I’m Cindy and here’s my story
The roots of stems and seeds….
Welcome to Stems and Seeds homegrown Nursery. A tribute to my Mother for the love of nurturing and growing the things she planted in my soul so many years ago, and a tribute to my brother who was the king of word play; always able to come up with the best silly monikers.
I may not be the typical Midwest girl being born on the east coast and raised on the west coast, but my roots run deep right here in Illinois with a great grandfather (mothers side) from Polo, Illinois, and a grandmother (fathers side) from Milan, Illinois. My mother was a farm girl and though I didn’t grow up on a farm she always had a vegetable garden and flower beds galore in our yard. My chore was to help with the weeding (ick) and my joy was to help Mom pick flowers from the garden and make flower arrangements for the house. When my husband and I moved our little family from our home on the west coast to his hometown in Illinois – I knew I had come home. I love the four seasons of the Midwest, but like many, dread the grey of winter. To help combat the blahs – I turned to the one thing that I knew would bring me joy, FLOWERS. Thus, I started growing Orchids; they bloom their little hearts out during the greyest parts of winter. Witnessing their happy little faces every day brings the sun to me even when the skies are grey. If you come to visit me in the spring there will most likely an orchid or two still blooming. I will happily show them off and share the joy with you.
After moving to the Midwest I began to make friends and establish myself in our new home. People quickly referred to me as the gal that knew “a little something” about plants. I would be asked random garden and plant questions often. Though I thought to myself “did they regret their question” as I can go on and on talking plants and may over-answer questions from time to time. My family kids me that I have never met a plant I didn’t like.
Growing plants has bloomed into a full grown passion. I love watching the little babies unfold from their seed, sprout their roots and reach for the sun. I love seeing the hummingbirds, butterflies and bees inspect each and every flower as the growing season progresses. I love to watch the finches and other birds in the fall eat the seeds off the flower heads. Currently, Stems and Seeds is a one woman show. The “husband” does help with the heavy lifting, but my Midwest farm boy prefers grease under his nails rather than dirt. So, the plant tending is left to me, while the oil changes and vehicle mechanics are left to him. I propagate most of my plants right here in my yard, which makes the plants I grow almost perfect for any gardener’s yard as they are grown right here with what I call “ healthy neglect” – no special greenhouse or extra TLC.
My hope is you will come visit and enjoy a stroll through my not so perfect yard, explore the plants I have lovingly grown, and maybe take a moment to sit on the front porch and enjoy the peace of the day. There is typically a farm cat and a dog or two that will likely be included in your greeting. Whatever the circumstance, you are always welcome at Stems and Seeds.
STEMS AND SEEDS 