About Us
Quality Products & Services for Six Decades
Ashcombe Farm & Greenhouses, located in Mechanicsburg, Pa., is more than an independent garden center. Starting out as a wholesale vegetable farm in 1956, today we are an ever-changing operation with quality products and services in all departments: cafe, bakery, gourmet food, garden supply, perennials, and a well-stocked nursery.
Our mission is to cultivate a welcoming and enriching destination for our community, offering high-quality plants, products, and experiences that inspire a love for gardening, fresh food, and family fun.
Growing to Please You Since 1962
Besides plants perfect for inside or outside your home, enjoy Ashcombe Farm & Greenhouses attractions and events fun for the whole family!
Attractions & More
- Seasonally-themed gift shop
- Ashcombe's Country Café
- Beehive maintained by Honey Bee Friendly (in spring and summer)
- Our resident animals - four cats that live in the greenhouse, two bunnies (in the greenhouse in winter, or the Courtyard the rest of the year), a bird in the gift shop, and fish in the pond!
- Workshops for all ages - follow our Eventbrite page for notifications about workshops coming soon!
- The Children's Garden, complete with a playground!
- Plant Palooza (Jan-Feb)
- Love is in the Air (February)
- Spring Open House (March)
- Nursery Grand Opening (April)
- Backyard BBQ (June)
- Yard Sale (July)
- Butterfly Day (August)
- Founder's Day (September)
- Fall Harvest Days (Oct-Nov)
- Holiday Open House (November)
- Ladies Night (December)
- Kids Country Christmas (December)
Our Inception
Ashcombe Vegetable Farm started in 1956 as a wholesale vegetable farm, principally growing asparagus, strawberries, sweet corn, and more. In 1962, a small roadside stand was set up to sell vegetables grown on the farm to the community.
Protecting Spring Bedding Plants & Vegetables
In a year or so, several small greenhouses were added to grow spring bedding plants. From this small beginning of 25 acres of vegetables and two or three greenhouses, the present business began to emerge.
Glenn and Mary Ellen Gross founded the business, renting the land from Mr. Henry Thornton, owner of Ashcombe Farms.
The Rebuilding
For a number of years, the Grosses worked with one or two helpers, plus seasonal workers, to plant the flowers and vegetables, trim blueberries, harvest asparagus, and do the many chores that such an operation requires. As the years went on, the vegetable farm doubled in size, and fruits and vegetables were purchased from outside sources to sell at the constantly changing roadside market.
The time between 1970 and 1978 saw major expansion. A fire destroyed a number of buildings in 1974, then rebuilding of the produce department took place in 1975, installing a fire protection (warning) system.
Extra Additions
In 1977, the owners purchased a tract of land along with buildings at Shermans Dale, including a greenhouse owned by Glenn's father, redesigned for growing spring bedding plants. The Ashcombe facility had started to grow foliage and flowering plants. Selling both wholesale and retail, the business filled the available land with greenhouses. As the business grew during the 1970s, garden supplies and dried flowers were added to the already thriving plant and produce business at the main store. Later, a gift shop was added. In 1983, a small bakery came into being in the produce department at the main store.
The Tragic Incident
On May 22, 1989, a devastating fire completely destroyed the retail store. Through the efforts of many dedicated employees, business continued in the parking lot on a reduced scale until the present architecturally designed facility was built with enlarged departments throughout, enabling increased products and services in each. This new complex was ready for use in March 1990, a thrilling time for everyone involved.
Our Dynamic Growth Pattern
Today, Ashcombe is an ever-changing operation with quality products and services in all departments, including a full bakery, café, and gourmet foods department, plus expanded garden supply, perennials, and a well-stocked nursery from spring into fall.
With its rich history, Ashcombe continues to be a viable part of the community, employing many full-time, part-time, and seasonal employees.
Our Loyalty Rewards Club
The Details
- Free membership
- Special unadvertised offers
- Rewards-based points system
Earn 1 point for every dollar spent and receive a $5 Reward Certificate for every 200 points earned!
Reward certificates are mailed to Loyalty customers every 4-6 weeks with valued based on point accumulation up to the send date.
No Card Necessary!
Just give us your phone number or name at checkout, and your points will start adding up. There's no need to overflow your wallet with another card that will end up lost or forgotten.
Our Newsletters
By providing your email, you will automatically receive our weekly emailed newsletter. We'll keep you updated on
- Sales
- Tips
- Seasonal plants
- Upcoming events
- Job Openings
- & more!
Enrollment & Participation
Enrollment is easy, and the benefits are immediate!
To sign up, simply complete an application at the registers. You are considered an active member once you submit your application to our cashier. You must provide your phone number or name during your transaction to ensure that your points are properly accumulated.
We cannot credit your purchases toward your reward after your transaction has been completed. Your first reward certificate will arrive during the next rewards mailing period (every 4-6 weeks) after receiving at least 200 points.
Privacy Policy
Ashcombe Farm & Greenhouses guarantees that we will never sell or share any information such as your name, phone number, address, email address, or purchase information with a third party.
All information gathered through the use of this program is held confidential and used exclusively to provide you with special savings and benefits.
Club Rules
- Your Loyalty Rewards Club membership is not a line of credit or charge account.
- Lost or stolen reward certificates cannot be replaced.
- Continued membership requires one purchase per year. (Simply provide your phone number or name and there's no need to re-register).
- Reward certificates cannot be exchanged, refunded, transferred, or redeemed for cash or any other form of credit or gift certificates.
- Ashcombe Farm & Greenhouses reserves the right to change or discontinue the Loyalty Rewaards Club program at any time.
- Your address must be kept up-to-date to receive your rewards.
- Ashcombe Farm & Greenhouses is not responsible for lost, misdirected, late, or undelivered mail pieces.
- Must be 18 or older to be a member.
- One account per household/address.
Shop for a Cause
Want to raise funds for a local church, group, or charity? Need additional dollars for your organization? Partner with Ashcombe for a successful fundraiser!
Earn up to 20% of your total group sales for your cause.
Call (717) 766-7611 for details and to reserve your event date.
Available January through March and June through December (some dates excluded).
Employment With Us
Interested in employment with Ashcombe Farm & Greenhouses?
Jim Damschroder
Human Resources
Phone: (717) 766-7611
Email: hr@ashcombe.com
Ashcombe Farm & Greenhouses
906 W. Grantham Road
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
