Here's why your neighbors and friends are buying annual plants in March, when the weather isn't warm enough to plant them in the Midwest until May and June. And why you should, too!
They're reserving plants now for lots of reasons, according to Mary Jaminski, a horticulturalist with the Plant Club.
"It's hard to find the plants we want in real-time, in May and June," Jaminski says. She manages all facets of the gardens for a number of North Shore homeowners, in addition to supporting the 15 pickup sites for the Plant Club.
"Big landscapers have been placing orders for their customers over the past several months, planning the installations and ensuring they have the quantities they need. Those supplies dwindle when spring hits, meaning less are available for beginner or experienced gardeners."
The Plant Club's Spring Pre-Order sale resets the purchasing process, letting home gardeners of every skill and interest level in on the early plant selection action.
"If you are a beginner, or a busy skilled gardener, and you know you love pre-potted containers and hanging baskets, shopping now makes it easy to dress up your patio or front door. Why wouldn't you choose them now, when you have your pick of dozens of options?" Jaminski suggests.
"There are many Plant Club members who love the look of bedding plants like impatiens, or begonias, in front and back of their homes, and want them in a specific color. They purchase 10-15 flats in March, knowing that they will be ready to install in mid-May, right when the weather warms up. It would be difficult to get that quantity of plants in May, but now they can order them in advance, and then just pick them up at a local pickup site or have them delivered. Our members don't have to worry or waste time driving to multiple nurseries trying to find what they want, and often coming up empty."
During our annual "annual pre-order", you'll have the opportunity to get exactly what you want -- more varieties, more sizes and larger quantities than you can count on getting in person in May or June.
Note that supplies dwindle as wholesale nurseries sell through the plants they have planted. Please place your orders now so that you can secure the plants you want before they are sold out!
North Shore Plant Club
