There is one thing that has never changed in the 25 years that Pat Krauss has been running 鈥淧at鈥檚 Posies鈥�: 鈥淚t鈥檚 always been a happy place,鈥� she says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 such a great atmosphere. People come in and see all the colours and they just feel so good. Everyone is excited when they are planning their gardens, whether it鈥檚 just one pot or several flower beds.鈥�
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Pat鈥檚 Posies began in 1996 and has been open for business at several locations in Assiniboia, but for the past 17 years it has been across from Harvey鈥檚 Home Hardware. 鈥淭he people of the 小蓝视频 country are so supportive. A lot of them have been with me from day one. I see them every year. Everyone comes - ladies, men, and now lots of young women are coming in with their children.鈥�
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Pat鈥檚 personalized service is another thing everyone can count on at Pat鈥檚 Posies. 鈥淲e will help you plan a pot for whatever location it鈥檚 going to be in - whether the sun or shade. We offer a lot of knowledge about which plants will work in various areas of your yard. We always stress that potting soil is important, along with fertilizer. People come all the time who have bought the self-watering pots and they ask for help in planning their layout.鈥�
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And one more element that has never changed over Pat鈥檚 25 years is the predictably unpredictable 听Saskatchewan weather! 鈥淚t鈥檚 a quick season from start to finish in 7 weeks, but we鈥檝e seen everything imaginable from blizzards and snow banks to hail, high winds, and frost. One morning we arrived at the greens house to see a huge snowdrift half way up the door,鈥� says Pat. 鈥淲e had to shovel our way in to the building.鈥�
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If anyone wants to know what the Spring weather might have been over the past 25 years, Pat has kept track. She has always written jot notes every day such as, hot, hot, hot, orwindy and rainy, and of course Snow!
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In spite of the weather, Pat does not plan to slow down just yet. 鈥淚鈥檓 going to continue running the greenhouse as long as I can. It鈥檚 always been successful, and I love it. I鈥檓 so excited to open up this year again. Once the greenhouse is clean and ready, we can鈥檛 wait for the first shipment of plants. It鈥檚 always amazing to see the empty building transform into a living, blooming display, and it instantly has that fresh scent. We always look forward to that.鈥�
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The greenhouse is a place where people come back to life after a cold, harsh winter. 听鈥淚 have customers that come with their family just to enjoy the bursts of colour. It鈥檚 their outing. Many customers will purchase gift certificates for their mothers. We sell tons of those. The ladies love them because they can come and choose whichever colours and plants they want.鈥�
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Some flowers will always be popular, says Pat, especially the petunias. 鈥淪hades of pink are customer favourites. I really love other flowers in oranges and purples, and the textured grasses. Another trend we鈥檙e seeing is heritage plants such as a bleeding heart. It鈥檚 been around for decades and some customers like to plant it because it brings back memories of their parents or grandparents. Flowers have a way of keeping history and family ties alive. 鈥�
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Whatever their reason to stop in at Pat鈥檚 Posies, there鈥檚 always new life, and sound advice. And even if there is a blizzard in May, there will always be drifts of colour and waves of joy inside Pat鈥檚 Posies.
