Thank You for 50 Years!
Bradford Greenhouses is turning 50 — and it’s all thanks to YOU, our incredible customers and community who’ve supported us through every season. To show our heartfelt appreciation, we’re celebrating with 50 days of incredible savings!
Every single day, for 50 days, we’ll be featuring deeply discounted items across our stores — from garden essentials and home décor to seasonal favourites and surprises you won’t want to miss. It’s our way of saying thank you for helping us grow over the past five decades.
Visit us in-store daily and celebrate this milestone with us — we couldn’t have done it without you!
And as we celebrate 50 years of Bradford Greenhouses, we’re reflecting on the moments, milestones, and memories that helped shape who we are today. From our humble beginnings in the Holland Marsh to becoming one of Ontario’s favourite garden destinations, our journey has always been rooted in family, hard work, and community.
We invite you to explore our History Timeline and Photo Gallery below — a look back at five decades of growth, change, and blooming memories. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for being part of our story.
MEET OUR FOUNDER
Loving Father,
Builder of Dreams
Francis Ferragine was born in Crotone, Italy, and found his way to Canada via England, arriving in August 1956 with his wife, Chiara, and their three children at the time. Settling in the Holland Marsh, Francis and his family initially worked as labourers before purchasing their first agricultural property in Bradford in 1961.
Guided by deep family values, a strong work ethic, and an unwavering passion for horticulture, Francis founded Francis Ferragine & Sons, a modest growing operation that evolved quickly. In 1975, the family launched Bradford Greenhouses with its first retail site on Highway 11 near Bradford, and continued to expand with a second location in Barrie in 1993.
Francis passed away in 1999, leaving behind a powerful legacy. Today, Bradford Greenhouses is celebrated as a leading greenhouse grower and home & garden destination in southern Ontario — a testament to Francis’s belief in quality, customer service, and community engagement.
ABOUT US
From Seed to Bloom
Bradford Greenhouses is a proudly Canadian, family-owned business with deep roots and a story that spans over five decades. It all began in 1961, when Francis Ferragine purchased a piece of land in Bradford and planted the seeds of what would become a thriving horticultural legacy. In 1975, Bradford Greenhouses opened its first wholesale and retail location just north of town, and by 1993, a second retail store bloomed in Barrie.
Today, Bradford Greenhouses is home to a passionate and knowledgeable team of over 350 people — many of whom have grown with us through the years. With more than 40 acres of greenhouse space, we’re proud to be one of Canada’s largest growers and wholesalers, supplying independent retailers and commercial growers across Ontario.
Our two retail locations have become destination garden centres, offering a vibrant mix of premium annual baskets, planters, and bedding plants. Beyond the blooms, we also carry an inspiring selection of gardening supplies, home décor, seasonal treasures, and women’s fashion — all with the expertise and friendly service our customers have come to know and love.
A Timeline of Our History
1956
A New Beginning
In August of 1956, Francis Ferragine immigrated to Canada from England with his wife Chiara, their sons Tony and Peter, and their daughter Mary. With strong family values and a deep agricultural background, Francis set out to build a new life rooted in hard work, tradition, and opportunity.
1961
Planting the Seed
Francis officially founded “Francis Ferragine and Sons,” establishing the family’s first business venture in Canada. This marked the beginning of their entrepreneurial journey in agriculture and horticulture.
1965
First Farmland Purchased
The family purchased farmland on Wanda Street in the Holland Marsh — an area known for its fertile soil. This investment laid the groundwork for what would become a flourishing growing operation.
1975
Bradford Greenhouses is Born
Land was purchased along Highway 11 just outside Bradford, and Bradford Greenhouses Limited (BGHL) was born. This new site became the hub of the family’s expanding greenhouse operations.
1975–1985
Fruit Stand & Flower Sales
During this time, the family ran a successful fruit market and began selling seasonal annual plants. These years were foundational in developing community ties and building a loyal customer base.
