Grown in Vineland, Made With Love: Meet Elderberry Farm (And Win Something Beautiful)

When Your Neighbours Are Also Your Heroes

There’s something quietly magical about living and working in Niagara. You turn a corner and discover that the people making extraordinary things — real, thoughtful, nourishing things — are your actual neighbours. That’s exactly how we feel about Elderberry Farm, and it’s exactly why we’re so excited to team up with them for this week’s giveaway.

Elderberry Farm grows their elderberries and produces their syrup right here in Vineland, Ontario. Cold-pressed from 100% elderberry juice — never from concentrate — their syrup is the kind of product that makes you reconsider everything you thought you knew about wellness drinks. Rich, dark, complex, and genuinely good for you. We started carrying it at our Vineland location because, honestly, once we tried it, there was no going back.

The Elderberry: A Little Berry With a Big History

Elderberries (Sambucus nigra) have been treasured for centuries — from folk medicine cabinets in medieval Europe to the pantries of health-conscious households today. These deep purple-black berries pack a remarkable concentration of antioxidants, vitamins, and plant compounds that have made them a staple of seasonal wellness routines for generations.

What makes elderberry syrup particularly special is the cold-pressing process. Unlike heating, cold-pressing preserves the full spectrum of nutrients and bioactive compounds in the berry — including the anthocyanins that give elderberries their deep colour and much of their antioxidant power. When Elderberry Farm says their syrup is made from 100% cold-pressed elderberry juice, they’re not just talking about flavour. They’re talking about integrity.

Growing Elderberries in Zone 6b Niagara

If you’ve ever thought about growing elderberries at home in the Niagara region, the good news is that they’re exceptionally well-suited to our climate. As a zone 6b growing region (average last spring frost around May 15th, first fall frost around October 15th), Niagara offers elderberries almost exactly what they love: cold winters for dormancy, warm summers for fruiting, and the kind of rich, well-drained soil that the Niagara Peninsula does particularly well.

• Plant in spring after frost — In zone 6b, aim to get elderberry transplants in the ground after mid-May. They establish quickly in warm soil and can grow 6-10 feet in their first season.
• Plant in pairs for best fruiting — Elderberries are not fully self-pollinating. Two plants of different varieties nearby will significantly increase your berry yield come late August.
• Full sun to part shade — They tolerate dappled light better than most fruiting shrubs, making them a practical choice for home gardens with partial canopy cover.
• Expect fruit in year two — Most elderberry plants won’t fruit heavily in their first year. Be patient — the payoff in year two and beyond is extraordinary.
• Harvest in late August through September — Niagara’s elderberry season typically falls between August and September, when the deep purple berry clusters hang heavy and sweet.

What’s in the Giveaway (And Why It’s So Good)

We didn’t want to just put together any old prize package. We wanted something that felt like a little curated corner of everything we love about this corner of the world. So here’s what one lucky winner is taking home:

From us: a large tropical planter, assembled by our team in Vineland, bursting with the kind of lush, layered greenery that turns any patio or porch corner into something extraordinary. From Elderberry Farm: 2 bottles of their cold-pressed elderberry syrup and 2 large elderberry tea bags — wellness, warmth, and a taste of Vineland in every sip. The syrup is also available to shop directly at our Vineland location, so even if you don’t win, you’re only a visit away from the real thing.

How to Enter (It’s Easy, We Promise)

The giveaway runs from May 29 to June 1, closing at 12:00 PM on Monday, June 1st. To enter, head to the giveaway post on our Instagram @thewateringcan and: like the post, follow both @thewateringcan and @the_elderberry_farm, and tag a friend in the comments. Want a bonus entry? Share the post to your story. One winner will be selected and contacted by @thewateringcan. Winner must be 19+, an Ontario resident, and able to pick up their prize at our Vineland location within one week of winning.

And while you’re at it — swing by and say hello. Elderberry Farm syrup is on the shelf, the tropical greenhouse is full of extraordinary things, and there’s always something new to discover at 3725 King St.