Growing up on the Southwest Side of Chicago, my parents both worked both very long days leaving the day-time tending of me to my grandparents. Chicago home lots are relatively small but my grandparents - - in particular, my Dad’s Dad, Fritz and my Mom’s Mom, Dana - - treated those small gardens on those lots like they were magnificent, robust botanic gardens. I was a mere child of five but I recognized their passion to grow vegetables, flowers, fruit trees, herbs and even horseradish when they would harvest those roots to make real horseradish sauce for the Easter holidays. I learned back then how to enjoy and appreciate the little things in life.

They showed me how to plant and sow seeds of things I could even eat later. Grandfather Fritz amazed me by grafting plants; Grandmother Dana showed me how to root plants in a cup of water. I thought to myself, this is truly magic … How in the world can someone really do this? One day, I will have a yard, one day, I will grow. I will grow!

Married for a few years, my Wife, Deb and I were able to rub enough pennies and nickels to buy our first home. It was simple and small.  It had a wonderful yard. In my head, it was 40 acres. My botanic wick was just sparked! Like an artist, this yard was my palette, my place to experiment, to learn, to share, to grow!

I developed an acute fondness for roses while in that house. I planted a shrub rose, Therese Buget Rose plant right after my Daughter, Therese (aka, “Rosie”) was born. I have brought that rose with me to each of my yards since then. It is very special, also the first to bloom in the spring. I have placed in so many rose shows since then. In 1998, my Americana Rose was featured in the worldwide issue of the American Rose Society’s annual pictorial calendar. 

Later, my botanic thirst was triggered again when my friend, Therese, told me about a Master Gardener program administered by the University of Illinois Cooperative Extension.  It was such an inspiration for me to learn and appreciate the how’s, the why’s, the when’s of things that grow. 

During a meeting in my friend’s office, I noticed a book on John’s table. It was simply entitled, “Supper Clubs in Wisconsin,” by Ron Faiola. I thumbed through this wonderful book of unique, legendary, family-owned restaurants. How interesting. But, what if there was such a book on off-the-beaten-path greenhouse and nurseries in my favorite get-away state of Wisconsin? I decided back then, I can do that, and have the time of my life along the way.

By the way, I finally found Ron Faiola. He lives just south of Milwaukee. He has since written four similar books. All, huge successes. We dined at, of course, a local supper club. I told him of my idea to write a book on unique greenhouses and nurseries. With sincere enthusiasm, he said, “Do it, Fred!” 

Those Grandparents of mine were certainly an influence on me that would last a lifetime. My current yard is the home of strategically scattered plant sites of all kinds. You name it, I have them!  I often gather freshly cut flowers as Sunday morning gifts for my neighbors. Nestled in the back is a wonderful greenhouse where I can exercise my passion to grow all year long. Little did I know back then, that I am now teaching, influencing my three young grandchildren how to grow. 

The beautiful, fascinating circle of life, eh?

“Earth, 114 million years ago, one morning just after sunrise:  The first flower ever to appear on the planet opens-up to receive the rays of the sun.  Prior to this momentous event that heralds an evolutionary transformation in the life of plants, the planet had already been covered in vegetation for millions of years. The first flower probably did not survive for long, and flowers must have remained rare and isolated phenomena since the conditions were mostly not yet favorable for a widespread flowering to occur. 

One day, however, a critical threshold was reached, and suddenly there would have been an explosion of color and scent all over the planet - - if a perceiving consciousness had been there to witness it.” 

Seeing beauty in a flower could awaken humans, however briefly, to the beauty that is an essential part of their own innermost being, their true nature.”

Eckhart Tolle
“A New Earth”
Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose

Indeed, since the beginning of time, flowers have become an essential part of our lives.  We love planting them, growing them, collecting them. There is a constellation of greenhouses and nurseries in Wisconsin, several hundreds of them scattered throughout Wisconsin. This book will explore every corner of the state of Wisconsin taking you on an adventurous ride on the backroads, side roads, county highways and side streets of Wisconsin. The book will profile 50 of the most unique, off-the-beaten-path nurseries. Meet the mostly rural, quaint garden nurseries and greenhouses tucked away in every region of America’s Heartland. Meet the owners, their stories, their memories that often span over generations.  

They are a rare-breed of entrepreneurs, many who are living out their childhood dreams to nurture their plants from seed to mature growth. Herbs, vegetables, fruit trees, annuals and perennials, palms, cacti, mushrooms, exotic orchids.  

These greenhouses are not just buildings with see-through walls and ceilings. Nope, not at all. They are a product of their childhood dreams, a yearning to “grow things!” This love to grow have often been passed on from their grandmother whose grandfather taught her how to grow. Linking the past and future through their hard work, determination, and passion. Their values and history, all in the hope of having an impact on future generations. Imagine, living a life in “technicolor!” 

This is truly Americana at its best. The days of the neighborhood grocery and butcher shops, the local family-owned hardware store, local bakeries, and pharmacies … they are nearly all gone. Truly, “a thing of the past.”

Wisconsin greenhouses and nurseries have been around selling their plants and flowers forever. There is no sign that they are going anywhere soon! You will meet one family-owned greenhouse that has been around nine generations! You will meet the oldest running nursery that is tucked adjacent to bluffs and crystal-clear streams since the mid-1800’s. The Amish have mastered the art of simplicity and hard work producing some of the most interesting greenhouses throughout the state.

Did you know that every greenhouse nursery that was visited has a mascot or pets. Perhaps, it is a favorite dog, cat, reptile, or fish. Some have sheep, goats and resident birds as pets. Others have favorite chickens, frogs and huge toads! Their owners know all of them by name. You will also get to know the favorite five names in the State of Wisconsin.

There is also a snippet, an “expert tip” at the end of each profile suggesting something you should see or do before you leave the area. It is something unique in the area from someone from the area: The local waitress, auto mechanic, barber, supermarket manager, the owner of the local pub or winery. You will get some pretty interesting and often largely unknown tips from the area’s regulars.

These greenhouse owners are hard-working and passionate about what they do.  Author Fred G. Lebed has captured their remarkable stories transforming them into mini-essays for interesting reading. Each greenhouse is a little different but their owners all have something in common: Their pride, their passion, their love of gardening and their quench for life.

Stoke up a bonfire, grab a beer, a cheese curd and definitely a brat!
Enjoy the ride.