2012:

 

04/28/12: Yes! We will be open on the Saturday of Mother's Day weekend 9am-4pm! There will be a careful selection of annuals in 4 packs & 4" pots, vegetable starts, herbs, container gardens, and beautiful hanging baskets. As of that day, we will be open on each additional Saturday in May 9am-4pm. Please note that we may be open some weekdays so we ask that you visit our Dates page for updates and there you will also learn how to receive updates to your email inbox.

 

03/01/12: Last year was a challenging year for our little homespun nursery. Massive construction on 371 fairly well blocked the entrance onto our road. Signs were worthless as drivers were so busy watching for flagmen, little orange cones, and changing lanes as the highway was re-paved they were unable to read any signs. With a daughter headed for college this fall, we are considering working full time but we DO plan on being open on Saturdays to continue building our perennial business. Please check the dates page often for updated schedules.

 

2011:

 

07/30/2011: July was indeed a warm summer month. As most gardeners know, it is not good practice to give plants new homes when stressed by heat. The humidity would have compensated for that but at the expense of the gardeners' own physical stress. The Asiatic Lilies showed off their colors mid-month and Orientals are in good form right now. Daylilies began mid-month and are just starting to bloom and set buds for the next few weeks. Turtleheads have set buds and are beginning to bloom. Everything looks GREAT and we can't wait for you to come see! We've had a lot of fantastic reviews on our new layout and front display. We're working on display gardens between the rain and heat indexes for next year's new look. Don't forget to ask about our Systemic deer (and other varmints) control. It lasts a full year, doesn't wash off (no reapplication), and is harmless. It is not for edibles, however. Visit soon and see how we're growing on for you!

 

07/05/2011: June was an outstanding month for Plant Ranch. Nearly all the annuals, veggies, and herbs were adopted along with quite a few perennials! Now we shift into the perennial season. We've added to the number of choices available this year. Customers are surprised at the number of plants and number of choices available. Most of the plants are arranged on benches in the back yard which are out-of-sight from the front yard and driveway so when you do come to visit, please head to the back yard. You will find hundreds of great plants just waiting for good homes! As of today, the Lilies have buds on them and will be blooming soon, the daylilies are beginning to form buds, some Astilbe are blooming with buds on others. The Hosta are looking great and have their own area. We hope you visit soon to see our great little nursery. We specialize in shade perennials, most of which are also deer resistant. And please, don't forget to ask about our #1 Deer Resistant Plant! For all other plants, we have a new solution.

 

06/02/2011: Everything looks fresh and wonderful. Thank you to all those who have stopped by for advice and/or to adopt our plants. We've had many comments on how great our plants look, especially our herbs. This year we split our flats out so the packs and pots have more room to breathe. We have found that the plants are much stronger and healthier! As a small nursery, we are able to provide the best conditions possible for all of the plants we carry. Again, many positive comments about our herbs; they all look GREAT! Please continue to pass the word along as that is our best (and cheapest!) advertising. Don't forget to leave us or email us with your address to get on our mailing list. Everyone seems to appreciate the coupon on the back. We send 3-4 postcards per year to remind everyone we are here. Again, thank you to all who visit our nursery, whether to learn or purchase. You are what will make us successful!

 

05/10/2011:  What a GREAT beginning of the 2011 growing season! The annuals are all brightly blooming, veggies all healthy and perfectly sized for planting, and the Herbs are in phenomonal shape. The Hanging Baskets are full and full of blooms and the patio pots are growing together well. Signage is minimal due to city planning and zoning guidelines. We sent postcards out to the contacts on our mailing list. Send us an email if you'd like to be included. We usually send the postcards out about three times a year during the growing season.

 

04/10/11: This is shaping up to be a busy month! The Annual Ready, Set, Grow! Garden Expo put on by the Crow Wing County Master Gardeners was on Saturday, April 2. As a Master Gardener we taught one of the the breakout session classes on Starting Plants From Seed. This is a class being taught no less than 4 times this winter/spring as gardeners look for ways to save money. We also had a vendor table; this was our public debut! A lot of contacts were made with up to 280 gardeners. Definitely a captive audience. . A chat with a city official was rather disheartening. There is no legal way to post signage on Hwy 371 or on our Edna Lake Road. We are allowed ONE sign of 2ft x 3ft inside our property line at least one foot and to be no taller than 6ft. That's it - just the one. Legally. This is because we are home-based business operating in the middle of a residential neighborhood. So we are looking at advertising strategies and watching weather patterns to decide opening day. Keep watching our Dates page for details.

