SASKATOON — No beeting around the bush, you might say — operating a greenhouse is a leaf of faith. Multiple hours of preparation go into opening day, not knowing what trend gardeners will gravitate to this year or what Mother Nature will hold for weather. The goal of local greenhouses is to cultivate gardeners’ interests.
SaskToday reached out to two local greenhouses in Saskatoon, although there are many options to choose from.
Jill vanDuyvendyk, owner of Dutch Growers in Saskatoon, says, “We start prepping for spring well before the snow melts. From cleaning and organizing the yard to repairing irrigation lines and checking gate operations, it’s all hands-on deck. We are also planting all of our bare root perennials and planting our hanging baskets to make beautiful combinations ready for Mother’s Day and the long weekend. Our team works hard to ensure everything from plant displays to parking is ready for the rush once the weather turns.”
Tyler Heshka, assistant general manager at Floral Acres Greenhouse & Garden Centre, says of their spring preparations, “Our team has been hard at work behind the scenes for months already. We plant over four million plants each year, and 15 growing houses have been filled with young annuals, perennials, vegetables and hanging baskets since early January. Right now, we’re focused on keeping everything healthy, organized, and ready to move into the retail space as the season ramps up.”
The two greenhouses interviewed for this story say people are already starting to trickle in, and as temperatures start to climb, they expect a definite increase in visitors.
Greenhouses are already seeing visitors looking for start-up supplies along with inspiration
“People are eager to plan their gardens, get inspired, and start picking up early supplies like seeds, tools and soil amendments. It’s planning and prep time — and I feel it — people want to get into their yards and start growing,” acknowledges vanDuyvendyk.
Heshka says, “Early-season shoppers are picking up seeds, houseplants, citrus trees and gardening supplies. Many are also walking through to get inspiration and start planning their layouts for May. We’ve noticed a big increase in questions about pollinator-friendly plants and low-maintenance landscaping options, so there’s definitely a shift in thinking and planning already underway.”
SaskToday asked both greenhouses what they feel will be trending this year for gardeners and flower enthusiasts. Both noted a strong interest in native plants, pollinator-friendly varieties, and edible gardening — from patio tomatoes to full herb gardens. On the flower side, bold colours and unique textures are trending.
“People want beauty, but also purpose for their planting,” affirms Dutch Growers.
With just a few short weeks until Mother’s Day, both greenhouses acknowledged that May is their busiest month of the year, requiring weeks of advance preparation — including bringing in extra product, staff and organizing traffic flow. Mother’s Day weekend is their peak time.
Dutch Growers notes, “It’s a high-energy month, but also a lot of fun. We work with growers all across the Prairies and even into B.C. to ensure that we have enough product grown and timed for our customers to pick it up in our very short May window.”
Floral Acres exclaims, “While it’s a huge day, it’s one of our favourites because the energy is amazing. Many customers have made a tradition of visiting with their moms or families that weekend."
Both greenhouses significantly scale up staff for the season. Dutch Growers includes 80 to 100 staff across all departments, while Floral Acres says their team grows to up to 150 seasonal and year-round employees combined, serving all areas of the greenhouse business. Many seasonal team members return year after year, helping things run smoothly during the busiest months.
What people might not know
We asked each Saskatoon greenhouse to share something people might not know about their business.
Dutch Growers responds, “Many people don’t realize we’re a family-run business with deep local roots — we’ve been part of the Saskatoon community for over 70 years. On top of that, we’re more than just a greenhouse. Between the clothing boutique, gourmet and home décor, we’re a full experience. We truly are passionate about what we do, and the people are everything to us — both our staff and our customers.”
Floral Acres responds, “Floral Acres has a long family history, we’ve been growing since 1936, and we’re now operated by the fourth generation of the Mah family. Next year we are celebrating our 90th year in business on Valley Road. We’re also the largest greenhouse in the province, with over 280,000 square feet of retail space and five growing houses. What really sets us apart is that we grow the majority of our own plants on-site, which allows us to keep prices competitive and quality high. And for those who can’t make it out, we offer local delivery, pickup, and Canada-wide shipping on most items through our website. Additionally, Floral Acres is open year-round, and we have a spectacular selection of poinsettias and Christmas gift items.”
