Page 12 - MNLGA Free State Summer 2024_WEB

THIS BUSINESS OF OURS (Continued)
At least 30 years ago, when a lady
her and went with her on a new machine and contract at
a lower cost. All is well so far, but are we waiting for the gave up a small garden center, she
other shoe to drop?
gave me back some of the plants
Last time I mentioned the passing of Jeff Buckley of
Buckley Brothers Nursery. Recently, Larry and I went to a and equipment to ease our loss.
celebration of his life. We had a pleasant conversation
with his niece who had asked Jeff in January if she could Included in this were 10 Black
come into the business, and he agreed. I asked her if I Mondo plants. We have grown them
could interview her at the end of this year about how
things were going. She has agreed to do this, and I am ever since, now selling over 100
looking forward to connecting with her. per year.

Larry uses the internet to find things we need and at often
bargain prices. His latest purchase was a set of tables
and benches made of heavy black plastic. They are in
nice condition and look strong enough to park a truck
on. Assembly took a day or so for us to figure out all the
possible and useful configurations and then we had to
decide where to make the best and most convenient
use of them. We have them all placed now with various
perennials on them. They look better than some of the
homemade picnic tables we were using. They also freed
up the tracking wagons we were using for our annuals.
Larry decided to put ground cloth under the new picnic
tables where we have used homemade tables for over
20 years. The thing was, along with the grass and weeds
under the old ones was a now very large seedling Hosta.
Nothing special about it except its size with a slight blue
green color. But everyone was saying don’t kill or cover it
up with the weed barrier! So, he mumbled a bit but went
around it successfully.
We often go a bit out of our way to help beginning
landscapers and small garden and floral businesses.
Sadly, some don’t last for various reasons. Some
remember our help and give us plants or equipment in
return. At least 30 years ago, when a lady gave up a small
garden center, she gave me back some of the plants
and equipment to ease our loss. Included in this were 10 Black Mondo
Black Mondo plants. We have grown them ever since, now
selling over 100 per year.
Mike Hemming
Another company going out of business recently gave us Eastern Shore Nurseries Inc
a heavy 3 tier wooden display bench. A bit on the rough 410-822-1320
side, but a few long dry wall screws and 2 coats of green esn@goeaston.net
paint, it’s certainly serviceable and nice looking. Kindness easternshorenurseries.com
and a bit of generosity is never a fault when dealing with
others in our industry. A

12 SUMMER 2024 • Free State News