Plant Business Helps Veteran Find ‘New Ground’

March 28, 2021March 27, 2021 Tex Appeal staff

By Tonya Warren | Photos by Janna Zepp and courtesy

After nine years in the U.S. Army, Santiago Gonzales earned a computer engineering degree from DeVry University and traded his uniform for a business suit. He soon discovered the corporate world isn’t always a bed of roses. He has found his calling in an unlikely place — a small nursery on the edge of downtown Temple.

“I became so disillusioned with the stress after working in a very tense high-tech job,” says Santiago, a native Floridian. “I knew there must be something else out there for me.” He then moved to Austin where he operated multiple tire stores for 15 years.

Santiago would drive to the Temple VA for his healthcare, often thinking about various job opportunities other than tires. Three Palms Nursery isn’t far from the VA health system, so when he was in the area, he’d find himself stopping by the nursery to talk shop with the business owners.

He grew to enjoy the peacefulness of being near the potted trees and shrubs that were awaiting new ground. Santiago knew he needed “new ground” too. He decided to purchase the nursery.

“I’ve always enjoyed the outdoors,” he says.” It just offers a calming environment.” He likes to get out and fiddle with the inventory, moving things around on his LS Compact tractor, which he says is the best investment he’s ever made.

He speaks with awe as he daily describes what it’s like taking care of living things. “Everyday I get to take care of the plants. I get to watch them grow and transform. They just make you feel good.”

Fortunately, they also make a lot of other folks feel good during these long days of the pandemic. “At the beginning of COVID, people were home, it was spring, things were shut down, and they had all this extra time on their hands,” Santiago says. “Couples would stop by with their honey-do lists.”

Educating customers is an important part of the business, as Santiago wants to help them understand proper care of their gardening purchases. He remembers one gentleman who ordered a large number of trees for his country home but had no way of watering them. The customer was surprised to learn the young trees needed a lot of watering to help establish roots and remain healthy throughout our brutal Texas summers.

“First of all, I ask people what kind of water supply they have, as that will determine what plants will thrive in their environment. I then ask what look they are envisioning for their home or office. I ask them to drive around established neighborhoods and take pictures of what they like,” Santiago says. They then bring him the pictures and they discuss what would work well for their area.

Bell County is home to a large active duty and retired military community, so a lot of newcomers may not be familiar with what grows and flourishes here. He reminds customers to be careful not to get their heart set on a beautiful plant they saw on social media, since zone requirements can vary wildly. Also, it’s easy for beginner plant enthusiasts to remember plants aren’t attractive when they go dormant for the season. “Think about how beautiful a crepe myrtle tree is in August versus what it looks like in January,” Santiago says, laughing.

Although customers regularly ask Santiago to expand his business by offering fertilizers, mulch and even landscaping services, he prefers to keep things on a manageable scale.

Santiago’s wife, Laura, opened Three Palms Nursery Plants and Pottery last summer in the nearby community of Holland. While Santiago specializes in outdoor nursery offerings, Laura sells a variety of indoor plants. She has glazed Mexican and Vietnam pottery, chimineas, concrete statues and bird baths to enhance your garden environment.

“I retired from a very stressful job,” Laura says. “This job is for enjoyment, and I like helping customers pick out something they’d like in their home or office.”