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THE ROLE OF THE NURSERY AND GARDEN CENTRE OPERATOR

The prime function of nurseries and garden centres is to sell plant material to customers. To be successful in this, they should attempt to create a happy, satisfied customer. Many people have become discouraged with horticulture in the north due to the extensive losses of plant material. Quite often this is because the nurseryman did not ensure that the stock he supplied was suitable for the area. Often they are less knowledgeable about hardiness zones than their customers. There are no standards for nursery stock or for nurserymen in this province. Some operators make a legitimate effort to ensure they buy hardy stock. They may choose the stock with its hardiness in mind. Then, when it is delivered from the wholesaler, it is not what it was let to be. Many nurserymen in the north rely on stocks from out of the area. They do not have the facilities to propagate enough for their needs. Evergreens are very slow to propagate in the north and must often be imported from more favourable areas. More research is needed to aid the nurseryman, expecially in propagating in the north. Nuserymen must be encouraged to broaden their knowledge of plant material so they may lessen their dependency on southern supplies which may not be suitable for the area.

SUMMARY

As long as people exist in the north there is going to be a desire to grow plants despite the climate. Horticulture in the north is limited only by the interest of the gardener. If the gardener has the desire, he can produce his own fruit and vegetable crops, grow his flowers and landscape his property despite the limited amount of hardy material at his disposal. By making the proper selection of material, planting it using the proper techniques, providing the necessities of life, and giving the material the care it requires, he will increase the chances of having a successful garden. He will provide a little beauty to himself (herself) as well as to those around him.

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This page by Pat
updated August 18, 2000

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