Hi, I’m Kelly Molnar, a passionate backyard gardener, and I've been growing vibrant, healthy food in Waterloo, Ontario for the past 14 or so years. While my love for gardening blossomed in my own backyard, my appreciation for homegrown food started when I was a child. ​​

 

Growing up in the great white north, outside of Timmins, Ontario, nature was our playground. Whether it was biking with friends, going on family excursions, or playing in the bush, we were always outside. And to this day I have a love for the outdoors—warm sun on my face, cool breeze through my hair, fresh air in my lungs...ahh!

 

But back home, gardens were not the norm thanks to our long winters and short growing season. My parents did have a small garden and I could be found picking and eating snow peas straight from the vine (still do!). But our real bounty came to us from our grandparents from the Niagara region. I remember anxiously sitting in the car at the bus station. While most people were waiting for family or visitors to disembark, we were there to pick up cardboard boxes from the luggage compartment. My mom would lug the boxes into the car, crack them open, and there they were. The finest vegetables that my Grandma Margaret grew. Pretty sure she sent us the nicest ones and kept the ugly and bruised ones for herself. One box included fresh tomatoes, peas, hot Hungarian peppers, and cucumbers (my favourite). And in the second box were preserved peaches and pears, pickles, and pickled beets. How lucky we were! 

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What I learned from this early age is that once you taste garden-fresh produce, there really is no going back. Nothing beats the smell of a fresh tomato, the crunch of a fresh cucumber, or the sweetness of a freshly pulled carrot.

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And now as an adult, my love for the outdoors and connection to nature has only grown stronger. I feel deeply fulfilled when I dig my hands into the soil, getting dirt under my nails and all over my face. It is so satisfying to connect with the earth, plant seeds and watch them sprout and thrive. As a new mother, I’m even more passionate about sharing this experience with my daughter—teaching her where food comes from and experiencing the joy of growing it ourselves. I truly believe that gardening nurtures more than just plants; I've learned patience and curiosity, and that mistakes are part of the learning process. Through my work, I hope to inspire other families to discover the rewards of growing their own food and reconnecting with nature.​​