This is the first in a series of profiles on our Tippecanoe Farmers’ Market Vendors.

In 1849, while thousands sought their gold fortunes in California, Peter Bohlender started a small nursery in North Dayton, Ohio – Bohlenders Nursery. Peter had immigrated from Bavaria with his family at the age of 6. With few schools and no opportunity to attend, he went to work in a tobacco stripping house. Before he reached his teens he was employed by a nurseryman where he received his training for his life’s work.

Peter Bohlender moved his nursery to Tipp City, Ohio in 1889, and during World War I he renamed the nursery Spring Hill Nurseries. He derived the name “Spring Hill” from the hill located across the creek from the present day location of the garden store’s growing area.

Spring Hill Nurseries was originally a wholesale garden store nursery, owning nearly all the property surrounding its present location. Over the next 40 years, Spring Hill slowly began to move out of wholesale and into mail-order. Spring Hill shifted the majority of its focus to mail-order in 1930.

At the Tippecanoe Farmers’ Market, Spring Hill Nurseries will be selling plants, selected plant support products (such as fertilizers and pesticides), and backyard birding products. Spring Hill Nurseries will also be selling catalog closeout items such as plants and plant-related supplies.

[digg=http://www.digg.com/offbeat_news/Vendor_Profile_Spring_Hill_Nurseries]The retail store for Spring Hill Nurseries is located at 110 West Elm St. and their phone number is (937) 667-4079. Open year round, their retail store offers a large selection of trees, shrubs, and roses. Their website is located at www.springhillnursery.com.