Yankton Nurseries

About Us

Union Civil War vet C.W. Gurney founded "Yankton Nurseries" in 1869, an enterprise that later grew into the Gurney Seed & Nursery Company of national fame under the management of his sons. Gurney Seed was sold in 1942 to corporate interests, eventually pressuring the remaining family from further involvement during the mid to late 1970s. Undeterred, C.W.'s great-grandson, Jay Gurney, set up his own greenhouse in Yankton to prioritize quality - but an ensuing lawsuit from Gurney Seed prevented him from using his family name for his small business. Still determined, Jay and his wife Tracy re-started the original "Yankton Nurseries" in 1978 at its current location, just north of Sertoma Park in Yankton. Their son, Michael Gurney - now a sixth-generation Grower - continues to keep the experience and knowledge of his family alive.

To this day, Yankton Nurseries continues to be known for quality. Their annual and veggie programs are still done the old-fashioned way - seeded, transplanted, and hand-watered on site, never "bought in" - assuring they've been hardened off and ready for planting! They have a wide selection of perennials, shrubs, evergreens, fruit trees (over 20 apple varieties!), and shade trees, including roses, specialty evergreens, and statement-making acers. They are open year-round, and are renowned for their home-grown poinsettias during the holiday season.

Yankton Nurseries is a must-stop for gardeners or landscapers of any experience level!

Come say hi, and see if you can spot the orioles!