Sunshine Acres Greenhouse will be opening their new location this year. (Submitted photo/Chris Meere-Frolek)

By Martin Martinson

Spring bloom

Local greenhouses/garden centres looking forward to spring season

Mar 18, 2021 | 4:59 PM

The spring season is on the horizon, and with it, comes the smell of flowers.

Several greenhouses and garden centres around the community are gearing up for the change of season, while others have gotten a bit of a jump on things, already.

Owner/operator with Northern Nurseries Garden Centre, Judy Dwinnell said business has already been up and thriving the last couple of weeks now.

“This is the busiest March I’ve ever had,” she said. “We’re always open by the first week in March and we’re always busy down here and the doors are open for customers. We’ve actually already sold out of a couple of things.”

Despite a bit of snow still on the ground, Northern Nurseries is able to open their doors earlier in the year, due to their heaters; and while seasonal staples such as succulents and air plants have been a draw once again this year, Dwinnell said house plants have been a very popular craze over the last year or so.

Police enforcement

Prince Albert warrant enforcement project results in 49 arrests

29m ago

community support

Air Ronge, La Ronge vote to fund day program at overnight homeless shelter

1h ago

Woes at the Whit

Flin Flon continues to give Hawks headaches

1h ago

“I have probably tripled my amount – if not more – of house plants after last year, and half of what I’ve got in is already gone and some of the house plants I’ve ordered in are sold out,” Dwinnell said. “People are in their house now, and I think house plants are kind of something they can enjoy at home to make them happy.”

Sunshine Acres Greenhouse in Battleford, won’t be opening their doors for the season until early May, but that will still be a bit earlier than usual, thanks to their new location just outside of town.

After 20 years of selling plants at Sobeys in North Battleford, Rik Meere with the greenhouse said this year they will also be opening their new location as well, just seven kilometers north-west of the Battlefords, off of Highway 16.

Meere said they are looking forward to opening to the public at their new location, as it should be another spring of high-demand if last year is any indication.

“I am anticipating when the doors open up it will be just a zoo,” he said. “Typically greenhouse operators have not seen a year as good as it was last year, so that’s what I am planning and aiming for more of this year.”

While the seeming boon of gardening and plant-buying has been great for business and the industry, Meere said it has also led to longer wait times when ordering plants or dealing with plant suppliers, as he estimates that the industry as a whole has increased their buying by probably 20 or 25 percent.

However, Meere said it’s no surprise many are finding their green thumb amidst their time spent at home, through the pandemic.

“I think everyone as a whole is getting a little bit sick and tired of being at home, and [plants] are a good way to get outside and get your hands dirty and have some fun,” he said.

—

Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1