Colin Hayles is a man who has spent over three decades getting his hands dirty — literally — and wouldn’t have it any other way. As a purchaser, media relations lead, and host of The Helpful Gardeners Podcast at Golden Acre Home & Garden, Colin has built a career around one simple idea: gardening is for everyone, and no one should feel intimidated to start. With a background in landscaping and a genuine passion for connecting people with plants, he found his calling in making horticulture accessible, encouraging, and downright enjoyable for Calgarians of all walks of life.
What is your business called and what does it do?
At Golden Acre Home & Garden, our mission is simple: we want to help you successfully grow plants, whether you are cultivating an indoor urban jungle or tending to an expansive outdoor landscape or doing a veggie garden. From big space landscapes to small seed starting, and everything in between, we have it covered. We carry absolutely everything you need to bring your green spaces to life, beautifully pairing our massive plant selection with a curation of unique home decor. We have the largest plant selection in Western Canada, and alongside that we also have a vast variety of pots, soils, fertilizers, controls, tools and much more. We also carry sustainable, eco-friendly choices and local and Canadian-made products.
What truly sets us apart is our incredible connection to the community; we drive massive outreach initiatives through educational seminars, greenhouse tours, interactive kids’ classes, and our very own weekly program, The Helpful Gardeners Podcast. Guided by our staff of passionate, local expert gardeners, we are deeply committed to giving back to the place we call home through robust volunteer efforts and meaningful charity work with organizations like the Children’s Hospital, Calgary zoo, AUArts, and the Calgary Drop-In Centre.
What made you want to do this work?
I got into horticulture over 30 years ago. Landscaping is definitely a younger persons game, as my knees will testify. Moving into helping people garden themselves seemed like a seamless transition.
What problem did you want to solve with the business?
Demystifying gardening and planting and plants. To let people know there is no barrier to entry and this is for everyone, we just might need some help. We wanted to be the ones providing the help, encouragement and education.
Who are your clientele/demographics?
Calgarians, and by proxy of our website, Canadians, of all walks of life. The healthiest gardens are the ones with the most diversity, and the same is true of our demographic.
How does your business make money? How does it work?
By selling what people need to be successful gardeners. Due to our incredible staff and buyers, we have over 600 years of garden/horticulture/landscape experience, so we sell what we know works.
Where in the city can we find your profession?
We are located at 620 Goddard Ave NE.
Just off Deerfoot and McKnight, or Edmonton Tr. and McKnight.
What is the best question a prospective customer could ask a member of your profession when comparing services? Give the answer as well.
The best question to be asked is “How can you help me garden better?”
The answer will be provided. Be it through practical advice like correct plant selection for the location, to fixing problems in soil, or with bugs, or nutrient deficiency etc. And I promise if the person you are talking to doesn’t know the answer, someone on staff does.
What is the best part about what you do? What is the worst part?
The best part is the interaction. Helping people, seeing the joy when they leave with their cart of flowers, veggies, or they just found the perfect tree. When someone’s face lights up because they got the help, the plant, and the knowledge they need, or the happiness in working with the community, nothing comes close to that.
The worst part is Calgary’s weather; it is nothing if not challenging.
What is your favourite joke about your own profession?
If you want perfection and low maintenance, buy a painting; if you want sweat, tears, joy, biodiversity, success and accomplishment, start planting.
Where can we follow you?
YouTube | Instagram | Facebook | Spotify
PAY IT FORWARD: What is another local business that you love?
I have 2, both local businesses, both in the market of sustainability in watering, and biodiversity. RÜTaround and EcoLogic Horticulture.
