Dogpatch Urban Gardens is planning its own government.
Urban Farming, owned and operated by Jenny and Eric Quiner at 5085 Meredith Drive in Des Moines, is set to open a garden center Saturday that will feature two greenhouses — one for production and one for sale – decorated with plants, furniture, fruits. , soil, fertilizer, and tools.
The new garden center is located on 1.25 acres, purchased to the family by Meredith Drive Reformed Church and is the site of the church’s old garage. The entire Quiner family farm is 2.25 acres.
“They gave a lot to buy us this parking lot because they know we have a farm, they know our mission is helping the community and it’s hard for them to leave because they’re a big part of it. (of the community),” Jenny Quiner said.
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After the church parking lot was sold in October 2021, the Quiners met with county officials, who rehabilitated the property. Dogpatch has a Des Moines location but is outside the city limits, so all permits and parts are in Polk County, according to Jenny Quiner. The building work will take about a year and a half.
“You know, we’re not trying to build a refrigerator. We’re trying to do something that makes our community stronger and better and they’ve allowed us to do that,” he said. Jenny Quiner adds the family’s perspective when talking to the county.
Dogpatch Urban Gardens is hosting a farm stand called the DUG FarmStand featuring real estate, produce, and food along with an Airbnb called the Urban FarmStay. The garden centre, which opens on Saturday and closes on Easter Sunday, is the latest sign of growth for Dogpatch’s local agriculture.
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Not your ‘garden gnomes’ and other greenhouses
At Dogpatch, don’t expect to find quirky lawn decorations or shiny wall decorations.
“We have garden tools, seeds and products that we use here on the farm so you don’t come to us to get the same garden gnomes and stuff,” said him.
The new garden center offers something for everyone’s gardening skills. The center has about 400 different types of perennials, peppers, annuals, fruits, vegetables, grasses, tomatoes, and herbs.
The garden center features products and supplies from Iowa companies including producers from Wilcox All-Pro in Montezuma, Decorah’s Seed Savers Exchange, and Gilman-based Swift Greenhouses.
“We sell tools and plants that we know and grow and use, so if there’s something out there that you buy from us, you can know it’s something and We tested it at school and we are happy to use it.”
Jenny Quiner said customers will enjoy the knowledge and expertise of the all-female led gardening team.
“We have a great team and it’s just fun,” Jenny Quiner said.
The Quiners also built a free food store, a red and white building, on the property. The shed was in the Dogpatch neighborhood, but it was damaged, Jenny Quiner said, and the owners were moving so the family said, “We’ll take it.” Residents can drop off non-perishable food and others can pick it up for free.
Dogpatch Urban Gardens hours, location
Address: 5085 Meredith Drive, Des Moines
Contact: dogpatchurbangardens.com; 515-802-4304
Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 10 am to 4 pm; closed on Mondays
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Jay Stahl is an entertainment reporter at The Des Moines Register. Follow him on Instagram or visit him at jstahl@gannett.com.