Brandon Hoeppner
Retired grandfather, master gardener, neighborhood legend, cookie baker, sunflower grower, porch philosopher, and friend to absolutely everyone.
About Me
I'm Brandon — a retired fellow who's been around long enough to know that the best things in life are the simplest. These days you'll usually find me out in the garden at the crack of dawn, tending to my tomatoes, peppers, and sunflowers before the heat sets in. My wife says I spend more time talking to the plants than to her, and she's probably right.
When I'm not in the garden, I'm probably sitting on the porch with a cup of coffee, watching the birds, baking cookies for the grandkids, or helping a neighbor fix something. I've lived in this neighborhood for over thirty years and I wouldn't trade it for anything. Life is good when you keep it simple.
A Few Things I Love
The Garden
There's nothing quite like getting your hands in the dirt first thing in the morning. I've been growing vegetables and flowers for over forty years — heirloom tomatoes are my pride and joy. Last summer I grew a sunflower that hit eight feet tall. The neighbors thought I was crazy watering it three times a day, but who's laughing now?
Family
My seven grandkids are the light of my life. Every Sunday dinner, every birthday, every little moment — those are the things that matter most when you get to my age. Nothing beats hearing them run through the front door hollering "Grandpa!" That sound alone takes twenty years off.
Community
A neighborhood is only as strong as the people who show up for each other. I try to be one of those people — whether it's shoveling a driveway, dropping off homegrown squash, or just sitting on the porch and waving at everyone who walks by. Small things add up.
Generosity
You don't need much to give much. A little patience, a little time, and a willingness to help — that goes a longer way than most folks realize. I learned that from my own grandfather, and I try to pass it along every chance I get. A bag of tomatoes never hurt nobody.
"The glory of gardening: hands in the dirt, head in the sun, heart with nature. To nurture a garden is to feed not just the body, but the soul."
— Alfred Austin