103 The Ripple Effect of Landscape Projects
February 28, 2025
Bauman’s Farm & Garden
12989 Howell Prairie Rd NE, Gervais, OR 97026 • (503) 792-3524
I had never heard of Bauman’s until last year when a fellow master gardener sent me photos from the place.
She had hired me for a consult, and when I met her I knew right away she loves plants like I do. I mentioned my blog to her and later received this text:
“At the risk of sounding like a 14-year-old on her way to a Taylor Swift concert, I can’t believe you’ve been out there and I haven’t come across you sooner! Thanks to your blog, I didn’t sleep last night and I will definitely share:)”
Yes! I started this blog for like-minded people who would rather read about plants than sleep.
As for Bauman’s, AP and I have visited over 100 nurseries in Oregon, but this one never showed up on our radar.
I immediately sent the photos to AP, wanting to know how in the hell we missed this fabulous nursery. Needless to say, we added it to our June 2024 Oregon trip as a “Must Visit!”
Arriving there, we drove into the lot but forgot all about finding a parking spot. We just drove slowly in, ogling the gorgeous containers out front.
Color, color, COLOR!
I swear AP was floating above her seat. Her petunia obsession had her in seventh heaven.
Oregon has the perfect climate for growing plants. If you live there (you know who you are, Oregon Readers,) and don’t have a beautiful landscape, you’ve got no excuse. You should at least feel obligated to do it for the rest of us!
Bauman’s opened in 1895 and has become a true destination nursery. Besides plants, there’s a bakery, local fruit and produce stands, a petting zoo and children’s playground and more.
There’s a darn good café too—which we utilized at lunchtime after waltzing through all that Bauman’s offers.
The expansive greenhouses held a small variety of perennials and annuals but showcased beautiful displays throughout.
I love plant displays and wish more nurseries offered creative and appropriate planting ideas, because most customers really don’t have a clue what they’re doing!
Due to the size of the property, I would have thought to see a bigger variety of plants at Bauman’s. Most of what they offer is specific to creating containers or pocket gardens. (In this way, it reminded me of High-hand Nursery.)
Nice plant combo here…
Did you notice the fine looking vehicle in the background there? I didn’t even plan that!
Can you tell our visit was near July 4th?…
A few interesting sights we found…
Outside the greenhouses, Bauman’s does have shrub, tree and ornamental grass sections which widens their selections some.
I purchased 3 evergreen grasses that have since died due to my zone’s heat. I even had them in shade because I knew it would be risky.
Why would a master gardener go against a plant’s nature and think she can win? As they say, hope springs eternal and makes us all suckers for plants we love!
I also bought some other plant but can’t remember what. I usually jot down post-visit notes as soon as we get back to the van, but this time I forgot.
Maybe I got distracted by the last-minute something-something we bought at the bakery to eat in the van.
Or perhaps I wanted to get on the road to visit my Auntie Carol, knowing it would be the last time I would see her. She passed away that October.
I’m thankful AP allowed me time with Auntie when we could have been visiting more nurseries.
Okay, yes, people SHOULD take preference over plants. I keep reminding myself….
So, Bauman’s. Amazing place. If the grandkids had been with me, they would have had a field day! But then…why on earth would I take grandkids to a nursery!?!
Nope. MY special place!
***
P.S. El Dorado County Master’s Gardener’s Annual Ornamental Plant Sale is tomorrow, April 26. Come and say ‘Hi’ at the Perennial booth, but most importantly buy plants!!!!
