Grass Root Gardens in Western North Carolina
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Coming Soon -
Team page enhancements to include Jordan, Kit, and Mike.
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The Grass Root Gardens Team

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Adam Artley remembers landscaping with his dad (Craig) and Brian when he was a little boy.  The #3 greenhouse has always been in his earliest memories.  Born in Sylva, Adam has lived in Haywood County for almost "forever.," and started working at Grass Root Gardens in the spring of 2007.

Adam is a certified plant professional.  He earned his BS degree in multi-disciplinary psychology with a minor in business from Appalachian State University and has continued to use his knowledge to improve his skills in the gardening industry.  He is really well rounded in all aspects of the nursery/gardening field but he excels in customer support.  He loves to help customers select plants and answer questions on garden maintenance.  Adam admits his greatest weaknesses include the less exciting production-based tasks, such as seeding and small transplants. 

Adam's gardening tip for novice gardeners is to buy cypress and perennial geraniums.  In his own words, "The Zone 7 plants or iffy 6's are fun for a season or two.  I wish there was a greater market for strange and new/unusual conifers.  I wish the general public didn't look for just general plants.  There's so many cool and unusual things we could stock if there was a great niche."  Take it from Adam.  Stop by Grass Root Gardens and discuss the cool and unusual plants he has in mind. Enjoy!   


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Born in Durham, NC, Brian Artley moved to Haywood County over 30 years ago. With his brother Craig, Brian bought a "one greenhouse operation" in 1980.  Today, over 35 years later, Grass Root Gardens is one of the best known independent nurseries in Haywood County. 

Brian has approximately 38 years of experience in plant cultivating, gardening, and landscaping.  His specialty at Grass Root Gardens  is ordering woody shrubs and trees, and landscape design.  Make sure you bring your questions to Brian.  He will gladly walk around Grass Root Gardens with you and give you advice as to what plants will be best suited for your home garden.

Brian advises us to practice patience.  We need to accept that "plants sometimes die but, when they flourish and grown, hardly anything beats that."


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Craig Artley has 39 years of experience in all aspects of gardening and landscaping and joined his brother Brian in starting Grass Root Gardens in 1980.  At first they grew very little of their inventory but, over the years, they started growing more and more of their products out at their farm.  Craig and Brian now grow all of their perennials, most of their annuals, and a some of their landscape trees and shrubs.

Craig's background includes a degree in horticulture from Haywood Technical Institute. He was born in Baltimore, Maryland and moved to Haywood County 39 years ago.

Growing plants, providing delicate nurturing from seedlings, is Craig's specialty.  You too can learn his secrets.  Craig looks forward to helping customers so be sure to look to Craig for gardening assistance.  He reminds us that "maintaining plants is just as important as proper planting."


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A Certified Plantsman with the NC Nursery and Landscape Association (NCNLA), Jimmy Richardson has 16 years experience in the field.  After earning a B.A. in Biology from UNC-Asheville, he moved to Haywood County 10 years ago and has been working at Grass Root Gardens ever since.

Jimmy has experience with all plants and an in-depth knowledge of perennnials that are best suited for our mountain area.  If you have a burning question about gardening or plant selection, or are can't find that "hard to find" plant, ask him.  For the novice gardeners, Jimmy advises us to "start out slowly so as not to overwhelm yourself."

Jimmy also creates handmade pottery.  You can find his work at Grass Root Gardens - on the shelves across from the office window.


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Mandy Artley is a Certified Plant Professional raised in Haywood County.  As a young child, Mandy loved to help her mother in the vegetable garden and she learned alot from both her mother and grandfather who were avid gardeners.

Mandy began working at Grass Root Gardens in 2014.  She loves working with her incredible team of staff members and that enthusiasm shows in her friendly service to customers.  

"You never stop learning in this industry," shares Mandy.  She recommends everyone who is eager to learn more about plants and gardening to hang around with like-minded people for their wisdom and experience.  "The Artley's are so knowledgeable - it's hard not to learn something new everyday!" 

Editor's Note:  So, take it from Mandy.  Stop in and visit Grass Root Gardens to hang around with the wise and experienced staff.  

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Born and raised in Clyde, NC until the age of 20, Reas Krupnow developed a strong passion for plants over the years.  Reas describes himself as, "a research hound."  His passion for plants initially stemmed from their medicinal and edible aspects.  He is a Certified Plant Professional who is hoping to attain more advanced courses in horticulture.

Reas remembers his earliest memories of his love for the garden as he would play and walk barefoot in the compost heap.  His father always maintained a plentiful garden and raised chickens.  The best part of Reas' garden delights was when he had a chance to pick the berries.  He loves raspberries (and hot jalapeno peppers)!

Reas began working at Grass Root Gardens in March 2015.  He appreciates his staff members as his great teachers.  He also admits to being a great student.  Due to his passion for plants, he cannot learn enough from his Grass Root Gardens "teachers."

When asked what tips he has for novice gardeners, Reas shares, "Start from the ground up - literally.  If you have great soil, plants can't help but be happy.  You must also spend time with your plants.  Then bring your questions to us because, at that point, you will know your plants well and our gardening advice will be more useful.  If you care about your plants, it will show automatically.  That's when we can provide the most thorough help to your questions."

Reas practices patience and ends with these thoughts - "All living things require a certain level of nurturing in order to thrive."




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Ananda Bigham started working at Grass Root Gardens in April 2017.  She holds a college degree in horticulture and is currently studying computer-aided drawing at A-B Tech. 

Ananda's earliest memories in a garden was at the age of 7.  She was fascinated by spring Crocus in her grandmother's garden.  She also loved her Hydrangea Macrophylla.  When visiting Grass Root Gardens, seek out Ananda for advice on garden design and pollinator perennials.

Ananda advises novice gardeners to play close attention to sun exposure.  Stay away from invasive non-natives and use a variety of plants to create harmonious ecosystems in your landscape.  Most importantly, Ananda encourages all avid gardeners to be intrepid and passionate or, in other words, "go boldly in the direction of your dreams."

  


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Every gardener knows that under the cloak of winter lies a miracle. . .
a seed waiting to sprout, a bulb opening to the light, a bud straining
to unfurl.  And the anticipation nurtures our dream.

Barbara Winkler