Holiday Shopping Guide: Rita’s Local Favorites
When you support Rita’s Roots, you are joining our mission to make the world a better place by connecting people with growing their own food. To help you support other small businesses we love, I’m sharing a few of my favorites in this Holiday Guide.
You not only contribute to my family (my husband and two young daughters), but your support extends to the team members we employ. Our team works throughout the Lowcountry helping backyard gardeners build, grow and maintain their organic raised bed vegetable gardens.
PHOTOGRAPHY HOLIDAY GUIDE
Rita’s Roots official photographer is Libby Williams. Libby and I met some odd years ago when she approached me to write a blog post on her food blog @plate.south about gardening and Rita’s Roots.
I had never really had professional photos taken of myself or my work before and was stunned at the light and depth that they captured. As photography needs increased, so did the work shared between us. She was even so kind as to shoot all of the Garden Growers Club inaugural year videos!
She does our gardens, team headshots, and even our family Christmas card. Her keen eye extends far beyond those subjects. Head over to @libbywilliamsphotos on Instagram to see more.
If you came to the 10 year plant sale you may have seen her floating about making memories of that special day. The photos here are some of those favorites. Not only is she talented, but she is an incredibly kindred spirit who loves gardening too.
ART HOLIDAY GUIDE
Local artist Kate Barattini loves to shred as much as she loves to paint! She has become the unofficial muralist / artist for Rita’s Roots, making all of my creative dreams manifest to reality – on the print page, on our shipping container, and most recently on our Plant Van.
She can do commissions of pets, places and ideas close to your heart, in addition to her Animal Shred series. From vehicles to shipping containers, to walls and canvases, she can paint it all!
Her talent and stoke for life are such a blessing to all who know her! A true gem and I’m so thankful to share this journey with her! Find her at @kbtini on Instagram.
FOOD + DRINK HOLIDAY GUIDE
GLASS ONION
I’ve been working with the Glass Onion since they opened in 2008, and I was still farming on Wadmalaw Island. We brought them 346 POUNDS of local produce for their opening day. Chris and his team have remained committed to supporting local and regional producers, and their food is always tasty and made with love.
Rita’s Roots was brought back a few years ago to maintain the planters that adorn either side of the outdoor seating area. We happily swap our expertise in plants for abundant meals to nourish us when the season is full speed ahead. Some of our family faves are the crispy Brussels, the pimento cheese, and the meatloaf – it’s to die for! You can also grab local eggs, milk and kombucha to go! Don’t skip out on their homemade desserts either! Follow them at @glassonionsc on Instagram.
TRADESMAN BREWING CO.
A true testament that it never hurts to ask! Rita’s Roots was in the market for a new location to host our plant sales and plant pickups and to house our home base for the Garden Crew. After looking high and low in our neighborhood with all available properties not fitting our needs, I remember thinking, “All we need is a giant parking lot.”
On the way up 26 that day, there it was! The giant parking lot of Tradesman Brewing Co. Thanks to a membership in Hatch Tribe, I knew of Sara Gayle, who owns the brewery with her two partners — one husband and one beer-husband. I asked and she said yes, and if you’ve been to a plant sale this year you know what a fabulous arrangement this is.
Their facility on King Street Extension is capable of producing almost 3,000 barrels of beer annually. They sell draft and canned beer all over South Carolina.
Be sure to stop in to their tasting room to say hello to the brew crew next time you are at a sale or picking up your plants. We just love it down here (wind-tunnel and all ) and are so thankful for community-minded partners and neighbors.
EDMUND’S OAST EXCHANGE
I highly recommend all natural wines and my go-to source is Sarah O’Kelley of Edmund’s Oast Exchange. Sarah, one of my longest standing Garden Guidance Clients, is a certified sommelier and wine director at the Exchange.
Our friendship started years prior when she was owner of Glass Onion and I was still farming the fields of Wadmalaw Island. We have both moved forward in our careers and passions, but we always reconvene in the garden.
Visiting Sarah’s shop is so much fun as she celebrates small vineyards and wineries and knows how each one grows their grapes. Keeping with our values, we like the organic, biodynamic and all-natural producers. Sarah stocks our favorites and always has something new to try!
BATH + BODY HOLIDAY GUIDE
Rita’s Roots began helping the team at Old Whaling Co. in 2018. Their amazing owner April Budney thought six raised organic vegetable garden beds would be a great employee perk. We could not agree more!
We found all the sunny out-of-the-way spaces around the warehouse parking lot and built raised beds. The team comes out to learn every two weeks from a Rita’s Roots Garden Guru and enjoys staff meals full of salad greens harvested right outside the door. There’s plenty of veggies for the team to bring home too!
For the holidays, check out their new Coastal Christmas scent — available in soap, candles, body butter and bath bombs.
Are you shopping locally this year? Share your favorites in the comments!
OUTDOOR GEAR
We believe strongly in supporting local businesses when procuring our weather-worthy garden gear, and our go-to spot is Half Moon Outfitters.
Some of our favorites are the sun shirts made by Charleston-based company Free Fly Apparel, Patagonia rain coats, and the All Good Brand sunscreen.
They’ve created their own Gift Guides for the season — sorted by whether you are buying for paddlers, campers or runners.
Rita’s Roots has been tending the personal garden and commercial landscape of the Half Moon Outfitters owners for more than six years.
GARDEN GADGETS HOLIDAY GUIDE
COBRA
The only garden tool you need! Acts as a steel fingernail for digging, cultivating, weeding & planting. STAFF FAVORITE!
Why we love it: So versatile! The Cobra is the last hand-held garden tool you will ever buy. And it’s made in the USA!
Other Uses: It spreads soil, mixes compost and fertilizer, digs planting holes and seed furrows, and weeds the surface of the soil. We especially like to use it to loosen and fluff the soil before planting. Also great for pulling up those pesky running weeds such as dollarweed and florida betony
Cost: $28.89
Where to purchase: Our Online Store
DRAMM GARDEN SCISSORS
Why we love it: Perfect for quick cutting and deadheading. Small compact design for comfortable use. Tip shaped like a scissors.
Other Uses: Cutting flowers and pruning
Cost: $16.00
Where to purchase: Our Online Store
PRUNER FELCO NO. 6
Why we love it: The No. 6 is designed for smaller hands. Great quality! Will last for 10+ years if stored indoors between uses
Other Uses: Great tool for cutting through thicker branches and stalks of veggie plants as well as harvest. All your pruning needs!
Cost: $57.39
Where to purchase: Felco.com
RITA’S ROOTS GIFT CERTIFICATE
For all the gardeners in your life, consider gifting them a plant class with Rita’s Roots, a site assessment, or a membership to the Garden Growers Club, our online community.
Gift cards are always a good idea! Check out our holiday gift certificates at our Online Store.