I think bears got it right when they first decided to start hibernating. I mean, they spend their whole life traipsing through the woods eating berries and chasing the occasional hiker who happens to cross their path, so it seems like a great idea to just take a few months off during the quiet, cold winter season to hibernate...doesn't it?Well, we haven't exactly been hibernating around here at Vander Giessen's, [...]
Have you ever stood out on a beach during a big storm and watched the waves crash ashore? It's fun to watch the swells start to build out as far as the eye can see--and more fun still to try to predict which one will be "the big one" that makes you run for high ground!But I'm not here to talk about big waves coming ashore...although it's starting to feel [...]
Beautiful handmade ceramic pots just in!
In the world of blogging, it's not always easy to find time to keep things current--especially as the season gets busier, it can be challenging to keep our readers up to speed on what's going on at the nursery and in the world of gardening. That's why I'm starting something new: Wordless Wednesday!While I will continue to post regular written updates on what's new, in bloom and looking good at [...]
Like many people, you may wonder what happens around a nursery during the winter? Many nurseries close after fall sales or the Christmas season--there's just not much to do until spring--but we're open! So what do we have going on right now?The truth is, the months of January and early February--while different from the rest of the year--are equally as busy as any other time. We're constantly working to make [...]
Happy New Year! Like is the tradition for so many people, you probably made several New Year’s resolutions for 2011, but let me guess: none of them include gardening. Why not? After the busy—and fattening—holiday season, your mind is probably on things like exercising more and eating better. Good for you! But don’t forget to write down some resolutions for working out in your garden come spring—after all, it’s [...]
I want to take just a moment to wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! At Vander Giessen Nursery, our family has been blessed by the many customers we've had come through the door in the last year, and whether you've bought multiple pickup loads of shrubs, a handful of geraniums in the spring--or just like to keep up with the latest happenings at the nursery through [...]
Last night, like so many other people this time of year, I had some Christmas shopping to get done. As I went through my list, I found myself hunting for the "perfect" item to fill a stocking--and stay within my budget. I was glad to find that every store I went in had several items scattered throughout the store for just my need: good stuff for cheap!If you're still trying [...]
This column originally appeared in the December 8 Lynden Tribune. Welcome to the chilly days of December! As we get into these dormant, barren winter months, there is little we can do with plants to really add excitement to a yard. Birding, however, is one thing that can bring activity and entertainment to the view outside your window this winter (and year-round) with very little effort. Here are a few [...]