 

01/23/2011: Last week brought our morning temperatures down to -37 degrees.  We've had numerous -15 and lower  temps overnight.  Do you suppose we will have an early or late warm-up this Spring?  I don't know about you but we are starting to get the spring-itch. Thoughts of sunbathing, getting out into the greenhouse, and yes! even mowing lawn have been popping into our minds during shoveling activities. We have decided that our Official Greeter, Buddy, will be put into service this summer. We're not sure how long he'll be able to continue as his arthritis and hip displasia are giving him great discomfort. So, since he gets so excited to meet our customers and greet them (when he's not napping), we'll encourage him to continue his job. We are hoping to change things up a little bit. We'll still carry the same great annuals, vegetables, herbs, hanging baskets, perennials and more - but we're attempting to add just a few sunny plants. To this end, a different sales floor layout will be tried to utilize some of the sun we have right next to our shade perennials sales area. Should the warm weather come early again this year, we hope to get things in order before opening this spring. Otherwise, we'll make the changes as the year progresses. Be sure to visit the Dates page of this website often for opening day.

 

2010:

 

11/01/10: The past month had us getting things put away and the perennials winterized. We're trying a few new things hoping to make it easier and quicker to get up and running in the spring. Nursery work is never done. Most people have no idea just how many hours go into this type of business. It's fun and very rewarding so we try to realize our limits and get done what we can using our list of priorities. We've been thinking about when in May 2011 to open. Some of this depends on the weather, of course. Last April was so nice that we opened in early May. Unfortunately, the April weather we should have had, arrived in May instead. We were bringing our 30+ trays of annuals, vegetables, and herbs out on nice, warm days for direct sun exposure, air, and watering then packing them back into the greenhoouse each night. One day we had to shovel snow off the outside benches! Gardeners, myself included, want to get plants outside when there's more than one nice day in a row. Unfortunately, frost occurs multiple times in May up to as late as June 5.  So, it's a dilemma on when to begin selling such tender plants to our customers.

 

09/30/10: We've had such a cool September that most of the plants have begun going dormant. This means the foliage is yellowing on most of the plants. So, they don't look as nice even though they are completely healthy. Unfortunately this makes the customers not want to buy them. So, we've had to make the decision to not have any open selling dates as we had hoped through October.  We will take appointments though!  Winterization has now begun. All smaller perennial plants are being 'potted up' now into  1 gallon pots to increase their chances of surviving the winter. We've obtained a large rear-tined tiller in order to more easily 'plant' these pots into the ground to further increase the chances of winter survival. Next year we will have much healthier plants than before! We're already placing orders for plant products to arrive next year. Once these tasks are done we will relax for the winter. By the way, relaxing means making plans for next year's displays, designing and making signage, starting plants for next year, and getting our bookwork ready for tax time. Next year is going to be SO exciting!

 

08/27/10: Now we have some dryer and warmer weather! The perennials are looking fabulous!!! At the end of July we got a new selection of Hosta in plugs which should be ready in a couple more weeks.

 

08/02/10: The weather has been very rainy and humid and still people come to see what our little nursery in the woods has. Honestly, we think we are the hidden gem just waiting for the right setting.

 

07/05/10: Was that fun! Our first year of offering annuals, vegetables, and herbs along with our perennials. The hanging baskets sold out, customers thought our herbs looked better than the other nurseries and vistors only looking for information learned what they needed. The only bad thing is that the State Department of Transportation came on 7/1 and removed all the signs on the right of ways along Hwy 371 from Gull Lake up to Pequot Lakes and back down. So, . . . no one knew we were there and open! All the garage sales in the area failed. So, on 7/2 and 7/3, we all (including neighbors sales) asked our customers whether the they had come due to the ads we had placed or the signs we replaced on the roadsides. Over half responded to the signs and didn't even know there were ads placed! We are attempting to determine how best to proceed with our number one draw (being the signs) that the customer sees to learn of our presence. Repeatedly buying signs to replace the ones that are confiscated could be detrimental to our budget.

 

05/30/10: What a great start for the year! Memorial weekend was busy but we've still got annuals, vegetables, and herbs for sale. The perennials are still coming up but are showing nicely. We're busy getting them out and ready for sale. We're about ready to move our houseplants out to the greenhouse. 

 

05/08/10: We sent over 200 postcards to our friends, family, previous customers, Master Gardeners and over 240 coupon flyers to Ready, Set, Grow Expo attendees. Direct mail at its best - every one of them are gardeners!

 

     We were to open yesterday but the snow kept everyone away and all the plants crammed into the greenhouse. Oh, Yeah!!! The greenhouse is done! Its only 9 1/2 by 14 1/2 so there's not a lot of room. We opted for a planked floor with spaces between the boards for water drainage. Not thinking that we'd never be able to keep much heat in for starting seeds.

