Printer Friendly Version - Digging into Spring Gardening from a Responsible Social Distance

Many area gardening stores are working to set up pick up and delivery options, and to set up their shops so that proper social distancing measures can be taken. Photo courtesy of Wendy Vincent

With the average last frost due around April 30, according to The Old Farmer’s Almanac (almanac.com), it’s just about time to think about beginning your gardens for the 2020 season.

“This is the perfect time to start seeds indoors,” says Becky Goetsch of Running Brook Farms in Killingworth.

As COVID-19 continues to wreak havoc throughout the world, Running Brook Farms and many other local garden centers are making efforts to remain accessible, provide services, and help gardeners, while still being safe, maintaining social distancing, and following continually shifting guidance from local and state officials as more becomes known about the virus causing the crisis.

Garden centers, among many small businesses navigating the uncertainty created by the current crisis, plan to continue to serve customers, as those customers garden at home, by implementing delivery services, among other strategies. They were deemed essential businesses by the state, but each center is determining on a case-by-case basis the best approach to take.

“We are blessed with a very early spring, that is a gift,” Nancy DuBrule-Clemente of Natureworks in Northford wrote in a letter to her customers. “We know how much it means to all of our customers to be able to go outside and garden, especially now. Take advantage of all of the joy, relaxation, and stress relief that gardening offers us.”

Natureworks is one of the centers that has decided to close its store temporarily as a precaution, while maintaining a presence online by teaching and offering information on Facebook. Those centers that are staying open are implementing extra cleaning and sanitizing surfaces, and changing business practices as needed. Many are also moving to contactless payment such as credit cards, Venmo, or Apple Pay.

As with any public place, customers are asked to stay home if they are running a fever or if someone in the household has been ill, as well as follow CDC recommended hand-washing procedures. Before heading out to any of the centers listed in this story, be sure to check in on Facebook or call the individual centers to make sure they are still open and that hours have not changed.

While there isn’t much to like about the current crisis, many along the shoreline and in the Connecticut River valley are taking some of the time they have at home to turn to their gardens.

Wendy Vincent of East Haddam headed to her garden with her children. Gardening for her has become a comforting family tradition.

And she says, despite Connecticut’s continually variable weather, it’s not too early to head out.

“My grandfather’s old Portuguese-Yankee wisdom taught me to plant my peas around St. Patrick’s Day,” she says. “They like the colder nights and warmer days.”

And here’s a tip from him for later this year: He taught her to plant her garlic around Halloween, and harvest it at Fourth of July the following year.

“My kids and I honor his memory and wisdom while planting our garden each year,” she says.

Many people have found that, with social distancing and closures, they have more time on their hands. With the mild winter and early spring days, this may be just the right time to start the garden you never had time for.

Luckily for first-time gardeners, there are many local businesses with years of experience happy to give advice, including Van Wilgen’s in North Branford, which is celebrating its 100th year in business this year.

“Over those 100 years, we have experienced difficult times, there are a lot of uncertainties in the world right now, but we know that dirt from our gardens, being outside in the sun, and fresh air is good for us, mentally and physically,” says Ryan Van Wilgen. “Spring is here, the sun is getting stronger, the birds are chirping, and flowers will bloom. Getting outside and working in your yard is so rewarding, not to mention a great activity for kids at home. Anything that makes you put down your phone and connect with nature is a good thing. When you’re at home, go outside, be with nature, work in your yard, and remember we’re here to help you in any way we can.”

If you’ve got kids at home and aren’t quite ready to take on a full garden, but still want to get your hands dirty and experience some nature, Donna King of Balsam+Berry in Guilford is posting daily activities to do with your family.

“With the schools closing and keeping ourselves as a community contained, it might get a little stir crazy,” says King. “I will be posting a daily activity [on Facebook at Balsam+Berry] to get back into nature with your family. It could be a craft, building project using nature, or a mindful practice.”

The staff at local garden centers are ready to answer questions and take orders of the phone. All of the garden centers below have noted that they are available by phone to offer advice and tips, which you can also find on many of the companies’ websites.

