Planting Joy in Henry County
What began as an empty field and a new season of life has blossomed into one of Henry County's most peaceful places.
Ola — In 2023, Sherry Addis looked across the 24 acres she and her husband Tim had purchased a few years earlier and had a simple thought.
"This place is too beautiful not to do something with it."
At the time, the couple had already raised five daughters in the Ola community. Four were married, their youngest was nearly grown, and life was beginning to look different than it had for two decades.
"We were entering a new season," Sherry said. "I wanted to create a place where people could slow down, enjoy nature, and find a little peace."
Neither of them had ever grown flowers. They weren't farmers. They had never owned a business.
"We knew absolutely nothing," she laughed.
So they did what many first time dreamers do. They watched YouTube videos, read books, asked questions, made mistakes, and kept planting.
There were disappointments. Flowers didn't always bloom the way they expected. Storms knocked plants over. Every season brought a new lesson.
"But people still came," Sherry said. "They still saw the beauty."
They knew absolutely nothing about growing flowers. Then this happened. Sweet Magnolia Farmstead, Ola area, McDonough
Today, Sweet Magnolia Farmstead is much more than a U-Pick flower farm. Visitors come to wander through rows of colorful blooms, photographers fill the fields with families celebrating milestones, and weekends bring yoga classes, floral workshops, painting events, and neighbors simply looking for a quiet place to breathe.
One story has stayed with her. Sherry remembers a woman walking through the flowers who quietly shared she was on a journey to rediscover joy after a difficult season in life. Moments like that reminded her the farm had become something much bigger than flowers.
The farm is still a labor of love. Sherry and Tim both work full time outside the farm, spending mornings, evenings, and weekends planting, watering, harvesting, and preparing for visitors. Their daughters, sons-in-law, grandchildren, and extended family still gather to help each season, turning planting days into family traditions.
Looking back, Sherry believes the dream was never really theirs alone.
"We truly believe God planted this dream in our hearts," she said.
Today, that dream has become a place where flowers bloom, memories are made, and for a little while, people can simply slow down.
Visit Sweet Magnolia Farmstead:
📍 141 Austin Drive, McDonough, GA 30252 (Ola area)
🌐 sweetmagnoliafarmstead.com →
📘 Follow on Facebook →
Upcoming Events:
🌸 Princesses and Petals — Friday July 25 · 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. · $15 per child
🧘 Pilates and Petals — Saturday July 26 · Ticket price TBD
🌅 Sunset U-Pick — Friday evenings and Saturdays · 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. · Weather permitting Book tickets and check availability →