Some of my favorite childhood memories involve trips to our local nursery every spring. My family would head out with a wagon, ready to fill it with annuals to complement the perennial gardens around our property. My sister and I were each allowed to choose our own flowers, whether that meant snapdragons, pansies, impatiens, or dahlias, but there was always one rule: everything had to fit within the three-color theme my mom had selected for that year’s gardens.
I learned a lot about gardening during those years, particularly when it came to creating container arrangements. There was a certain art to getting the combination just right. Something tall and spiky to add height, greenery spilling over the edges, and plenty of colorful flowers to fill in the spaces. I still find myself following those same principles when planting containers today.
And while I can’t claim to have inherited every bit of my family’s gardening expertise, my enthusiasm for visiting nurseries and garden centers has never gone away.
In fact, I’m typically one of the first people in Vermont to put out my hanging baskets each spring. After months of snow, bare trees, and a landscape dominated by shades of brown and gray, I’m ready for color long before Vermont’s growing season has officially arrived.
These days, I look forward to filling my own red wagon with flowers, herbs, and plants for the container gardens around our home. And there’s one place I return to year after year.
Red Wagon Plants in Hinesburg, Vermont.
It’s hands down my favorite local garden center, and if you’ve never visited, I think you’ll quickly understand why.
About Red Wagon Plants in Hinesburg, Vermont
Located on Shelburne Falls Road in Hinesburg, Red Wagon Plants Local favorite: Red Wagon Plants is so much more than a place to pick up a few flowers or vegetable starters.
It’s a destination for gardeners, plant enthusiasts, food lovers, and anyone who appreciates a local business that has built something special around its community.
Wander through the greenhouses and you’ll find an incredible variety of annuals, perennials, herbs, vegetable plants, and other offerings for Vermont gardens. There’s inspiration around nearly every corner, whether you’re an experienced gardener or someone simply looking to add a little color to your front porch.
But what really sets Red Wagon apart is the experience they’ve created. From gardening education and workshops to their on-site bake shop, this is a place that encourages you to slow down, learn something, and stay awhile.
And in a state where the growing season can feel all too short, I appreciate having a place that makes the arrival of spring feel like something worth celebrating.
The Story Behind Red Wagon Plants
Red Wagon Plants was founded in 2005 by Julie Rubaud, whose passion for growing plants and supporting Vermont’s local food system has shaped the business from the beginning.
Julie grew up in France before moving to Vermont at a young age. Her father, Gérard, was a well-known local baker and restaurateur, and Julie spent time working in his restaurant kitchen, including preparing fresh herbs.
Those early experiences helped establish an appreciation for food, plants, and the connection between what we grow and what we eat.
Before opening Red Wagon Plants, Julie spent years working as a vegetable and herb farmer at Burlington’s Intervale, developing her knowledge of growing practices and Vermont agriculture.
That experience eventually led her to launch Red Wagon Plants, combining her agricultural background with a desire to provide gardeners and growers with healthy, locally raised plants.
What began as a plant-growing business has evolved into one of the area’s most beloved garden centers, known for its extensive selection, commitment to organic growing methods, and involvement in the surrounding community.
And while the business has grown and evolved over the years, its focus on helping people grow beautiful, productive gardens remains central to what makes Red Wagon special.
Bring in the Bounty: Flowers, Herbs, and Vegetable Plants
Red Wagon Plants has long embraced the phrase Bring in the Bounty, and it’s an appropriate description of what you’ll find here.
The selection is extensive, with hundreds of varieties of annuals and perennials, along with vegetable starters, culinary herbs, shrubs, fruit trees, berry bushes, succulents, and other plants suited to Vermont’s growing conditions.
For someone like me, who loves creating colorful container gardens, walking through the greenhouses is an exercise in restraint.
I’m always drawn to the annuals, particularly the combinations of colors, textures, and plant shapes that can turn an ordinary planter into something beautiful.
But one of the things I appreciate most about Red Wagon is that there’s just as much attention given to plants that produce something you can eat.
Whether you’re planting your first raised vegetable bed, starting a kitchen herb garden, or expanding an established perennial garden, you’ll find a wide selection of plants and knowledgeable people who can help you make the right choices.
And because these plants are grown with Vermont’s climate in mind, it’s a particularly useful place to shop for gardeners navigating our short growing season and sometimes unpredictable spring weather.
Organic Growing Practices at Red Wagon Plants
One of the things that makes Red Wagon Plants stand out is its commitment to organic growing methods.
Their edible plants are certified organic, and the business has emphasized growing practices that support healthy soil, strong plants, and a balanced greenhouse ecosystem.
Rather than relying on conventional chemical pest-control methods, Red Wagon has used beneficial insects and microorganisms to help manage pests and plant diseases.
I love the idea of an army of good bugs helping keep the bad bugs in check.
The growing operation has also incorporated Vermont Compost Company soils and seeds from companies such as High Mowing Organic Seeds, Johnny’s Selected Seeds, and Seed Savers Exchange.
These details matter, particularly when you’re purchasing plants that will eventually produce food for your family.
It’s also a reminder that the choices we make when purchasing plants can support a broader network of Vermont growers, farmers, and agricultural businesses.
Growing Culinary Herbs at Red Wagon Plants
If you’ve ever cooked with fresh herbs straight from the garden, you know how much flavor they can add to a meal.
Red Wagon Plants has made culinary herbs an important part of its growing operation, supplying fresh herbs for home gardeners and, through its herb-growing business, local food establishments and markets.
Their growing methods have included a combination of outdoor production, heated greenhouses, and unheated growing tunnels, helping extend the availability of fresh herbs beyond Vermont’s traditional summer growing season.
