Why local matters

So many reasons! But, for me, it comes down to: why not? It’s convenient to pick up inexpensive plants at a big-box store or shop at a local garden center, but I also believe there is a place for small, local growers like me. Visiting places like The Garden Club offers a chance to learn who grows your plants and how they do it, to support small businesses, to find unique plants, and to interact with your community.

I truly enjoy asking people about their gardens, sharing advice and tips, and learning what kinds of plants people are looking for. I get to help people shop my inventory to put together custom collections that work for them. From gardeners who have been doing this for much longer than I have, to someone buying their first container plant, I believe we can all learn from each other.

I learn as much as I can about each plant that I grow, dry, and arrange for bouquets, and I’m here to help! One huge benefit of shopping with a small outfit like The Garden Club is that I can help you select plants that fit you and your space. Let’s say you have a mostly shady garden bed, and not much time… I got you! And if I don’t have something that will work for what you need, I’m still more than happy to recommend a plant that can easily be found from other growers.

Finally, I love native plants and the pollinators that they bring to the garden. I’m still learning how to grow and share native plants with everyone, but I hope you'll join me on this journey. On a summer evening, my garden has “happy hour”. It’s not for me, though. That is the time when I see all different kinds of pollinators come together over my flower beds, have their last drink of nectar for the night, spread a little more pollen, and sometimes take a nice long nap on a dahlia.

I hope we can all have these moments of calm and appreciation in our spaces, and that I can be a small part in helping make it happen.

– Jenny