AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler
Brought to you by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu & Tai Chi
My reason for visiting Homestead Gardens Davidsonville this week was two-fold. I wanted to buy garden seeds and check out flower transplants. I’d been told there was now a “beer farm” at the garden center and my curiosity was piqued. What was a beer farm? Were the owners of Homestead using their acreage to grow hops plants (Humulus lupulus), the flowers of which are used, along with malt, in brewing beer?
The answer proved simpler than expected. Driving toward Homestead Gardens on Central Avenue, I could actually see a building with a sign reading “Beer Farm”. I pulled into the far end of the garden center parking lot opposite wrought iron fences and a handsome pair of gates protecting the picturesque complex – one that is fast becoming a major draw for locals and visitors from further afield.
Homestead’s familiar greenhouses and gardens lay just beyond it, and I’d be stopping there too. But, for the moment, an expansive walkway and pleasant gardens beckoned.
Though Tuesday afternoon’s temperatures were sizzling, I decided a tour was in order. Once through the gates, I found a handy signboard highlighting the Beer Farm’s hours of operation.
Noticing that the walkway veers off in several directions, I wandered down one of them and took in the vista that opened before me. A handsome bar and a shady porch filled with tables were ever so appealing, but I stopped first at a specially designed play area for children.
Parents with families would most definitely appreciate the Beer Farm’s play area. Conveniently close by is the Homestead barnyard – home to farm animals ranging from Miniature Scottish Highland Cattle and donkeys to goats and chickens.
Sauntering down the central walkway led directly to the shady porch where we found a well-informed young man named Connor tending bar behind an open window overlooking the entire property.
Indicating that he usually worked behind the scenes but was filling in as bartender for the evening, Connor was, nevertheless, quite knowledgeable about the operation. We learned from him that the Beer Farm at Homestead collaborates with the Brookeville Beer Farm in Montgomery County to bring a wide range of craft beers, ales and lagers to its patrons. (Believe it or not, the Brookeville farm does grow its own hops.)
Connor further observed that the busiest time at the Beer Farm are Thursdays through Sundays when a variety of food trucks are on hand. He helpfully pointed out the Beer Farm tent with additional seating for customers as well as an outdoor stage area where local musicians are featured Wednesdays through Sundays.
In a phone conversation later with Homestead Garden media representative Pam Finley, we learned that, in addition to craft beers, wines from a local vineyard are often available at the Beer Garden. She especially wanted to emphasize that the Beer Garden is frequently used for business and community meetings and events.
One last look at the Beer Garden convinced me to return with friends on the weekend. I admit that it was difficult to leave that shady porch but the gardener in me wanted to visit Homestead Gardens proper.
Like many gardeners, I love growing plants from seed as a pleasurable hobby and as a technique for saving money. The Homestead Gardens branches in both Davidsonville and Severna Park are two of three garden centers that carry remarkable selections of flower, herb and vegetable seeds. (Another is AA Co. Farm, Lawn & Garden Center in Pasadena.) I headed into the main store with high expectations and wasn’t disappointed. There was a veritable wall of seed packets to choose from. I brought several.
It’s sometimes easier to buy a pot or a flat of plants that particularly appeal to me. So, I wandered into the greenhouses to check them all out. I loved the annuals in pots, but they were $7.99 apiece. The scarlet dahlia’s seen below were so stunning, however, that I may come back for a pot.
As opposed to pots, the annuals in four-plant flats were $4.99 and were also quite pretty.
I passed on those since I’ve already started several pots of petunias to transplant from a packet of last year’s seeds. They’ll yield many individual plants, and it won’t be long till they bloom.
Herbs and veg from seed are a money-saver too. It’s so handy to have my kitchen garden herbs right outside my back door though some are in the ground as well.
The best thing about plants grown from seed is that they sometimes reseed themselves after being dormant over the winter. This spring seeds that fell from my dill plants produced new plants as did seeds from two different tomato plants.
I never did come across the veggie transplants at Homestead but, I did enjoy exploring the Pollinator Cafe which attracts birds and bees.
I may be stopping by Homestead Gardens in Severna Park on Wednesday for Corks for a Cause which is always a great event. See my reminder below.
Corks for a Cause on Wednesday, June 3rd at Homestead Gardens in Severna Park
This year’s Corks for a Cause fundraiser benefitting the Baltimore-Washington Medical Center Foundation and NEXTGEN healthcare will be held in the beautiful surroundings of Homestead Gardens Severna Park on Wednesday, June 3rd from 6 to 8 pm.
Hosted by Homestead Gardens and Fishpaws MarketPlace, the event will feature excellent food and wines from some of the area’s finest purveyors, an impressive Silent Auction and Live Music.
Tickets available for the Katherine’s Light Foundation Music Festival on June 13th
Tickets are now available for this year’s Katherine’s Light Foundation Music Festival at the Severna Park Taphouse on Saturday, June 13th. The annual festival honoring the memory of Robin’s daughter Katherine Mueller is a fundraiser for the Neuroendocrine Tumor Research Foundation (NET cancer took Katherine’s life) and three other cancer-related charities. Performers being featured at the 2026 KLF Music Festival include the Lost and Found Trio Band, George Evans, Honey Sol, TMI, Ray Paice, Billy Z and more. The festival headliner is Nashville recording artist MIGGS who is back by popular demand.
The Around The Park Again column is brought to you this week by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu and Tai Chi at 1195 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd. – For over two decades providing martial arts training that improves cardio-vascular health, strength and flexibility while reducing stress. Jing Ying is again bringing Tai Chi to the Severna Park Community Center. The school will be holding a fun-filled summer camp this August. From health-defense to self-defense, Jing Ying provides fitness with a purpose for the whole family!
and by Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services at 815 Ritchie Hwy., Suite 206 – When you need someone to lean on, Lean On Dee. Their experienced team of personal care management specialists and friendly companions provide high quality consistent care.
