There’s no denying that flowers and plants can enhance the exterior or the interior of a home.
The southeast region is blessed with a number of greenhouses that have all you need to spruce up a residence with plants and flowers, or to help out green thumbs with their gardening essentials.
The Tail-Ling Hills Farm near Bienfait is in its second year of operations. They opened for the season on Friday
“We had a lot of returning customers that came back, and we had a lot of new customers who heard about us through some of the advertising that we did with the Estevan Mercury,” said Murphy.
Tail-Ling Hills has a lot of annuals with single premium pots, or six-pack pots, and perennials that are coming in this weekend. They don’t have as many trees and shrubs this year due to supply issues from COVID-19 virus, but there’s still lots of variety around the greenhouse.
When she and her husband Gerald came to the region six years ago, they noticed there wasn’t a private greenhouse in the area. They wanted to provide local residents with a place to purchase nice annuals and a variety of different colours that can’t be found at other stores.
“We also love flowers. It’s something that we absolutely love doing,” said Murphy.
The first year proved to be fruitful. They received a lot of positive feedback from customers. It was a lot of work, but they learned a lot through research and trial and error.
“We had a lot of customers who had a lot of experience that they shared with us,” said Murphy.
New for this year is the addition of pond plants. A lot of people asked them last year if Tail-Ling Hills would carry them, because there is a need. Previously people had to go to Regina or Saskatoon to get water plants.
“Our one son is really into ponds, and so we’re building him a pond in the greenhouse that we’ll be able to display our pond plants with.”
A secondary greenhouse was constructed this year in part because they were awarded the City of Estevan’s flower contract.
Also new for this year is their website, which was designed by their 14-year-old son.
Restrictions associated with COVID-19 forced Tail-ling Hills to limit how many people they have in the greenhouse at once, but people have navigated the restrictions well.
The North 40 Acres Greenhouse is another business located eight kilometres north of Bienfait and west of the 605 grid road. Now in its third year, it’s operated by Farrah Klatt, a lifelong green thumb who workeded at the Shand Greenhouse at one time.
“I wanted to start my own business here on the farm for something to do and to help out with some income on the farm,” said Klatt.
North 40’s opening day was Tuesday. Right now their emphasis is bedding plants, flowers and plants for the garden. They have pots and can handle arrangements for people.
“They can bring me their own, and I will create an arrangement for them to enjoy throughout the summer,” Klatt said.
Perennials and annuals will be sold this year. She hopes the selection can grow a little more each year.
Customers are usually pretty happy. She is always pleased to hear that they liked her product and it grows well, or that they like the colours or the vegetables.
“I’m always interested in hearing from them as to certain things that they would like for me to carry, so I’m always trying to bring in new stuff that they’re interested in and looking for.”
The pandemic has forced North 40 to make changes. They are offering deliveries for those who can’t make it to the farm, and they have contact-free pickup. A catalogue was created for people to look through to place their orders.
This year marks a milestone for Country Garden Greenhouse in Carlyle, as it is celebrating its 20th anniversary under the ownership of Allan Thomas. His wife Sylvia said they have lots to offer customers.
“We sell annuals, vegetables, plants, perennials, shrubs, trees and some giftware,” said Sylvia Thomas.
Seed packets and seed potatoes are also available.
The giftware includes planters and pots, and in the past they’ve had jewelry. This year they wanted to add baking and artwork, but the COVID-19 pandemic changed those plans.
Opening day for them is May 6. Thomas compared it to a wedding.
“You work up right until the moment that it happens, and then everything’s stressful. As soon as you open the doors, then a lot of the stress goes away. But you can only do so much,” she said.
They will be able to have 10 people in the store at once. Arrows on the floors to direct traffic, a second till has been added to the greenhouse, splash guards have been added for the staff, and they have extended the hours they will be open on Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays.
“It’s a different year for keeping people safe.”
Customers are eager to see them open. They have grown extra vegetables to meet an expected higher demand. She called her husband a guru when it comes to seeds, and she believes people who have extra time due to the pandemic are eager to explore the world of gardening or enhance their properties with some new additions.
