An End of an Era Getting’s Garden Closes After 41 Seasons
By Vanessa Rohwer
Getting’s Garden announced on Tuesday, July 1st on Facebook that this was its last season open to the public. A statement on Facebook read “ LAST SEASON, Thank You for 41 Incredible Seasons. After much reflection, we’ve decided that this past season was the final season of Getting’s Garden.
From the very beginning, our family set out to create more than just a place to pick berries—we wanted to build a space filled with joy, tradition, and connection. And thanks to you, that’s exactly what it became. For 41 seasons, you’ve supported us, laughed with us, brought your families, and made Getting’s Garden part of your story. We’re deeply grateful for every memory, every visit, and every kind word along the way. While the garden gates are closing, the love we’ve felt from this community will always stay rooted in our hearts. With heartfelt thanks, -The Getting Family”
Getting’s Garden was Established by Mary and Don Getting starting the operation in 1984 with the first hand-planted acre. Getting’s Garden grew to serve Northwest Iowa and other communities . The family owned and operated business was the go to destination for all your strawberry needs. Over the years, the Getting family created a fun experience with U-pick fields of strawberries and many other traditions. Creating unforgettable memories and built new family traditions with strawberries, Getting’s Backyard with mega playland, mega slide and tire mountain, to the petting zoo, farm-themed bouncy house, Rainbow playset, custom corn pit, giant hamster wheel, grain wagon basketball hoops, and giant strawberry jumping pad—there was fun around every corner for everyone. The Business was owned by Mary and Don as well as their son Andy and his wife Karissa.
Mary Getting shared with The Pioneer the reasoning for closing. They had been thinking about closing for a little while. Mary shared there were many different factors going into the decision in closing the last few growing seasons haven’t been the best this season it got so hot then cold and three where it rained which effected the growing of the berries and last season there was all the flooding people couldn’t get out to pick. She said people don’t come out to pick like they used to. Labor has also gotten super expensive anymore. It is a very intense labor operation all year round. Mary said they used to have high school students come out and do the weeding and picking but they can’t rely on that. Getting’s has been using their H2 workers to weed and pick. By the time they paid their bill and everyone it wasn’t a very profitable business anymore. Things have also changed over the years.
Mary said Getting’s Farm will continue they just wont be as pushed. They are currently selling a lot of the equipment, ovens, ice cream machine and play equipment on Facebook Marketplace with more to come. Many of the items have been sold and going to places that have businesses like Getting’s. Mary shared with us that some of the stuff has went to an orchard in Jefferson, IA and some to a small strawberry farm in Hudson, SD and some of the ovens to some bakeries. Mary said it has been interesting to visit with the people as they come to get the items.
As for the future of Gettings a lot of the trees will be removed to make room for grain crop to go along with their other crops they grow. Mary also said another reason for closing was she kind of wanting to retire from all of it. Many people don’t see the behind the scenes work that goes on to produce good strawberries. All of the Getting’s are excited for the change and less work. They were happy to do it all those years but it was time.
Gettings appreciated all the support that they have had from everyone and heir customers. They have gotten a lot of people sending them their memories of Getting’s Garden. Mary said it has been fun hearing all the memories and that it has been a tradition for some many. She said everything has been positive with the closing there are a few that are disappointed but they understand. With the closing of Getting’s Garden the family is excited to have more family time and be less stressed
“It is an end of an era” as Mary Getting shared.