Shopping Green

By Julie Thibodeaux      

North Texas boasts a number of eco-friendly entrepreneurs with green thumbs. Their commitment to promoting organic gardening has earned them a loyal following among Green Source DFW’s readers. Here are the picks for the Best Green Garden Centers:   

When Greg Rohde opened Rohde's Nursery and Nature Store in Garland in 1984, he blazed trails as one of the first garden centers to offer organic garden supplies in North Texas. Today, Rohde’s has earned a reputation for its large selection of native and drought-tolerant plants and experienced staff. In addition, Rohde’s sells its own line of organic products called Green Sense, along with wildbird supplies, natural pet food and gardening gifts. www.beorganic.com   

When Randy and Sue Weston opened Weston Gardens in 1984, like Rohde’s, theirs was one of the first plant nursery’s in the Metroplex to promote native and heat tolerant plants. Today, the nursery showcases an outstanding variety of native and drought-tolerant plants and wildflower seeds, along with a well-stocked retail shop offering gardening gifts, including Texas made jams and jellies. In addition, the Westons turned their 17-acre property across the street into a series of landscaped demonstration gardens where visitors can see native plants thriving. www.westongardens.com     

Redenta's Garden was founded in 1992 by Ruth Kinler, who named it after her aunt, a nun from an Italian convent, because she wanted the shops to reflect a European influence. Today, with locations in Arlington and Dallas, Redenta’s provides a wide and unique assortment of plants, especially native and well-adapted plants. Redenta's is 100 percent organic, offering soil amendments and organic solutions to common garden problems. www.redentas.com     

Founded by organic gardening enthusiast Elizabeth Samudio, Elizabeth Anna’s Urban Farm and Garden Market is a Fort Worth favorite for native plants, organic gardening products and natural pet food. Elizabeth Anna’s also offers classes in urban agriculture for children and adults  -- everything from permaculture design to bee keeping. In addition, the center hosts a weekly farmers market with local and organic produce and its annual Bounty Barter Fair. www.elizabethanna.net/     

Garden Variety Organics in Waxahachie opened in 2004 with the mission to provide the best organic selection for home, garden, farm and ranch at an affordable price. Owned and operated by Dewayne and Helen Hinsley on the couple’s organic farm, the store features organic gardening supplies, gift items and native plants. In addition to promoting organic gardening in the small community of Waxahachie, the store also has a thriving online business. http://stores.gardenvarietyorganics.com/StoreFront.bok

 


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Julie Thibodeaux, covers environmental issues, green topics and sustainable living for Green Source DFW. Previously, she worked as an editor and writer at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Contact her at Julie@greensourcedfw.org.