1980
Cookstown Expansion
More land was acquired in the Cookstown Marsh, allowing the business to expand its growing capacity and support increasing demand.
1985
Farming Winds Down
The Holland Marsh farmland was sold, marking a shift in focus from traditional farming to greenhouse growing and retail operations.
1988
Barrie Location Acquired
Land was purchased at the corner of Dunlop Street and Highway 27 in Barrie — setting the stage for the development of Bradford Greenhouses’ second major retail location.
1990
Retail Showhouse Grows
The Bradford retail site underwent a significant expansion, with the addition of a new showhouse. This marked a turning point in enhancing the customer experience and growing the garden centre’s reputation.
1992
End of Traditional Farming
The Cookstown Marsh land was sold, bringing the farming chapter to a close. With this transition, the company refocused its efforts on growing high-quality annuals and vegetables within controlled greenhouse environments.
1993
A Tradition of Giving Back
Bradford Greenhouses held its first charity golf tournament — an event that has become an annual tradition supporting local causes and bringing together the community, customers, and staff.
1993
Barrie Store Opens
The retail store in Barrie officially opened its doors, offering a full garden centre experience to customers in Simcoe County and beyond.
1994
Growing Bigger
A major greenhouse expansion was completed, boosting production capacity and enabling the business to meet growing demand across both retail locations.
1998
A Family’s Loss
The Ferragine family experienced a profound loss with the passing of Little Tony, son of Tony Ferragine. His memory remains a cherished part of the family’s legacy.
1999
Honouring Our Founder
Family patriarch and company founder Francis Ferragine passed away, leaving behind a powerful legacy of perseverance, family values, and entrepreneurial spirit.
1999
Expanding the Bradford Site
To support future growth, the company purchased neighbouring land at the Bradford site, further strengthening its footprint in the community.
2000
Production Expansion
A significant expansion was made to the production greenhouse in Bradford, streamlining operations and enhancing the growing environment.
2001
Retail Renovation
The Bradford retail store underwent a major renovation and expansion, enhancing the shopping experience with more space, improved layout, and an even greater selection of products.
2004
Continued Growth
Another substantial expansion was added to the Bradford production greenhouse, continuing the company’s commitment to innovation and growth in horticulture.
2007
Enclosed Nursery Built
Bradford Greenhouses constructed one of the only fully enclosed nurseries in Ontario — a state-of-the-art facility designed to protect plants and extend the growing season.
2009
Remembering Peter Ferragine
The Ferragine family and the Bradford Greenhouses team mourned the loss of Peter Ferragine — a beloved son, brother, and integral part of the family business.
2010
More Room to Grow
Additional land was purchased adjacent to the Bradford site, further expanding the company’s footprint and creating new opportunities for future development.
2011
Farewell to Chiara Ferragine
Chiara Ferragine, family matriarch and a pillar of strength and love, passed away. Her legacy lives on through the values and traditions she helped instill in the family.
2015
Greenhouse Expansion Continues
A major expansion was completed at the Bradford production greenhouse, reinforcing the company’s commitment to innovation and its ability to serve customers at the highest level.
2019
Roots for Youth is Founded
The Ferragine family launched the Roots for Youth charitable foundation, dedicated to creating bursaries to reduce the burden of post-secondary education so that teens and young adults in need can plant their roots and grow to become productive members of the community. A meaningful way to give back and plant seeds for the future.
2023
In Memory of Sam Gallo
Sam Gallo, another founding member of the family business, passes away. His memory remains close to the hearts of those who knew and worked alongside him.
Photo Gallery
Celebrate With Us!
The party doesn’t stop here! Follow us on social media as we continue the celebration with even more photos, stories, and memories from the past 50 years of Bradford Greenhouses. We’ll be sharing special throwbacks, behind-the-scenes moments, and a few surprises along the way — including contests you won’t want to miss! Let’s keep the memories blooming — join the conversation and tag us in your favourite moments too!
