Grimm's Gardens History

Feature:

The Story of the Hiawatha Oregon Trail Sugar Maple

Current Berry Picking Status:

These are approximate times for the 2012 season. Look for updates as picking times get closer and daily updates when picking opens..

Blueberries: Late June beginning of July
Blackberries: Mid to late July
Peaches: August
Red Raspberries: July through Fall
Apricots: Mid to late June
Apples: July through Fall

The U-Pick Patch opens at dawn and closes at dusk. We close the patch every couple of days to ensure that there are plenty of ripe berries for all of our pickers. To check whether the patch is open for picking and for daily fruit availability check this website, find us on Facebook, or call us toll-free at 888-459-2586. The message on this machine changes from season to season and also includes greenhouse hours and more.

Our History

In the Beginning:

Doug & Jeryl began their married life in 1976 on a dairy farm five miles from their current greenhouse nursery operation. They purchased the current location in 1984 and began exploring other means of revenue besides typical livestock and row-crop operations.

Early on it became apparent that we needed to be very good stewards of our land, conserving water which is our single main yield-limiting factor. Along with irrigation, no-till farming practices and adding earthworms to the soil, we began to increase tilth and, ultimately yields, leaving the land at the end of each season better than it was the year before.

The Growing Years:

In the mid 80’s a group of graduate students from Kansas State University came to our farm and did a study on options for us to produce revenue to help support our growing family. They had two recommendations. One was not to get into the retail garden center business, and the other was to produce hydroponic tomatoes.

We began to follow their advice with one 3,000 sq. ft. tomato house, a year later we added another one, and each year added another one for the next four years, thus ending up with 15,000 sq. ft. However, over the years we slowly began to offer a few annuals, a few perennials, a few shrubs and a few trees and each year they increased as the demand grew, until now we no longer have any tomatoes.

Through the years the business has evolved into the largest retail garden center in the area in addition to providing landscaping, water features, lawn, tree, and environmental services to our customers. No job is too large or too small; we appreciate all our customers!

Statement of Grimm's Gardens Goals and Philosophy:

Our goal at Grimm's Gardens is to provide beauty through plants and landscape to those around us by providing quality plants and the best customer service.

Our philosophy is God first, family second, and hard work will make us all successful.

Our Staff:

	Doug Grimm, Owner, Retail Manager: Doug & Jeryl Grimm have been farming in northeast Kansas for 30 years. They started the greenhouse operation in 1993 with hydroponic tomatoes, blueberries, and a few flowers . . Doug enjoys researching shrubs and trees that grow well in the Midwest in our soil types and climate conditions which is a natural fit coming from an agriculture background. Jeryl enjoys trying the new perennials and annuals, as well as growing the proven tried and true varieties. We invite you to come visit our operation. We have certainly enjoyed visiting many others and learning from them.
	Kurt Grimm, Chief Operating Officer, Landscape Manager: Kurt Grimm is the COO and Landscape manager. His responsibilities include managing landscape crews and installations, landscape customer service, human relations, and financial management of Grimm’s Gardens. Kurt is certified in an number landscape fields included NCMA, CAC, Kichler Light Pro, Techniseal Certified Applicator, and is a licensed septic installer. He and his wife, Hannah have two daughters, Addison and Marissa, and three sons, Tucker, Tyler and Silas.
	Ted Grimm, Environmental Services and Landscape Foreman, specializing in hardscapes: Ted is the DOT Compliance Officer for the business fleet. Ted resides at the family home at Grimm’s Gardens. He attended Peru college studying Business Management. He is a certified concrete paver installer and runs a crew on hardscape installs. When Ted isn’t installing he is wearing the hat of Environmental Services Manager. He manages all aspects of our largest contracts, such as the recently completed NRCS job in Fort Hood, TX.
	Andrew Mitchell, Tree Services and Landscape Maintainence: Andrew Mitchell has taken on Tree Service division. Andrew, and his wife, Melissa, recently moved to Powhattan. Andrew is also a volunteer fire fighter and Melissa is an early education teacher. Andrew is a 2007 graduate of Kansas State University with a Bachelors degree in Horticulture and Landscape Design. Prior to working at Grimm’s, Andrew worked as a Landscape Maintenance Supervisor and Landscape Designer for Schendel Lawn and Landscape in Topeka. He is excited to be at Grimm’s Gardens. He has a Commercial Pesticide Applicators License and is studying under Doug Grimm to become a Certified Arborist.
	Greg Strahm, Turf Manager: Greg Strahm oversees Grimm’s Gardens Turf Division. He works with clients to develop a customized lawn maintenance package for their residence or business locations. Greg, his wife Jamie and daughter, Livie, live in Sabetha after five years in Savannah, GA. Greg was employed as the Golf Course Superintendent at the Landings Club, a small barrier island off the coast of Savannah. While there Greg renovated one of the courses and oversaw daily operations and turf maintenance. Greg earned his B.S. from K-State in Turfgrass Science and worked as the Assistant Golf Course Superintendent at Sycamore Ridge Golf Course in Spring Hill, KS prior to moving to Savannah.
	Nadine Champlin, Landscape Designer: Nadine, owner of Prairie Place Designs, LLC is our resident landscape designer. When you request a landscape consultation Nadine will meet with you to design the perfect landscape. Prairie Place Designs LLC was created by Nadine in January of 2005, to provide affordable professional landscape design in the rural areas of Kansas, Nebraska & Missouri. Listening to the customer's needs and wants is necessary in providing a personal design. Incorporating shade and wind protection for comfort in all seasons is a must in the Midwest temperate climate. Nadine has a Horticulture Science Degree with emphasis in landscape design. She has received experience working for 4 nurseries in Nebraska, Missouri, and Kansas and specializes in Midwest design.
	Shelli Brennan, Office Manager: Shelli Brennan Office Manager. She is married to Jim Brennan. They reside in Hiawatha and have 2 children. JT is in the Air Force in Security Services. Courtney will be attending K-State for secondary education focusing on English. Shelli’s responsibilities include processing payables, receivables, payroll and employee and sales taxes. She assists in the scheduling and managing the landscape maintenance, turf management, tree care and snow removal divisions. Shelli is an incredible asset to Grimm’s Gardens team and works hard to keep things organized and flowing easily for the managers and crew.