Best of Western WA 

Make gnome bones about it. Gardening is fun! And according to viewers of Evening Magazine on King 5 TV, gnomebody knows that better than the team at My Garden Nursery. Voters recently recognized My Garden Nursery in the “Best of Western Washington” contest as the gnomber one Home and Garden store in western Washington. Pardon the quirky gnomenclature, but this wordplay with yard gnomes is the exact sort of free-spirited fun that the My Garden Nursery team shares each and every day with their guests. Based on contest results, guests truly appreciate My Garden’s knowledgeable, yet playful approach. Owners Jenny Gunderson and Bill Raynolds opened the doors to their neighborhood nursery in November of 2006 on Bothell-Everett Highway in Mill Creek. In four short years their business has enjoyed increased success in the “Best of Western Washington” competition after having finished fifth in 2008 and second in 2009. They have a friendly, knowledgeable staff and wonderful assortment of quality products and plants offered at reasonable prices, but that’s just the beginning. Pull out your gardening shovel and dig a little deeper and you’ll quickly see what makes My Garden unique. It starts the moment you enter the nursery as you are greeted by curious little yard gnomes of all shapes and sizes. They seem to frolic all throughout the nursery, as do another playful bunch and the newest thing – garden fairies. Keep an eye on the path as Meowy the cat may saunter out from behind a planter to purr, “Hello.” Stroll further among the pansies, organic vegetables and herbs, artistic pottery and cleverly hung Christmas trees and you will begin to sense that there is something a little more personal at My Garden Nursery. A Memory Garden honors those who have struggled with Alzheimer’s. Both of Gunderson’s parents had the tragic disease and, through the support of their customers, My Garden has raised over $25,000 for the cause. Employees and plant people (yes plants in human form) were dressed in pink My Garden t-shirts during September and Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October as Gunderson, a breast cancer survivor herself, worked to raise $8,000 as a participant in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure 60 mile walk.

“Many of our events have a focus on fundraising, but we offer a number of other unique opportunities for our customers as well.” says Raynolds, “We love events!” December events include a Fairy Garden Class and Treasure Hunt Holiday Open House, as well as a special Woodland Ornaments event just for Kids Club members. Wine tastings, scavenger hunts and of course gardening classes on everything from roses to bonsai round out the year.

While mom peruses the perennials kids love My Garden’s train table and Raynolds is always up for a little ping pong with dad. In addition, customers actually enjoy getting another year older at My Garden as Birthday Club members receive a special discount that increases with their age. The fun isn’t confined to the nursery though. My Garden’s Facebook and Twitter followers are always left smiling as are the visitors to their website at http://www.mygardennursery.com. Plus, nowhere is the team’s willingness to have a little fun at their own expense more prevalent than on their YouTube page (warning, viewer discretion is advised…but only if you are offended by a man wearing a bra).

Amidst all the fun and games the My Garden team keeps their knowledge of gardening well within focus. They have three Master Gardeners and two Certified Professional Horticulturists on staff and are also members of the Washington State Nursery and Landscape Association. They have a partnership with the Snohomish County Master Gardeners who grow tomatoes on-site and offer tastings. KING 5’s Ciscoe Morris shot on-location at My Garden numerous times and considers it one of his favorite places…Ohh La La! Plus, customers always look forward to their award winning displays at the Northwest Flower and Garden Show.

Whether looking to improve your garden by choosing from the largest supply of heucheras in the Puget Sound area (Gunderson says they are the “best plant in the universe!”) or find that perfect, unique piece of garden art to give as a gift, Evening Magazine voters believe that My Garden is the place to go. Wait, you need to mail that gift and would rather not deal with the holiday rush at the post office? Did I mention My Garden has their own post office on-site