How one gardener’s neighbors shared their land to help her start a flower business

Marisa Mender-Franklin, a lifelong gardener, shares her gratitude for the support of her neighbors in Memphis, Tennessee. Her nine flower farms allow her to work as an urban flower farmer and achieve her dream of owning a flower shop. In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Mender-Franklin began growing her own wedding flowers in her small front yard.

Impressed by the success of a Canadian gardener who used a similar land-sharing approach in Toronto, Mender-Franklin posted on a local Facebook Buy Nothing group, requesting free land to grow flowers. Within minutes, she received 40 offers of free spaces. She selected four plots and quickly received help from her neighbors, who volunteered to weed, plant, and even run water lines for her.

Today, Mender-Franklin runs her flower business full-time, employing 10 people and offering workshops, flower arrangements for events, and the Flowers for Good program, which donates flowers to local organizations and charities.