Christa Sinclair
September 2025
Building Beauty: Raised Beds, French Cottage Dreams, and Our Long-Term Garden Plans
Because sometimes a hobby becomes a forever thing.Because sometimes a hobby becomes a forever thing.
When I first dug my hands into the soil three years ago, I told myself it was just a hobby. A way to fill the yard, keep my hands busy, get myself off my computer, to be outside and maybe grow a few bouquets for the kitchen table. But somewhere between the first rows of zinnias and the sound of clippers snipping under patio lights, it became clear, this wasn’t a fleeting phase.
This flower farm dream has rooted itself in me, in us, and in this land. And now it’s time to invest in the kind of structure that makes dreams not just possible, but sustainable.
Why Raised Beds (and Why Now)
Three years of farming flowers in Zone 3 has taught me one big truth: Infrastructure matters. Mud, weeds, aching backs, and unpredictable prairie weather have all had their say. Raised beds are my answer.
And this year, we’re going beyond simple wood frames. We’re bringing in metal raised beds, the kind designed to last, endure our Saskatchewan extremes, and still look beautiful season after season. Available now through Clementine, these beds aren’t just practical; they’re a long-term investment in growing beautifully.
I love them because they:
Warm up quickly in spring, giving seedlings an extra head start.
Provide clean, defined lines that make the whole garden look structured and intentional.
Come in different heights, which makes it easy to grow everything from low-spreading annuals to deep-rooted perennials without compromising on soil health.
Hold up against weather and time, season after season, without warping or rotting.
We’ll still mix in a few wooden beds for their warmth and charm, but these metal raised beds are quickly becoming the backbone of our long-term garden plan.
Think of it like setting a stage: wood for the rustic, storybook corners, and metal for the reliable, hardworking structure. Together, they give every bloom its perfect place in the spotlight.
Planting Back Into Our Community
This shift toward structure isn’t just for us. Recently, our small town shared plans for the new Nurture & Grow Childcare Facility, a much-needed space that will serve families for generations to come.
When we saw that a fresh garden growing area was part of their vision, we knew immediately: we needed to be part of it. We donated a large U-Shop metal raised bed to their project, because gardening isn’t just about flowers and vegetables. It’s about connection, curiosity, and joy.
I love knowing that kids will have a place to dig, plant, and see firsthand how food and flowers grow. If our farm has taught me anything, it’s that the act of tending to something, no matter how small, changes you. And to spark that in little ones? That’s the kind of full-circle moment that makes this dream so worth it.
The Long-Term Plan
Now that we know this “hobby” isn’t going anywhere, it’s time to think big picture. The vision is unfolding slowly, but the bones are starting to show:
A New Flower Shed:
A space to store tools, pot up seedlings, just a space to put things away into, so the yard stays tidy.
Practical, but also charming, think French doors, painted trim, and the kind of details that make you want to linger.
Raised Beds, Layered Heights:
Wooden frames for their warmth and rustic charm, metal beds for durability and clean lines.
Together, arranged in varying heights, they’ll create depth in the garden while catering to the needs of everything from dahlias to lavender.
Perennials for the Long Haul:
Hydrangeas, roses, peonies, lavender, and so many more.
The kind of plants that grow richer with age, grounding the farm with their return year after year.
A Natural Wind Break:
Living on the open prairies means every gust makes its presence known. Adding a wind break, rows of trees, hedging, and tall perennials, will give the garden more protection while creating a softer, more sheltered microclimate for the blooms to thrive. A little shield from the Saskatchewan winds goes a long way in turning a patch of ground into a sanctuary.
French Cottage Inspiration:
Pea Gravel paths, climbing trellises, tucked-away nooks with a bench or a pair of chairs.
Spaces that invite you to wander slowly, sit for a while, or dream up your next project.
This isn’t about building everything at once. It’s about layering over time.
Adding structure one season, planting perennials the next. Watching the garden mature the way a home does: year by year, season by season.
The Bigger Picture
What started as rows of annuals in open dirt is slowly becoming a landscape that feels lived in, loved, and permanent.
I want guests at our You-Picks to step into more than a flower patch. I want them to feel like they’ve stumbled into a little world, string lights overhead, gravel crunching underfoot, blooms spilling from raised beds at different heights, a shed glowing in the distance.
And beyond our farm, I hope the spirit of this place ripples outward, into spaces like the childcare yard where little ones will grow their first seedlings, where hands and hearts will both learn what tending can do.
Because if I’ve learned anything in three years, it’s this: a dream doesn’t stay small if you keep tending to it.
This farm has been 95% grit and determination (and maybe 5% Pinterest boards), but now it’s time to lean into the beauty of structure. A patchwork of wooden and metal raised beds, perennials, and a shed that feels like it’s always belonged here are just the beginning.
Here’s to the next chapter, one that’s equal parts practical and magical.
P.S.
Curious about our metal raised beds? You can now shop them directly through Clementine below.
They’re the exact ones we’re building with this season, and I can’t wait for you to see how they transform your garden too.
Happy Dreaming
- Christa
People Also Read
Petals, Picnics, and Pinch-Me Moments: Our 2025 You-Pick Season So Far
From frost warnings to record-breaking weekends, our 2025 You-Pick season has already been full of picnics, prairie sunsets, and pinch-me moments in the rows.
The Year of Weeds (and Why I’m Finally Calling in Reinforcements)
10 inches of rain, runaway weeds, and a garden turning yellow — here’s what happened this year at Ophelia Farm Co and what’s next for our growing space.
Have Any Questions?
We are here to answer all of your queries
