Welcome to Thunder Gardens
Rooted in Community. Grown with Care.
At Thunder Gardens, we grow high quality organic food together and share it widely. Households grow with us all season, workplaces spend meaningful days on the farm, youth build skills and confidence alongside our partners, and every harvest helps feed our neighbours. All of it happens on land we are restoring for pollinators, wildlife and the generations to come.
Ways to Get Involved
More Than a Farm – A Place to Belong
01
Community Growing
Grow with us all season. Take a weekly or every other week shift, learn hands-on, and take home a share of the harvest.
02
Team Building & Corporate Giving
Bring your team to the farm for a day of real work that matters, with facilitated sessions on connection and resilience.
03
Youth Programs
With Parkdale Food Centre and Youth Services Bureau, young people grow food, learn practical skills, and build confidence on the land.
04
Farm Products
Heritage turkeys, fresh eggs, raw honey and cut flowers, raised and grown right here.
Our 2026 Harvest at a Glance
2,500+ lbs
of food grown for our programs this season
1,000+ lbs
donated to Parkdale Food Centre
1,500+ lbs
taken home by Community Growing members
Fresh Food. Sustainable Living. Community Roots.
Regenerative Growing
Organic and permaculture practices that build healthy soil and a thriving ecosystem.
Restoring the Land
More than 400 native trees and shrubs, two pollinator meadows, and our honeybees.
Learning by Doing
Every task is explained and guided, so beginners, teams and youth can all jump in.
Close to the City
Twenty minutes from downtown Ottawa, a peaceful farm that is easy to reach.
Join us and be a part of something special – where sustainability, learning, and community come together.
★★★★★
Thunder Gardens has been a game-changer for me! As someone who used to grow my own vegetables in my backyard, moving into an apartment left me really missing that connection to the land. Finding Thunder Gardens was such a blessing. It’s just a short drive east of Ottawa on the 417, but it feels like a peaceful escape from the city. Jay and Candace have created a beautiful space where people like me can get back to growing fresh produce and reconnecting with nature. I love being part of this welcoming community, and I can’t wait to keep growing my own food here for years to come. Highly recommend Thunder Gardens to anyone looking to get their hands in the soil again!
Ashraf Yassin
★★★★★
I had a great time with my work team at Thunder Gardens! Jay and Candace were amazing hosts who carried out so many fun-filled team-building activities. This is very different from a normal corporate team-building environment as there is so much to learn about farming and also do a bit of it yourself.
Rajat Sud, CPA · Google review
★★★★★
Such a beautiful farm, with chickens and turkeys (even a baby one!). We did some fun team building activities while exploring the community garden. A little picnic afterwards made the whole experience great.
Leah McCarthy · Google review
What is Thunder Gardens?
Thunder Gardens is a regenerative community farm 20 minutes east of Ottawa. Households grow food together through community growing memberships, workplaces book team days, youth take part in programs with our partners, and we raise heritage turkeys, laying hens, honeybees and cut flowers. Starting in 2027, memberships, team building days, and youth programs are run by the Thunder Gardens Community Growing Collective Inc., our new Ontario nonprofit.
Can my workplace book a team day?
Yes. Team days run on weekdays from April to September 2027. Your team can plant, harvest and pack food for neighbours, meet the animals, learn to drive a tractor, and add a facilitated session on connection and resilience. Visit our Team Building page to plan your day.
How do I join the community farm?
2027 memberships are offered through the Thunder Gardens Community Growing Collective, our new Ontario nonprofit. Add your name to the waitlist. It is free, and waitlist members get first access when registration opens in the spring. Workplaces can also book a team building day.
Can I visit the farm?
Yes, we welcome visits by appointment. Contact us to book a farm tour.
Frequently Asked Questions
You Have Questions? We’ve Got Answers
Farm Gallery
NEWS
Fresh Farming News and Updates
What a Grow Together Shift Looks Like at Thunder Gardens
Growing Together is simple: you show up, you contribute, you learn, and you...
A Beginner’s Guide to Growing Your Own Vegetables in Ottawa’s Climate
Thinking about starting your own vegetable garden but not sure where to begin?...
The Vital Role of Bees in Your Garden & Our Ecosystem
At Thunder Gardens, we talk a lot about bees — and for good reason. These tiny...
We’d Love to Hear From You!
Have a question, want to stop by the farm, or just feel like saying hello?
We’re always happy to connect with fellow nature lovers, future growers, and curious minds.