Conversations with Jennifer Garate

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Garate.

Hi Jennifer, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers? 

How did I get started? I found myself unemployed. 

(Yep, that was fun.) 

I never wanted to own my own business. (Never.) I saw my parents struggle financially my entire life and figured every small business owner worked hard, long hours, and was left to struggle to make ends meet. I didn’t want that. No thanks! 

Well, there I was. 

Unemployed. 

Not knowing what to do. I liked succulents and I liked rusty old things. I was pretty handy with the basic power tools so I threw all that together and started making repurposed succulent planters. 

I was different. I was unique. I didn’t know or see anyone doing what I was doing. However, I needed a platform to sell. So I went to the local farmer’s market. I was warned to not even ask about the Saturday market because the waiting list to get in was 3 years out. That’s fine, I didn’t mind doing the other 3. Well, as “chance” would have it, someone called out 2 days before Saturday market and I got a call that changed my life. I got into the Saturday market, Just like that! 

For the first time, I saw people loving my work. It was weird! 

The excitement over my creativity baffled me. Don’t get me wrong it was an awesome feeling but it truly left me puzzled. 

“Really?” 

“I am NOT that cool people, but thanks.” 

Their words breathed life into my soul. I went home and made more planters. The next market, I had a complete sell-out. So I went home and made more. Weeks turned to months and I got to know the farmers. There was this plant guy. Kinda grouchy. But, he truly was the heart of the markets. He came with a massive set up for every market. (We did 4 markets a week.) One Sunday market, this farmer didn’t show, I told him that next market what an impact he had when he’s not there. He explained his son got a job and he had to water the nursery. So I offered to watch his booth if he would come and set it up.

He declined, (of course.) 

Then Saturday market rolled around, as I’m passing by at the end of the market he yells out to me, “Offer still stand?” 

… 

(What?!) 

… 

“Yeah!” I yelled back 

I “worked” his booth to the best of my abilities. I promised I wouldn’t tell his customers to water with ice cubes or put rocks in the bottom of his containers (sheesh that’s embarrassing to admit. But it’s true. I didn’t know a thing about growing plants.) When he got back he saw I out-sold him. 

The first time that happened. He was shocked. So I watched his booth the following week… and the next….and that folks was truly the beginning of Dirty Girl’s Nursery. 

Funny how things work out. 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect? 

Ohhh boy…. a “smooth road” you ask??! Not. At. ALL!!!! 

I have cried many times, never knew I could be so tired physically (I should be skinny and buff, I am not.), emotionally drained, feel like a zombie, make a million decisions, get pulled in a million more directions, wear so many hats I have never even tried putting on before. For instance, pretend I’m an experienced carpenter, foreman, business owner, then throw in a commercial kitchen (never been in the food industry), marketer, manage people, order “merch”, learn a POS (noooo not “Piece Of Sh**”, Point Of Sale, guys, Point Of Sale) system and don’t forget soap, paper towels and toilet paper! 

Ever felt fear? 

Inadequate? 

Completely NOT QUALIFIED? 

In way over your head?

Drowning?? 

Yeah. 

That and then some! 

Moments before opening I woke up to my phone “blown up” with missed calls and texts from several family members. I thought a brother died or was in the hospital (they both race and that occurrence we face many times.) It wasn’t a brother. It was one hat I wear that I have yet to mention, my “mom hat”. I have two boys in their 20’s, and one of them went missing and was thought to be suicidal. By the time I got the information he was found and was safe but I was just learning about the severity of his depression and suicidal thoughts. 

Life suddenly stops. 

I remember hanging up the phone and walking down the hall to start getting ready for opening day, which included going live on social media. I was in a complete daze. 

“Smooth road,” you ask? 

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do? 

We are Farmers, Nurserymen, we are agri-tourism. We grow what we sell, we use what we grow in our “Mud N Grub” kitchen. We grow “Pick Yer Own” pumpkins and sunflowers and so on. We have a “Plant Yer Own” Station where you can “Get Yer Hands Dirty” anytime you feel like it. What I am most proud of is being unique. Sure there are lots of old barns and nurseries, but I bet you won’t find an 85-year-old historic Homestead barn with personal photos and stories of its history from the family of the man who built it! Or a ‘46 Dodge pickup truck as a cashier station. 

Sure there’s inspiration all around us, but when I see something I like I don’t think,”oh I’m going to do that too!” I think “ok, now how can I tweak that and make it “to brand”. For example, if you google “old pickup truck flower bed” all sorts of fun ideas pop up! But if you google “old pick up truck cashier station”…NOTHIN’! 

Well, nothin’ but mine. (I literally just checked.) 

We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?

Some people say “luck” or a “higher power”, I believe in God. I was raised in Church, did ministry for decades, and I’ve NEVER had God bulldoze my path to Tennessee like He did to get me here! 

“Dirty Girls Nursery”…in such a ‘Churchy’ Bible Belt?! You sure God?!” 

Oh, I questioned alright. We had just rebranded December 2018 and Easter 2019 the green light flashed ever so bright to take the first step towards Tennessee. Every time I wanted to worry about that name, I was told in my heart “Don’t you worry about that, you do you.” 

Every. 

Time. 

You might think “Well, just change the name.” 

No. 

You see through the “Dirt” God was healing my broken and hurting heart. Through the “Dirt” He was showing me His love, mercy, and grace. 

Through the “Dirt” I was learning to trust and love Him, and let Him love me. 

Through the “Dirt”…Yeah, I’m a “Dirty Girl”, because I know to be a “Dirty Girl” it means I have spent time in the “Dirt”. 

This name means something to me. 

It was staying. 

So I ask you, need some time in the “Dirt”? 

Contact Info: 

• Email: [email protected] 
• Website: DirtyGirlsNursery.com 
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/DirtyGirlsNursery/ 
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/dirtygirlsnursery

Image Credits
Carol Duvall @ CLD Photography and Jennifer Garate.