Logan's Gardens Nursery is hidden in the hills of Silverlake, surrounded by giant, unruly avocado trees of various varieties. Logan’s father, Jimmy Williams, the striking and charismatic half of the Gardens, sees me looking at the trees, and tells us immediately how incredible the avocados on their property are. Though he then casts a sidelong glance at his neighbors' trees: "She doesn't feed her trees. That's why those don't taste good. Plants need to eat. They need to be taken care of, just like people."
As Max Knight and I walk through the small wooden door into Logan's Garden Nursery, we are transported into what I would define as HEAVEN. Thousands of exotic and unusual baby plants were everywhere, ready to keep growing—Mulberries, variegated lemon trees, husk cherries, tomatillos, and myriad types of okra. They have at least three kinds of cilantro alone: culantro - a pungent cousin, delfino - a delicate and mild younger sibling ( the kind with really good skin), and the classic European coriander. There are plants for every palate. It was as if we had stumbled into a horticultural hallucination (the good kind). I turned to Logan, mouth open, "How?" was all I could manage. Looking both weary and content, Logan replied, "This is my entire life. This is what I do."
For more than 21 years, Logan and his father Jimmy, have dedicated themselves to the meticulous art of sourcing, germinating, and growing thousands of plants, including over 400 varieties of tomatoes, alongside an impressive array of fruits, vegetables, and herbs. Each plant has its own story, secrets, and a covert operation that Jimmy and Logan know intimately. They take pleasure in sharing these stories, guiding you through the cultivation process, and offering creative ways to use them in the kitchen.
Logan's Garden (formerly Hayground Organics) was founded by Jimmy Williams, a former New York clothing designer, and his son, Logan. The business was inspired by the legacy of Jimmy's great-grandmother's heirloom 'Goosecreek' tomato. This father-son alliance morphed their passion into a thriving gardening and garden design business. From a few simple tea herbs to an expansive culinary garden, Logan and Jimmy contain the sorcery to make any garden flourish. Over the years, they've watched novice gardeners evolve into seasoned growers, their confidence "blossoming" with each obsessive visit to the market stand.
When asked about starting a garden, my answer is always the same: go see Logan and Jimmy at the Santa Monica or Hollywood Farmers Market. Logan and Jimmy do more than just sell you the plant; they are there to educate you on how to grow, where to plant it, and whatever else you didn’t even know you needed to know. They have suggested varieties I've never heard of, let alone attempted to grow, and shepherded me through the whole process, even checking in on the progress when I see them weekly. The duo was actually a part of Marie Kondo's show, and on his appearance, Jimmy echoes her famous advice: "If the plant sparks joy for you, that's what you should grow in your garden." If you're new to growing your own food, he says, the best fruits and vegetables to start with are those you love to eat. And for those a bit timid about getting into gardening, remember you don't need to transform your whole yard into a garden right off the bat… But you definitely will with time - that’s a promise. Starting with even one plant might spark a greater appreciation for our food. Peter Schaner of Schaner Farm once had this advice for me: "All you need to start is just one bunch of mint," which is probably the best life advice anyone has ever given me. Something like “The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step” in their own words, but also much more visually stunning. Their philosophy is rooted in growing plants that bring joy and, in time, nurturing a relationship with food and nature.
People especially began to crave this relationship during the pandemic, which led to a HUGE surge in edible gardening in LA. People yearned to reconnect, leading to a boom that emptied seed companies' stocks and expanded Logan's Garden's clientele to include young couples, families, and school groups. Gardening became what it was always meant to be: a shared family activity, a sliver of sanity in uncertain times.
The Williams family has a 500-year gardening history rooted in their Gullah Geechee ancestry. His great-grandmother, a descendant of enslaved people, had grown the tomato on the Sea Islands off the coast of South Carolina. The seeds had been saved by generations of Williamses, including Jimmy and his 12 siblings, who were raised eating what they grew. By now, it’s their tomato, a true family heirloom. This heritage significantly influences their gardening practices today. Logan Williams continues this tradition, connecting with his ancestry and helping others reclaim the lost art of gardening.
What makes Logan's Garden so important to me is the ease and comfort I can have in not knowing, and having the space to ask at their stand. The plants they provide are robust and resilient, ready to thrive. I never need to worry that I'm going to accidentally kill the delicate plant—they give the plants to you ready to face the world… and your green-ish thumb.
XOXO,
Sam Loves The Market