Home Grown: A Guide to Local Nurseries
By OLIVia chin
FEATURED IN VOL 6, ISSUE 2: home and garden
My journey with houseplants and gardening started four years ago. It was the hot evening of Memorial Day, and my roommates and I were hosting some friends at the house we used to rent off of Pleasant Plains. After the food and fellowship, one of the guests showed me some tiny succulents, each in their own terra cotta pot within a cardboard box. She was raising money to be a missionary in Thailand, and one of her fundraisers was selling succulents. I’d never had a plant before I’d just never thought of it- but I selected a small green plant with a few leaves on it. I named it “Baby Plant” due to its size and set it on the windowsill in the kitchen.
Four years later, I now refer to this plant as “Grandbaby Plant” because not only has it greatly increased in size and length, but I have made countless other plants off of its leaves through the process of propagation. Grandbaby Plant was my gateway into the world of houseplants. I began researching, combing the internet and the library for resources on how to grow anything and everything, until soon I had far too many plants. It didn’t help when I got married and my husband became a plant enthusiast as well, and now that we live in a house with a yard, the fever for more plants has only gotten worse.
If you want to find your new favorite houseplant, a beautiful flower arrangement for your porch, or expert help with landscaping your yard, you’re in luck. We have several fantastic local plant nurseries in Jackson and the surrounding area. And it’s not just the plants, soil, and pots that are valuable at these nurseries - it’s the advice and wisdom from the people who work there.
One of my favorite things as a beginning gardener is that I can now have conversations with my grandmother, Meme, on a whole new level (Meme is the kind of gardener who just looks at plants and they automatically grow 5 inches taller). West Tennessee nurseries are usually populated by both older people who have a lifetime of experience with plants and younger people who have recently studied botany or biology and are fresh with new knowledge. Check out one of our local nurseries and see for yourself!
Carter’s Nursery, Pond, & Patio
2846 Old Medina Rd, Jackson, TN 38305
Carter’s Nursery specializes in water features, landscape lighting, and garden planning. You’ll also find a unique collection of garden accessories like pottery, bird baths, and wind chimes. If you want to level up your backyard, check out Carter’s.
Green Valley Farms Nursery & Sod
87 Highway 45 East, Three Way, TN 38343
Located in Three Way, Green Valley Farms offers locally grown annuals and perennials. They also have concrete options, custom containers, trees, sod, and bushes for your landscaping needs. I also love their giant, mature plants that aren’t for sale in the greenhouse — it doesn’t hurt to just look at them!
Greenway Nursery & Landscaping, Inc.
15474 S 1st St, Milan, TN 38358
Greenway is the special kind of nursery that not only has bigger plants for your garden, like tomato plants and shrubbery, but also boasts a wide variety of succulents and cacti for your indoor jungle. Be sure to check out the gift shop area for cute knick knacks and pots. My favorite find from Greenway so far is my husband’s giant aloe plant: it’s easy to care for and propagate.
Four Seasons Nursery & Garden
2489 US-45, Jackson, TN 38301
South Jackson is blessed to have the large Four Seasons Nursery and Garden. If you’re looking for more than plants and landscaping help, you can find clothes, shoes, backpacks, and other goodies in their indoor boutique section, which includes popular brands like Carhartt, Chaco, and Patagonia. I found a great Father’s Day gift here: a navy tumbler emblazoned with the Tennessee tristar.
Nursery North Landscape Supply
80 b Bowling Dr, Jackson, TN 38305
You’ll find a great selection of shrubs and small trees at Nursery North. Plus, its convenient location right next to BattleZone Park means that you can browse plants while the kids play a round of paintball.
Morris Nursery & Landscapes, Inc.
2108 Hollywood Dr, Jackson, TN 38305
Morris has it all: rare and interesting houseplants, beautiful handmade pottery and soaps, airplants, rocks, and landscaping services. Plant lovers can spend hours exploring Morris’s carefully curated greenhouses and cozy shop area. And if you’re into some pretty crazy horticulture, my husband just scored a nightshade variety from Morris this summer.
Long’s Landscape Service & Nursery
3700 US-45, Jackson, TN 38305
A good place to stop for soil, pest solutions, and landscaping help, Long’s is located close to North Park. You might also see a pet cat alongside their hostas.
MORE FOR THE HOUSE PLANT LOVER
There are also several small businesses selling unique house plants in vintage pots and more. Check them out at the following links:
Grounded Plant Co. - Online, Physical Store Coming Soon
Everyday Green with Jo - Plant Care Advice, Booth at Carriage House
Fern & Ivy - Available at Grubbs Grocery
Originally from Medon, Tennessee, Olivia Chin is the Circulation Manager at the Union University Library. Her best Halloween costumes (so far) have been David Bowie and Freddie Mercury. Her favorite hobbies include drinking local coffee, reading true crime novels, and going to emo concerts with her husband.
