Small Nurseries Road Trip

17 years ago

Last weekend we took a road trip to Donahue's in Faribault to pick up some clematis. We got some beautiful clematis and plan on returning in May plus in June when they have their "closing for the season half off" sales.

We decided to travel down to Owatonna and visit a nursery that someone from here recommended last fall. We went to Turtle Creek Nursery and it's now a new favorite. They have some beautiful pots at great prices and the plants that they had now were very nice with nice prices too. The owners were very friendly and helpful. We will definitely go back in May when more plants are in. their website is www.tcnursery.com

On the way back we stopped at Rosie's Gardening Angel Greenhouse outside of Northfield. We discovered her last fall and enjoyed our visit with her so much that we stopped again. She wasn't officially open last weekend but welcomed us anyway. She is open now and has fun stuff for everyone. Her website is www.rosiesgardeningangel.com

We go on roadtrips all over Minnesota and Wisconsin and always make time to the local nurseries. Have found many "souveniers" to use in our gardens.

Please share some of the gems you have found...

Comments (9)

luvmydaisies
17 years ago
Oh you were in my neck of the woods...Maybe at the end of the season when you come back down here we could meet. I live in Lonsdale. You should have gone to Farmer Seed and Nursery in Faribault too!! Love that place, especially in Sept. when all of the perennials are $3.00 and normally are MUCH higher than that. Very fun!! Donahue's has a customer appreciation days and I found that the prices during that time is cheaper than when they have the "end of the season sale"
Atica
linda_in_mn
Original Author
17 years ago
We usually do hit Farmer's Seed too but forgot until we were on the way to Owatonna. It would be fun to do a nursery tour later, wouldn't it? Maybe we can find some others to visit too... you would like Turtle Creek for sure.
Related Discussions
Arizona Road Trip
Q
Comments (6)
Living Stones Nursery is my favorite Tucson nursery. Maybe not as expansive as some of the other nurseries, but a really nice selection. If you are into Mesembs, then this place is an absolute must! Personally, it was the Welwistchia seedling that got me in the door... The Desert Museum West of Tucson is really nice. Good collection of plants and animals native to the Sonoran desert. If you have time, they have a very large swath of desert with nicely maintained trails to explore. Just getting to the Desert Museum is a beautiful drive, as you go through the outskirts of Saguaro National Park and across a really dramatic mountain pass.
...See More
Absolute Best Road Trip Ever
Q
Comments (6)
Jan, I think I may have misled you. They do have 350 acres, but not all of it is greenhouses. I don't know the full extent of greenhouses, buildings where they do potting and propagation (where visitors are not allowed) much of it is actual farmland, but it is a huge wholesale operation with landscapers constantly loading all sizes of trucks up to flatbeds for the big trees. . Phil, my house lot is just slightly over 1/2 acre and I do have a separate lot that I spill out onto which is over 1/2 acre. Most of that is empty, but I have been planting along the road, with the only hosta there being seedlings. Mostly there are plants I get tired of, grow too big or that I can propagate easily. Kind of rough; a lot of day lilies, ivy, euonymus, vinca, some rhodies...things that need zero care. Moc, evidently you have not driven to Northern Maine or New Hampshire...it is a hike. Westport is really nice. You have the River, coves, still a lot of farms gentle slopes down to the water, harbors filled with boats, artist colony at Westport Point. Westport Town beach which used to be the old Horseneck Beach before the '53 and '54 hurricanes wiped out most of the summer places people had and the state took over those that were still standing and made Horseneck Beach Reservation. There are still remnants of the old cottages (some foundations, light columns, etc. on the reservation access roads. There is still a lot of undeveloped land around there. A lot of old memories for me and new ones as my grandson loves to go there with his 'Bumpa' and dive in the surf (can't drag him out of the water). The water is relatively warm being on the bay side. Beautiful day and there is no pollen there and my eyes stopped itching and I could even breath easier. No crowds yet, as it is just getting real warm. ...now, if only I could win Powerball and stay there.
...See More
mcminnville road trip
Q
Comments (8)
I enjoy going to both these places. I haven't been to Mary's in a couple of years, but plan on giving yourself plenty of time to walk through it. They have a lot of greenhouses, and if you're like me, you want to check out every plant in each one! :o) The Daylily Farm is another wonderful place. The last time I was there, they had also expanded into hostas and some other perennials. You might want to go there first, then to Mary's since the Daylily Farm has the better prices. I'm not sure where you're located, but if you're close to Murfreesboro, TN, you might want to check out Martin's. I used to make an annual "pilgrimmage" to McMinnville until I discovered Martin's. Martin's 1020 Northwest Broad Street Murfreesboro, TN 37129-2325 (615) 867-7712 Here is a link that might be useful: Martin's Home & Garden in Murfreesboro
...See More
Road Trip suggestions please
Q
Comments (11)
There are some really nice Japanese gardens in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area if you enjoy that sort of thing. And if you head toward Houston there's supposed to be a very unique newish botanical center called Shangri La . And of course, for the natives there's always the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. But the wildflowers are so abundant along the roadsides in the hill country right now that it might be redundant. And Austin also has the Zilker Botanical Gardens. San Antonio has a wonderful botanical garden as well as a Japanese garden. There are beautiful vineyards and olive groves to visit too. I love strolling the gardens and/or driving the texas roadways in the spring, and this spring has been especially delicious and inspiring! Have fun!
...See More
linda_in_mn
Original Author
17 years ago
Atica, when do they have customer appreciation days at Donahue's??? We don't get their ads here in Mpls and they don't put them on their web site either... so it's hit or miss for us. My DH's folks live in Albert Lea and we always go down the "back ways" instead of I-35. We stop at towns all the way down there - I like to say we stop to see every "biggest ball of twine", etc Sometimes takes all day because of the side trips... hahaha Never been to Lonsdale though, will have to check it out Linda
zenpotter
17 years ago
Just-in-case you are heading North. There is a nursery In Pierze Mn that I like. Rolling Hills Greenhouse & Nursery, 321 Main Street. If you like Antiques check out the antique store on Main street as well. It is a fun litle town and doesn't take long to see the whole thing. We have a cabin near there so go there often in the summer.

