Ciminellis Takes Over Meadowfarms, Remake Nursery as ‘Eco-Oasis’

If you have not been to the Meadows Farms Nursery on Central Avenue in Prince George’s County in a while, you’re in for a surprise. The nursery, located just a few miles west of the Patuxent River Bridge, is now home to Ecoasis Garden Center, a venture of Matt and Donna Ciminelli, owners of Ciminellis Landscape Services.
Meadows Farms Nursery on Central Avenue is now home to Ciminellis Ecoasis Garden Center.

The Lothian couple purchased the nursery in October of last year. After months of renovations, the garden center officially opened in March.

The Ciminellis’ have big plans for Ecoasis which they said is a “traditional garden center that offers eco-friendly alternatives and resources for the home gardener.”

To start, Matt and Donna are re-stocking the inventory with trees, shrubs, annuals and perennials. The Ciminellis’ source most of their plants from local growers such as Homestead Growers, TSB Enterprises and Hall Growers.

The couple is working to obtain a permit for a Farmer’s Market where local farmers can sell their fruits and vegetables.

In addition, Donna said the couple is planting a vegetable garden on the property and will sell the produce along with fresh-cut flowers.

Matt, who is an Anne Arundel County Beekeeper, plans to sell local honey. In fact, the beehive is due to arrive any day.

The nursery is stocked with earth-friendly products, rain barrels, composters, eco-mats, bio-logs and much more.

Matt said the garden center offers flower and vegetable plants in eco-friendly containers  and encourages customers to drop off the plastic trays and pots at his garden center for recycling.
Ecoasis has a variety of locally-sourced annuals, perennials and vegetable plants.

“Just drop them off at the front gate and we will re-use them,” said Matt.

Matt is very active in the local environmental scene. He works with local riverkeepers and Master Gardeners and is a currently a candidate in the Watershed Stewards Academy class of 2012.

The couple plans to host educational seminars with conservation and environmental experts as well as hold family-friendly events such as S’mores nights.

Ciminellis Ecoasis Garden Center is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The nursery is located at 18301 Central Avenue.