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Growing Life A l o c a l r e s o u r c e f o r y o u r g a r d e n i n g n e e d s In this Issue 路 Meet
our Production Manager 2012 Trends with a sneak peek at 2013 trends! Holiday seasondecorating tips and styles!
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Fall into the Season Fall has arrived but gardening is not over! There is plenty to do in the fall from planning to planting to maintaining. Plant a variety of fallblooming perennials and bi-annuals to add a splash of color to your garden. Several favorites are chrysanthemums, pansies, asters, Russian sage, ornamental cabbage and kale.
Www.stacysgreenhouses.com
Growing Life Y o u r
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Meet our Production Manager Greg Mitchell breaks down the production
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What to Plant Perennials, annuals, vegetables and more!
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What’s Trending? We share 2012 trends and offer a sneak peak at 2013.
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Holiday Season 9 Decorate your home with festive fall themes! What to Expect in the Spring 11 Now that you’ve planted your garden for spring, do you wonder how to prepare for it?
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Meet our Production Manager
For Greg Mitchell interest in the garden came from his grandparents. His grandfather grew vegetables while his grandmother grew anything imaginable. Her remarkable green thumb left a lasting impression on Mitchell, “She could take a twig or branch and root it in a jar of water.” As a native to York, South Carolina Mitchell worked at Stacy’s Greenhouses throughout his high school years. He then attended York Technical College, later transferring to University of South Carolina. Mitchell studied criminal justice in college because he thought he wanted to do something different. However, after a tough time finding a job in Columbia and getting burnt out with the routine of corporate office work Mitchell returned to York and met with Mr. Louis Stacy, Stacy’s founder. Mitchell was given an entry level position as a production assistant. Thirteen and a half years later Mitchell is the propagation and production manager and tends to the delicate balance between growing and selling Stacy’s plants. Mitchell describes it as, “the sales plans have to meet production, while the production plans have to meet propagation. It’s balancing.” Mitchell is in charge of the production and propagation of 260 acres (outdoor and under cover). He is responsible for forming relationships with plant breeders, young plant growers and other suppliers. He also works toward developing a scholarship program to award to best students in the community. Mitchell is valued within and outside of Stacy’s. Tim Brindley, Stacy’s president, speaks of Mitchell, "Greg has grown so much throughout the years with the company. He has taken on additional responsibilities each of the last 5-6 years, learned new processes and procedures, and helped train and teach countless supervisors. His work product improves consistently, and he is a strong business thinker. Greg is a great asset to Stacy's."
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Mitchell continued
Greenhouse Product News recently recognized Mitchell as a Top 40 under 40 industry professional. In May GPN recognized 40 industry professionals under the age of 40 who are helping to determine the future of the horticulture industry. GPN describes the top 40 as, “40 men and women whose career accomplishments have moved them to the forefront. Their professional track records have helped to establish them as some of today’s brightest stars.” Now living in York with his wife, Mendy and their infant son, Banks, Mitchell firmly believes everything happens for a reason and he is very happy with the way things have turned out for him. “If things don’t go your way, don’t get discouraged,” Mitchell said. He also applies it to gardening, “Don’t give up after first time. Through research and intuition it’ll work itself out.”
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What’s Trending
Many trends have been sweeping across gardens of the United States this year. More and more gardeners are moving towards gardens that require less water, are sustainable and relatively eco-friendly. Gardens with limited space are also flourishing. Gardeners are taking advantage of what space they have. Succulents and perennials have been growing in popularity for their low maintenance and value. Focus has shifted from the backyard to the front. Window boxes and container gardens have gained popularity among those interested but lacking time, money, space, or energy. There is also a focus on bringing birds back into the gardens. Click here for more photos!
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2 013 T r e n d s
2012 exhibited a move from excess and expense to compact and affordable. With that change in mind garden forecasters believe the 2013 will continue this thought and reinforce the idea that gardening for the greater good is in and gardening for selfgratification is out. Buying local and low water requirements will continue to build popularity as people in general are moving towards a more eco-friendly lifestyle. That said, “eco-chic� gardens will become more prominent while plants that require a lot of chemical attention will be put to the side. Emphasis will remain on getting birds and bees to the garden, along with low maintenance gardens. Corresponding color combinations are becoming more frequent in gardens versus complementary color combos. Square gardens and darklit gardens are losing footing with gardeners, too. Curvaceous gardens and well-lit garden will be seen more and more this coming year.
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Happy Holidays in Style!
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The holiday season is a wonderful time to show off creative talent. Many DIY projects exist that help those on a budget create something beautiful, unique and inexpensive. Creating your own centerpiece and wreath are just two ways to add a personal and beautiful touch to your home.
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W h at t o e x p e c t i n S p r i n g
If you are like most gardeners you spend your fall season planning and planting your garden for spring blooms. October and November (depending on zone) are usually spent planting spring-blooming perennials. December and January are good times to continue maintenance and composting. Clean and sharpen your tools, tune up your lawnmower and store your hoses to prolong their usability. Towards the end of March and beginning of April your hard work and dedication should begin showing! March is a good time to finalize the tool clean-up process. If you need to reseed your lawn early spring will be the time to do it if you have missed the fall deadline for your zone. Nip all weeds in the bud, literally. If the weed flowers and seeds you could have up 10,000 seeds in one go ruining your hard work and planning. As things start coming up get into a steady watering routine so you have the healthiest and happiest plants. Daffodils, crocus, snowdrop, and iris are just a few early-to-bloom plants.
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