Community Partner Profile: Baker Garden & Gift

Since 1959, Baker Garden & Gift has been a beloved destination for plants, gifts and gardening essentials in the Fargo community. Their love for bringing plant beauty to the community made partnering with Hope Blooms a perfect match!

garden flowers at our shop.

Hear more from Rachel Sailer, Operations Manager, as she shares about Baker Garden & Gift and their partnership with Hope Blooms.

What’s your favorite part about working at Baker Garden & Gift? 

 If you asked anyone here, they’d agree the best part is the people. The plants are pretty great, too! In all seriousness, our team is what makes it all happen. From growing thousands upon thousands of plants in the springtime to helping you pick out that forever front yard tree, our amazing team is the secret ingredient that makes it all possible. We put continuous effort into training, development, and employee engagement. We’ve had several folks start here in a part-time seasonal role and now are key players in our year-round operation. Seeing both team members and the organization thrive is incredibly rewarding. 

How long has Baker Garden & Gift been serving our community? 

Baker Nursery has been serving our community since 1959! Harry Baker, current owner Eric Baker’s grandfather, started the nursery after realizing the demand in the growing city of Fargo. Back then, folks wondered why he would build his business “so far out of town.” Decades later, while the business has grown and evolved, it still feels like a family-run operation. That sense of tradition and connection makes Baker Garden & Gift more than just a garden center; it’s a place where generations of customers and staff feel at home. 

How does Hope Blooms’ mission align with Baker Garden & Gift’s values? 

Hope Bloom’s mission to spread joy directly aligns with Baker Garden & Gift’s values. We believe in the happiness that plants and flowers can bring to one’s life whether that be through admiration, education or satisfaction of a hard day’s work in the garden. 

What is special about the Fargo-Moorhead-West Fargo and surrounding area? 

The people who step up to create the community they want to live in. If there’s something missing, they make it happen. That energy and dedication, from organizations like Hope Blooms to small businesses, community gardens, parks, and local events, is what makes Fargo-Moorhead-West Fargo such a great place to call home. 

In what ways do you see Hope Blooms bringing value to our community? 

Hope Blooms brings incredible value to our community through the simple yet powerful act of repurposing flowers. Beyond spreading joy by delivering flowers to those facing isolation, they also create meaningful opportunities for individuals and teams to volunteer together, connect, and be a part of their mission. 

From a community partner perspective, why do you believe in supporting causes like Hope Blooms? 

We believe in their mission, and because what we provide fits with their needs, supporting Hope Blooms is a natural fit for us. We’re happy to grow cut flowers and donate soil for their raised beds. We also understand the deep nostalgia that comes from seeing familiar flower varieties—ones people may have once grown in their own gardens or that remind them of loved ones. 

Why does feeling seen matter? 

Feeling seen fosters genuine connections and sense of belonging which are fundamental human needs!  

What’s your favorite way to spread joy? 

 Sharing the beauty of plants and gardens. That’s part of why I love helping organize the annual Red River Valley Garden Tour—it brings people together, inspires creativity, and celebrates the joy of gardening in our community. 

What’s your favorite flower and why? 

That’s a tough question! My answer tends to change each year, but I really enjoy the classic purple coneflower in the garden. Pollinators love it, it blooms for a long time, it makes a great cut flower, and it’s hardy! 

Thanks to Baker Garden & Gift, our Sprout Joy gardens were filled with fresh soil and thriving starter plants!