Nurseries offer plant, shrub, and flower options galore!
By KATLYN PROCTOR
So much of farming is beyond vegetable or fruit crops. Native shrubs, plants and flowers are a staple in New England, dotting white picket fences and dooryards. Nurseries thrive in the region given the extended growing period offered by greenhouses, providing a local alternative to having plants shipped in from other parts of the country. Nurseries abound in the region too, greenhouses dotting farmland here and there. You just have to know where to go.
Log Cabin Nursery
It didn’t take long for Lee Stevens’ logging company to start toying with the idea of a greenhouse. After completing their first landscaping gig, Log Cabin Nursery began their greenhouse operation in 1976 to compliment the landscaping business.
“We didn’t think of this at all to begin with. Then a friend of his [Lee] had asked him if he thought he could put in a lawn for somebody. He did and the owners asked him to plant some shrubs,” said Sandy Stevens, Log Cabin Nursery co-owner who oversees the greenhouse operations today along with handling bookkeeping.
Their endeavor took off from there.
The property is full of greenhouses and sheds, loaded with annuals and perennials newly seeded and lined up in neat rows. Stocking up the greenhouses at the start of the season is one of Sandy’s favorite parts of running Log Cabin Nursery. She offers an update on their growing season so far on their website.
“Our orders are arriving, seeds are developing into recognizable plants and
the over-wintered fruit and ornamental trees, as well as the shrubs, look great,” she posted.
And for those wondering, there is a log cabin on the property that was built in 1957 by Lee himself using timber from the land. Although constructed in Maine, the cabin was moved in 1979 to Claremont.
Cat Swamp Farm
Cat Swamp Farm is a small agroforestry operation in Unity dedicated to ecosystem health.
It’s here that Chase Tanner propagates native plants beneficial to pollinators, wildlife, soil and water quality from sustainably harvested seed and cuttings. And she really knows her stuff.
“Many of the larger growers are propagating with a limited gene pool; they are not combing the meadows and woods of central New Hampshire for seed. That is something we can do,” Tanner explained.
She references last year’s most popular plant: Achillea millefolium. More regularly known as yarrow, Tanner propagated the plant because of its ability to provide a habitat for insects.
“One of our most popular plants last year was Achillea millefolium, the native North American species of yarrow (yarrow is native to Europe and Asia as well). Suited to sunny, medium to dry sites, yarrow is a great companion for vegetables, herbs and fruits because it provides habitat and a food source for beneficial insects. Spreading by rhizomes, it is also good for erosion control and soil health,” she explained. “The first species we propagated, Eutrochium maculatum, or spotted Joe Pye weed, with its tall growth habit and handsome mauve blossoms attractive to pollinators and hummingbirds continues to be popular for moist meadows.”
Cat Swamp Farm is also known for its locally sourced timber and milling services.
“We bought a bandsaw mill to saw them [small diameter logs] for ourselves, specifically to re-side the old barn on the property. When that was done, we kept sawing and sold the boards, mostly to people with similar projects,” Tanner said. “It's of benefit to us because it generates a little income, and because we can saw out lumber that we need for various farm projects, and it benefits others because we can provide rough sawn lumber that they would not typically find in big box stores, and (assuming they can get logs transported to us) we can custom mill for people so they can make use of their own logs.”
Chase is now also offering design and installation services for small scale (hand tool) pollinator gardens and shoreline plantings.
Kathan Gardens
The Kathan Gardens greenhouse offers a variety of plants and flowers.
Callie Freak knows how therapeutic gardening can be and has long-time memories of the special dirt found at Kathan Gardens in Newport.
Today, as one of the new owners of Kathan Gardens, Freak enjoys helping visitors find answers to their questions so they can reconnect with the earth.
“It is important to provide the community the knowledge, tools and materials that they need to be successful in growing their own gardens, whether it's flowers, veggies or creating your dream landscape for your front yard. All of which helps create a sustainable, nourishing, beautiful environment for our futures,” Freak said. “We want people to be successful in their gardens, even in the smallest of gardens. Being in any garden, getting your hands dirty, feeling the soil, is healing for the soul.”
