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Plantsellers
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Did you know the lawn and garden industry in the United States is a $35.208 billion industry?*
It's true! Above, a crowd of shoppers add to those billions on a gorgeous Saturday afternoon in May at Lowe's Garden Center in Springfield, Missouri. Compare that $35.208 billion to the $10 billion generated by the U.S. CD industry. Holy petunia, does that mean gardeners are cool ?
Whatever the figures, gardening is nowhere any livelier than in our part of the U.S. Our generous 190-day growing season means we can grow a wonderful range of plants. We also have an amazing array of plantsellers (more than 70 inside the Springfield city limits alone). Also--and are you ready for this?--Springfield ranks third in the nation in per capita expenditures for lawn and garden supplies and services, right behind Spokane, Washington, and Portland, Oregon**
*National Gardening Association ** 2005 Missouri University Extension Annual Report
Here are some of our area growers and plantsellers. No, these aren't advertisements, just sellers we encountered who we thought you might like knowing about.
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Enlarge photo | | Bob Town Blossoms
Don and Sandy Bauer and their son Ben grow some superb plant stock at their Bob Town Blossoms operation near Halfway. Don readily admits he's not a horticulturist. "I just know enough to be dangerous."
Bob Town Blossoms
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Enlarge photo | | Campbell's Fresh Market
Mike & Lana (pronounced "lai-na") Campbell of Campbell's Fresh Market grow a terrific bounty of farm-fresh fruits and vegetables on 65 acres near Clever, Missouri. They bring other goodies to market, too. Have a look.
Campbell's Fresh Market
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Enlarge photo | | Carson's Nurseries
Carson's Nurseries, one of Springfield, Missouri's oldest nursery operations, has a new owner and a brand new look. Come in, and enjoy...
Carson's Nurseries
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Enlarge photo | | C.F. Meadows
Erica and Bruce Holland grow mushrooms for restaurants, markets, and home cookery, too, at their C.F. Meadows operation in Norwood. What's more, they can teach you how to grow your own.
more on C.F. Meadows
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Enlarge photo | | D&K Flowers Etc.
D&K Flowers is one of those roadside plant stands that can turn up some novel gardening surprises. For a look, come on in.
D&K Flowers Etc.
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Enlarge photo | | Earth Mother Gardens
Earth Mother Gardens owners Lynda and Jim Franco grow herb, spice, and ornamental plants with a big emphasis on "native." The herbs include the basic culinary and medicinal favorites, plus many harder-to-find species and varieties.
Earth Mother Gardens
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Enlarge photo | | Evelyn's Flowers
Evelyn Beersman shares a laugh with a friend at the Greater Springfield Farmer's Market. Evelyn and husband Henry are Evelyn's Flowers, a delight especially for iris lovers.
Evelyn's Flowers
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Enlarge photo | | Fassnight Creek Farm
Fassnight Creek Farm is quite a story--a working 14-acre farm at 1366 S. Fort in Springfield, right in the heart of the city. And what that farm produces is worth knowing.
Fassnight Creek Farm
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Enlarge photo | | Hamilton Farms
Hamilton Farms in Hurley grew an especially engaging mix of plants, thanks to owner Jack Hamilton, who sold at the Battlefield Mall Farmer's Market in Springfield, Missouri. Jack has sold the business now and the firm at present doesn't sell at the market, but we're keeping Jack's info on the website because it's well worth keeping.
more on Hamilton Farms
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Enlarge photo | | Jones Farm
Ted and Ginny Jones on their farm north of Springfield, Missouri, grow a solid range of produce for sale at the Farmers Market. And they throw in a few extras worth seeing, as well. Have a look.
Jones Farm
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Enlarge photo | | Leo and Laura White
Leo and Laura White grow over 300 varieties of hosta, 90 varieties of tomatoes, 40 varieties of peppers, and some ornamentals. They do it all on a double lot at their Springfield, Missouri, home. "It's controlled mania," says Leo.
more on the Whites
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Enlarge photo | | Martin's Greenhouse
The Mennonite Community near Jericho Springs, Missouri, grew bedding plants and produce as beautiful as any you'll ever see. They brought it to the Greater Springfield Farmers' Market in Springfield, Missouri, much to the delight of many customers. The original growers have moved and founded a new community in California, but they will be remembered, and we plan to add more information soon on the new Jericho Springs growing activities. So, watch this space.
