Local greenhouses want to help residents get outside

by John McLoone

It’s going to be a great year to garden!

What else do you have to do? Make your yard and gardens look their best, and local greenhouses have everything you need.

Harrington's Greenhouse at 438 W. Kinne St., Ellsworth, is looking forward to helping beautify the community this year.

Harrington's Greenhouse is owned by Dale and Beth Auckland. John Harrington bought the nursery back in 1978. His operation grew to the 16 greenhouses and 46,000-square-feet of growing space on Hwy. C in Ellsworth where he has a large operation in Harrington’s Wholesale Annuals that’s known to turn out absolutely stunning flowers and plants year after year.

Dale and Beth took over the retail business just north of the Pierce County Courthouse 20 years ago, learning the ropes from one of the best in the business.

“John has been our mentor teaching us the science of plants. His attention to detail and quality provide our customers with healthy, vibrant plants,” said Beth.

It’s a big weekend for Harrington's Greenhouse: They open Saturday and are hoping that everyone shares their opinion that it’s a great year to have the best looking gardens ever! The nursery operations is considered an essential business, and now that the weather is starting to warm

See GREEN AND GROWING, Page 3

Harrington’s Greenhouse is located just north of the Pierce County Courthouse on Kinne Street. Photo by John McLoone up, it’s going to be essential for all of us to get outside!

“We’re really excited about this year,” said Beth. “Sure, it’s different for us all, but what better way to get your mind off of having to stay at home than by working outside.”

Like all businesses, Harrington’s Greenhouse is adapting to the COVID-19 climate.

“We will be offering curbside pickup. Customers can call and place orders. We’ll welcome customers into our greenhouse, and we’ll practice our social distancing,” Beth said. “We want to make sure our customers are safe, and we also want to help them in any way we can.” We will also be hosting our very popular planting party on May 3rd. Please call to make a reservation.

“Many of our customers will miss Kay Baker this year as she will be retiring after 40 years. Dale and I didn’t know anything about plants when we started in the business. Kay was always our plant expert. Her patience and knowledge is something Dale and I are forever grateful for,” reflected Beth.

Dale and Beth are joined in the family business by daughters Liz and Jenna. Liz is becoming an expert on perennials and house plants while Jenna handles the marketing and sales.

In addition to flowers and plants, Harrington’s is also known for the unique garden items and pottery in its gift shop. And of course there are lots of trees, shrubs, seed potatoes, and vegetable seeds.

“We are looking forward to our opening day! We know everything has to be a little different this year, but it’s going to be a great year to garden,” said Beth.

Harrington’s Greenhouse 438 W. Kinne St., Ellsworth 715-273-5937 harringtonsgreenhouse.com Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 7 p.m., Saturday, 8:30 a.m. – 6 p.m., Sunday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

*** It’s going to be a big year for gardening. Check out our local nurseries, and let’s beautify our communities

Reuvers Nursery – W8914 340th Avenue, Hager City

Cindy Reuvers said Monday that Reuvers Nursery is ready and waiting for gardening enthusiasts.

“We’re so excited. I think people are ready to get out of the house and start to make their yards beautiful,” he said.

The company made an outdoor checkout area and has some private shopping times from 6 – 8 p.m. throughout the week.

“We’re working hard to figure this out. Everything is blooming, though. It looks so good,” she said.

Reuvers Nursery is open 8:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sundays. Call them at 715-792-2858.

***

Rockworks Landscaping, Ellsworth

Rockworks is ready for spring. The Ellsworth business is owed by Brian and Amy Pieper.

“We are ready to roll, that’s for sure,” said Amy Pieper. “We get fired up this time of year.”

Rockworks is a full-service landscaping company.

“Our expertise is in outdoor living spaces,” Amy said. “We do everything. We’re the muscle behind what you see. “

The company does a lot of rock work and patios and has been booking work for this spring since last year.

“We’ve been doing planning since last spring and fall. We’re set up for the spring already and into the summer,” she said. “We’re open. We’re fired up. The phone has been ringing, and that makes us feel great.”

Call Rockworks at 715-273-5415.

*** Cedar Hills Greenhouse, River Falls

Cedar Hill Greenhouse is located on Hwy. 29 about 1-1/2 miles south of Cemetery Road in River Falls. “It’s been a fairly busy spring so far,” said Betty Lindhal, The company has been having fun online and getting ready for a busy spring.

“It’s been an unprecedented spring, but we’re ready. A lot of what we do was planned late summer last year. We’re always working to produce the best product we can,” she said.

Betty said they’ve been helping customers plan victory gardens. Which were planed at many residences throughout the United States during World War I and World War II. The gardens are comprised of vegetables, fruit and herbs.

“We’ve had a lot of calls from people that have 70-80-yar-old parents who maybe had a large victory garden years ago and they’re looking for a mini garden. People want to go outside and feel good about taking care of their plants,” she said. “We’re a greenhouse. We’re open. The air’s coming in. We’re kind of just doing our thing and people feel comfortable coming in with some of the protocols we have put in place.”

Cedar Hills Greenhouse opens for the season on Thursday. In April, they’re open from 9 am. – 6 p.m. daily and 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. weekends. In May, they’re open 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. daily and 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. weekends.

“I hope it’s a fruitful year for us,” said Betty. “We’re always trying to do something new for our communities.” ***

Skyline Gardens and Ponds

Skyline Gardens and Ponds is located at 148 County Road F. Clayton Juelfs described themselves as “grower retailers.”

“We grow the plants here ourselves,” he said.

They also have Angus Waygu beef, Berkshire pork and brown eggs.

“We also do something that most greenhouses don’t,” said Clayton. “We have Japanese koi and raise water plants.”

Their motto is “free advice from you local growers.”

“Everything looks really good. We’re ready,” said Clayton.

Skyline Gardens and Ponds is open from 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. daily or by appointment. *** Pearson Florist and Greenhouse

Pearson Florist and Greenhouse is located at 420 E. Elm St. in River Falls. They have served the River Falls area for over 80 years. ***

Backyard Botanicals

Krazy Kerry’s Barnyard Botanicals is open starting May 1 from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.

It’s located off of Hwy. M at 76 158th St., River Falls. Reach them at 715-425-5363