Two weeks ago, I invoked a little introduction for Nelson Plant Food based on Texas A&M Yell Practice, “Hey Ags, I got a story for ya!”
They don’t do that at University of Houston pep rallies, but ... Hey Coogs, I got a great story for ya!
I want to tell you about Bob Patterson and Southwest Fertilizer.
I actually wanted to go to UH, before I ended up at A&M, and I have been a huge Cougar fan since 1978. But I’m an even greater fan of Bob Patterson - one of the biggest Cougar fans ever - and his pride and joy, Southwest Fertilizer.
Whether you’re an Ag, a Coog, a Longhorn, or a Tiger, if you’ve been to Southwest Fertilizer, you know why everyone is a fan of this place. I have affectionately called it the “Lawn & Garden Tradition of Houston for Over 60 Years!”
Bob happened to be one of the Southwest Fertilizer managers back in 1996 when I first hit the GardenLine scene. He took over ownership in 2008. One thing that hasn’t changed in all that time: they simply are, have been, and will be the go-to store for anything and everything on my lawn fertilization schedule. And beyond! Whether it’s fertilizers (organic or synthetic) fungicides, insecticides, algaecides, rodenticides – no matter the ‘cide’ you come down on - they’ll likely have several options within the category.
The original owners (and there have been only three through the years) were part of the KTRH Farm & Ranch Show beginning in the 1960s. That program, with the likes of Dewey Compton and Bill Zak, eventually became GardenLine. And since 1955, the store has been at the corner of Bissonnet and Renwick (Renwick is Fountainview, south of US 59).
Among other things that separate SWF from any feed store, (much less any hardware store) is the nearly 100-foot wall crammed with every garden tool imaginable. There’s also a premier lawn mower and power equipment shop out back. So, in addition to the latest and greatest gardening products, you’ll find everything from blowers to ZTR mowers and whatever might be in between.
Bob and his wife, Diane, are so involved in the community, very gracious and generous with their time and philanthropy. As Bob says, “We are so grateful for the many relationships we have developed over the years with customers, employees and certain radio personalities.” Bob actually met Diana at the store, which is a whole other GardenLine story. Maybe you can just ask him how that all worked out next time you visit the store.
And another thing that sets Southwest Fertilizer apart is their good old-fashioned customer service. From walking and talking with customers, to carrying everything to the car and loading it up in a clean and orderly manner, the employees at Southwest Fertilizer have always exceeded expectations.
So, I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it once more – if you’ve never been to Southwest Fertilizer, make the trip and experience all they have to offer. I promise you’ll be going back again and again.