Fruits, Veggies, Flowers, and Fun: Martin's Garden Center in Murfreesboro



My Watermelon From Martin's All Sliced Up

Looking for a family destination destination in Murfreesboro where the focus is on fresh, healthy eating and improving the look of your yard? Try Martin's Garden Center. They are located at 1020 N.W. Broad Street.

I found Martin's last week while looking for a fresh catnip plant for my kitty. Having no car, I hopped on the Rover bus to look for a plant at Walmart. I greatly prefer shopping local and supporting family businesses, so I asked the bus driver where to go in Murfreesboro to buy plants. He answered, "Martin's, everyone knows that is where you go for plants and gardening, plus the staff is friendly and the prices are good."

Now, I had never heard of Martin's, or been on that section of Broad Street before, but the Rover drivers took good care of me and made sure I was dropped off right in front. The place was large and welcoming with a gift shop, greenhouse, and an adjacent woodworking business. When I entered the greenhouse, I was greeted by a smiling teenage girl offering free melon and strawberry samples. I grabbed a sample and asked about the catnip. Of course they had catnip, along with hundreds of other herbs, from the mundane to the exotic, including such offerings as lavender and pineapple sage.

In the greenhouse, they also had flowers, vegetables, trees, shrubs, fruit trees, fertilizer, and lawn decor. The gift shop had tasty treats like jams and jellies and an assortment of seasonal, fresh produce. I asked where the produce is grown. All of the produce is grown in Southern Kentucky by Mennonite farmers. I'd prefer Rutherford County, but grown in Kentucky is better then the produce flown in from Chile at the grocery store.

Stuffing my basket with huge beefsteak tomatoes, cucumbers, potatoes, catnip, and a watermelon, I was on my way back to the bus stop and thinking of the delicious fruit and salad I was going to enjoy. The Murfreesboro farmer's market on the square is amazing, but it is only open on Saturdays. The other market on John Rice Blvd. is not serviced by the bus. I am so happy that I discovered Martin's as an alternative to the farmers market, and I spent over an hour looking at the huge selection of plants and gardening items.

Here is Martin's website for more information:
http://www.martinshomeandgarden.com/