Chicks, flowering plants, and garden cuttings all change hands at a monthly swap in south Mississippi. Neighbors bring what they have grown or raised and leave with something new for the yard or coop.
The event sits at the heart of a farm store that already feels like a gathering spot for people who love dirt under their fingernails. Here is a closer look at what makes this place worth the drive.
A Swap Meet Built Around Living Things
Few events sound as cheerful as a swap where the trade goods are chicks, seedlings, and garden cuttings. Folks bring extras from their own yards and coops, then head home with something fresh to try.
The idea is simple. Instead of tossing extra tomato starts or splitting a crowded flower bed into the compost pile, gardeners pass the plants along to someone who will enjoy them.
Animal lovers take part too, which gives the day a lively sound track of peeping and clucking. A swap like this also gives beginners a chance to ask questions before they buy anything.
Check the store website for the current schedule before you plan a trip, since dates can change from month to month. Bring a box or crate so your new finds travel safely.
Finding the Store on Rivers Drive
Now for the place itself. MS Farm & Garden is at 39 Rivers Dr, Hattiesburg, Mississippi 39401, United States, and it works as a full feed and seed store.
The location is easy to reach, which many shoppers mention as a big plus when they need supplies in a hurry. Pickup trucks and trailers come and go all day.
Hours run from 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM Monday through Friday. Saturday hours are 7:30 AM to 2 PM, and the store closes on Sunday.
That early opening time suits farmers, gardeners, and anyone who likes to shop before the Mississippi heat builds. If you plan to visit for a swap, arriving early gives you the best choice of plants.
Baby Chicks That Grow Up Friendly
Spring brings a special kind of peeping to a feed store. Chicks are a favorite purchase here, and one shopper reported that the birds grew up healthy and turned out to be the friendliest in the flock.
Starting with chicks gives you time to learn their habits. You will need a warm space, clean water, and the right starter feed, all of which you can pick up in the same trip.
Ask what breeds are available and how big they get. Some lay colorful eggs, while others are better known for calm temperaments.
Plan your coop before you bring any birds home. A little preparation keeps those fuzzy newcomers safe and makes the first weeks far less stressful.
Plants and Trees With a Wide Range
Garden shoppers will find plenty to browse. Past visitors have praised the variety of trees, and some noted that prices ran lower than other sellers nearby.
Walking the plant area is a good way to plan your yard. Look at leaf shape, mature size, and sun needs on each tag before you pick.
Mississippi weather can swing from wet to dry, so choose plants that match your soil and sunlight. If you are unsure, ask for advice before you load the cart.
One shopper reported that the plants they bought here are all thriving. That kind of result starts with picking the right plant for the right spot, and then giving it steady water while roots settle in.
Soil Testing for a Healthier Yard
Great gardens begin below the surface. One customer came in for soil testing on their yard and planned to return for the right nutrients afterward.
A soil test tells you what your ground is missing. Instead of guessing, you can add only what the lawn or garden needs, which saves money and effort.
Collect samples from several spots in your yard and mix them together. Bring that mix to the store and ask about the next steps.
Once you know your results, you can pick fertilizer that fits. Your grass, vegetables, and flowers will often respond with deeper color and stronger growth.
Feed for Horses, Dogs, and the Whole Barnyard
Feed is the backbone of any farm store, and this one stocks plenty. Shoppers talk about good prices on dog food, quality feed, and a wide selection for different animals.
If you forget the brand or percentage of horse feed you buy, the team can look up your past purchases in the computer. That small detail saves many a second trip.
Reading the label matters. Protein levels and ingredients differ from one bag to the next, so match the feed to your animal’s age and needs.
Store bags in a dry, sealed container at home. Fresh feed keeps pets and livestock healthier and keeps pests away from your barn.
The Ticket and Warehouse Loading System
Heavy bags of feed can wear out your back, so the loading routine here is a relief. You go inside, tell the team what you need, and receive a ticket.
Then you drive to the attached warehouse, where the bags are loaded into your vehicle for you. Several visitors have mentioned how quick and easy it feels.
This setup keeps traffic moving, even when the lot is busy on a Saturday morning. Quick in and out matters when you have animals waiting at home.
Back your vehicle in carefully and clear out space before you arrive. Pickup beds and trunks fill up fast when you are buying feed, seed, and supplies in one trip.
Fence, Seed, and Field Supplies
Landowners come for the practical stuff. One customer said this store had the best prices on farm field fence for three years in a row.
Seed is another strong point, and shoppers have called the seed prices great. Seasonal planting guides can help you time your rows.
Weed and pest problems also come up often in a Mississippi garden. The store can point you toward products to handle them, so ask what suits your crop.
Measure your fence line before you shop. Knowing the exact length keeps you from buying too little or hauling home extra rolls you will never use.
Gifts, Honey, and Bird Feeders
Not everything on the shelves is for a barn. The gift area has drawn compliments, and local honey sits among the finds.
One shopper needed a birthday present for a 90-year-old guest and left with a bird feeder and seed. The store even wrapped it before the party.
Bird feeders make thoughtful gifts because they bring daily entertainment to a porch or window. Pair one with a bag of seed and you have a complete present.
Browse the gift section whenever you visit. You might spot a small treat for a friend, or a new pair of boots for yourself.
Special Orders and Planning Your Visit
Cannot find what you need? Ask.
One customer drove from Ocean Springs because nobody closer carried the product, and the store ordered it and called when it arrived.
Another shopper said the team located an elusive item online when it was not on the shelves. That kind of effort is a good reason to call ahead for rare items.
Seasonal goods can sell out, so check early for things like certain seed potatoes. Spring planting season moves fast.
Visit the store website at msfarmgarden.com to learn about upcoming swap dates. After you shop, explore other local nurseries and parks around Hattiesburg to keep the gardening day going.
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