Gordon, the great-grandson of Earl May, and his family at the 100 year anniversary of the company in 2019 in Shenandoah, Iowa.

Our Story

Family Owned • Family Grown

In 1919, Earl E. May founded Earl May Seed & Nursery in Shenandoah, a small town in southwest Iowa.

In the beginning, a seed and nursery catalog was sent to only a handful of people. However, at the height of the catalog, over 2 million copies were distributed throughout the United States. Originally, along with seed, Earl May also sold baby chickens, tires, batteries, radios, paint, shoes and clothing, mostly by mail.

While much has changed since those early years, the one thing that has not is Earl May's insistence on quality products, expert advice and superior customer service.

Today, we operate 28 family-owned stores in Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri and Kansas. At your local Earl May Garden Center, not only will you find a wide variety of plants, but a friendly and helpful staff, and everything you need to enhance your outdoor living space.