Lumberton, MISS. — The Flower Bed Nursery in Lumberton, Mississippi, is more than a business. For the Keith family, it’s a reflection of their faith, values, and dedication to serving their community. Now in their 23rd year of ownership, the Keiths are preparing for another busy spring season—growing not just plants, but also relationships rooted in trust and faith.
In 2002, Tom Keith made a life-changing decision to leave a travel-heavy career and purchase The Flower Bed Nursery from Bass Memorial Academy. The move was a leap of faith, inspired by his desire to be closer to his young children and grounded in his commitment to God.
“When I bought this business, I was determined to keep the Sabbath,” Keith said. “I don’t think I would be successful had I not kept the Sabbath because God blesses me beyond measure, and I think that’s what’s made me successful.”
True to their Seventh-day Adventist beliefs, the Keith family closes the nursery on Saturdays, even as some suggested they might benefit financially by remaining open.
“I’ve had people – I have employees now that say, ‘Man, why don’t you let me run it on Saturday? We could do so much business.’ But we’re just not going to do that,” Keith said. “We’re going to honor God, and we’re going to continue to be blessed.”
Faith is woven into every aspect of how the Keiths operate The Flower Bed Nursery. Beyond observing the Sabbath, they prioritize honesty, quality and service in everything they do.
“We try to be honest. We try to put out a good product. We try to do it as fairly priced as we possibly can,” Keith said.
From vibrant hanging baskets to lush shrubs and succulents, the nursery offers a wide selection of plants, trees and flowers grown on-site. Their landscaping services, added a decade ago, have also become an essential part of their business, especially during slower months.
“This is not a business that you, if you’re wanting to get rich, that you get into. This is a business that you’ve got to love what you do. Otherwise, it just doesn’t work out,” Keith said.
The Keiths’ decision to remain closed on Saturdays has led to an unexpected benefit—Sundays are now the busiest day for the nursery.
“Our biggest day is Sunday,” Keith explained, noting that’s when the nursery sees most of their customers. “It’s been very beneficial.”
The Flower Bed Nursery’s customers are more than patrons—they’re part of a larger community that Keith describes as “friends and family.” That sense of connection has helped the business thrive even amid challenges like inflation and rising costs.
Now at 65, Keith is beginning to think about the future, but he’s not quite ready to step away.
“It’s hard to stop when you get started,” he laughed. “I mean, where do you stop? Maybe one day my son, Ryan, will take it over. We’ll see.”
For now, the Keith family remains focused on preparing for the busy spring season. Greenhouses are full of plants ready to bloom, and the team is hard at work ensuring their customers find everything they need to enhance their gardens and homes.
Keith said he’s grateful for the people who continue to support the nursery, crediting those customers for the reason they’re still here over two decades later.
As the nursery enters its 23rd spring under the Keith family’s stewardship, Keith hopes it continues to be a reminder that with faith, love and hard work, a business can be much more than a source of income—it can be a place of inspiration and connection.
