The most densely planted part of the property, it was divided into small beds by a network of formal brick paths. Here the O'Reillys grew cut flowers, vegetables, herbs and fruit, and maintained a small orchard.

To recreate this (the kitchen garden of old) the vegetable beds were surrounded by perennial flower borders and a culinary and medicinal herb bed. The herb border included some of the herbs we know the O'Reilly's grew, including lavender, mint, rosemary, sage and thyme.

"Royal Soverign" strawberries, "Pikwik" gooseberries, black current bushes and raspberries were planted along the gravel pathway.

The kitchen garden has revealed itself to be an archeological gold mine, providing insite into the important subsistence gardens of the early Victorian settlers. Excavation and documentation have revealed not only portions of the brick paths in the orchard, but also the foundation of the heated greenhouse in the northwest corner of the kitchen garden. This was built in the 1898 for the youngest O'Reilly son, Arthur John, who was interested in greenhouse cultivation. It is likely that fruits and vegetables were grown here year round, as well as more tender and exotic cut flowers.

Only one photograph exists of the structure, but other documentary and archaeological evidence will assist in the eventual reconstruction. The greenhouse, built in 1898 was heated by a cast iron stove, manufactured by Albion Iron Works. This greenhouse boiler is currently being conserved in Ottawa by the Canadian Conservation Institute.

The greenhouse and the raised glass cloches, terra cotta forcing pots and cold frames were used to produce fresh garden produce for the family for as much of the year as possible.

The fruit trees are gone, as elms that have suckered from the original tree near the road blocked vital sunlight from the orchard and the kitchen garden. However, plans are currently underway to restore or replicate the greenhouse.

Go to To Vegetables grown by the O'Reillys.
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