Kathan Gardens offers annuals, perennials, herbs, shrubs, trees and garden fertilizers, mulch and tools, acting as a one-stop shop for those looking to dig in the dirt. Plus, the new owners (including Callie’s wife, Amie, and local businessman Jim Morgan) are not shy when it comes to introducing new products.
“We have some new hanging baskets coming this year! Some trailing geraniums in decorative hanging coco coir baskets, some more unique varieties of plants for your own gardens and lots of elephant ears,” Freak gushed.
There are 10 greenhouses dotting the landscape at Kathan Gardens, with a new gift shop full of heartfelt and unique items. Folks meander down to the business often to ask questions.
“We stand out from our peers because we have a full landscaping crew. Briar Patch Landscaping is in our back pocket and available for all of your gardening needs,” Freak said. “We do everything from reclaiming your current gardens, new garden installations, garden maintenance and so much more! It also makes us very knowledgeable about the plants that we grow and sell here at Kathan’s.”
Edgewater Farm
The greenhouse season at Edgewater Farm is a busy time of year. After all, they try to offer something for everyone, whether a novice gardener or professional landscaper.
“We welcome and encourage you to come visit our greenhouses on River Road in Plainfield, NH. During our growing season, we try to include the old favorites, as well as any unique and intriguing plants not normally found at other nurseries and garden centers. These are special varieties we acquire from fellow plant enthusiasts, gardeners, and from seed houses and nurseries afar,” says Edgewater’s website. “We grow the plants, trial them in our gardens and propagate them during the winter season.”
Owner Ray Sprague knows that his greenhouses are a big attractor for folks. “If you look at the reach of the farm, if you laid out maps, people outside the 10-mile radius really know us for the greenhouse offerings,” Sprague said.
Edgewater team and pups in the greenhouse.
And for those who don’t know what Edgewater boasts, their website is a welcoming place, encouraging everyone to adventure out to the farm in Plainfield.
“Spring brings a feeling of renewed hope to gardeners worldwide. Come share that feeling with us as you browse our greenhouses. Whether you just need a couple of flats of pansies to chase the winter blues away, or a brugmansia or tibouchina standard to anchor a special patio container garden, you will find something for every gardener’s taste.”
Your local nursery options:
Cat Swamp Farm
192 County Farm Road Unity, NH
By Appointment(603) 542-3795
Edgewater Farm
99 River Rd, Plainfield, NH and 246 NH Route 12A Plainfield, NH (opens in June)
Opening4/24 Monday-Saturday 10-5:30, Sunday 10-4:30 (603) 298-8391
Hemingway Farms
1815 Claremont Rd, Charlestown, NH
Monday-Friday 10-6, Weekends 10-5 (603) 826-3336
Amy and Chris Hemingway spend the winter months at Hemingway Farms seeding and propagating annuals and tropical plants for spring containers and all-season interest. There are small bedding and container plants for those who wish to plant their own containers and gardens. The farm has six ornamental plant greenhouses and an additional nine high tunnel greenhouses for vegetables. hemingwayfarms.com/plants-and-flowers
In the Garden Greenhouse
16 Old High Bridge Rd, Claremont, NH 03743
Opening 4/17 Open 7 days a week, 8-6 (603) 287-8483
The list of spring offerings at In the Garden Greenhouse is long. From hanging baskets to herbs to fruits and veggies, their inventory helps them stand out as a nursery destination in the region. They also offer thousands of perennials and annuals, both potted and in packs, including different grasses and succulents.
Kathan Gardens
146 Elm St Newport, NH
Tuesday-Saturday 9-5 Sunday 10-3 (603)-863-1089
Log Cabin Nursery
653 Main Street Claremont, NH
Opening 4/9 Friday 9-4 Saturday 9-12 (603)-543-0384
