The Bossler farm in Shiloh, Illinois was purchased in  1926 by Nic Bossler.  At that time he planted asparagus by the acre.  The Bossler peach orchard replaced the asparagus and sustained the family along with livestock, corn, and beans through the 1970s. In later years, home-grown produce was added, and the summers became full of gardening and selling produce right from the home-place. Fresh sweet corn, tomatoes, squash, and all the standard home-grown fare were available.  Nic's son, Stanley always liked gladiolus so they were interspersed into the garden. Grandpa Stanley and Grandma Marian ran the product stand at the home-place until 2012. In 2013, granddaughter Jessika kept it running one more year.

 

Inspired by Grandpa Stanley, the 3rd and 4th generation family members returned to the gardens in 2019 and now are supplying the area with locally-grown, specialty cut-flowers, using sustainable gardening efforts. Bossler Gardens serves the O'Fallon-Shiloh Illinois area and can be seen at the O'Fallon Vine Street Station Farmer's Market from May to September. Special orders for DIY arrangements and bouquets are available seasonably.