Cariboo Plant Ranch owner Tammy Briggs says she is excited to once again open their spring plant sales on Mothers Day weekend, May 12, in the greenhouse behind Montane Forest consultants at 715 Alpine Ave. in 100 Mile House.
Their greenhouse on the 99 Mile Hill opens annually from Mother’s Day weekend to Father’s Day weekend, with their last day on that Saturday, June 17.
That’s just over a month, so go there soon to select what flowers, hanging plants, bedding plants, trees and anything else you need now if you wish to take advantage of the local products grown by Cariboo Plant Ranch, Briggs explains.
They always have lots of different types of both vegetables and flowers, and always include a few new plant varieties, she adds.
“We change our product mix a little bit every year, but [annuals] are always chosen for our shorter growing season.
“We usually try for 10-12 types of tomatoes, half a dozen cucumbers at a minimum, 6-10 types of squashes – plus zucchinis.”
The trees, shrubs and other perennials are also all suited to the local area, but bring in your growing details and Briggs and her staff will help you determine which are best colours and varieties for your garden.
“We always have time to help new gardeners or others who want to change up their gardens, with some new ideas.”
Rather unique to her greenhouse sales is the staff will draw out your planting space shape and size in the gravel on the floor, and then lay out the plants as they suggest you plant them, and pull them out and move them around as needed until you are happy, she explains.
“We just start building [arrangements] so that we can help people achieve the best design in of their garden.
“We will arrange a hanging basket or a half barrel [or whatever] and then we can draw it out on a piece of paper so they have a map when they get home, so they can remember how to plant it.”
Briggs says if you request this assistance, staff will ask you about certain aspects your garden such as elevation, how dry or wet, or sunny or shady, flat or sloped your intended plant space is, and use that to be sure you select the plants suitable to grow there.
“We try to help people with odd spots, or places that are difficult to grow, to find something that is maybe a little more suitable for that spot.”
Cariboo Plant Ranch has “lots of good garden standards,” as well as some garden decor, in the form of trellises and other things that can help show off your garden, she explains.
Briggs adds all its plants are grown in its larger greenhouse operation at Lac la Hache, but brings them into 100 Mile House each spring to make it easier for their customers, partly because her plants are all grown at ground level.
However, if you don’t find everything you want – or a sudden plant need arises – by its closing in mid-June, Tammy Briggs invites you to call her at 250-395-9195, and she will try to get you what you want from any remaining stock at the main nursery greenhouse. Visit www.cariboo-plant-ranch.sfobc.com for more information.
“Gardening should be easy and comfortable and stress-free, and if we can help with that, we do.”