If you are ready to create your first-ever garden, The Old Farmer’s Almanac recommends starting with a 10- by 16-foot garden, which allows for a variety of vegetables and adequate space for planting. The site also offers an online garden planning tool. Its tips for growing the best vegetables include: “Space your crops properly; use high-quality seeds; water properly; and plant and harvest at the right time.”

When deciding on the right place for your garden, The Old Farmer’s Almanac recommends you “plant in a sunny location; plant in good soil; and plant in a stable environment.”

When it comes to choosing the right plants, supplies, and soil, the staff at your local garden center is ready to help. Below is a list of garden centers throughout the area, with some of them providing information about the accommodations they are making for customers while COVID-19 remains a concern.

Ballek’s remains open through this “uncertain time” with the “health and well-being of our customers and employees being our top priority.” Ballek’s has implemented curbside pickup and delivery. The shop is also in the process of expanding its outdoor register to promote social distancing.

Ballek’s encourages customers to use the curbside pickup or delivery options with orders and payment being over the phone. Orders will be brought to the car when customers arrive. Throughout this time, the store will accept only credit card payments.

The store has posted a variety of items that give families something to do on its Facebook page. Ideas include potting pansies, starting seeds, and creating a terrarium.

“We don’t have an online inventory system, but we’re happy for people to call and request things,” said Allison Ballek. “People can call and ask questions and we’re happy to help them find what they’re looking for and with their projects.”

Ballek’s is growing its usual variety of plants and vegetables, and Ballek has seen that many people are currently buying seeds, which is “something to do with your kids and a healthy activity while you’re home.”

On March 20, Ballek shared a document by Hart Seed Co. online that outlines the planting timeline for different vegetables. Ballek’s offers a variety of seeds, ornamentals, plants, vegetables, and more, as well as gardening supplies, such as soils and fertilizers.

“We also want to make sure people we know we deliver,” said Ballek. “We have an outdoor register that we’ll be opening. We’re taking it day by day and trying to make it as easy and as safe as possible for people.”

While Grove Gardens is currently in the midst of offering pansies, much will change in the coming weeks as more plants become ready for planting. Grove Gardens’ plants are displayed outside, offering fresh air while people browse.

“People can call and order over the phone or we can deliver,” said Rob Jacobson. “It’s still early yet so we don’t have a ton of stuff in as far as plants. It’s still officially winter even though we’ve had some spring days.”

Even though the plants have not yet arrived, Grove Gardens also carries all kinds of seeds as well as materials needed for starting plants from seeds.

Grove Gardens is limiting the number of customers in the store to four or less at a time.

The staff and crew of Madison Earth Care are also following best practices set forth by the CDC and WHO as they remain open to customers.

Madison Earth Care is currently only open through curbside pickup service and local delivery. Local delivery of items is available for a flat rate of $10. The company has also discounted bulk delivery. All bulk deliveries of mulch, soil, and stone are now $20.

“We feel that this is the best step for us to take to stay ahead of the curve and keep our staff on and working, which is so important to us as a small family business and still be able to meet the needs of our customers in a safe and responsible way,” stated a Facebook post. “We are saddened that for the time being you will not be able to browse all of our great new gift items and pottery in person but we are going to do our best to keep or Facebook, Instagram, and website loaded up with new pictures daily. We will be offering some great annual and perennial bundles and can still wrap and ship gifts!”

Madison Earth Care has continued to post updates as well as featured projects and specials on its Facebook page.

After a few days of phone orders and curbside pickup, owner Nancy DuBrule-Clemente made the announcement that Natureworks would close as of March 22 until the government announces that it is safe to stay open.

While the shop will be closed, DuBrule-Clemente commented that she is learning to do webinars and continues to answer customers’ comments and questions through the shop’s Facebook page.

Riggio’s announced on Facebook that while it will remain open, there are several precautions customers can take throughout this time, including keeping a six-foot distance from others and taking advantage of phone orders and curbside pickup or delivery.

