Long before corn mazes and sunflower selfies became popular family outings, Ken Walker was just a kid with a pickup truck and a passion for fresh produce.
In 1970, at just nine years old, he began selling fruits and vegetables from the back of his father’s truck along Benson Road in Garner. His mother, Alice, soon built him a small farm stand at the end of their driveway, which is still there today.
More than five decades later, that roadside operation has grown into Ken’s Produce and Garden Center, a well-known stop for gardeners and families throughout the region.
In 1996, Ken expanded the business by building the current garden center about 100 yards from the original stand, creating a destination where visitors can browse seasonal plants, fresh produce and an eclectic mix of country goods.
Ken’s specializes in the things gardeners expect to find — annuals, perennials, bedding plants, vegetable starters, trees and seeds — but the shelves also hold a few extra goodies like jams, jellies, hoop cheese and country ham. Home décor and handcrafted Amish outdoor furniture give the store a welcoming farm market feel. Each season brings something new, making it easy for customers to linger and explore.
In recent years, Ken’s has also become part of the growing trend of agritourism — inviting visitors to experience life on the farm while learning more about agriculture along the way.
Ken was ahead of the curve in this movement. In 1999, he introduced a brand-new attraction to the state: North Carolina’s first corn maze. It quickly became a beloved fall tradition.
Today, Ken’s Korny Corn Maze continues to draw visitors from across the region. Carefully maintained paths wind through towering rows of corn, creating a maze that challenges guests while encouraging them to slow down and enjoy the farm setting. “I love seeing the smiles, hearing the laughter and watching people get corn-fused,” Ken said.
Beyond the maze itself, the farm offers a full day of outdoor fun each fall. Hayrides wind through nearby woods, while the two-acre Adventure Zone features oversized slides, skill games, cattle lassoing and even soccer pool. Children and adults alike enjoy visiting the farm animals, including a flock of peacocks known for their brilliant tail feathers.
Weekends bring an added layer of energy at the garden center, with visitors exploring vibrant options for fall plantings and taking in the colors, textures and sizes of the 50-plus varieties of pumpkins and squash in Ken’s Pumpkin House.
While fall may be the busiest time on the farm, the property stays lively throughout the year. In 2020, Ken added another seasonal attraction with the introduction of expansive sunflower fields. Three plantings bloom at different times — July, August and again in October — creating vibrant waves of yellow that have quickly become a favorite photo spot.
Spring, however, is when the roots of the business shine brightest. The garden center comes alive with colorful bedding plants, vegetable starters and flowers ready for home gardens. For many local families, a trip to Ken’s marks the unofficial start of the gardening season.
From a boy selling produce out of a pickup truck to a farm known for both fresh plants and family-friendly experiences, Ken Walker’s story reflects the enduring appeal of agriculture in Eastern North Carolina.
Whether visitors arrive for plants in the spring, sunflowers in the summer or a maze adventure in the fall, Ken’s continues to offer the same simple promise it started with decades ago: good products, friendly faces and a genuine connection to the land.
This content is sponsored by Ken’s Produce and Garden Center. For more information visit kensproduce.com.
