Every year, for many, many years now, we hold an annual event at our nursery here in Perry, Ohio for our Backyard Grower Members. It’s a big deal for all of us because we spend all year communicating online, buying and selling plants to and from one another, helping each other growing problems, but seldom get the chance to meet face to face in person.
Mike and Pam McGroarty with Tim and Patty (Cookie) Berrier.
I’m not sure who took this photo because it was taken with Tim’s camera but he’s in the photo! Patty gained a new nickname, “Cookie”, at the Shindig. Long story but it seems to be sticking. I have to thank Tim for sending me a bunch of photos that he took at the event this year. Thank you Tim! The photos that you sent me are awesome and the ones of The Little Yellow Dog are priceless! I’ll put them in another post dedicated to her.
Mike and Pam McGroarty with Duston McGroarty.
Most of you know that Duston works behind the scenes most of the time keeping all of our Internet stuff working, updated and creating new products. He’s in the office, I spend most of my time in the dirt.
I also have to thank Duston’s wife Lorelei because she took a ton of photos at this event and I will share them here as well. I think Tim captured a photo of her, but I’m not sure. If so I’ll post it. Thank you Lorelei for the awesome photos!
Backyard Growers Shindig 2016 at Mike’s Plant Farm, Perry, Ohio
Discussing the art of plant propagation.
This sign on the Donkey Pen pretty much sums it up.
Finnegan and Fergus trying to scam a piece of pizza crust.
Touring Mike’s Plant Farm, the plants in the foreground are Green Giant Arborvitae grown from cuttings.
Checking out Japanese maples and A Bed of Hardwood Cuttings.
Typical candidates, clamoring for attention.
That’s Roger Higgins in the blue shirt with the camera around his neck. Ya’ll know Roger!
This member came all the way from North Carolina and not just to meet Fergus. Her goal is to grow thousands of fruit trees, I’m excited to see those available soon.
Clearly Roger is teaching.
Notice the two giant water cannons in the background? Those are at another nursery next to mine.
Shindig 2016 at Mike’s Plant Farm.
Stan Radan on the left with his “I Dig Plants!” tee shirt. And that’s why these folks are so fun to hang out with.
Weston and Gavin McGroarty, what do you suppose their up to?
Lunch!
Duston’s kids helping us with the door prizes, many prizes were donated from members.
Great shot of Stan! He’s very photogenic!
Jamie Powers wins a prize! She also sold me some really nice Lilacs that day.
Great marketing Neal Klabunde!
Notice the sign taped to the back window. 50 count trays of plants, $35.00 per tray!
Lynn McMillen and Finnegan seem to be hitting it off!
Mike Bronsky and Duston in deep discussion as the plant exchange between members takes place behind them.
Plants buying, plant buying and more plant buying!
On the right, Cathy truly holds our nursery together. On the left, is that my wife buying plants from Cathy Ward?
You really can fit a lot of plants in a van. Just ask Roger!
Tim Berrier took this photo of me and the donkeys.
Weston on the left, Gavin on the right, relaxing at the Shindig.
Thank you so much Tim for this priceless photo of Ally, the little yellow dog!
y Finnegan giving me a hug.
Every year this event becomes more and more precious to all of us.
I bought your book some time ago and I now have about 3000 plants growing in my back yard that I will be moving this winter to some land that I inherited near my son. I had to restore my house,{ a long story} and now that I have finished the project, I will get back to getting a plant business off the ground. Your videos and book has inspired me so much. As I look at these pictures, I see the fellowship and it inspires me to want to come to your meeting. Maybe next year I will be able to hop on a plane, rent a car and come to your meeting. I am in Georgia so flying seems like the best option.
Charlotte,
It’s still early for our 2020 meeting but at this point we are planning to meet in Washington state. But we’ll also do some different kind of get togethers at my place as well.
Love following Mike and his advice. Just getting started here but I’d like to pass on something I’ve learned. Those mini-blinds that folks make plant tags out of…well, they also make great “dividers” in the propagation boxes. I just slide one down lengthwise between the different varieties that I “stick”. Rain/snow…doesn’t matter. They work great!
Hi Mike,
I bought your book probably four years ago, and two days ago, I finally jumped in…small. I bought some end-of-the-season plants to get cuttings from, to start my backyard business in earnest.
I’ve watched your videos, read your blogs, and done all of the homework, and now I’m ready to get going. I’m tired of working for someone else, and them reaping the rewards.
I have a two year plan to get started, and when I’m 60, I’m going all in for ME. I think it will be a really nice, soul-healing retirement pace.
Thank you for giving me hope.
PJ Warner
PJ,
Congratulations! The beauty of this business is that you can start as small as you want and grow your business a little at a time. If you are serious about this there are a couple of things you should consider. Test drive our members area the next time it is open, http://backyardgrowers.com/join, purchase access to The Backyard Growers University, there is a wealth of information in the university, and for next summer get this and watch magic happen, http://mikesbackyardnursery.com/mikes-plant-propagation-kit/.
What fun! It’s nice to see y’all laughing and serious, all at the same time. Hope to make it there myself next year. Mike, your grandsons and pets steal the show every time! You are a blessed man.
Julie
Thanks Julie, I hope you do make it.
Hi Mike,
Happy Monday! Thank you for providing so much information. I’m in California, kindly advise if there are any members from your University that are in California. Thanks.
Yes Lily, we do have members in California.
So sorry that you lost Ally…I didn’t realize that.
The last photo of you & Finnegan is absolutely priceless!
I love the fact that you love your animals (as well as the plants).
Thanks Cheryl,
Losing Ally was the most painful thing ever. I’ll do a page about here soon, Tim took some nice photos of her at the Shindig.