Forget the brackets- March Madness at the greenhouse is where the real action is! This month brings a whole different kind of madness- it’s full-on plant pandemonium! When the days get longer and the sun starts to warm things up, our workload really kicks into high gear. Of course, we’re still receiving shipments and planting plugs- but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. From nurturing those plants (through watering and spraying applications), to trimming and plucking the tiny blooms, to unpacking a stream of new store product- every day feels a little bit like a race to get tasks done and keep up with spring’s rapid arrival. Read on to enjoy a little slice of each department’s day here during March. We really love what we do- but there must be incredible work and dedication! We’re pleased to not only share our end result (beautiful, healthy plants) with you, but also the makeup and tasks that come along with it. 

March wakes up the greenhouses in full force. With so many plants growing at once, there’s always something to check, pinch back, or tidy. At the same time, a steady stream of new annual shipments is arriving- sometimes every day- adding fresh color and fun to the mix! It’s an exciting but busy rhythm that certainly keeps everyone moving. Each department at Ebert’s brings something unique to the experience- and only together do they create the heart of what we do. In the early weeks of the season, though, the annuals account for a large percentage of our sales and activity. You’ll often find team members from across the garden center pitching in, especially in the Westbrook and the smaller greenhouses we affectionately call “huts.” These spaces are alive with conversation, laughter, and the occasional “furrowed brow” out of concentration. A cool, welcome breeze rushes in as the greenhouse sides open up to vent, refreshing the work our team members do. Between the hum of teamwork and the fresh spring air- the season’s truly underway.

Often, a Grower’s day begins at 7 am- marking the start of a full and fast-paced shift. The first priority is coordinating with the planting teams- knowing exactly where new plugs are planted so that they can receive their first careful watering. From there, the day unfolds into a rhythm of tending and monitoring. Much of their work centers around watering a wide variety of plants spanning across the whole business- so growers certainly get their steps in! Along the way, there are drench applications to complete and greenhouse conditions to manage.

Cloudy days = Vents are adjusted to keep humidity low.

Warm, sunny days = Sides are opened to let in the breeze!

And the work doesn’t stop as the afternoon winds down. While many are sitting down to dinner, growers are still moving through the greenhouses, wrapping up the essential evening tasks. This often includes full-liter applications of pesticides, fungicides, and insecticides- important steps in keeping plants healthy and thriving! Whew- it’s a long day with a demanding routine- but the reward of thriving plants is so much greater!

Who keeps the pots filled, and essentially the whole “planting process” running? That would be the production team! We’re so thankful for these young men- though repetitive, their process is critical to our business. Starting in early February, the production team is setting the stage for the season ahead- unloading massive bales of soil and feeding them into the potting machine, which efficiently fills pots and containers with a rich, nutrient-packed soil. Filled pots are loaded onto carts and wheeled to the planting tables! Tractors will make steady rounds to the greenhouses further away that need large loads. These timely “soil deliveries” are often a welcome sight for the annual planting crews- especially when their stacks of ready-to-use pots are running low. It’s a coordinated effort that keeps everything running smoothly!

Even in this busy month, isn’t there an area of Ebert’s that stays a little quiet until our guests come to shop? Nope! Over in the perennial houses on the Eastern end of the property, the pace is steady and purposeful. Hardworking hands busily fill gallon-size pots around a large metal soil tub- creating a shared workflow that allows several team members to plant at once! This space is easily filled with conversation, where the work feels shared and communal. Each perennial is carefully handled as the roots are settled into their black pot- only a temporary home for them! Before long, these perennials will find their way into the gardens of our guests, where they’ll take root for years to come! And those beloved trees and shrubs everyone looks forward to? They’ll arrive in April!

What would gardening be without décor and gifts? Our Sweet Onion Mercantile is coming alive with brand-new, freshly unpacked décor and gift items- and there’s still more arriving each day! Behind the scenes, our store team is hard at work checking shipments, inspecting each piece with care, and of course sharing plenty of “oohs” and “ahhs” as new treasures are unpacked. Maintenance personnel arrive and hang colorful, hand-painted signage and resourceful décor- creating an intriguing environment for shoppers! And it’s not just the displays that require attention- there’s an entire system being prepared to make your checkout experience as smooth as possible. From registers to point-of-sale setup, every detail is designed with our customers in mind! The General Store will offer a simple, welcoming experience, paired with bright and cheerful displays that make “waiting in line” enjoyable!

Ready for the delicious part of the greenhouse? The herb and veggie department begins its season tucked into cozy greenhouse #24 on the west end of our grounds. This is where the first seeds take root, and early growth is carefully watched and nurtured. Led by our head horticulturist (and extremely knowledgeable team member), Mike, these tiny edibles are transformed into a mouth-watering world of veggies for our shoppers! What starts as a concentrated effort quickly stretches to multiple greenhouses this month- each one filling with vibrant rows of tomatoes, peppers, herbs, and more! Fun Fact for the spicy pepper lovers: We grow 37 Hot and 9 Super Hot varieties!

Kids’ Korner is hopping into the season with a fun frog-themed experience the whole family can enjoy! This playful space is designed to spark creativity and curiosity- with hands-on activities like take-home planting kits, scavenger hunts, coloring sheets, and more! It’s the perfect way to introduce our future generations to the joys of imagination- through imagination, discovery, and creation.

We’re truly grateful for everyone on our team to help the “madness” go a little smoother! It’s an ever-changing experience over here in March- and we hope that knowing what it’s like behind the scenes makes your shopping experience (come April) that much more cherished!