The Primula are in bloom!

It's spring in our greenhouses! The primula are colourful and the yellow ones in particular throw off a scent that I wish I could bottle and wear! Only $2.48 tax included!

Remember, we also have gift certificates for that person in your life that loves gardening.

Let them grow, let them grow, let them grow!

On Thursday, January 14th our first shipment of unrooted cuttings arrived. An assortment of spring plants that needed to be placed in soil and watered well. They arrive in plastic bags, usually 100 per bag. Most of the cuttings are placed one at a time into the squares of soil but some have two. First they get "dipped" into rooting hormone which helps the roots to begin growing a little quicker, then stuck in the soil. When the tray is full, it gets run through a watering tunnel with just a light mist of water to get the soil moist. After that, the trays are placed in our warm propagating greenhouse where they are misted regularly until roots begin to form and grow. Between Thursday and Friday, we stuck approximately 16,000 little cuttings including Osteospermum Daisy, Calitunias, New Guinea Impatiens, Bacopa, Million Bells, and a variety of others.

Planting time!

It's been awhile since I blogged last but there hasn't been a whole lot going on until last week when we planted pansies! We planted small and large round containers as well as ovals. By middle of March, they should be starting to bloom. Did you know that the word pansy comes from the French word "pens�e" (meaning thought) because it has a face? Anyway,the first picture shows all the trays of little pansy plants ready to be planted. But before we begin to plant, we "pop" them. This is shown in the second picture. If you look carefully, you'll see the plants rising up out of the flat. This makes it easier to pluck them out of the tray. The third picture shows the ovals being planted, ten plants per pot. After the pansies are in the container, it cruises down the conveyer belt where it's taken off and watered.

Now they can spread their roots and grow!

Happy New Year!

Today is the day everyone heads back to the routine of school, work and regular life. We are busy planting pansies and waiting for the primula to pop. It'll be a couple of weeks before we see colour but once they begin to bloom, it's quite a sight!

Don't forget we are open Tuesdays and Fridays so you can come use our sidewalks for exercise! Anytime between 10 and 4 is perfect. Bring a friend or an Ipod, park your boots and lace up your shoes for a brisk walk in the greenhouse! There's a place to hang your coat and a washroom should the need arise. =) This is a service we like to give back to the community. We can't keep it all to ourselves!

Have a great day!