     Anyway-this morning we had to shovel the snow off the benches and bring all the plants out for today. Then-finding out that it'd be 26-29 degrees tonight-we had to cram them all into the greenhouse again! Minnesota. Isn't it great? Can't hardly wait to bring them back out tomorrow and Monday. The more natural direct sun on them, the better.

     We can't wait to open again on Monday!

     Oh, yeah - Buddy, our greeter, did well on his first day back at work. He barked to let us know when a car came and then greeted the customers as they got out of the vehicle showing them the way to our sales area. He was a bit boisterous and was asked to not greet so loudly as the customers may think him unfriendly. He was much gentler in his greetings after that. He's now taking a really long nap. He just celebrated his 13th birthday last month which makes him over 90 years old!

     Happy Mother's Day to all mothers of every kind tomorrow!

    

 

 

2009:

 

01/01/09: We will need to sell plants from our home garage-sale-style. Last fall we were busy obtaining plant materials and containers then transplanting as well as dividing some of our own garden plants. From August planting until October winterization the plant materials thrived and looked absolutely great! We are excited to be able to offer nearly 200 plants on Friday and Saturday of Memorial Day weekend 2009. You may find hardy Geraniums, Heuchera, Hosta, Iris, and Daylilies.

 

03/27/09: The amount of inventory has increased! We've just ordered several varieties each of bare-root Astilbe, Geraniums, and Ferns. Not having a greenhouse means that they won't be ready until Father's Day weekend. The most exciting purchase is ready-to-sell pots increasing our choice of Hosta varieties. The ability to purchase in smaller quanitities allows us to carry more varieties. These Hosta will be available for our opening weekend. This will increase our total inventory to approximately 375 plants.

 

04/15/09: Oh my goodness! We must be insane! We've just ordered 4 trays of 72 plugs of plants! That's 288 more babies to add to inventory. Unfortunately they won't be ready for my the first weekend of selling. We'll be getting our fingers really dirty getting all the bare-root and plug plant materials potted up. The pots have been ordered and are on their way. We're picking up the 'soil' tomorrow. It's all coming along nicely! We have 2 weeks to finalize our logo and get announcements printed. When we're not potting up babies we'll be addressing the announcements for mailing. What a wonderful beginning for us!

 

05/01/09: The Hosta looked so great that we've ordered more! There are only a few of each variety, but there will be more varieties to choose from! Some are priced at the usual low you'll see elsewhere and there will also be some for the collectors out there. A listing of inventory is being worked on for this website so you can get excited and come visit us!

 

05/05/09: Postcards are printed and being addressed to friends and family. Some 'pilot' business cards have been printed for my neighbor to distribute. She sells collectibles next door and has a mailing list of about 250. Some of those customers may also want plants! Next we need to 'plant' an ad in the classifieds with the garage and rummage sales. It's all coming together quickly!

 

05/15/09: The ad is placed, the postcards have been mailed, the selling yard is just starting to get organized, and most of the hosta ready. Many plants are not fully awake but are showing fresh new growth. It's been in the 30's at night and 50's during the day so many of the leaves of the plants that were over-wintered are still coming out and haven't opened fully yet. That's all part of the fun of having your own plant business! You just never know what Mother Nature will do!

 

05/24/09 Our FIRST 'Sale' was Friday, May 22 and Saturday, May 23. We had many pleased customers who have promised to return often.What beautiful weather for our first weekend! There were plants purchased, customers asked lots of questions, and we explained a lot about our new business. There are so many plants trying to catch up in growth so they can join the others in being available for sale. We were still planting plugs from the trays of Heuchera and there are a few bareroot fern left to pot up. Some customers are so excited about our collector-Hosta. They have said we have varieties not available elsewhere in the area. We could hardly believe our ears! The nice weather will continue for the unforeseeable future which is our good fortune. We hope!

 

05/31/09: What a busy May! By the end of the growing season there will be a greenhouses for use next spring. Yesterday was the garden club's annual plant sale which we attended for the purpose of supporting them and to increase the inventory.  Several Dicentra spectabilis (Bleeding Heart), Hemerocallis (Daylily) that were named, and a few other miscellaneous plants were obtained. The 8 hour day consisted of moving all the blocks, benches, and over 200 plants to a different area to accomodate reshingling of the garage. Today the plant plugs and bare-root fern were finally potted up as well as some other plants needing larger quarters. After a total of 6 hours of potting and watering a quick-passing thunderstorm complete with hail finally stopped the incessant work for the day. It is never-ending work, having your own nursery. Even knowing what is here is terribly small compared with those nurseries I know of close by. A lot has been accomplished already in this first year for which we are grateful. A lot of energy and effort expended just to get going. Imagine what the next few years will be like. A slow, gradual, careful effort in expanding the plant choices must be adhered to  in order to successfully grow this business without physically wearing out.

