Brandon and Amanda Woestman, along with son Arlo, stand among the plant starts inside one of the greenhouses at Stonehouse Gardens. The couple purchased the property in October 2023.
by Bridget Weishaar
Though spring is still more than a month away, the planting season began in early January for Amanda and Brandon Woestman, the new owners and operators of Stonehouse Gardens.
The couple purchased the property formerly known as Countryside Greenhouse located at 9936 Hwy. 59, Oskaloosa, in October 2023.
Amanda was born and raised in the Meriden area, graduating from Jefferson West High School in 2010. She attended Washburn University for her undergraduate degree, followed by the University of Missouri for journalism and communications.
She is the daughter of David and Vicki Narverud and the granddaughter of Jim and Mary Eck, all Meriden.
Brandon was born and raised in Arkansas. He attended Oklahoma State University, graduating with a degree in aerospace and mechanical engineering.
After meeting in Corpus Christi, Texas, the couple moved to Seattle, Wash., for a year before returning to Arkansas for three years. In 2023 they decided to make Jefferson County home for themselves and their now nine-month-old son, Arlo.
Growing flowers at their Arkansas home became a favorite hobby of the couple, selling flower arrangements at local markets.
When Eck Properties LLC, cousins of Amanda, told them about the greenhouse property, the duo knew where they wanted to be.
“This is everything we ever wanted to do,” Brandon said. And the deal was done.
The greenhouse first got its start in the county under original owners Jon and Judy Henry as A Time to Plant Greenhouse in March 1998. The Henrys sold the property in 2020 to Ivan and Judith Beachy, who operated it under Countryside Greenhouse until 2023.
The name, Stonehouse Gardens, originates from the small building left on the property back in the 1870s.
The couple is looking at a soft opening March 1. They will have cold crop vegetables and seeds available, along with top soil products and mulch.
A grand opening will be held the first Saturday in May, just in time for plant season and Mother’s Day.
While no immediate changes will take place at the greenhouse, the couple plans to add products as time goes on.
The traditional greenhouse fare of vegetable and flower starts, seed potatoes and onion sets, patio and house plants, and home decor items are all in the works.
“We have a pothos start that is rooted from my grandma’s plant in Meriden,” Amanda said. “It has lived in Arkansas, Texas, Washington, and is now back home.”
Thirty-three percent of the greenhouse product is started from seed. The rest comes from a wholesaler as plugs. The plugs are then transplanted into trays and baskets for the growing season.
Brandon stated 55 percent of the season’s planting is finished as of now. The couple has free labor in Amanda’s dad when time allows.
Cut flower bouquets and wedding or special events decorating are in works for the near future. Mums and pumpkins have already been ordered for fall.
“We will do some sprucing up and put our own personal touch on the building,” the couple stated.
Looking into the future, Brandon will apply his engineering background to update the four greenhouses to become more energy-efficient and eventually automate the watering system.
The goal is less impact on the environment.
The greenhouse currently has a website at www.stonehousegardensks.com. Gift cards for the season are already available online. They can be found on both Facebook and Instagram.
Days and hours of operation will be set closer to the March opening.