Barrels & Branches History
On August 12, 2005, Barrels and Branches Nursery opened it’s doors to the public. But the story begins before then. High school friends Samantha Owens and Danica Hirsch toyed with the idea of opening their own business while studying horticulture at Mira Costa Community College but it wasn’t until Samantha graduated from Sonoma State University that the idea picked up steam. Both came from horticultural families so it was a natural progression. Opening a nursery on the land Samantha grew up on also was a natural fit. With lots of hard work and grit, these 20-somethings built their business from the ground up, scoring lots of loyal fans and accolades along the way. It wasn’t always easy. The very nature of working outdoors makes one subject to the elements – pouring rain, stifling heat – and involves almost constant manual labor. But it was a very worthwhile and satisfying endeavor. Over the years, highly skilled and knowledgeable employees have joined the team, allowing the nursery to build on the collective experience of its members. At the end of 2013, Danica left the business to raise a family. But the story continues…