There鈥檚 no denying that flowers and plants can enhance the exterior or the interior of a home.
The southeast region is blessed with a number of greenhouses that have all you need to spruce up a residence with plants and flowers, or to help out green thumbs with their gardening essentials.聽
The Tail-Ling Hills Farm near Bienfait is in its second year of operations. They opened for the season on Friday
鈥淲e had a lot of returning customers that came back, and we had a lot of new customers who heard about us through some of the advertising that we did with the Estevan Mercury,鈥� said Murphy.
Tail-Ling Hills has a lot of annuals with single premium pots, or six-pack pots, and perennials that are coming in this weekend. They don鈥檛 have as many trees and shrubs this year due to supply issues from COVID-19 virus, but there鈥檚 still lots of variety around the greenhouse.聽
When she and her husband Gerald came to the region six years ago, they noticed there wasn鈥檛 a private greenhouse in the area. They wanted to provide local residents with a place to purchase nice annuals and a variety of different colours that can鈥檛 be found at other stores.
鈥淲e also love flowers. It鈥檚 something that we absolutely love doing,鈥� said Murphy.
The first year proved to be fruitful. They received a lot of positive feedback from customers. It was a lot of work, but they learned a lot through research and trial and error.
鈥淲e had a lot of customers who had a lot of experience that they shared with us,鈥� said Murphy.聽
New for this year is the addition of pond plants. A lot of people asked them last year if Tail-Ling Hills would carry them, because there is a need. Previously people had to go to Regina or Saskatoon to get water plants.
鈥淥ur one son is really into ponds, and so we鈥檙e building him a pond in the greenhouse that we鈥檒l be able to display our pond plants with.鈥�
A secondary greenhouse was constructed this year in part because they were awarded the City of Estevan鈥檚 flower contract.
Also new for this year is their website, which was designed by their 14-year-old son.聽
Restrictions associated with COVID-19 forced Tail-ling Hills to limit how many people they have in the greenhouse at once, but people have navigated the restrictions well.聽
The North 40 Acres Greenhouse is another business located eight kilometres north of Bienfait and west of the 605 grid road. Now in its third year, it鈥檚 operated by Farrah Klatt, a lifelong green thumb who workeded at the Shand Greenhouse at one time.
鈥淚 wanted to start my own business here on the farm for something to do and to help out with some income on the farm,鈥� said Klatt.
North 40鈥檚 opening day was Tuesday. Right now their emphasis is bedding plants, flowers and plants for the garden. They have pots and can handle arrangements for people.
鈥淭hey can bring me their own, and I will create an arrangement for them to enjoy throughout the summer,鈥� Klatt said.聽
Perennials and annuals will be sold this year. She hopes the selection can grow a little more each year.
Customers are usually pretty happy. She is always pleased to hear that they liked her product and it grows well, or that they like the colours or the vegetables.聽
鈥淚鈥檓 always interested in hearing from them as to certain things that they would like for me to carry, so I鈥檓 always trying to bring in new stuff that they鈥檙e interested in and looking for.鈥�
The pandemic has forced North 40 to make changes. They are offering deliveries for those who can鈥檛 make it to the farm, and they have contact-free pickup. A catalogue was created for people to look through to place their orders.聽
This year marks a milestone for Country Garden Greenhouse in Carlyle, as it is celebrating its 20th anniversary under the ownership of Allan Thomas. His wife Sylvia said they have lots to offer customers.聽
鈥淲e sell annuals, vegetables, plants, perennials, shrubs, trees and some giftware,鈥� said Sylvia Thomas.
Seed packets and seed potatoes are also available.聽
The giftware includes planters and pots, and in the past they鈥檝e had jewelry. This year they wanted to add baking and artwork, but the COVID-19 pandemic changed those plans.
Opening day for them is May 6. Thomas compared it to a wedding.
鈥淵ou work up right until the moment that it happens, and then everything鈥檚 stressful. As soon as you open the doors, then a lot of the stress goes away. But you can only do so much,鈥� she said.聽
They will be able to have 10 people in the store at once. Arrows on the floors to direct traffic, a second till has been added to the greenhouse, splash guards have been added for the staff, and they have extended the hours they will be open on Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays.聽
鈥淚t鈥檚 a different year for keeping people safe.鈥�
Customers are eager to see them open. They have grown extra vegetables to meet an expected higher demand. She called her husband a guru when it comes to seeds, and she believes people who have extra time due to the pandemic are eager to explore the world of gardening or enhance their properties with some new additions.聽
