Dayton "Dirt" - December 2, 2011

Last Friday, the so called Black Friday was busy at the nursery with sales of wreaths, roping, poinsettias and cut trees in full swing.

At the nursery our “Black Friday” is the month of May as that month pays for all our expenses for about the entire year when there are fewer sales or no sales such as in winter.

Predictably, the large trees of 10 feet and taller are about all sold but we do have a good source of Canaan Fir which can be cut for $100 retail. The trees are gorgeous with some approaching 12 feet. Canaan Fir is similar to Fraser Fir and has the same needle-holding capability when they are cut around Thanksgiving or after.
This week for us has been a real crunch time as our cuttings of flowers from Guatemala arrived and must be stuck quickly in the rooting media. These plants will be potted up to hanging baskets in late January and will grow on until May before they can be sold. Our next batch of cuttings will arrive in late January for more hanging baskets and smaller pots.

The months of January and February are only a brief interlude at the nursery before full production starts in March. I’ll be giving you some insight on what’s new for 2012 as soon as the holidays are over.

Remember Santa Claus will visit the nursery between 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. on December 3rd and 4th so that you’ll want to bring your camera, children and/or grandchildren for a photo opportunity.

It’s been wet enough this year so that the cold rain might as well change to snow.

Tom