US (WI): “For the plants, this year's weather is a little bit better”
That’s because the slower snow melt allows the moisture to get deeper into the soil, helping replenish all the water that was lost during last Summer’s drought, which wreaked havoc on Wisconsin’s farmlands.
Schalow’s started planting their perennials shortly after Valentine’s Day in its greenhouses, which will get as warm as 90 degrees during the day just from the sunlight, and humidity high enough to make your glasses fog up.
“When it’s cold and wet outside, and you walk in the greenhouse, your day just gets a whole lot better,” Arnold said, who took over as the garden center manager three years ago. “It’s a fun job, that’s for sure.”
But the colder than normal weather, while good for overall plant health, isn’t as good for business, he said.
“We’re not able to unwrap the trees and shrubs, or get the plants out on the tables outside, which doesn’t do much in terms of attracting those driving by,” Arnold said. “We hope to be able to start getting the plants out on the tables here in the next couple weeks.”
Last Spring saw abnormally warm temperatures, which spurred plants to bloom earlier, only for a period of frost to follow, killing off some of those blooms. This was most noticeable at local apple orchards, which saw entire crops destroyed.
The warm temperatures had the added benefit of bringing in customers to the nursery earlier than normal, and reducing the amount of fuel needed to keep the greenhouses warm enough for plants to grow.
“By this time last year, we had everything on the tables outside,” he said. “You have to roll with the punches in this business, and always be an optimist.”
Source: wausaudailyherald.com