A Small Flower Farm in the Heart of Thunder Bay
Bloomstead began with a simple idea:
What if a backyard in the city could become a field of flowers?
In 2023, Lisa found herself living on an oversized urban lot in Thunder Bay — the kind of space that makes you wonder what might grow there with a little sunlight and care. So she cleared trees to let the sun in, built raised beds by hand, and started planting.
One season turned into another. A greenhouse was added. The flowers multiplied. And slowly, the backyard garden began to look like a small flower farm.
Today, Bloomstead grows seasonal flowers right here in Thunder Bay, harvested fresh and shared with our local community.
Our goal is simple: to grow beautiful flowers that bring a little more colour, calm, and joy into everyday life.
A Mother–Daughter Flower Farm
Bloomstead is run by Lisa and her daughter Jenna.
Lisa spent her early years growing up on farms in southern Ontario and has always loved the rhythm of planting, tending, and harvesting. Creating Bloomstead was a way to return to that way of living — working with the seasons and watching something grow from the soil.
Jenna enjoys gardening though she’ll say she doesn’t have a green thumb. But whether she’s helping helping plant seeds, transplant, build beds, move soil, weed rows, or manage our social media, she has been part of The Bloomstead from the beginning.
Together, we share a love of nature and a belief that flowers do something quietly powerful.
They brighten a kitchen table.
They celebrate life’s big moments.
And sometimes they simply make an ordinary day feel a little more beautiful.
Flowers Grown for the North
We love the big lake here in Thunder Bay, her beauty is compelling and draws most of us to the shore multiple times a year. However, her cold winds mean spring arrives slowly which creates unique challenges for growing here.
But once summer settles in, the garden comes alive.
From late June through early fall, our rows fill with seasonal blooms such as:
- lilies
- ranunculus
- sunflowers
- lisianthus
- gladiolus
- and late-season favourites like dahlias
One of the comments we hear most often at the farm or market is:
“You can grow that here?”
Yes — with wise seed choices paired with patience, care, and a little help from either the greenhouse or row covers, we are able to grow some amazing blooms sure to bring a smile to your face and some warmth to your home.
Because our flowers are grown locally and harvested close to the time they’re sold, they often arrive fresher than flowers that have travelled long distances and crossed international borders.
Growing with Care for the Soil
Bloomstead follows small-scale regenerative growing practices, focusing on building healthy soil and supporting pollinators. The urban pollinator desert is a solvable problem!
On our farm you’ll find practices like:
• avoiding synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers
• planting cover crops to build soil health
• growing flowers that support pollinators
• using natural mulching and composting methods
• collecting rainwater for irrigation when possible
Healthy soil helps grow stronger plants — and stronger plants produce beautiful flowers.
Flowers for Everyday Beauty
We believe flowers shouldn’t be reserved only for special occasions. Sometimes a bouquet is simply a way to brighten your kitchen, bring colour to your home, or mark the rhythm of the seasons.
During the growing season, you’ll find us at the market on Saturday mornings where you can pick up a freshly arranged bouquet. Every week looks a little different depending on what is blooming in the garden. We take orders for custom bouquets, and offer DIY wedding flowers.
Thank You for Supporting Local Flowers
Bloomstead is still growing, and we’re grateful for every person who brings our flowers into their home or celebration. We’re so glad you’re here.
Thank you for being part of The Bloomstead story.
— Lisa & Jenna