So....WHO'S EXCITED FOR SPRING!?!?!?!

Oh - I found it - here: http://www.northcreeknurseries.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/plants.search/index.htm

Here's a plant with my name on it: http://www.northcreeknurseries.com/plantName/Meehania-cordata- I'd gladly order a flat!

If we are doing full flats and leaving to participants to do the splitting, I can take on the organization (or part thereof) if AspenHill would prefer me to. I just don't want to be responsible to drill down to the "one plant here and one plant there" level.

Love the blue flowers, Happy! I can take some if you do not need the whole flat.

Yeah Happy, I wouldn't mind taking some of those from you either if you don't need a full flat. I was actually going to buy one of those from Bluestone this spring anyway.

Happy, I can help you organize this group buy, although I'm not sure what I can do to help at this point.

Here's my suggestion:

When we start the North Creek group buy thread, anyone who's interested in buying a flat can post the plant in the comments section, like Happy did above. Anyone who wants some of the plugs can contact that person directly through dmail. That way, each person who suggests a flat is responsible for how it's divided up. If there isn't enough interest in that flat, it could be dropped at a later time.


So I would post a comment like
"Interested in Meehania cordata, 32 per flat."

And as I get dmails, I would edit to add --
"Donner - 5 plugs"
"Sequoia - 5 plugs"
"Happy - 22 plugs"
"All gone!"

Another option is to have 2 separate threads, like we do for swaps.
So one thread would be titled "North Creek Wants List" (it would look like what I just wrote above) and another would be "North Creek Discussion" where we discuss increasing/decreasing our plug amounts to complete a flat.

I think ssgardener has it just right - either approach. Much simpler than having one person trying to manage a master list.

Is anyone else willing to do the pickup from North Creek and delivery to the swap, though? That's a huge part of the puzzle. As I recall when I looked at this before North Creek has very limited hours so I would have had to take of substantial time off from work to do -- which was one reason I never followed through. Plus you'd need a LARGE car/SUV/van/truck for all the flats, depending on how much we order. I don't know if the flats can be stacked if we don't pay for packing.

I think that ssgardener has a good idea as well. As far as the pick up, I may be able to borrow a cargo van from work, otherwise I have a Mazda 3 and could pick up as much as I could if someone else could help me.

I started a thread specific to the North Creek group buy. I still need to fill in the details, but start posting your thoughts etc... about it over here:
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1347016/

Hi Pirl! I bought caladiums from Bill last year. They sure are quality bulbs. Catmint is coordinating a group buy for this season.

Sequoia, I just received a catalog in the mail yesterday from a vendor new to me - Roots & Rhizomes, specializing in daylilies, siberian iris, hostas and perennials. Nice! You may want to check it out - definitely something different than the general ones we were talking about earlier.

Oh yeah for sure. I love when niche catalogs come, I always look at them. I'll check them out at lunch.

Sequoiadendron4: I'm not sure borrowing a van would help, because if a van were necessary you'd then need to borrow it again to get the flats from your house to the swap. We can call NC to see whether their flats will stack and to get an idea as to how much space our order will take, once we have some vague idea of how many flats we have.

Ok, I thought we'd pick up the plants on the way to the swap. I'm pretty new at this swap/group buy thing.

Sequoiadendron4, We are only an hour away, just North of York if you need help or more space. I was thinking pick up Friday?

Sequoiadendron4, as I recall NC has very limited hours - I think it might be hard to swing it on the same trip.

I just checked the website -- http://www.northcreeknurseries.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/home.contact/index.htm

Plant pickup hours are Tuesday through Friday, from 7:30am to 3:30pm EST, at the following address:

North Creek Nurseries - Plant Pickup & Shipping
124 Wedgewood Road
Oxford, PA 19363

Also, I learned that the flats do not come boxed -- in fact, they charge a hefty fee for boxes. Here is what they say:

Box Dimensions & Charges

Small Box (21"L x 12"W x 9"H)
Price per box: $5.00 each
Discounted price for pallet shipment or pick-up orders: $4.50 each
50 cell & 72 cell liners - fits 2 per box
32 cell & LP50 liners - fits 1 per box

Medium Box (21"L x 12"W x 15"H)
Price per box: $6.50 each
Discounted price for pallet shipment or pick-up orders: $6.00 each
18 cell & 32 cell liners - fits 2 per box
50 cell & 72 cell liners - fits 3 per box


