the farm
Ask any long-time local about the farm and most will have a story or two to tell. From the early 70’s when the Gariss Family bought the land as a working 3,000 hen egg farm, through the years as the rented home of the Abundant Life Organic Seed Alliance, to its present day glory as Gariss Gardens, the land and farm buildings are an integral part of Port Townsend’s farming history.
Occupying about 2 ½ acres close to the heart of Victorian Port Townsend, the Gardens are in production of one thing or another year-round. The glory of the gardens is obvious from early spring through the fall. In the winter it may not look like much is growing but soil microbes, the key to our successful flowers, are thriving under ideal conditions. We still use all 5 of the original farm buildings, and grow over 300 varieties of perennials, annuals, shrubs and trees.
​
Gariss Gardens is a proud member of Quimper Events Collective and The Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers


the gardens
By 2008, Peter Gariss took over the running of his family’s farm. Inspired by his lifelong love of growing plants, the verdant soils and the farm’s horticultural history, he began making the gardens his own. He began by growing vegetables (enough to feed most everyone he knew) and tossed in a few dahlia tubers, just to see what would happen. Magic. That’s what happened. The few grew to tens, twenties and fifties. Peonies, delphinium, a host of annual flowers, decorative shrubs, greens, and fruit trees joined the garden beds. The plots expanded. The soils grew richer. Experience was gained.
As his retirement from the world of home building grew closer, Peter examined what he really wanted
to do with the rest of his life. Flower Farming was his final answer. Adding to his many years as a successful vegetable grower and land steward, he continued his education in the art of flower farming at Floret, graduating in 2019. Gariss Gardens was born.
Today, with ever expanding garden beds, seasonal extensions, and a host of varieties of flowers and decorative shrubs, Gariss Gardens supplies affordable blooms the to the greater Port Townsend and Jefferson County areas through special orders, their Farm Stand and CSA programs.
the farmers


peter gariss
Peter’s family transplanted themselves to Port Townsend in 1971 and many of his formative years were spent on the land now known as Gariss Gardens. His professional life as a home builder in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska gave him the unique ability to withstand the rigors of working outside no matter the weather, an essential flower farmer’s skill (and one that they don’t teach you in school).
Peter is the brains, brawn, planner, designer, field hand, machine fixer, wheelbarrow totter, irrigator, harvester and jack-of-all-trades behind the gardens. It’s his creativity, heart and hard work that make Gariss Gardens a reality

candice gohn
Candice's love for plants can be tracked back to childhood and her Mother's spectacular gardens. A fascination with growing set its seeds and she has been an avid gardener for nearly 50 years. A friend introduced Peter when he was recommended to do some carpentry work for her. As their building projects grew in complexity so did their friendship and their mutual love for growing became a strong bond.
Candice is the Garden's florist, customer service specialist, volunteer & plant sale coordinator, and farm hand. She is a graduate of the Floral Design Institute of America, the Tallulah Rose Flower School, and Floret Flower Farming, Candice is also an active Master Gardener.