Lambert Growers in West Valley City is one of Utah’s few remaining family-run greenhouses that still grows everything on site. Now in its third generation, the nursery is operated by Kim and Charlie Clark, who took over the business from Kim’s mother, Marianne. The Clarks grow vegetable starts, herbs, and flowers in greenhouses built by Kim’s grandfather, Paul Lambert, who started the business in the 1960s.
Paul Lambert, a carpenter by trade, built the original greenhouse by hand and created much of the equipment still used today. He relied on agricultural research from California, particularly UC Davis, to learn how to grow vegetables and design greenhouse infrastructure. Some of the machines he built—including a large flat filler and a germination chamber—are still used today because of their durability and capacity.
Lambert Growers has grown primarily through word of mouth. Many of today’s customers are the children and grandchildren of the original patrons. With Marianne still actively involved, the family manages every step of production, from seed to sale. That local control means plants don’t suffer from transportation shock, unlike starts that are shipped from out of state.
“That’s how we keep our prices reasonable and our plants healthy,” says Kim. “We can dial in quality control at every stage.”
The nursery doesn’t rely on supplemental lighting. Everything is grown using natural sunlight, and the team uses techniques like interplanting flowers to bring in pollinators and beneficial insects. They also teach customers about companion planting, which involves placing crops together that support each other’s growth, such as corn, beans, and squash.
Lambert Growers sees about 75% of its business in May. Spring is a hectic time, and the staff stays busy helping customers and maintaining the plants. Until recently, checkout was done with pen and paper. That changed when Kim and Charlie introduced handheld POS systems to speed up transactions and reduce errors.
“Writing receipts by hand was charming, but inefficient,” says Charlie. “Now our employees can focus on answering questions and helping people in the greenhouse.”
The Clarks have also expanded their growing season. They now offer garlic seed, leafy greens, and other cool-season crops in the fall. They also carry perennials and water-wise plants that attract pollinators.
“We want people to know you can garden beyond the summer months in Utah,” says Kim. “It’s not just tomatoes and squash.”
For apartment dwellers and balcony gardeners, the nursery offers compact varieties suited for containers. The Clarks saw this demand grow as more multi-unit housing developments were built in the area.
“People still want fresh food, even if they only have a balcony or a small patio,” says Charlie. “We carry varieties that can thrive in containers.”
One of their most popular recommendations is using drip tape instead of overhead watering. Drip irrigation helps conserve water and deliver moisture directly to plant roots—a critical step in Utah’s arid climate.
“It doesn’t affect your water bill much and it helps prevent weed growth,” says Kim.
The Clarks also promote using cover crops to improve soil quality. In the off-season, gardeners can plant seed mixes that include legumes and grasses. These crops add organic matter to the soil, reduce erosion, and create a natural mulch as they break down.
“Cover cropping helps maintain soil health without synthetic fertilizers,” says Charlie. “We sell seed mixes in small quantities to get people started.”
While some customers still ask why Lambert Growers doesn’t offer trees, shrubs, or decoratives, the Clarks are focused on staying within their niche.
“We want to do what we do well. Other places already specialize in trees and shrubs, and we send people to them all the time,” says Kim. “We’d rather stay focused on vegetable starts and herbs.”
Their home garden reflects their approach. The Clarks grow food in nearly every square foot of their quarter-acre property. They share much of their produce with neighbors.
“Every year we say we’ll grow less, and every year we grow more,” Kim jokes. “There’s always space. Even if you live in an apartment, you can grow something.”
Lambert Growers is more than a business—it’s a resource for Utah gardeners. The staff helps customers navigate everything from pest control to soil improvement. And with decades of experience passed down through the family, they offer advice rooted in local knowledge.
For those new to gardening, Kim has simple advice: “Start with what you want to eat. Don’t try to grow everything at once. Learn as you go.”
