We are humbled and incredibly honored to have been named the Whatcom County Small Business of the Year by the Whatcom Business Alliance at their awards banquet this spring. We strive each day to serve our customers to the best of our abilities, and this award is wonderfully affirming of our work. We owe a debt of gratitude to our [...]
We gardeners are drawn to shiny new things—the lure of something new causes us to browse seed catalogs, stroll the aisles at garden centers, and try to convince our spouse to carve out just a little more flowerbed space. Admittedly, new introductions are exciting, but what I find most attractive are improvements on tried-and-true plants—something old, made new. As you get started with planting shrubs and perennials around your yard [...]
It’s been said that March is “in like a lion, out like a lamb,” and thankfully--at least for a few days each week--the latter half of this month has proved the axiom somewhat true, with pleasant weather and sunny days. As we inch toward warmer spring gardening weather and with daylight hours rapidly lengthening, there are some key tasks to accomplish outdoors this in these first weeks of spring—all of [...]
Looking outside my window, I can see the first signs of spring beginning to emerge: my daffodils are sprouting, the winter heather is in full bloom, and the buds on my rose bushes are beginning to swell. Although it’s too early to declare winter past and gone, it’s time to think spring and get underway with early season tasks around the garden. First, with the aforementioned roses beginning to bud, [...]
After a cold start to winter, our weather has moderated to more normal conditions for our area, with milder temperatures and regular rains. While we’re not out of the woods just yet—winter often returns in late January or February around here—with a new year upon us it’s time to start getting ready for a new year in the garden. Here are a few gardening tips to start the year off [...]
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from our family at Vander Giessen Nursery to yours! We hope that in the coming days you are able to enjoy special times with loved ones sharing gifts, good food, and special memories, but most importantly, that you would know the joy that's found in the gift of the Savior, born in Bethlehem that first Christmas morning. As Christmas nears, please note our upcoming [...]
Gardening is a hobby best shared with friends. Not to say that there’s no benefit to being alone in the garden—I think most gardeners would confess to loving the solitude that time in the garden can offer. But in the end, what would gardening be without a friend to visit with while you cut dahlia bouquets, an acquaintance on whose porch you anonymously leave a pile of zucchini (August 8 [...]
It's that time of year once again--our Christmas open house at Vander Giessen's! For many of the 84 years we've been in business, we've hosted an open house to kick off the Christmas season and we're excited to bring back the tradition again this year. Join us this Saturday, December 3 from 10:00-3:00 and enjoy time spent visiting with family and friends over a Christmas snack while you browse [...]
The turkey is thawing, the table is set, and the last preparations are being made for the big day--Thanksgiving is almost here! At Vander Giessen's, we've been busy setting up our Christmas displays, but before we dive into the Christmas season, we want to pause to say thank you. Once again this year, we've been richly blessed to be able to serve you, our customers, and to be a part [...]
In the last few weeks, our weather has rapidly shifted from endless summer to early winter, with little more than colorful foliage and pumpkins on the porch to remind us that indeed, it is still fall. As you enjoy the fall colors mingled with a chance of snowflakes, now is the time to put your garden to bed for winter, so here are a few tips to prepare your plants [...]
