About Us

Manotick Farm Flowers was established upon the pursuit of beauty. Cultivating beauty from seed to bloom was a healing process and a journey that needed to be shared. Flowers really do have power! They bring a smile, cause us to slow down and appreciate what is right in front of us, and remind us that it takes rainy seasons for beautiful things to grow. Not only does flower farming cultivate a beautiful product, but it also sustains and promotes natural beauty to flourish in the ecosystem! By growing local flowers, we reduce carbon emissions, waste, and chemicals, while at the same time increasing water preservation and improving soil and air quality; all of which strengthen local food economy, reduce climate change and promote environmental sustainability. 

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My flower farming adventure began in the Spring of 2022. I was completing my nursing degree at the University Of Ottawa and had only a few weeks left of consolidating on one of the most critical COVID units in the city at the time. Rather than diving straight into my career as a registered nurse, I decided that growing flowers for the summer was necessary medicine for my weary soul. Without hesitation, I ordered some flower seeds, converted my parent’s storage room into a micro grow-op, and rented a few acres of land. By June, the first crops were blooming and the fun began! Since then, I have spent three seasons in the dirt growing beautiful things, on social media cultivating a deeply knit community, in the basement developing my skills in floral design, and at markets connecting with many of you; all within the special village of Manotick where I was born and raised. In fact, my love for farming and agriculture was birthed in Manotick at Millers Farm And Market where I worked for five years. During that pivotal time, I was introduced to one of my greatest mentors, Ron Miller, who taught me to work hard with integrity and inspired me to use the resources I have been given to benefit those around me.

                   

My experience in the village of Manotick extends far beyond Millers. In my early teen years, I volunteered at Rideau View Golf Club with Junior Clinics, and in more recent years I worked at Angelina as a waitress after my day-job downtown as a political internship coordinator. While at Angelina I was able to stay connected with many of the faces I had grown to love at Millers while also getting acquainted with some new ones in the village. On April 19, 2024, my work and life in Manotick changed. Michelle VandenBosch, owner and founder of Rebel Petal, presented the opportunity to pursue a longlost dream of mine - owning a flower shop. Shortly after, I began working at Rebel Petal as an apprentice, and I was immersed into a whole new world of flowers from around the world. Just over one year later, on May 31 2025, Manotick Farm Flowers had it's Grand Opening on Main Street and a new adventure began!

                     

We're often posed the question, "if you could write a letter to a younger version of yourself, what would you say"? My letter would be short and sweet: Hard work goes a long way, God is so gracious, and your childhood dreams of owning a flower shop in your hometown will come true. Just hang in there...  

Thank you for being part of the beauty in this world. I am so humbled and grateful for your support. 

All the love, 

Sarah Martin (& Robby Ray)