For the first time this year, it really feels like Spring!  The sun is warm and gentle, the humidity is low, there’s a bit of a breeze and the world is turning green again.  The mayapples have emerged, the daffodils, the redbud trees and the Jane magnolia are blooming.  The hostas are poking up – apparently those viciously voracious voles have not eaten them all!

Life at Hasting Plants has changed a bit; most of the past few weeks we were busy transplanting tiny seedlings from tiny pots into bigger pots; then moving the pots to empty spots on the growing benches and waiting until they (a) grew larger or (b) the weather became mild enough to move them outside.

In spite of a very brutal cold spell in February, which delayed many plant shipments, we managed to get everything transplanted, but we opened a little later than usual. Our customers, having endured a long, cold winter stuck inside and due to COVID-19, socially isolated, have been nearly giddy with excitement.

People find out about Hasting Plants generally by word of mouth and once they’ve visited, they return.  Customers will drive a couple of hours, sometimes more just to get here and when they arrive, they have a big smile on their face. It’s been a real pleasure to meet people and get to talk with them.  I honestly haven’t met a mean or unhappy person yet.

One gentleman told me, “There’s a good vibe to this place.” I have to agree with him.

Other Good Vibes

Poppy, Nancy’s four-year old rescue dog is timid, but has become accustomed to having so many people around.  I bought her affection with doggy treats and she lets me pet her.  She’s a good size dog, but really wants to be a lap puppy.  There is an old cat named Pizzazz who enjoys taking a nap in the cardboard boxes we keep to box up plants.  He will tolerate having his head rubbed.  It’s interesting, but visitors are always so charmed by spotting Pizzazz sleeping in a box, right in the midst of all the commotion.  Customers often bring their dogs, who are welcome as long at they are on a leash.  I got to rub a wire-haired pointer’s silky, floppy ears and cuddle an eight-week-old Yorkshire terrier.

There is a small playground for the children to play on while the grown-ups shop, The children are as cute as the pets, excited and happy to be outside and playing.   It’s very gratifying to see so many kids and young adults interested in gardening.

Each day seems to be busier than the last; each day is gratifying and exhausting.

Enjoy your gardens, no matter where you are, and remember to “Stay Green”, good friends!

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