Somewhere between the intersection of Huntersville and hillbilly lies the Bradford Store, an organic gardeners dream. Since 1912, the Bradford Store has been supplying homegrown organic produce and products for locals via a charming country store and gardening center.
A friend of mine turned me on to the place last year when I was embarking on my very first organic vegetable garden. It was her talk of a 50-pound bag of worm castings (a.k.a. worm poop) that convinced me to take a trip there.
Going to the Bradford Store is like taking a step back in time. Depending on what time of year it is, you can expect to find "cut-your-own" wildflowers growing next to rows of the latest seasonal produce. Organic supporters of all types flock there. Farmers born and raised in the area mingle amongst curious townies and newbies like myself and every person is just as welcome as the next.
Out back is the gardening center where you can find all your plants, seeds, organic fertilizers, books and even chickens. That's where I met "T", one of the two gentlemen who run the center. When he first introduced himself to me, "T" was sure to tell me that his name was "T", no more, no less. When I inquired about the rest of his name, he politely reinforced the brevity of his name.
"T" is tall, friendly and resembles a farm-freshversion of Tom Selleck, confidently wearing his own organically grown mustache. "T" is good peoples and can tell you mostly anything about organic gardening. I've learned to trust what "T" says.
A friend of mine turned me on to the place last year when I was embarking on my very first organic vegetable garden. It was her talk of a 50-pound bag of worm castings (a.k.a. worm poop) that convinced me to take a trip there.
Going to the Bradford Store is like taking a step back in time. Depending on what time of year it is, you can expect to find "cut-your-own" wildflowers growing next to rows of the latest seasonal produce. Organic supporters of all types flock there. Farmers born and raised in the area mingle amongst curious townies and newbies like myself and every person is just as welcome as the next.
Out back is the gardening center where you can find all your plants, seeds, organic fertilizers, books and even chickens. That's where I met "T", one of the two gentlemen who run the center. When he first introduced himself to me, "T" was sure to tell me that his name was "T", no more, no less. When I inquired about the rest of his name, he politely reinforced the brevity of his name.
"T" is tall, friendly and resembles a farm-freshversion of Tom Selleck, confidently wearing his own organically grown mustache. "T" is good peoples and can tell you mostly anything about organic gardening. I've learned to trust what "T" says.
In addition to the Garden Center (above left), there is a sweet little antiques cabin (above right) that is worth a look. I've found some really affordable treasures there.
Across the way is the Country Store which is as charming as it sounds. Inside, there is a wealth of local, organic produce, locally made jams and preserves, farm-fresh eggs, cheeses, homemade beauty products and, wait for it, fried peach pies.
Getting out there is a bit of a hike, but I promise you won't be disappointed. Anything that supports local and organic farming, for me, is well worth the trip.
Across the way is the Country Store which is as charming as it sounds. Inside, there is a wealth of local, organic produce, locally made jams and preserves, farm-fresh eggs, cheeses, homemade beauty products and, wait for it, fried peach pies.
Getting out there is a bit of a hike, but I promise you won't be disappointed. Anything that supports local and organic farming, for me, is well worth the trip.
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