Nelson Street stop on garden tour is more about trees than gardens

By: Liz Dadson June 17, 2026 561

Nelson Street stop on garden tour is more about trees than gardens

Jennifer and Malcolm MacKenzie say their stop on the garden tour is more about trees than gardens.

Their property on Nelson Street, Kincardine, is part of the Kincardine Horticultural Society's "Through the Garden Gate" tour, slated for Sunday, June 28.

Originally from Guelph, the MacKenzies had a cottage for years, south of Kincardine. In 2017, they moved to a home on Olde Victoria Street and then four-and-a-half years ago, moved to this 150-year-old house on the corner of Nelson Street and Princes Street North.

This is their first time on the garden tour and they are excited to share their story about the trees on their property.

It began even before they moved in, when a November windstorm took down a beautiful old willow tree near the creek. The following spring, it was discovered that 36 ash trees also needed to be removed, including one that was likely older than the house!

Since then, they have lost a large maple tree which turned their backyard shade gardens into sun gardens, in an instant.

They have replaced the 40 lost trees with native trees and saplings and will continue with more native trees, plants and shrubs. They invite people to try and identify as many different species of trees as they can, as they wander about during the tour.

Another nice feature of the gardens is a series of trails in the vegetation along the west side of the property, at the bottom of the side yard. You can follow the natural trails and even discover Bathtub Falls if the water is high enough to pour over an old bathtub in the creek.

The house is part of Kincardine's history, built in 1876 and originally owned by Rory and Flora McCrae who raised five children here.

Prior owners to the MacKenzies, included Dr. Art Wiebe and Janice McKean, and Todd and Stephanie Farrell.

The Nelson Street gardens are just one of eight stops on the garden tour which runs Sunday, June 28, from Noon to 4 p.m., rain or shine. Tickets are $12 each in advance, or $15 each on the day of the event. Advance tickets are available at Accents, and Wilder and Rain, in downtown Kincardine.

During the event, public washrooms are available in the Kincardine Welcome Centre at 707 Queen Street.