About Our New Brockville Garden Centre

We Are Here to Stay

The Worden Farm 1912

Gemmell’s recently purchased the Worden Farm located at the NE corner of Stewart Blvd and Centennial Rd. Originally owned by Nelson Worden affectionately known as Nessie. Nessie and his property were known as “the place” to buy pumpkins and Christmas trees in Brockville for many years. In keeping with this growing tradition, we will be setting up a brand new greenhouse facility tucked into this pretty farm lot for opening in the spring of 2021.

A Proud History

Nessie | The Worden Farm

The history of this farm and the story of Nessie, shared with us by the previous owners Henk & Heather Schapelhouman, inspired us to create a modern garden centre that honoured the past.

The old barn, which was included in our original layout, will have to now be dismantled for safety reasons (much to our dismay) but we have chosen to keep some of the beams and barn board to be repurposed and keep the spirit of this property alive.

Born in 1912, Nessie was raised on this farm and lived there his entire life. He milked his herd of cows, twice a day, by hand and he planted and grew a large vegetable garden from which he sold the produce at the end of his laneway. After retiring from dairy, Nessie raised beef cattle. His partner Agnes Landry babysat many local children, including Heather, on the property for many years. Nessie was most famously known as “the pumpkin man” because of all the pumpkins he grew and sold from the property. Families from all over Brockville loved coming in the fall and choosing their pumpkin from him. We have decided to turn over the lower field and seed it to pumpkins next season as a fitting tribute to Nessie.

Grand Opening Spring 2021

The new Gemmell’s Brockville opened May 1st, filled with the same beautiful home grown flowers and plants you have come to expect, with expanded areas for tropical houseplants, boutique and giftshop, learning workshops, garden décor, pottery, and trees and shrubs. Thank you for supporting us on this new adventure so that we can continue to help you build beautiful gardens in Brockville. 

Rob Gemmell and the previous owner, Heather Schapelhouman, at the New Brockville Gemmell's Location. Fall 2020.