The Farmer's Daughter - A Destination Garden Center

The Farmer's Daughter Garden Center in South Kingstown, RI on Route 138 is what one would call a destination garden and nursery center. To visit their website click here The photos I took today just scratch the surface of what they have to offer. All the buildings are post and beam and from what I was told they were built by Amish builders from Pennsylvania. Each greenhouse is wood faced and painted to blend with the outbuildings. Each building and greenhouse has a designated purpose be it a shade house, gift building, succulent house, and the beat goes on. There are plantings and theme oriented groupings of pottery, outdoor furniture, trough planters, lighting, herbs, shade plants, perennials, annuals, roses, vegetables and so forth. The main building is where you check out and has wooden gutters and rain barrels. All the walkways are paved or landscaped so it is hard and even. The whole center is well thought out and each time you visit there is something new. It is a true pleasure to shop and meander about dreaming about a plant or a pot one may want to fill.

This is a little shed with a crescent moon cutout in the door. Look closer at the roof!
The roof is alive...with living plants...how wonderful!

A closer look...

One of the buildings...wonderful form

Each area is designated with a certain theme...signage is clear, plain and simple

A lovely filled planter

The perennial area is easy to shop...the ground is even when pulling your wagon and is organized alphabetically....there is plenty of help to answer questions...

A lovely view...

The shade area...it is surrounded on two sides by privet hedging...

Small cutouts in the hedge allow for breezes to pass through as well as a window to the cutting gardens and display gardens as well...

I love this area...

It is very interesting and the eye appeal is gorgeous...the shapes and colors are so cool...

A nice planting around a specimen birch...

One of my favorite areas way in the back...

Shade shrubbery is displayed amongst tall pruned pines in rows like tall soldiers...it is a spot I could stay in for a very long time...the other areas were getting hot today but this area was cool and breezy...I feel trees always attract wind and breeze and this area did not prove me wrong! It is an incredible place to experience...worth the walk to the far end of the public property...

A new herb garden planted this year...as they say about perennials...first year sleep, second year creep and third year leap...I am looking forward to see this herb garden mature over the next couple of years...knowing the folks at the Farmer's Daughter...it will be delightful!!!!!

Elizabeth

A Morning at Local Garden Centers

Yesterday Dad and I made a visit to Clarke Flower Farm in Wakefield...everything looked wonderful. I picked up some bacopa to keep in my little greenhouse for some color and put in some hanging pots. I also picked up some lettuce. Dad and I bought some hollytone for our acid loving plants..this is a wonderful product and they carry all types of items for your plants. We walked all around looking at the perennials, shrubbery, and lots of other things. They do a great here and are very knowledgeable. I have never ever had a problem with anything I have bought here. The plants and shrubs are always healthy and vigorious.

Here is Dad outside of Clark's...wearing the spring hat he has on when he is tooling about town in his convertible.

Then we took off to the Farmer's Daughter. The folks here really know how to display their products. If you are ever in the area make a point of stopping by...this is a destination garden center not to be missed. The "bones" of this center are fabulous. The buildings are gorgeous, the walkways are exquisite, the pottery is top of the line and each greenhouse is laid out for ease and workability. They are garden items for decoration not seen anywhere else...it truly is breathtaking.

I thought I was going to faint when i saw these little garden cottages. They are constructed of cement. The staff at the Farmer's Daughter placed the cottage in an urn or birdbath, filled it with soil and added miniature garden items and plants as well as stone paths to replicate a garden in a garden. One path had been made using seaglass. I just know I am going to have to own one of these cottages someday...though they are rather pricey...but they are absolutely divine!!!!!

Dad taking a break in one of the greenhouses.

We had a great morning poking around...there is always something new to see, something new to learn and lots of things to add to a dream list. I saw lots of shrubs I would like to add to our gardens as well as decorative items...We followed up with a great lunch at Camden's in Wakefield...an A+ day!!!!!