Neosho Gardens :
Growing Plants to Their Full Potential with BM4 Natural Fiber – Wood HP
What does it take to grow healthy, consistent plants across 18 acres of greenhouses? For Evan Nelson, owner/grower at Neosho Gardens in Council Grove, KS, it’s precise timing, attention to detail, and reliable growing media. “It’s all about keeping everything running smoothly,” he says.
From Humble Beginnings to a Thriving Business
From a small seven-hoophouse plot purchased by his father Eric in 1981, Neosho Gardens has grown into a thriving multigenerational family business. Today, Evan and other family members lead 40 full-time staff across 18 acres of growing space, producing spring bedding, vegetable transplants, hardy mums, and holiday poinsettias for independent garden centers and landscapers throughout Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Oklahoma.
Better Roots, Faster Finishing
Neosho Gardens has relied on Berger products for more than 25 years and currently uses BM4 Natural Fiber – Wood HP. “Overall plant health is what matters,” Evan says. “The growing media is consistent. I always know what I’m going to get from batch to batch.”
The switch to NF Wood products from a traditional peat-perlite mix brought additional advantages. “We found that it holds more water, so we don’t have to water as often. With direct-stick propagation, cuttings make better contact with the media than old perlite mixes. That contact is really important because if they don’t make good contact, they dry out too quickly.”
Evan also noticed improved root development.
“The roots finish out better because of the aeration. That allows us to finish crops a little faster if we need to. So, there are savings beyond just water. Fertilizer and water use are both lower, and the plants are just healthier overall.”
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Growing Is More Than a Business: It’s a Calling
One of Evan’s favorite parts of the business is designing spring combination planters. “I’m really proud of the combination planters I design in the spring. I order all the components and put them together myself. It’s one of my favorite things to do.”
As the season shifts to holidays, poinsettias become a major focus. “They are demanding, but that’s what makes them rewarding,” Evan says. “With BM4 NF HP, the plants root consistently and grow strong. Customers notice the difference, and that makes all the hard work worth it.”
For Evan, growing is more than a business. “I was born to do this,” he says. “We like to grow plants to their full potential.” Every plant, from spring bedding to holiday poinsettias, benefits from the combination of expert care and consistent growing media, ensuring Neosho Gardens delivers strong, healthy plants year after year.
