Orient Garden celebrates third annual Greenhouse, Nursery Day

    Greenhouses, nurseries and garden centers statewide will be celebrating on Saturday, May 5, as the industry kicks off Maine Greenhouse and Nursery Day.
    Orient Gardens at 45 Maxell Settlement Road in Orient will be among those joining the celebration.
    “I am the only participating greenhouse in the area,” said Heather Zakupowsky. “This is my second year participating. I had a good turnout last year and very much enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere as people hung around a little longer chatting, while they had coffee and donuts.
    The first 50 visitors to the Orient Gardens will receive a free four-inch plant.
    “It’s a great way for gardeners to come in and see what will be available this spring and get some good ideas and advice,” Zakupowsky added.
File photo
GETTING READY — Heather Zakupowsky prepares for another Maine Greenhouse and Nursery Day event to be held Saturday and Sunday at Orient Gardens.
    Light refreshments will be provided.
    “Since it’s my opening weekend, it gives me the opportunity to give personal tours and explain some of my cultural practices,” said Zakupowsky. “I am proud to grow what I sell and do it in a low impact sustainable manner.”
    This is the third season that Zakupowsky issued beneficial insects as a preventative practice rather than relying on insecticides as a remedy.
    “I strive to grow a high-quality product that will perform well for the consumer because successful gardeners will be repeat customers,” she added.
     For the third year, approximately 45 family-owned businesses will hold special events to highlight the fun and joy of gardening in Maine. Planned activities for the events include giveaways, door prizes, raffles, plants and balloons for children, container-planting demonstrations, personal tours, expert speakers and mini workshops. Participating greenhouses and nurseries also will preview spring introductions and share their expertise by offering gardening tips, information on plant varieties and ideas for window box and landscape design.
    “Maine Greenhouse and Nursery Day allows Maine to showcase the importance of horticulture to our state’s agricultural economy,” Agriculture Commissioner Walt Whitcomb said. “In addition to providing thousands of jobs, the horticulture industry pumps over $280 million into our state’s economy.
    Maine Greenhouse and Nursery Day is a wonderful opportunity to offer an open house where “plant peepers are welcome” to just browse, explained Zakupowsky.
    “The majority of Maine greenhouses are small family-owned operations,” she said. “Not only does the money spent there stay in the local economy, but the greatest variety of plants will be found with the independent growers.”
    The Maine Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources licenses and inspects more than 1,260 businesses selling plants in Maine. The Department also certifies plant exports, regulates imported plants and assists growers with plant pest problems.
    To contact Orient Gardens call 448-7266. Spring hours are Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Orient Gardens is located on the Boundary Road in Orient.