She lives on an acreage by Shilo, where she has a greenhouse. She said she studied greenhouses, gardening and design, this is right up her alley.
“I have had bedding plants at the store for years. It is what I enjoy doing. It is a nice opportunity.”
Stead-Thorne said with the Room to Grow greenhouse not operating at the moment, it would give people in the community another place to get plants.
They built a 25 x 36 foot home for the garden centre on the business property recently, which will be able to house a lot of items. Stead-Thorne said she will be growing most of the plants herself, and will be keeping herself busy transplanting.
She said there would be all kinds of flowers, including annuals and plants for hanging baskets. As well, a variety of vegetables like tomatoes and onions will be available.
Stead-Thorne added she would do pots for people. They can either bring in their own, or she can provide the pots. It is custom planting, where she will put in the flowers they want, to start it off for them.
“People can order what they want and I can get it started,” she explained. “It takes one of the stresses off people.”
As well, they will be selling outdoor decorative décor like fountains to help fill out your yard during the beautification season, just like any other garden centre.
Like everyone else, Steads has been impacted by the Coronavirus. Stead-Thorne said they have been named an essential service so they can stay open, but they have encouraged customers to call in their orders and they can pick them up outside. If they come in the store, they must practice social distancing.
There are some concerns for the new garden centre. Stead-Thorne said it is a little worrisome. They do have their online order form up and people can also call in at 204-534-3236. She added this could be a year when everyone will enjoy their outdoors and garden a little more.
Usually, the season for greenhouses starts on Mother’s Day, but this might get delayed a bit. Stead-Thorne said some other greenhouses have been doing pick-ups and curbside deliveries. They could do the same. The bright side is most people do not want the plants until May, and she herself does not really plant outside until the first weekend of June, weather permitting. That means there is time for the situation to start clearing up.
Right now, plants are coming in. Her last weekend of April opening plan is now out the window. She will see exactly when this will happen. It seems everything changes day to day. If they have to do it by curbside initially, that will be how it is done. The hope is everything will be running normally as soon as possible. At any rate, Stead-Thorne feels the garden centre is something that could really grow, perhaps with more trees and perennials in the future.
“This year is going to be a rough one to decide how well it is going,” she said. “It is pretty much a practice year.”
by PAUL RAYNER, Recorder Staff