Happy National Gardening Day from Bowers Farm 🌱

If you’ve followed us for any amount of time, you know we’re a livestock farm. Chickens, pigs, cows, sheep, goats - we love raising animals and providing protein for our family and yours. There is truly nothing like knowing your food from start to finish - when an animal is born and raised on your land, cared for daily, and then becomes nourishment for your family - it’s pretty stinkin’ amazing.

But here’s the thing, there’s something equally as incredible about planting a tiny seed, watching it grow, and one day picking it to feed your family or brighten your home. It is so rewarding!

Now don't get me wrong, I'd definitely say we're still novice gardeners. We’ve been at it for about 8 years now, and while we wouldn’t call ourselves experts, we have learned a few things along the way that might encourage you if you’ve been thinking about starting your own garden.

1. You’re probably going to kill some plants. Lots of plants. Let’s just go ahead and say it out loud. It’s not the goal—but it happens and that’s okay. Gardening is learned by doing, not by perfection. Keep going!

2. Start with herbs. They’re hardy, forgiving, and incredibly useful. But don’t just grow any herb—grow the ones you actually use! Basil for your pasta, cilantro for taco night, rosemary for roasting. Make it practical.

3. Grow what you’ll eat. It sounds obvious, but it’s easy to get caught up in growing something just because it looks fun or impressive. If your family doesn’t eat eggplant, maybe skip the eggplant.

4. Don’t get stuck in research mode. Yes, there’s a lot to learn - companion planting, soil health, watering schedules - and it’s all helpful. But don’t let it stop you from starting. You’ll learn as you go, we promise.

5. Don’t forget the flowers. There is something so special about cutting flowers from your own yard and placing them in a mason jar on your kitchen counter. It’s simple, beautiful, and joy-giving in a way that’s hard to explain. If you’re not sure where to start—zinnias are a GREAT beginner flower!

6. And finally, no garden is too small. You don’t need acres of land to grow something meaningful. A pot, some soil, and one plant on your porch is a perfect place to begin. Truly.

At the end of the day, gardening is about connection - to your food, to the seasons, and to the process of growing something with your own two hands. And maybe chickens or a full farm setup isn’t realistic for everyone—but one tomato plant? That might be.

And that’s a pretty great place to start.

If you’re feeling inspired, we’d love to help you take that first step. Bowers Greenhouse is stocked with a variety of pepper and tomato plants, along with zinnias and other beautiful flowers perfect for garden beds or pots on your front steps. We've also got a great soil blend to get you started.

Bowers Greenhouse is run by Brandon's Dad, Mike, alongside his landscaping business. If you can't tell, the metaphorical entrepreneurial apple didn't fall far from the tree. The greenhouses are located on the same land as the farm and almost every Friday and Saturday you can find us up there helping out, especially Romney Ann!

You don’t have to have it all figured out—you just have to start.

We’ll see you this Friday from 8–5 and Saturday from 8–3.

You’ve got this 💚Happy National Gardening Day!