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Enlarge photo | | Netzer Farms
Netzer Farms owner-grower Roland Netzer grows organic tomatoes, green beans, peppers, onions, and potatoes on 5 acres northwest of Springfield, MO. Roland, known throughout the region, is also a past president of the Greater Springfield Farmers Market, where he sells his produce.
Netzer Farms details
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Enlarge photo | | Ozark Cottage Gardens
The gent in the yellow ballcap is David Smashey, an easygoing, extremely knowledgable gent who for a time grew some remarkable plants in his Ozark Cottage Gardens near Bolivar, Missouri. We're told that David is no longer in the plant business, but we're keeping some of his achievements online anyway. To see why, come on in.
Ozark Cottage Gardens
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Enlarge photo | | Paris Springs Creations
Paris Springs Creations is the brainchild of mother and daughter Treva Hoggard and Kris McCoy, whose fresh cut flowers, bouquets, and dried flower arrangments are truly something to see.
Paris Springs Creations
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Enlarge photo | | Peggy's Flowers
To put it plainly, Lee Coates and his wife Peggy grow some of the most beautiful plant stock in this part of the country, or anywhere. Just take a look.
Peggy's Flowers
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Enlarge photo | | The Plant Ranch
"I just try to hit what the customers like," says Richard Vassar, an environmental chemist who grows a diversity of flowers and produce at The Plant Ranch near Rogersville, with the help of his sister Annette.
The Plant Ranch
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Enlarge photo | | Rocks to Roses
Rocks to Roses was an inventive enterprise by rose grower Sam McGowan. Sam, shown here with his prize '53 Studebaker pickup, sold his remarkable rose creations at the Greater Springfield Farmer's Market in Springfield, Missouri. He no longer sells at the Market, but we're keeping him listed here because his work is still well worth seeing.
Rocks to Roses
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Enlarge photo | | The Renners
"Just call us the Renners," said Kaye Renner. They don't have a fancy name or make a big fuss about it, but Kaye and her husband Bob grow some very tasty produce on eight gardens in Marshfield, Missouri--including a surprise or two.
The Renners
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Enlarge photo | | Schaffitzel's Greenhouse
One of the Ozarks' oldest nurseries, Schaffitzel's Greenhouse in Springfield, Missouri, has a character all its own. Come see.
Schaffitzel's Greenhouse
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Enlarge photo | | Springfever Greenhouse
Olee Jobe is a familiar face to many local gardeners who grew to know him during his years with the Springfield Seed Co. Now he and his wife Sharon are busy full-time growing and selling ornamentals, perennials, gourds, rare heirloom tomatoes, and some intriguing specialty plants.
Springfever Greenhouse
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Enlarge photo | | Steinert's Greenhouse & Gardens
Just beyond the city limits of Springfield, Missouri, is one of the Ozarks' busiest and most colorful nurseries. To see how Steinert's Greenhouse & Gardens wins friends and influences gardeners, see inside.
Steinert's Greenhouse & Gardens
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Enlarge photo | | TerRonKat
Kathy and Ron Murray, brother and sister, grow beautiful produce near Fair Play, Missouri, for sale at the Greater Springfield Farmer's Market, and they turn out quite a variety. Have a look.
TerRonKat
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Enlarge photo | | Thayer Farms
Carl and Lisa Thayer of Thayer Farms,who have a sense of humor, grow an impressive array of produce on their four-acre farm. They sell at the Greater Springfield Farmer's Market in the Battlefield Mall parking lot.
Thayer Farms up close
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Enlarge photo | | Wally World
You may have heard of Wal-Mart. We think they're worth mentioning here because at times they do nice things garden-wise. This store on West Bypass in Springfield created this display all of petunias. A ton of work, and guess what, they didn't hafta.
Wal-Mart Garden Center
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Enlarge photo | | Wickman's Garden Village
In business since 1922, Wickman's Garden Village is one of the oldest and most successful nurseries in Springfield, Missouri--and for good reason. Come see.
Wickman's Garden Village
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