NEW! XL Box (21"L x 12"W x 18"H)
Price per box: $6.50 each
Discounted price for pallet shipment or pick-up orders: $6.00 each
50 cell & 72 cell liners - fits 4 per box
32 cell & LP50 liners - fits 2 per box

(Box capacities are general and may vary based upon plant growth and species)

Happy, I just posted this on the NC Group Buy thread

"Ric, NorthCreek pick up site is in Oxford, not Lititiz. All flats are 10 x 20 whether 32. 50 or 72 plug size. I figure I could pretty easily fit 30 flats in my van without rigging up racks across the back. My back two bench seats fold down flat so that gives me two to four levels to work with.
Would feel like old times to load and unload a goodly # of plants again! Sure do miss the nursery trade!"

Wow!

Before ordering from Roots and Rhizomes you might want to check out Garden Watchdog and then see what you think. I have received their catalog for years but never ordered anything. After reading about them I decided there were better options available. Only you can decide this but I would do my homework concerning this company beforehand so as not to be disappointed! Let us know how it went if you decide to buy.
http://davesgarden.com/products/gwd/c/60/

Am enjoying all the discussions concerning the spring swap. It is quite a distance for me but I have always wanted to get some plants from North Creek. It will depend on the final date chosen. A couple of years ago I went to an evening co-sponsored by the Hardy Plant Society and the Pa. Horticultural Society in Bethlehem. A representative from the company (possibly the owner) presented a talk on new perennials, ones they handled. I asked him in a private conversation how he felt about co-ops such as through Dave's Garden. He wasn't very enthusiastic as he wants the public to support the retail nurseries they sell to. So it is clearly a good idea to have one person like Aspen, who already has an account, place the order and arrange the pick up as we are able if they agree.

Ric...we could both pick up, that would be great. I'd rather not have to borrow the work van because gas is so darned expensive. I work not far from you...it's in East York on Campbell Rd.

Looks like we can create several pick up options for Aspenhill to consider with some back up should Plan A become Plan B!! I agree with Gardadore that it is Aspenhills business relationship with NC so she should make arrangements as she sees fit.

For me, even if this order is boxed and shipped the added cost per plant would not stop me. Everything I have been able to read and research about NC reveals a company my $ can support. lol, I think I was the one to promote Aspen's ordering from them last year. I have seen their plants at two of my favorite local nurseries, grown out at retail prices and have purchased them there. Here is what they say about their company
" 1. Our Mission is to propagate and market plants that develop the relationship between people and sustainable outdoor environments.
2. Our Vision is to be, in our customer's judgment, a leader in the development and practice of sustainable horticultural systems, producing world-class plant material.
3. Our Values include working in and promoting sustainable environments while delighting our customers and providing opportunities for continuous learning."

I just found this article about North Creek being finalists for the Greenhouse Growers Association Operations of the Year.
http://www.greenhousegrower.com/news/north-creek-nurseries-is-a-nominee-for-operation-of-the-year/

Very cool, Coleup! thanks for sharing the link. I'm glad we're ordering from them!

I'm not familiar with 'LEED'. Anyone know what it means?

That's interesting... I only knew of LEED as a rating system for energy efficient buildings, but you can also get LEED certified for water- and energy-efficient landscaping!

I have never seen a nursery flat in person, so I have no way of visualizing how it would fit in a regular car, or even a cargo van.

And I don't understand the extra charges described in the delivery section. It says that if you order a pallet you need a forklift to get it off their delivery truck!

Aspen, how were the plants delivered to you? I'm wondering if delivery is something we should consider, since several cars may need to pick up the flats and spend more than a few bucks on tolls and gas.

I am replying to the original thought, about being amped up for Spring. This morning, I confessed to my dear hubby that, instead of the ego-satisfying, most extravagant show of love on Valentine's Day, of a flower delivery at my office, I would REALLY LIKE a new wheelbarrow/garden cart. HA!

My seeds are delivered, I have my seed-starting materials, am looking at the upcoming arctic chill coming quickly, and then, there is that garden arbor, bought online a couple of weeks ago (Oh! I have ALWAYS wanted one!), and now blocking the back door with the rotting, huge cardboard crate...LOL! You know, I want to see INSIDE!

