greennewsdaily

Introduction

Welcome to Green Thumb Daily Blog. My name is Kevin Farmer, I am a third generation nurseryman and have been involved in nursery operations for over 50 years. I am nursery owner and an ISA certified arborist and have a passion for trees, landscaping, gardening, and healthy soils. In this blog I’ll share my experiences as a garden center owner and arborist and practical tips to help you navigate the world of landscaping, trees, soils, and growing the best plants possible. I will address plant, tree, and soil issues, new trends in the industry, how-to-tips, sustainable practices, and spotlight new plant species. I will probably throw in some old guy stories here and there as well.

My grandfather started in the fruit stand and nursery business in the 1950s. He had his first location in Austin near 35 street and Lamar. They sold pretty much whatever they could-fruit, trees/shrubs, pumpkins at Halloween and Christmas trees. Him, my father and uncles brought some of the first St. Augustine sod into the Austin area. I was told stories about them all taking the flatbed truck down to South Texas and chopping out the sod by hand. 

The original business thrived in that location until 1973 when it was moved to North 183 amd took on the name Farmer’s Lawn Grass and Nursery near Duval Road. The area was very undeveloped and highway 183 was built only a few years earlier with a lot of open land and few homes. People would often ask “Why do you want to move the nursery way out into the country”. My father, however, saw potential for a lot of growth in that part of Austin and over the next 25 years it would not disappoint. This new location was co-owned by my father, Carroll Farmer, and my uncle Jerry Farmer Sr. My dad was known to many by the name “Littleman” because when he was younger he was the smaller of 2 twins. 

The nursery was moved to its’ current Leander location in 1996 where took on a different look. My uncle passed a few years prior to the move and my cousin Jerry Jr. moved his business to the Manor/Elgin area. My father only wanted to deal in sod sales and relinquished nursery and landscape operations to me. The nursery operated for several years as two separate entities: Superior Sod (my dads’ business) and Farmer’s Nursery (my company).

I have extensive experience in running a garden center, landscape design and installation, tree work and consultation, irrigation, and landscape maintenance. I enjoy sharing my knowledge and try to leann more every day. I am not afraid to admit when I don’t know something but I will make sure to find the answer and get back to you. That way we both have learned something new.

I look forward to sharing information with you on this blog. Please keep in mind: The content of this blog reflects my personal opinions and experiences. Feel free to use this information as you see fit, but it’s not a substitute for professional advice. I am not responsible for for any outcomes from any actions you take based on this blog. Always consider your own situation and consult a professional if needed. 

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