Local First Friday: Meadows Farms

Guest Blog by Joelle Lang

The History Behind It:

Meadows Farms have been supplying the Washington, DC, region with plants since 1960. Farmer Bill Meadows, who founded the company 55 years ago, began by selling tomatoes in a broken-down van door-to-door with his high school students. The nursery business began when a grower asked Farmer Bill to sell his distressed plants after another nursery closed. Farmer Bill found a permanent shop, one without wheels, in which to sell the plants and the company grew from there. Farmer Bill has since retired, but his son, Jay Meadows, now serves as Meadows Farms’ president.

What’s It is Like Today:

There are 22 Meadows Farms located around DC in Maryland and Virginia. They offer outdoor trees and shrubs, annuals and perennials, mulch, soil, fertilizer, and garden accessories. The company also has an additional location that handles landscape and employs over 30 designers. Their landscape service, in which they design and install things such as plants, decks, and ponds, spans all around the beltway. While the locations vary in their hours, most locations run from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and all but two nurseries close for the months of January and February.   

What Makes It Special:  

With regards to the retail division, Meadows Farms has a tremendous plant selection and still offers reasonable prices well under many other nurseries.

With regards to the landscape division, Meadows Farms has a lifetime guarantee for any plants they install. If a plant dies, Meadows Farms will cover the cost of the plant so you can purchase a new one.   

About the Author 

Joelle Lang, a senior at the University of Maryland, College Park, is a multi-platform journalism student in the Philip Merrill College of Journalism. This autumn, she is also an editorial intern for Washington Gardener Magazine.

"Local First Friday" is a weekly blog series profiling independent garden businesses in the greater Washington, DC, and Mid-Atlantic region. Washington Gardener Magazine believes strongly in supporting and sourcing from local businesses first!

Local First Friday: American Plant

Guest Blog by Joelle Lang

The History Behind It:

“When we were children our father instilled in us the importance of respect, politeness and honesty in our work. Our grandfather built this business on the principle of treating your customers like they are a guest in your own home.” 

That statement was made by Brett Shorb, who co-owns the 90-year-old garden business, American Plant, along with his brothers Todd and Erik.

The brothers, standing on the shoulders of their grandfather and father, said that they believe the strong generational commitment to American Plant will allow for the company to continue thriving.   

When the Shrob brother’s mother was diagnosed with cancer, the company began to place a large emphasis on removing chemical pesticides and fertilizers. They stand as the leader in chemical removal still today.

What’s It Like Today:

American Plant has two locations on River Road in Bethesda, serving the entire metro area form 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. everyday. They sell plants, flowers, trees, and shrubs as well as a line of tools, seeds, soils, and mulches. They also sell decorative items for the home. American Plant has a landscape design team that customizes outdoor spaces as well.  

Tinge, the company’s lifestyle boutique, is just a few years old. While the company offered home décor items in the past, they have only recently build a separate space in their stores to showcase the boutique.  

The store located at 5258 River Road is currently being redesigned.

American Plant has an active voice on social media, posting on Facebook and Twitter about garden facts, deals, and plant news almost daily.

What Makes It Special:

American Plant is a family-owned business. It is run by generations of passionate gardeners, and when a new generation begins to manage the company, a whole new set of goals, and idea come with them.

American Plant is full-service location both for inside and outdoor spaces, and they offer a large variety of specialty plants all year round. 

About the Author 

Joelle Lang, a senior at the University of Maryland, College Park, is a multi-platform journalism student in the Philip Merrill College of Journalism. This autumn, she is also an editorial intern for Washington Gardener Magazine.

"Local First Friday" is a weekly blog series profiling independent garden businesses in the greater Washington, DC, and Mid-Atlantic region. Washington Gardener Magazine believes strongly in supporting and sourcing from local businesses first!