big brainwave for this season? A potato well! 🥔 It takes up far less space while still giving my beloved potatoes plenty of room to grow. I'm excited to see how it performs throughout the season.

I'll be sharing updates, successes, lessons learned, and plenty of garden photos and videos along the way. Watch for upcoming videos as the garden grows and unfolds through the summer!
What are you growing this year that you're most excited about? 🌱🥔

06/06/2026

🐾 Free Kittens – Ready for New Homes! 🐾

Three adorable 9-week-old kittens are looking for loving homes. These kittens were born in a barn, but with a little love and attention they would make wonderful house cats or barn companions.

🐱 2 Grey Kittens
🐱 1 Calico Kitten

Playful, curious, and ready for their next adventure!

Free to good homes. Please message if you're interested . 🐾

05/06/2026

There’s something quietly magical happening in the garden right now—our sweetgrass is spreading, gently weaving its way through the beds, and we couldn’t be more delighted.

Sweetgrass has long been cherished across North America, especially within Indigenous traditions, where it’s braided and burned as a sacred medicine—used for prayer, purification, and calling in good energy. That soft, vanilla-like scent when it’s dried… it’s something truly special.

It’s a native plant here, though in some regions it’s becoming harder to find in the wild due to habitat loss. Growing and tending it with care feels like a small act of stewardship—something we’re honoured to do.

So yes… we’re celebrating this gentle spread. A quiet reminder that some of the most meaningful plants don’t rush—they root, they connect, and they stay.

05/06/2026

There’s something quietly magical happening in the garden right now—our sweetgrass is spreading, gently weaving its way through the beds, and we couldn’t be more delighted.

Sweetgrass has long been cherished across North America, especially within Indigenous traditions, where it’s braided and burned as a sacred medicine—used for prayer, purification, and calling in good energy. That soft, vanilla-like scent when it’s dried… it’s something truly special.

It’s a native plant here, though in some regions it’s becoming harder to find in the wild due to habitat loss. Growing and tending it with care feels like a small act of stewardship—something we’re honoured to do.

So yes… we’re celebrating this gentle spread. A quiet reminder that some of the most meaningful plants don’t rush—they root, they connect, and they stay.

05/01/2026