Page 10 - MNLGA Free State Spring 2025_WEB

THIS BUSINESS OF OURS (Continued)

Irrigating Rhododendrons pipe parts already on hand and a table, we installed
that pump on the line now. The electric hook up was
the only real expense. It has been tested and has plenty
of capacity to run that section.

For the last few years, we have been bringing in and
growing more and bigger hellebores. They have been
selling quite well, even in 3 and 5 gallons, because
they make quite a show for the early spring customers
and again for customers in the fall. I have two in my
landscape and last June I noticed some seedlings under
one of the plants. Curious, I dug them up and put them
in small pots, left them pretty much to themselves and
they survived the summer and winter. Potted in gallons
now, I’ll see what they do knowing we can get $22.50
next spring will make it worthwhile.
that the spring in Georgia and South Carolina was In the past I have talked about the possibility of using
exactly 2 weeks and 2 days ahead of here using the point of purchase scanners here at our nursery. My
native Red Maples as a guide.
grandson, Robert, has been the point person in that
We also stopped in St. Mary’s City, Georgia first to research. Robert, Rosalie and Larry visited a nursery
donate some of my submarine memorabilia that I have that had one of the systems. The people there gave
“collected” over the years. Some things are historic
enough that they shouldn’t end up in a junk shop or
tossed after I’m gone. St. Mary’s City has a very nice
submarine museum. Also on the list was the Oak Grove
Cemetery circa 1787 as it is famous for its very old live
oaks, azaleas, and camellias, some of which are said
to be over 100 years old. I must say most of the azaleas
and camellias looked pretty shabby to be honest. I did
see some interesting flowers on some of the camellias,
but none of the azaleas were in bloom at all. I was more
impressed with the live oaks huge stately specimens
which were in overall good heath for their advanced
years. St. Mary’s also has a self-guided historic tree tour
of 34 live oaks in their registry. Many of the trees have a
girth of 10-15 feet and three had measurements of 17.03,
18.04 and 20.09 feet. It was truly impressive and I’m
glad I went.
Back home now, we are having some busy days with
trucks coming in and customers going out with plants
and landscapers picking up some nice large orders.
Lots of things to do, of course. I’ve been fixing leaks
from ice damage with only one more to go tomorrow
since I have been waiting for parts. One of our sections
was awkward to irrigate, a section added on that
sometimes took off too much volume from the section
down the line. Last summer Larry bid on and won a
pump that could be hooked up to that area. With most Irrigating Greenhouse

10 SPRING 2025 • Free State News