Grogg's Green Barn

[SXSW]

Saw this place on 61st east of Mingo the other day.  It will be Oklahoma's first organically-focused and native plant garden center.  The building itself is an example of sustainable/green design with a rain garden and native landscaping.  It opens March 4.



http://groggsgreenbarn.com/

The Groggs hope to encourage organic gardening and knowledge and have worked to practice what they preach in regards to their use of green building materials and low-impact construction practices.
The roofing material will reflect the sun's rays so as to decrease heating and cooling costs. An underground rainwater harvesting system will be able to capture up to 4,000 gallons of water, which will be reused for their watering system. Instead of using traditional black silt fences to minimize erosion, they opted for erosion control blankets which look similar to grass and recede naturally into the soil after eight months. Inside walls will be coated with low VOC paint, which maintain high indoor air quality, especially compared with paint that does not specify its VOC levels and can release low level toxins for years after being applied.

The Groggs also created a rain garden in the corner of their property with the aid of the land's natural slope; this area will collect run-off water, thus keeping it from running into other properties, and will also conserve the wildlife and insects that already reside on the property, maintaining their natural habitat. In addition, many of the original plants and trees on site were kept intact with additional, native plants being added to the landscape. The outside beds were mulched compliments of the City of Tulsa's Green Waste Initiative, which provides free mulch to Tulsa residents; you just have to provide the transport bags. Local, reclaimed wood will make up the shelving and check-out counter, and a local company is recycling all construction scraps.
Many people might find it surprising to learn the lack of cost difference between green and non-green construction practices.  "With the right amount of planning, green building practices do not have to cost more," said Kelly Grogg. "It's just a matter of researching and forethought."

The Green Barn will offer bi-weekly educational classes on organic gardening, composting and other garden-interest topics.

Annual and perennial plants, trees, and local vegetable and herb plants will be sold, plus gardeners will find a section devoted to native Oklahoma plants that, ironically, aren't sold anywhere in Oklahoma—until now.
Customers will also find a special section of the greenhouse devoted to growing a young love of the outdoors:
"Children will have a section dedicated to their education and exploration of gardening," said Carla Grogg, "with child-sized tools and gloves, eco-friendly toys and books and crafts."   The children's section will be located across from the trunk of a large pecan tree taken down by a recent storm and given a second life in the greenhouse. A sight sure to catch everyone's attention, especially the little ones'.
Gardeners will also find soil, mulch, compost, many fertilizer varieties, live insects (to keep harmful critters away), vegetable and herb seeds, and more to create their perfect garden.

http://www.currentland.com/ViewArticle/478/Default.aspx

[ZYX]

These people seem like they actually care about quality, and not just making money. This looks like a fantastic little nursery. I espescially like how they will be selling native plants. I will have to go check it out in the spring when we buy flowers.

[Red Arrow]

Should be a shoe-in if they can be economically competitive.  I wish them good luck.

[Gaspar]

I will certainly shop here.  I hope they can make it in this market.  Most of the local independent nurseries have had to move away from their own production.  They are all buying in product, plugs, or cuttings from large nurseries or distributors. Most of this is caused by price pressure from the box stores.

I still shop at SouthWoods because I love the atmosphere and service.  If they can provide that, I will shop here too.

As for the organic angle, they may face some pressure on this nitch too as the large nurseries and garden centers move towards a "Certified Organic" product.

Organic is the new wave in that industry, and all of the big growers are starting 'certified organic' operations to feed the demand.  This year at the TNLA show I learned that Lowe's will soon offer 'certified organic' plants and vegetables in their garden centers.

It will be hard to compete with the box stores, but Joe Schulte has done it for years with superior service, knowledgeable staff and high quality product. 

I hope them the very best and will most certainly visit their store.

[SXSW]

It would be good for them, in addition to selling organic products and native plants, to also offer items that you could use to green your home like rainwater cisterns, solar panels, sustainable interior products, etc.  Your one stop shop for all things green.  If they could do consulting and installation all the better.