04/03/2026
Hey everyone, it’s Howie.
Normally, Fer is the one behind the posts here, the updates, the photos, the messages, and so much of what makes Best Buds Nursery feel like Best Buds. She pours so much of herself into this business while also carrying so many other responsibilities in life, and right now I want to take this part off of her plate and share this update myself.
First, we just want to say thank you. Since 2019, your support has meant the world to us. This nursery has grown through every season because of the loyal people who have continued to believe in what we do.
The past few years have honestly felt like we have been playing catch-up.
When we moved from our home nursery in Munford to a larger location in Lincoln in the fall of 2024, we truly believed it was the next right step. Instead, we were hit with setback after setback. We were robbed - including a stolen vehicle, and not long after building our main greenhouse, a storm destroyed it along with nearly all of the spring inventory we had already started.
We rebuilt and kept moving, but then as we prepared to reopen for the 2025 fall season, we were informed that the rent on the property would be doubling. After everything we had already absorbed financially and emotionally, we knew it just wasn’t in the cards for us. That decision led us to move everything to our own property in Talladega, where Best Buds can finally have the permanent home we have always wanted.
Because of that, 2026 is going to be our rebuilding year.
We are intentionally taking this year to build the nursery we truly want for the long term instead of rushing to reopen before we are ready. We do not want to keep operating in a cycle of trying to catch up. We want to build something we can genuinely be proud of, with the right infrastructure, workflow, and growing systems in place so that when we reopen, it reflects the vision we have always had for Best Buds.
During this rebuild, we are also transitioning into primarily a wholesale growing operation, focused on rooted cuttings, liners, 1-gallon and 3-gallon shrubs, many perennials, ornamental grasses, small ornamental trees, and other cold-hardy landscape plants for nurseries, independent garden centers, and landscapers. We will still host retail days and be at vendor events moving forward, because our retail customers will always be the heart of our story. Also, I know Fer already has some things in the works for some of you, and that has not changed.
On a personal note, this season of rebuilding is about more than just the nursery. About a year and a half ago, my dad suffered a stroke and has been in a nursing home since. One of our priorities right now is preparing our home so we can bring him to live with us, and that is something we need to make time and space for as well.
We hope everyone understands that this is what we need to do for ourselves, our family, and the future of this business.
If anyone has questions, I will be happy to respond by email at [email protected] as time allows.
This is not goodbye. This is us finally taking the time to rebuild Best Buds the way we have always wanted.
Thank you for continuing to support us through every chapter. We cannot wait to show you what comes next.
— Howie
