I was at Newman’s Nursery in late October admiring the Muhly grass, but was reluctant to purchase it. They only sold it in five gallon containers for $30. I didn’t want to dig a hole that large and wasn’t certain that I wanted to pay that much money for something that might not survive the winter. So I stared at it covetously, but my practicality got the better of me and bought three one gallon switch grass plants that were half off instead.
As I walked into the nursery area I was surprised to see wall-to-wall poinsettias - a sea of green plants.
Sometimes, it's not easy adjusting one's mindset to spend more money locally. One-click buying has led to the demise of bookstores everywhere local or otherwise. A few weeks ago, I was having lunch with a few friends. My friend Geri had mentioned ordering a book from Garcia Street Books. It is one of the few remaining bookstores in Santa Fe. And she was going to try frequenting it monthly to support the local economy. I love Garcia Street and would be sad to see it go. I got my copy of Secret Gardens of Santa Fe there.
But I would be sadder to see any of the local nurseries go away. The plants tend to be more appropriate for the high desert climate. At Newman's, a staff member can answer my gardening questions or find someone who can. You can buy a poinsettia at a big box store for less, but it wouldn't be this pretty. Support your local nurseries!
As I walked into the nursery area I was surprised to see wall-to-wall poinsettias - a sea of green plants.
But I would be sadder to see any of the local nurseries go away. The plants tend to be more appropriate for the high desert climate. At Newman's, a staff member can answer my gardening questions or find someone who can. You can buy a poinsettia at a big box store for less, but it wouldn't be this pretty. Support your local nurseries! 
Acres of poinsettias! How beautiful.
ReplyDeleteAmen to that, GirlSprout! At big box stores even easy-peasy things like vinca just aren't as healthy or as likely to survive once June kicks into gear. I pretty much only shop at Plants of the SW and High Country Gardens these days, with a couple of other ABQ nurseries thrown in. They know their stuff--and they offer a pleasant, beautiful experience to boot. Sometimes they cost more up front, but it's usually money well spent.
ReplyDelete(Puts cheerleading uniform away again.)
Great reminder! I hadn't thought of looking for a local, small bookstore, but I'm going to now! And those poinsettias are beautiful! I haven't bought my poinsettias yet, but were planning to soon. Now I'll be sure to go to the local nursery and pick them out.
ReplyDeleteAs a local nursery owner, I thank you so much for writing this post. I get so frustrated with garden bloggers talking about their latest big box purchase. You mention supporting local businesses, and that is important, but there are so many hidden costs. How do they think plants are produced that cheaply? With lots of chemicals and little regard for quality and the health of their workers, no care of the plants because it's cheaper to throw them away. I could go on....
ReplyDeleteGirlSprout, As if they weren't up against the wall enough, the big banks are now calling the growers and Independent Nurseries on their loans. They get business loans to pay for seeds and the Proven Winners licenses and all the materials needed during the winter growing season. So many many of our local ones have shut down.
ReplyDeleteLocal bookstores are absolutely obsolete, here!
You're so right about this. I've been trying to make a more conscious effort to buy local foods, but I should remember the local nurseries as well.
ReplyDeleteThe picture of wall-to-wall poinsettias is really pretty! I'd love to have some but I think they're toxic to cats and my kitten gets into everything, no matter how high up things are. I'll just have to admire them in other people's homes. :)
Wise words! And the Poinsettas are gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteso true...I am trying to find and patronize my local native plant nurseries as well...love the sea of color..
ReplyDelete@Patricia - I've never seen so many of them in one place before. Pretty amazing!
ReplyDelete@Stacy - I hardly get on my soap box, but local nurseries are the best. I love Plants of the SW, too. They have an amazing penstemon selection.
@Holley - I hope you find a great local bookstore and some pretty local poinsettias.
@Carolyn - As Stacy mentioned above the plants are so much better from the nursery. I know that not everyone can afford to patronize a local nursery, but even the two inch pots seem hardier than some of the gallon plants at a big box store.
ReplyDelete@Sissy - I'm sorry to hear that you don't have any local bookstores. I hope your local nurseries can hang on during these tough times.
@Bumble Lush - Hope you can find a good local nursery for your plants next year. I'm amazed at all the things you grow from seed though.
@Christine - Thanks for stopping by. I couldn't resist picking up some paper white bulbs, too.
ReplyDelete@Donna - I think I let out a little gasp when I saw them the first time. I kind of felt like a garden elf.
How true - I don't think we have any local bookstores left other than used book stores. We are lucky here to have some great local nurseries that I sure would not want to close!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree with you more about supporting our local nurseries and businesses. Without them we'll be buying stuff from "who-knows-where and who-knows-what" where they just want to make a buck.
I'm a great believer in buying local - for as many things as possible. Globalisation has not really brought us any advatages and for gardeners it is too easy to buy something that will be invasive or jsut inappropriate. Christina
ReplyDeleteI only buy plants online that I can't find locally. Same with books. We need the money in our own economy. I buy what I can here, I like to see what I am getting what I can also.
ReplyDeleteCher Sunray Gardens
They are beautiful! If you buy them locally, chance are they are inexpensive, and fresher :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful view of the glasshouse full of the poisettias. We say this flower Christmas star. Every year I buy it. I would certainly let you know the amount of choice for me.
ReplyDeleteHow many people live in Santa Fee? In the current difficult economic times has many problems to survive for the life of unimportant business. I also try to take with my photographic services, unfortunately, is not it. I hope I understood well your article and that you understand my English response :-)
Have a nice weekend! Daniela
I was sure I commented, but it must have not been accepted by Blogger. I say 'amen' on buying locally. Being part of a grower's nursery an local farm, I see first hand the importance. So many livelihoods would be affected if it were to go away. Not mine because of what I do, but so many workers whose families depend on the farm. I am a bit prejudiced, but I agree, the plant material is leaps and bounds better.
ReplyDeleteTyle gwiazd betlejemskich naraz nie widziałam. Wygląda to wspaniale. Pozdrawiam
ReplyDeleteSo many stars of Bethlehem at the same time not seen. It looks great. Yours