ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) -Seven Acre Garden & Gifts opened for the spring over the weekend.
“This is our fifth season,” said co-owner Dan Doyen. “It’s a family-owned business.”
“We started it because we love gardening,” said fellow co-owner Theresa Doyen. “We’ve loved it since we were very young.”
The Doyens say although it has been a chilly spring, this winter was a decent one for the greenhouses.
“We have a lot of bedding plants right now,” Dan said. “We have quite a few pots and hanging baskets that are ready. We have a lot of young plants that are just starting to bloom and some that are already in bloom.”
“We have a lot of spring perennials also,” added Theresa.
They have also planted 2,000 tulips, which should come up and be available to cut or to purchase in bundles by Mother’s Day. Seven Acre Garden & Gifts also has shade trees and unique fruit trees growing outside the greenhouses.
“This apple tree has six different apples on the same tree, so each branch is a different type of apple,” Dan said of a combo apple tree. “Honeycrisp, yellow delicious, Granny Smith, Fuji, gala, and Gravenstein.”
Some plants do more than just look pretty. Seven Acre sells many of its hanging baskets at wholesale prices to help local schools and clubs raise money. This season, the greenhouse is also selling pollinator starter kits as a partnership with Kindness Rocks Delta County.
“All proceeds for this kit are going to be donated to the Delta County Animal Shelter,” said Dan. “It is plug cells, a small amount of potting mix, and wildflower mix. It helps promote pollinators in your garden area and, of course, we want to always save bees.”
When customers come in, Theresa says it can be tempting for them to run right to flowers that are their favorite color. However, she says planning what to put in a garden is a lot like designing a living room.
“You put your couch where it fits, you know?” she said. “Most people face their couch facing the television, and that’s what you have to do with your yard. You do have to spend some time studying your yard, go out there with a notebook, watch which areas get so much sun. It’s really important that the plants be put in the proper place.”
“It’s always good to clean up what you have before you install more plants, that way you have the correct amount of spacing,” Dan explained. “It gives you time to think about what color contrasts and what size contrasts you want to have. If you have a clean slate and you’re starting fresh, we can help you design your garden beds and install them as well.”
Whether customers are looking for plants that thrive in the shade or something to fill a pot, the Doyens say Seven Acre Garden & Gifts can provide all the information they need to get their garden in full bloom.
“We’re here for our customers and to help them out,” said Theresa. “We want them to be happy and know how to take care of their plants and their trees and their shrubs.”
Located at 5253 I Road, Seven Acre Garden & Gifts is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. To see more of what’s blooming in the greenhouse, visit sevenacregarden.com or follow the business on Facebook.