Remind me to never order something like this in the middle of winter, especially if you have to put it together (this means WARM weather)...

I even ordered my annuals, as I am focusing on supporting the organic/heirloom, small companies. Delivery May 4, and I have to expand my vegetable garden...come on Spring!

I love WInter but being pretty-much a die-hard gardener, consider me chompin' at the bit.

haha Gracye, you sound really ready!!!

LOL, yeah, Grayce is really ready for Spring, huh? =)

Personally, I'm just ready for some "real" winter weather before we hit Spring. ;)

Hey Gracie, I am right there with you. LOL
I found myself checking the ground the other day and wondering if it was thawed enough to get out the shovel and start digging just a bit. Decided that it was way to wet even if it was a bit thawed. Can't wait to start digging the new pond feature.

Hey HollyAnnS, I want a water feature SO BADLY...but so do the pair of hawks...LOL! I LOVE TO DIG. Matter of fact, I am eyeing our spare lot (1 acre) as it has the BEST exposure and ground to put a tomato patch it...

However, I'm not done with expanding the garden I have. I'm with you, and although I really appreciate all the rain we've had recently, the little bit of warm weather (isn't the sun INTENSE now?) really teases me...but digging wet earth ruins it.

Guess that means there's the priority of putting the arbor together!

Haha you'll have to move the arbor into the garage and put it together :) I've been considering buying a scoop of leftover mulch and throwing it over our one perennial bed. It's virtually impossible to do this when plants are growing. I'm also working on getting quotes on 12 Aronia Arbutifolia that I'm going to put in to replace holly bushes. I'm looking to to kick off the season with this project the first weekend in March, whether permitting of course.

My daughter came up with a brainstorm of an idea: the the both of us go to the Philadelphia Flower Show this year. Yee Haw! Tomorrow. I'm going to buy two tickets on George Weigel's bus tour> Can't wait! It's been a long time since either of us have been there and anybody who has been on a George Weigel tour gets chances to win gift certificates from Stauffer's of Kissel Hill Greenhouses or a new Proven Winner's plant on the bus ride down. George writes a column on gardening every Thursday in the Harrisburg Patriot News. I asked Bobbin if he minded spending & 79.00 to me to go to Phila for the day, and, as usual, he came back at me with: "it'd be worth it to get rid of you for the day." Well, I said, how much would it be worth to you to pay me to fly to Fla, if that's the case?" LOL

Haha...nice! I love Stauffer's; worked there one summer. We have one about 5 mins from us. That bus tour sounds like fun!

LOL Button, that's hysterical!!!!

Bobbin, hahahaha
Enjoy the show!

I'll take the pics! Ireserved two seats for us for Monday, March 3 on the George Weigel tour. We'll leave at 9:45 a.m. to miss the mad rush when it opens uo, stay til 7:00 p.m and come back home. On the way down, George will talk about the show, and ask us questions that are gardening related and the first one who gets the answer correct wins a proven winner plant or a gift certificate from Stauffer's of Kissel Hill. Gonna be a hoot & a holler and I'll have my camera along. Button.


This message was edited Feb 7, 2014 8:55 PM

Sounds like a great outing!!!

Oh boy, that sounds like a fun game to play on the way there, Gardening Trivia! =)
Are we there yet?? < =D

Sally--

Wed. I will be "your way" at the Bell Nursery "Road Show" extravaganza--
Wednesday. 8AM-4PM.
Their Warehouse--Operations Center is in a HUGE warehouse at the end
of a Business park on Troy Hill (???) rd.--ar the intersection of Rt 100 and I-95--sort of.

I went one other time--it was Awesome! Classes all day--vendor led--intro of
new products and plants--discussions...etc..They feed us lunch too.
There will be hundreds of people there--both Wed. and Thurs.

Nothing like driving S. on I-95 in snow--during rush hour......o(
I wonder if I-895 would be better???

I will have my camera along--never fear.... G.

wow that sounds fun. Are you going as an HD employee? Great idea for promoting their stuff and educating the sellers!! So few staff have your plant knowledge.

Troy Hill Road is on Route 1 between Hanover and Laurel, south of the Beltway. and just north of Route 100. Business park- though at the front you see mostly 'hill' -- and Troy Hill is a loop, so if you miss the first turn you can grab the second one. (I bought tile at a place there)

895… I really don't know rush hour patterns that way. sorry!