Spring! It is really here. After the coldest winter in 24 years we are all ready for the warmth of spring. Fortunately, a thick blanket of snow accompanied most of the cold weather, so frost damage should be minimal. Hopefully everyone put tree guards on their trees to prevent rodent damage. You should take them off now.

Lots of soft green buds are poking through the earth at the Nursery. Hundreds of tulips running the entire length of the greenhouse are coming into bloom. A row of peonies now graces the lower driveway. Plants in the garden around the majestic locust trees were divided last fall leaving places for new perennial cultivars to be tucked in.

The glass greenhouses are full of fresh young seedlings. Matt and George will give them lots of TLC until the weather warms and you can take them home to plant in your garden and fill your pots. Plant pansies today. They prefer the cool spring weather and are a perfect companion plant for tulips and daffodils. Come choose your favorite colors from our huge selection.

Horsford grown plants are in sync with our climate. Beware of perennials grown in greenhouses or shrubs brought north from Tennessee, as they aren’t yet ready to plant in Vermont. You can plant our trees, shrubs, and perennials as soon as you get home!

Our garden shop is stacked with many new tools. English shovels and spades, hefty watering cans in bright colors, Felco pruners and saws and Japanese hand tools are among some of the things we carry. Cedar window boxes and terra cotta pots in many shapes and sizes are ready for filling. The gardeners at Horsford’s can custom plant your containers or give you tips on what we think are winning combinations.

We are excited about our new line of Bauer Pottery. Produced in California using original molds, its glazes are sunny yellow, apple red, cornflower blue and pumpkin orange.

Come visit, walk our fields and enjoy the fragrance of 1000’s of lilacs all blooming at once. Choose a tree or shrub grown in Vermont soil. Put on your boots, roll up your sleeves and dig in. The garden awaits you.