“We do understand that gardening is great therapy, especially at hard times. We are excited to see you and offer therapy, but we do ask that you take the proper precautions while you shop with us,” said the garden center the Facebook post.

Riggio’s has adjusted its hours to 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Customer Appreciation Weekend, which had been scheduled for April, has been canceled so as not to promote large group gatherings.

Riggio’s not only offers its seeds, plants, and garden supplies for pickup and delivery, but “Happy Bags” for kids as well with small toys and activities that can be ordered on the phone and dropped off on your doorstep.

Like many other local businesses, Running Brook Farms is taking phone orders and offering curbside service. Becky Goetsch, manager of the garden center, is working to make sure the garden center is accessible to customers. Orders can also be placed by emailing office@runningbrookfarms.com.

“My ethos is that we are an integral part of this community during this time of stress and panic and I absolutely want to keep our doors open so people have the opportunity to stay home and garden,” says Goetsch. “It’s a great time of year to prepare or start your garden. If you have an existing garden, you may want to replenish it with mulch and turn over the soil in preparation. It’s also a good time to apply lime and fertilizer to the lawn.”

At this time, the only crop ready for planting is pansies, but in the coming weeks, more will become available. Those wishing to join the email distribution list with plant updates can email office@runningbrookfarms.com. She noted that this is a good time of year for starting seeds and Running Brook Farms offers a variety.

The center also offers mulch and topsoil deliveries, which can be ordered over the phone.

Goetsch’s efforts include aiming to limit traffic flow, being diligent about sanitizing, suggesting customers only handle items they are going to purchase, and encouraging zero contact payment methods. She encourages customers to call with orders. When it comes to plants, she said she is happy to take photos to send to customers so they can make a decision.

Running Brook Farms is working to update its website to enable online sales and add information about product lines.

While the threat of COVID-19 remains, the stores will take orders over the phone for parking lot or drive-through delivery.

At Van Wilgen’s, which is located on 56 acres in North Branford, customers can access the grounds to explore the greenhouses and outdoor shopping. Though the shop has canceled its events, it will remain open for shopping.

“We will remain open as long as we can for a breath of fresh air for people looking for a place to feel good and unwind,” says Ryan Van Wilgen. “We have 56 acres…social distancing is what we do best so space is one thing we have plenty of. Most of our shopping is outside and our greenhouses are full of sun and fresh air.”

There will also be outdoor registers for those wishing to remain outside. For those wishing to shop for themselves, Van Wilgen recommends the early hours as they tend to have less of a crowd.

Customers who prefer not to come into the shop can call in orders and have them delivered to their car in the parking lot. Delivery is also available on products, as well as bulk mulch, stone, and soil. Select items will also be featured on the shop’s Facebook page.

“We will continue to monitor things closely, but until further notice, gardening has not been canceled,” said Van Wilgen. “Gardeners are the most optimistic people I know, always changing and adapting, and I know this season will be no different.

“The best part about gardening is it is like art…It’s never wrong, just different,” added Van Wilgen. “Just try it out and we can help you make the right plants for the right situation. It’s all beautiful, just add water and sun.”

Most items Village Greene Gardens sells are now online with a full description, picture, size, and regular price.

Wendy Vincent’s grandfather gave her much good advice about gardening, including something to look forward to later this year. Plant your garlic by Halloween, and enjoy it by Fourth of July the following year. Photo courtesy of Wendy Vincent

Starting plants from seeds is a family activity that can be done right now. Photo courtesy of Wendy Vincent

“The best part about gardening is it is like art...It’s never wrong, just different,” says Ryan Van Wilgen. “Just try it out and we can help you make the right plants for the right situation. It’s all beautiful—just add water and sun.” Photo courtesy of Wendy Vincent

Old milk crates can be used to start seeds. Photo courtesy of Kathy Connolly

Old containers can be re-used for new plants as well. Photo courtesy of Kathy Connolly

It might seem too soon to start thinking about gardening, but it’s actually just the right thing for right now Photo courtesy of Kathy Connolly