Looking Forward - to the garden

It's been a strange year, already. To say the least. All those new year's hopes and dreams suspended or ravaged by Covid-19.  I started the new year by finding out the shop I worked at for 15 years was closing. We spent January and February selling out the merchandise, and clearing the shop. It was hectic and sad, to say the least.  When it was over I figured I would take a little time to determine how next to proceed.  My hope was to build on THE PARK NEXT DOOR, and add content related to gardening for wildlife.

​Like most Wisconsinites, I was tired of winter and looking forward to spring.  So I reached out to one of my favorite local garden centers, Poplar Creek Gardens, to see about visiting their green house for a sneak peek.  Kae and Robb invited me to spend an afternoon working in the greenhouse planting, and photographing the process. Hands in the dirt, putting tiny little flower plugs in pots. The smell of dirt, divine. Mind you, this is just a snippet of the work being done to have plants ready for everyone's gardens this season. 

Poplar Creek has added two large greenhouses to their center this year. Filled with hanging baskets, flats, shrubs, annuals, and perennials.  One of the things I love about Poplar Creek is that they use locally grown suppliers, and their plants are not treated with neonicotinoids, an insecticide which has been shown to be harmful to bees. Kae and Robb are extremely knowledgeable about the plants they grow and sell, and host workshops for gardeners as well.  Their hanging baskets are spectacular, by the way.

Given the Covid-19 safety precautions, Poplar Creek will be offering curbside pickup and (limited) delivery options beginning this month.  Visit their website, or their Facebook page for further details. If we're going to be staying home, we can at least take advantage of this time to get a head start on our gardens and containers, and enjoy the season to come.

Last summer was the first in our house, and we added several pollinator-friendly plants to our garden.  I purchased many of these at Poplar Creek, and I look forward to seeing them spring up in the garden this year.