For home gardeners, herbs are also one of the easiest ways to get started growing something edible.
You don’t need a large garden or an elaborate setup. A few containers of basil, parsley, mint, sage, or thyme can be enough to get started, and there’s something satisfying about stepping outside to snip a few leaves while preparing dinner.
Red Wagon has also offered educational resources, including its Tiny Herb Series booklets, to help gardeners learn more about growing and using individual culinary herbs.
It’s this combination of plants and practical education that makes Red Wagon such a valuable resource, especially for those who want to become more confident gardeners.
More Than a Garden Center: Workshops and Community Events
One of the things I’ve always appreciated about Red Wagon Plants is that they don’t simply sell plants and send you on your way.
Education and community have long been part of the experience.
Over the years, Red Wagon has hosted a variety of workshops and hands-on learning opportunities covering everything from container gardening and seasonal arrangements to pruning, plant care, natural dyeing, and growing culinary herbs.
Some classes are designed for beginners, while others offer more specialized instruction for gardeners looking to expand their skills.
I particularly love the idea of learning something new while surrounded by the very plants you’re working with.
And these gatherings serve another purpose, bringing together people who share an interest in gardening, growing food, and spending time outside.
Workshop offerings change throughout the year, so it’s worth checking Red Wagon’s current calendar to see what’s coming up.
The Bake Shop at Red Wagon Plants: Another Reason to Visit
As if the plants weren’t enough of a reason to visit, Red Wagon Plants has also become a destination for coffee and baked goods.
And this might be one of my favorite additions to the experience.
What began years ago with a seasonal pop-up café has evolved into an on-site bake shop, giving visitors another reason to linger among the greenhouses and gardens.
You can browse the plants, decide what you’re bringing home, and then grab a coffee and something freshly baked before heading out.
Or better yet, make the bakery part of the reason for your visit in the first place.
I’m particularly fond of the maple-pepper biscuits, which are exactly the kind of savory baked good that will have me planning a return trip.
The setting makes the experience even better. Rather than feeling like a typical café, you’re surrounded by plants, flowers, and the activity of a working garden center.
It’s a wonderful combination of two things I love: a good local bakery and a place that makes me excited about the changing seasons.
Grab a Pastry and Stay Awhile
Part of what makes the bake shop work so well here is the setting.
Instead of grabbing a pastry and immediately getting back into your car, you can settle in at the communal table, enjoy a conversation over coffee, or take your treats outside and appreciate the surrounding plants and fields.
On a warm Vermont morning, that’s exactly where I want to be.
And there’s something particularly satisfying about enjoying a pastry after wandering through the greenhouses, making mental notes of what you’d like to plant, and inevitably finding a few more things to add to your wagon.
A Different Kind of Vermont Café Experience
I love finding places in Vermont that combine several experiences under one roof, particularly when they bring together small businesses, local agriculture, and good food.
Red Wagon does this particularly well.
You don’t need to be an avid gardener to appreciate a visit. Maybe you’re meeting a friend for coffee, picking up a few herbs for your kitchen, or simply looking for a different place to spend a beautiful morning.
The bake shop makes Red Wagon approachable even for visitors who have no intention of bringing home a single plant.
Although I’d argue it’s pretty difficult to leave without at least one.
Tips for Visiting Red Wagon Plants Like a Local
If you’re planning your first visit, here are a few things I’d recommend.
Visit early in the growing season for the widest selection. Spring is one of the most exciting times at Red Wagon, when the greenhouses are filled with annuals, vegetable starters, herbs, and everything you need to start planning your garden.
Bring a list, but leave room for inspiration. I usually have a general idea of what I’m looking for, but inevitably find something new that catches my eye. That’s part of the fun of visiting a great garden center.
Ask questions. Whether you’re trying to figure out which plants will thrive in a shady location, how to combine annuals in a container, or what vegetables to start in Vermont’s climate, take advantage of the knowledge available here.
Don’t skip the bake shop. Even if you’re only stopping in for a few plants, make time for a coffee and a pastry. I highly recommend trying one of the maple-pepper biscuits if they’re available.
Check the seasonal calendar. Red Wagon’s workshops, events, plant availability, and bakery offerings change throughout the year. Check their website or social media for the latest information.
Give yourself time to wander. This isn’t somewhere I recommend rushing through. Browse the greenhouses, appreciate the displays, and enjoy being surrounded by all that color.
Why Red Wagon Plants Is One of My Favorite Places to Visit in Vermont
There are certain places I look forward to returning to every year, and Red Wagon Plants is one of them.
For me, visiting isn’t simply about buying flowers or picking up a few vegetable starters. It’s about continuing a tradition that started when I was a kid, wandering through a nursery with my family and carefully selecting the plants that would bring our gardens to life for another season.
I still get that same excitement every spring when I see the greenhouses filling with color and start imagining what I want to plant at home.
But what makes Red Wagon especially memorable is how much more it offers beyond the plants themselves. It’s a place to learn, enjoy something delicious, connect with the community, and appreciate the work that goes into growing beautiful things.
And I think that’s why it’s become such a special destination in Hinesburg.
A Simple Pleasure Worth Making Time For
You don’t need an elaborate itinerary to enjoy a visit to Red Wagon Plants.
Wander through the greenhouses, fill your wagon with flowers, stop for a coffee and a pastry, and spend a little time enjoying the surroundings.
For me, those are the kinds of simple pleasures that make living in Vermont so rewarding.
And every year, when I’m finally ready to trade the winter landscape for colorful hanging baskets and containers overflowing with flowers, I know exactly where I’m heading first.
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