The Grateful Gardener

The Grateful GARDENER R O S E N B E R G N A T I V E

WRITTEN BY JACLYN RITTER PHOTGRAPHY BY BAC PHOTOGRAPHY AND DESIGN

Rosenberg native, Judy Tackett, recalls the many sweet memories of her childhood. Days spent riding bicycles to Cole Movie Theater, and choosing a treat at the local candy store, are the early building blocks that led her to her genuine love of downtown Rosenberg. Now, years later, Judy is giving back to the community that has given her so much. At the center of 3rd Street, the very street she used to skip down as a child, stands Judy’s flourishing floral business.

An Early Love of Rosenberg

“When I was a little girl, the building over there was Benjamin Franklins,” smiles Judy as she points across the street. “When you would walk in the front door, straight ahead of you would be this big glassed-in candy counter. My mom would give me a nickel and I would get to choose any kind I wanted. The person behind the counter would then take a little scoop, and I would watch them scoop my candy of choice on the big balance scale.” To this day, Judy loves these kinds of scoops. They spark fond memories, and over the years have become a symbol of her happy childhood here in Rosenberg.

“It was not long ago that there were no real businesses in town,” notes Judy. While a stayat-home mom for many years, Judy recalls volunteering close to forty hours a week in town cleaning, raising funds for the railroad museum, and promoting the downtown. Judy saw the city’s potential. She knew it was only a matter of time before all their hard work paid off and their city would blossom once again. “After so many years of hanging in there, we are finally starting to reap the rewards of all of our hard work. It was worth it.

Repurposed with Love and Passion

For the last twenty years, Judy has been in the antique business. Ten years ago, when near and dear friends Jeff Messer and Noel Valdes opened Red Queen’s Attic along 3rd Street in downtown Rosenberg, Judy was quick to join the team. Renting space there allowed her to fulfill her love of antiques. However, nothing could have prepared her for the amazing turn of events that was coming into reach.

In the spring of 2012, owners Jeff and Noel cleared out and opened the outdoor courtyard at the back of their shop. Judy took the initiative to set out a few potted plants to add a pop of color and make it more inviting to customers. “Next thing you know, I’m in the antique and garden business!” laughs Judy.

Having had little gardening experience, Judy was surprised to find herself with her very own business. You would not know this when meeting her! Judy knows the name of every single plant displayed in the courtyard, as well as many neat tips and tricks for better plant nutrition and hydration.

Judy is not your average gardener. Upon entering her shop for the first time, I was taken aback by all the beautiful colors and attention to detail. Not only that, Judy’s vivid and free imagination is on full display. I see colanders, vintage bicycles, oil cans, old bake pans, mugs, and even an antique oven – all filled with a beautiful assortment of plants!

“I repurpose plants in repurposed items.” Judy adds with a chuckle, “if it has a hole in it, I’m going to put a plant in it!” This is precisely why Judy’s pieces cannot be found at the local hardware store or plant nursery – they are, in a way, pieces of art that tell a story. Customers often ask Judy to arrange custom arrangements inside of antiques and treasures they bring from home, a piece that means something to them personally. These are some of Judy’s favorite requests.

“My husband, Steve, is really the best,” notes Judy. “Newly retired, he has gotten roped into drilling all of the drainage holes in the fun repurposed items I find.”

Judy wants her plants and flowers to be enjoyed by all, avid gardeners and green thumbs alike. With proper drainage and good nutrition, you cannot go wrong. Judy crushes and cuts up old water bottles to fill the bottom of containers, especially something that will hang, so that not only is it lighter in weight, but it also allows the plants roots to continue to grow. While roots tend to knot up as soon as they reach the gravel or rock beneath the soil, the cut-up plastic allows the roots to weave in and out throughout the entire container, therefore resulting in a happier plant. “We also use Miracle Grow soil,” adds Judy. “We find that this combination really gives the plants a leg up and leads to a more successful, and therefore, more satisfied customer. Judy is also always on the lookout for new and interesting plants that are harder to find. A personal favorite of hers is Moses in the Cradle, also known as Moses in a Boat, and is an easy to care for houseplant that blooms yearround. In the morning hours, the pod-like structures, or boats, begin to open and fill with clusters of little white flowers. Around four or five in the afternoon, the flowers tuck back into the boats and close back up.

I was privileged to be given the grand tour of the courtyard by Judy herself. It is obvious that Judy loves what she does. As she talks about the different plants and the neat items she and her husband managed to turn into a container, the love and passion is apparent.

Thanks to all the support Judy has received over these last few years, she has been given the opportunity of a lifetime. Located just two doors down from Red Queens Attic, sits Roots & Relics Antique & Garden Shop, Judy’s new store! A place of her very own, Judy is grateful, indeed.

Giving, Gracious, & Grateful

“My business is called The Grateful Gardener because I truly am Grateful,” says Judy. “I am so grateful to God that I can do this at this stage of my life, where I am able to look at His beautiful creations on a daily basis. I am always seeing and learning something new, and I love sharing that with my customers!”

Judy is grateful not only for her business, but for the city that made it a possibility. She is grateful to the small town that raised her, to those early customers that took an interest in those few pots she set out on the courtyard just for looks, and the many that have continued to stop by. Judy is happy to be able to continue to give back to this great city by donating pieces for charity auctions throughout the area. “We, as a community, worked so hard for many years, and now to be able to finally enjoy all the time and dedication we put into the downtown is really pretty awesome. Rosenberg is my home. I would not be anywhere else.” v

Roots & Relics

ANTIQUE & GARDEN SHOP 828 Third Street • Rosenberg, Texas 77471 (832) 945-5111

“Hands to Work…Heart to God” - This has been a family saying for many years and has become Judy’s personal motto. -