Sprout Garden Center blooming in Coshocton

• Penny Rouse of Urichsville and her son, Brandon, Warfield, have opened Sprout Garden Center
• The pair took over the former Cantwell Creek in February with business really picking up in late April
• The business offers standard flowers, vegetables and fruits for sale along with exotic items, like banzai trees
• The business is looking to offer garden classes and help with local fundraisers.

COSHOCTON – A new home and garden center in Coshocton is starting to blossom just as the plants and flowers it sells comes to life this spring. 

Penny Rouse said when she and her son, Brandon Warfield, took over the former Cantwell Creek in February, things were understandably slow. However, business started picking up toward the end of April as weather improved and many started planting their gardens. She said succulents, hanging baskets and vegetable plants are very popular right now. 

Rouse managed a garden center in New Philadelphia for 20 years and is originally from Urichsville. Warfield lives in Dover. Rouse said Coshocton residents have been great to her and Warfield so far in supporting the business and welcoming them to the community. 

“Even if they don’t buy, they just come in to say ‘hi and welcome to the community’ and look around a little bit to see what we’re offering that might be a little different than what they’ve seen somewhere else,” Rouse said.

The business features standard offerings such as seeds, fertilizers, sprays, hanging baskets, shrubs and a variety of fruits, vegetables and flowers in a rear greenhouse. It also has a small gift shop area with handcrafted items that Rouse looks to expand. For example, her sister makes greeting cards, wreaths and silk arrangements. Rouse said they’re also looking to offer gardening classes and would be willing to help with plant sale fundraisers. 

Additionally, Rouse said her connections with suppliers all over the state means she can get some exotic items, like tropical plants, specialty evergreens and banzai trees. Dealing with Ohio suppliers she said is important, because it not only supports local businesses but makes sure that any plants she brings in can survive in Ohio’s fluctuating climate.  

“Especially with the trees and shrubs, they’re adapted to Ohio weather. They understand it’s going to get cold, then hot, then cold again,” Rouse said with a laugh.
Warfield was an engineer for several years, but was interested in leaving that life behind to open a gardening business with his mother. 

“I worked in an air-conditioned building for the past 20 years. It’s nice to be outside and work outdoors,” he said. “You put good things into the world, rather than more paperwork.”

Rouse said she didn’t find her passion until later in life, but she wouldn’t trade the gardening racket for anything now. 

“Every year there’s something new, something different, something I haven’t seen before, something I get excited about,” she said. 

llhayhur@coshoctontribune.com
@llhayhurst
740-295-3417

If you go…
What: Sprout Garden Center, 601 W. Chestnut St.
Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday
Contact: Call 740-575-3059 or find on Facebook at facebook.com/sproutgardencenter.