David Retallick grows hardy perennials on the family farm on County Rd. 28 where customers can select the plant in the garden or order
their selections online.
The family farm located on the east side of County Rd. 28 just south of the roundabout was purchased by David Retallick’s parents in 1940’s.
His father the late Edwin Reid Retallick was well known in the area, working at Masterfeeds in Cavan after an extensive military service that is acknowledged in a display at the Millbrook Legion.
David moved in with his parents years ago to help look after them. He is now alone in the family home with his father deceased and his 91-year old mother in the hospital. He spends the growing season developing new daylily varieties and growing other tolerant perennials such as Iris, Lilies and Peonies. During the winter months, his energies are directed to woodworking projects.
The main daylily garden for which the farm is known began at David’s suggestion after his father commented about how difficult it was to mow the severely sloped bank along the side of the property. David suggested putting in a ground cover in to eliminate the need to mow the area. It took a few years to remove all plant material covering the bank which is 200’ long by 15’wide, which is now home to masses of flowers. Most are daylilies which are known for their drought tolerance and their ability to grow in poor soil. They also help prevent soil erosion.
During the summer, the bank is a riot of colour. The plants closest to the driveway are David’s creations and receive a bit more attention. A hose can reach these newer plants, but the ones further along must survive on their own. Customers can drive up along the roadside and select their flowers right from their location: David will dig them up, put them in a bag and then into the customers’ vehicles.
Every year David plants hundreds of daylily seeds in his nursery beds on the level property above the bank. He uses pollen of double, patterned and tall varieties to pollinate his seedlings every year. Each row in the nursery bed has plants of specific age. In the 5th year, he selects 35plantsthat will be added to his collection. The rest are relegated to the compost bin. Also in this nursery bed area are young iris plants, Trumpet and Asiatic Lilies, Peonies and a few grass varieties. David sells plants from the farm and from his website atwww.davidsgarden.ca.
His workday in the garden begins early and ends late and he prefers to avoid the heat of the day. He welcomes visitors seven days a week from 9:30 to 5:30but appreciates a call beforehand to make sure he is at the farm. He used to sell cut flowers from the garden but has found the market for them has dried up since Covid and has been unsuccessful at partnering with local florists to add his flowers to their product offerings.
If you are in the market for some hardy perennials that are guaranteed to thrive in our area, David’s Garden can help. Call his cell at 705-991-2336 and he will give you a warm welcome and a thorough education about his work and his passion growing flowers on the family farm.