Day Trippin' to Walker Farm in Dummerston, Vt.

The first year I discovered the plant nursery, Walker Farm, in Dummerston, Vt., I was so enamored with the organic and welcoming essence of the place that I returned three times during that same year. The rich varieties of plants, the nooks and crannies throughout the farm filled with perennials, annuals, vegetable plants and pottery planters — it was exhilarating for me as a still-young gardener at the time. And then there was the selection of trees and shrubs, all enclosed by an old, ornate iron fence. Just so well done without an ounce of pretentiousness. Summertime is perfect for your first visit to Walker Farm. It's crazy busy from Mother's Day to Memorial Day weekend. In fact, they often have an officer directing traffic on those busiest days. Anytime now, though, can guarantee a relaxing drive over to Dummerston and a leisurely hour or so wandering around the whole place. The actual address is 1190 US-5, East Dummerston, Vt. From the Monadnock Region, the easiest way to get there is to take Rt. 9 to Brattleboro and at the roundabout, take Rt. 5 north for about 4 miles. A more leisurely and scenic drive is to take Rt. 12 north to Walpole and get on Rt. 5 south in Westminster, Vt. The drive winds through countryside and first brings you to the scenic little town of Putney, Vt. The co-op in Putney is definitely worth a visit. Wander a bit further on 5 and you'll eventually reach Walker Farm. According to their website, Captain Issac Miller built the first frame house in Dummerston in 1770. Having been in charge of laying out the lots that would make up the town, he chose #11 — 100 acres bordering the Connecticut River. It was very fertile farming land and Miller and his descendants ran the farm until 1835 when Abial A. Walker and his wife, Sabrina Briggs, bought it and took over the reins. It's been in the Walker family ever since. If you have a minute, visit their website and read the thorough history of the place. It's a wonderful story of New England life. As a gardener, Walker Farm is a veritable feast for your horticultural appetite. Amongst all the offerings of plants, there's pockets of display gardens. I've more than once asked a staff member for the name of one of the plants in their beds and then found it for sale there as well. Speaking of staff, the owners must do right by them because they're always some of the kindest people around. They're always willing to help and if they don't know something, they'll jump on their walkie talkie and find out for you. There's also a large, glass greenhouse in the center of the whole retail space that's filled with specialty annuals, tender perennials, succulents and more. There's music playing which is nice. When it comes to vegetable plants, the selection couldn't be better. Not only will you find old reliables, you'll see examples from other countries as well as heirloom varieties. Some interesting selections I recently noted were okra, cbd cannabis (no, not the kind you smoke), sweet corn pre-started in 6-packs and some of the coolest varieties of squash. It's almost a park-like atmosphere once the early planting crowds die down. They've got a beautiful farm stand that sells organic produce right up 'til Thanksgiving. You'll often see chickens wandering around and occasionally young calves in pens. I haven't visited their restroom in years so I'm not sure if it's the same set-up but when asked, they'll point you to around the side of the farmhouse for a water closet shared by employees and there's usually a vase of flowers and a curtain flapping in the window. It always struck me as incredibly sweet. Back to that old iron fence surrounding the trees and shrubs. That first year I went to Walkers I bought a topiary pine of some sort. It had been sheared into a lollipop-shaped ball with a bare two-foot trunk. I thought I'd really be making a design statement in my Keene garden at the time. When I got it home and went about planting it, I discovered a bird's nest in the midst of the ball. It was empty but I was quite worried that I'd disrupted a young bird family. I called the farm and asked if there were any displaced baby birds out in the shrub area but none were found. For some reason, it stuck with me and I couldn't help but feel a little haunted by that pine. Mother Nature provided a little relief when, after a handful of months, the ball of pine needles turned brown and the tree died. I think I might have over-watered it. I didn't mind being done with it. Other than that pine, I've always had extremely good luck with all of the plant material I've bought at Walker Farm. Even if you're not a hardcore gardener, a visit there will enchant and you'll come away with some tasty, just-picked organics and an ethereal sense of an afternoon well spent.