Today we’d like to introduce you to Cynthia Stringham.
Hi Cynthia, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
I live a breathe gardening. Even when I was a child, I would wander my dad’s veggie garden, and snack on the peas while picking my mother’s flowers. Throughout my college years, I always was digging up small patches of dirt at rental properties and turning them into a patch of veggies. My hands are constantly in the dirt and I find my joy there too.
After leaving corporate America to ensure I gave my young family the attention I wanted them to receive, I started a finsta account dedicated to gardening. I shared (or overshared) my love of gardening on the account. It grew (pun intended), and now I respond to both my real name Cynthia, or my social media nickname “Melon” after my social media handle Melon Monologues.
A few major dreams have come true through my love of talking and sharing about gardening. This includes working with PBS Utah on a Digital Series called Modern Gardener, where we discuss Utah’s unique soils and challenges to gardening. With Modern Gardener, another dream/opportunity presented itself, and my husband and I purchased a seasonal nursery. The 40-year business 42nd Street Greenhouse is now in our possession, and we are diving head first into a home remodel along with preparing for our first season of selling crops.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Like anything, I wouldn’t say it’s been smooth, but the more I opened myself up to opportunities I felt like the right opportunities have presented themselves.
Ironically, I’ve always dreamed of working in landscaping. In high school, I really wanted to be a landscape architect. Unfortunately, I was discouraged from taking that career path due to archaic ideologies. I love that my teenage self is now living her dream in my 40s and that even though this dream was put on the shelf for a long time, my passion and talent is really blossoming. (I’m full of garden puns! Can’t help it!)
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
42nd Street Greenhouse is a seasonal nursery. Although not large in size, you can find heirloom tomatoes or peppers that you can’t find anywhere else unless you grow them from seed. We are also one of three nurseries in Utah that sell the beautiful and highly sought-after David Austin Roses. This year, we are learning, and receiving mentorship from the past owner on this incredible business she has built over 40 years. We don’t know what the future holds for it quite yet but plan to really grow varieties you can’t find anywhere else.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Love of the work, and dedication. We really enjoy what we do and want other people to learn to love the garden as much as we do.
Contact Info:
- Website: 42ndstreetgreenhouse.com
- Instagram: @melonmonologues
Image Credits
Cynthia Stringham