 

06/08/09: Now there is a wood frame of a greenhouse in my back yard waiting for the panels to be attached. Pea rock will need to be ordered and brought in to pour on the floor. Potting up new perennials and starting annuals, vegetables, and herbs for pots and hanging baskets can be done earlier next year! Our inventory now is up around 800 plants!

 

06/19/09: It's the middle of the 2nd Advertised Opportunity weekend of selling - Father's Day weekend. The ad in the Echo and the 100 postcards I sent out brought in some curious plant people and we had some good sales. Again, we have once added to our inventory! Just a few items, one being a hard-to-find Hosta for a customer. It took 4 weeks, but the Hosta was located. We ordered her minimum amount just to be sure the plants were of good size and that the shipping packing from this 'new' source was acceptable. They were found to be exceptional, although more expensive. The customer was very pleased, we have ordered the remainder she requested., and we found a 'new' source. Speaking of new sources, we have found some GREAT plants at garden club plant sales. This goes against our policy of only ordering from reputable sources, but the garden clubs have these plant sales as fundraisers so its great for them and very economical for us. We do set those purchases aside for several weeks to be sure they remain healthy and true to the tags before reselling to our customers. We love what we do and we hope it shows in our product.

 

07/05/09: July 4th weekend was wonderful! One of our repeat customers brought her whole family! 2 vehicles full of gardeners from within her family! The weather has been more seasonable this past week and our plants show it.

 

July 31, 2009

   This is an anniversary of sorts. One year ago we began obtaining plant products and potting up inventory. We have loved every minute of this time. This has been a year of learning our limits, our coustomers expectations, the challenges of backyard business, and how much we love our one-on-one time with the plants. We recognize that we will need to increase our 2010 opportunities by setting regular selling appointments weekly. We have already begun clearing some space for off-street parking by naming our 'driveway' Daisy Trail. This will allow customers to park closer to the sales area, turn around to exit onto the road more safely, and keep our home front more private. Other plans for this fall include a perennial display garden at our Daisy Trail sign post, a larger sales area, and an inventory reduction sale. We also have October 1 as a goal date to get our greenhouse panels and hanging plants rods installed so that we can begin bench building. Hopefully in March we can begin starting annuals, vegetables, and herbs from seed. We will be specializing in a couple of unique items sure to draw curious customers. So, please keep on visiting to see what we're up to next!

 

August 25: New business cards and postcards have been printed. Postcards for 2 September weekend will be mailed and be available at some Nisswa businesses. They have a coupon on them! Clearing for parking was delayed due to poison ivy on hands, arms, and face. Gloves have been dug out and we'll be back at it soon. More days and dates for 2010 have been discussed and are mentioned on the website Dates page. We're hoping to add a couple evenings a week every week. Not sure how daughter's spring and fall sports will affect that. Contractor still on track with finishing the greenhouse by October 1. This allows for vegetables, annuals, and herbs to be started from seed. We want to thank all of our supporters for coming, purchasing, calling, or visiting our website.

 

September 8: Labor Day weekend was one of the most beautiful weekends of the 'summer'. We had repeat customers as well as some new ones. Most visitors purchased more than one plant. This was the best weekend of sales yet. How exciting! Having sent out over 200 postcards, this was so gratifying. Buddy relaxed and rested after greeting customers 3 days in a row. Going to the lake Sunday and Monday and helping us find the Crappie hole has rejuvenated him and he's now storing up energy for one more scheduled weekend; Sept 25 & 26. We're looking forward to seeing you there! :-)

 

October 1, 2009: Oh, what a weekend! We worked on potting up plants, took care of customers, and Buddy was busy visiting. He's built up a bit of a fan base of his own. We are already busy preparing pre-orders for next year. They will include annual bedding plants, vegetable starts, herbs, hanging baskets and other items. We'll be growing some of our own starts as well since the greenhouse will be enclosed by the end of this month. 2010 is going to be a GREAT year with additional hours, regular weekends, etc. There will be a schedule you can count on posted online each month for that month.

 

October 25, 2009

The greenhouse is nearly covered and the walkway is in. Just a door and vents isntalled and we'll be ready to build benches and a workspace. All the oaks that died the past couple of years have been removed or cut down leaving a new view of our little nursery in the woods. So many were removed that we think that our off-street parking may be reality. We'll have to see come spring how everything looks. The ground will need to be leveled somehow; there are a lot ruts from the bobcat. We have the opportunity to totally redesign the sales area to best show off all the products we'll have available. Also-we hope to have pumpkins next fall - we've found a grower willing to plant extra  for us! Be sure to check our Dates page often for updates on our schedule. Also, there's a new page for our newsletter links, Growing On With You.