BOWMAN, N.D — In
Bowman
, a greenhouse filled with the sounds of birds and rows of thriving plants has become more than a seasonal business: it has become a gathering place for gardeners, families and visitors from across the region.
Now in its sixth season, Buried Treasures Garden Center continues to grow both plants and community connections through locally grown flowers, educational workshops and a welcoming atmosphere.
Owned by Melissa Senn, the greenhouse operates from May through the second week of June and specializes in plants grown from seed or cuttings rather than shipped-in inventory. This season alone, Senn said the greenhouse has grown about 30,000 plants.
From longtime dream to thriving greenhouse
For Senn, opening a greenhouse was a longtime dream.
After moving to Bowman in 2005, she worked at the local courthouse for 11 years before eventually finding the right location to launch the business. Today, the
greenhouse
offers annuals, perennials, vegetables, herbs, shrubs and trees through special order, while also hosting educational workshops and private gatherings.
The exterior of Buried Treasures Garden Center is pictured in Bowman.
Kelly Harju / The Dickinson Press
“We pride ourselves mostly on quality,” Senn said. “We don’t ship the plants in and resell them. We grow them. We have control over what we’re selling, rather than just ordering something and reselling it the next day.”
Senn said roughly 25,000 plants were transplanted in March and nurtured throughout the season. The greenhouse’s emphasis on quality has helped attract customers not only from Bowman, but from communities across the region.
Rows of flowers, vegetables and hanging baskets fill the greenhouse at Buried Treasures Garden Center in Bowman.
Kelly Harju / The Dickinson Press
“We’ve had people from Spearfish to Sidney to Bismarck,” Senn said.
According to Senn, one of the most common compliments she receives is about how long the plants last throughout the growing season.
“Customers say that our plants do so well for the whole season,” Senn said. “They say they’re just the best plants.”
Teaching gardening through hands-on workshops
Beyond
selling plants
, Buried Treasures Garden Center has also become known for its educational workshops focused on container gardening and beginner-friendly growing techniques.
Held throughout May, as well as during the fall and winter beginning Thanksgiving weekend, the workshops teach participants practical skills such as choosing quality soil, creating proper drainage, and understanding watering and fertilizing techniques. Senn said the goal is to help people feel confident and successful while gardening.
Participants work on succulent pumpkin arrangements during a fall workshop held Sept. 15, 2024, at Buried Treasures Garden Center in Bowman.
Contributed / Melissa Senn
“We teach people the important things to remember so that they’re successful and that they want to keep trying to grow,” Senn said. “The biggest thing is holes in planters. A lot of people don’t put holes in them and then their plants drown. They end up not being successful and frustrated and don’t want to do it again.”
The workshops have drawn returning participants over the years and have evolved into social gatherings for families and groups of friends.
A grandmother and granddaughter participate in a winter porch pot workshop at Buried Treasures Garden Center in Bowman.
Contributed / Melissa Senn
“They come back next year because they liked what they did and did it well,” Senn said. “Groups of girlfriends or families would come. You’ll see grandmas and granddaughters.”
Senn said she enjoys offering a different kind of experience for the community — one that is hands-on, relaxed and welcoming to people of all skill levels.
“You can come do a ‘hands on’ where we make a mess and it doesn’t matter,” Senn said.
Participants create succulent pumpkin arrangements during a fall workshop held Sept. 15, 2024, at Buried Treasures Garden Center in Bowman.
Contributed / Melissa Senn
To keep the experience personal, workshop sizes are intentionally limited to eight to 10 participants at a time, allowing for more one-on-one guidance.
“It’s easier for me to be one-on-one with them,” Senn said.
The workshops are held Mondays in May at 6 p.m. Registration is available through the greenhouse’s Facebook page or by contacting Senn directly. The classes cost $20 per participant.
Beautifying Bowman one plant at a time
Senn said the greenhouse’s role extends beyond gardening and education. She believes plants contribute to the overall appearance and appeal of the community.
“You’re beautifying your community, essentially,” Senn said. “The more people we can get to love it, the better our town looks.”
She added that gardening and landscaping can also leave a positive impression on visitors and potential new residents.
“It helps keep new people interested in Bowman and want to move to Bowman,” Senn said.
The greenhouse’s hanging baskets will soon decorate Bowman’s Main Street, and Buried Treasures Garden Center has recently begun offering commercial planters for local businesses as well.
Commercial planters filled with flowers and greenery are displayed inside Buried Treasures Garden Center in Bowman. The garden center recently began offering commercial planter services for local businesses and community spaces.
Kelly Harju / The Dickinson Press
Looking toward the future
As the business continues to grow, Senn said expansion plans are already underway. Groundbreaking for an additional greenhouse and a large storage building took place May 11.
Despite the growth, Senn said her long-term goal remains simple: creating a peaceful and welcoming environment where people feel comfortable learning and exploring gardening.
“I just hope they feel welcome and comfortable,” Senn said. “It’s, for the most part, a peaceful place. It shouldn’t be stressful, so we try to make it that.”
A workshop and display area inside Buried Treasures Garden Center in Bowman features flowers, planters and gardening supplies. The space is used for seasonal gardening workshops and hands-on community events.
Kelly Harju / The Dickinson Press
For beginner gardeners, Senn said one lesson stands above the rest: investing in good soil.
“You don’t have good soil, you don’t have good plants,” Senn said. “It’s got to be lightweight.”
Looking ahead, Senn hopes visitors leave the greenhouse not only with flowers or plants, but with new knowledge and inspiration.
“I hope as many people as possible take something away,” Senn said. “I hope they learn something and leave with something new.”
“The pen is mightier than the sword.”
As a professional writer with more than 10 years of experience, Kelly lives by these words. With a bachelor’s degree in communication, majoring in broadcasting and journalism, and a fiery passion for writing that began in childhood, she uses the power of words to make an impact in the community — informing, educating, and entertaining a wide range of audiences.
As a journalist, what Kelly loves most about her job is the ability to bring unique stories to the public and give people a voice that can be heard around the world. Whether through print or digital platforms, her goal is to share stories people enjoy reading while spreading valuable information that supports the welfare of southwest North Dakota and its people.
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