Pauline
jel48
17 years ago
Linda, I recommended Turtle Creek last year, and I'm glad to hear you liked it. A couple of my other favorites, are Soubas in Owatonna (mostly annuals and open just in the spring - great place - located on a farm about a mile or two west of Owatonna on hiway 14 - they have 5 greenhouses and raise their own plants) and Garten Marketplatz between Rochester and Byron. Garten Marketplatz doesn't have a website but you can find directions here: http://local.rochestermn.com/Garten+Marketplatz+Perennial+Farms.393206.84693512.home.html - they have been a favorite for years. Besides the nursery stock, they have a garden where you can see many perennials in a garden setting. They have an old old house made over into a gift shop, and they also have an area that people can reserve for weddings and other events. I just love this place!
mantorvillain
17 years ago
Saw this while having my coffee this AM and decided to make a quick road trip before working on my seedlings. Turtle Creek is very nice and has the best selection of hostas I've seen since Shady Oaks got out of retail....and its just about as quick to get to as Rochester from my location. thanks for the tip.
Will
firethorn
17 years ago
No one's mentioned Baldwin Lake Perennials! It's up here in Lino Lakes, not a 15 minute walk from my house. (Oh so tempting) They open May 8th I think, and they have great quality plants! Plus awesome prices and lots of help. There's a website, http://www.baldwinlakeperennials.com/index.htm, and if you do go be sure to visit during their open house.
linda_in_mn
Original Author
17 years ago
Thanks for all these new road trip places to visit! The other direction we go often if up to St Clous area. We go up I-94 then cut over to Hyw 10 at Rogers. That way we can stop at 101 Market in Otsego which has grown so much over the years. You can see it off Hwy 101 between Rogers and Elk River on the south side of the road.

101 Market 763.441.4487
8980 Quantrelle Ave E

Then up Hwy 10 where we stop at every little nursery going up to St Cloud area. You could also hit Busse's on one of their open house weekends. I don't remember how to get there just that it is out in the country. Maybe someone else remembers. There I meet up with my sister and niece to hit our favorites in the St Cloud area:

Fairview Gardens 320.980.3648
1080-35th St NE Sauk Rapids

Raetz Scenic Nursery 320.252.8316
4355 Mayflower Rd NW Sauk Rapids

Rosewood (both in St Cloud & Sartell)
527 Pine Cone Rd Sartell 320.251.2761
1112 Washington Memorial Dr St Cloud 320.253.7264
www.rosewoodfloral.com

Thomson Greenhouse & Garden Center 320.363.7375
29756 156th Ave St Joseph
www.tgreenhouses.com

Hope this gives everyone some more of their own future road trip ideas. And I love the new places others have shared!
luvmydaisies
17 years ago
I haven't got the post card yet...but it is usually a week or two before the end of the season 50% off sale. I will post when I get the card.

Small Nurseries Road Trip

Comments (9)

luvmydaisies

linda_in_mn
Original Author

Related Discussions

linda_in_mn
Original Author

zenpotter

jel48

mantorvillain

firethorn

linda_in_mn
Original Author

luvmydaisies

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Small Nurseries Road Trip

Comments (9)

luvmydaisies

linda_in_mnOriginal Author

Related Discussions

linda_in_mnOriginal Author

zenpotter

jel48

mantorvillain

firethorn

linda_in_mnOriginal Author

luvmydaisies

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

linda_in_mn
Original Author

linda_in_mn
Original Author

linda_in_mn
Original Author