20 replies to this topic

[AMETHYST PRODUCTIVITY]

Just saw in my twitter feed that they're open! Yay! Can't wait to get up there. Have always loved their Roseville store.

[ducky]

Thank you for letting us know. I love their Roseville store and will be stopping by the one in Folsom for sure. They have some of the most beautiful plants.

[aztransplant]

Open now, but you'll have to wait until March 1-4 for the grand opening sales, workshops, and demos:

http://www.idiggreen...greenacres.html

[aztransplant]

Open now, but you'll have to wait until March 1-4 for the grand opening sales, workshops, and demos:

http://www.idiggreenacres.com/folsom_greenacres.html

So, I couldn't wait for Grand Opening and decided to visit Green Acres yesterday. I was VERY impressed by the staff. VERY friendly and VERY helpful. I asked about ground cover and was asked a bunch of questions about where it will be, will it be walked upon, what kind of sun exposure will it get, etc., etc. Then, based on my answers I was shown several ground covers that would do well in the area I described.

The only things I'd "complain" about is that they had A LOT of veggie seedlings for sale even though this is NOT the time of the year to transplant new seedlings as it's still getting too cold at night for them to do well. Also, many of the seedlings were overgrown -- some of the cauliflowers were already sprouting heads and hadn't even been transplanted!

Also, they had ladybugs for sale. I'm not complaining about that! I love using ladybugs as organic aphid control; however, they had them displayed by the cash registers, in full light, and at room temp! They should be kept in a dark cool place (such as the refrigerator) until release so they will "sleep").

So, looks to me as though some of their practices are aimed more at keeping merchandise moving and giving the customer whatever s/he wants any time of the year (despite quality) rather than focusing on how to provide the customers with the best (quality) merchandise.

The place is layed out very nicely as well. Lots of customers, but it did not feel crowded at all.

I didn't buy anything, but I'm sure I'll be back later in the season . . . my friend from EDH bought worm castings (I have my own worm bin), neem oil, and something else. She was pleased with it as well. So, I think this place is going to serve EDH and Folsom very well.

[ducky]

I haven't been to the one in Folsom yet, but I don't see a problem with the veggie seedlings if they are things like broccoli, spinach, lettuce and not tomatoes and squash plants.

Some of us love places that carry veggies early because we have cold frames. I have a ton of broccoli right now and the spinach and lettuce is looking good.

[tgianco]

I went there yesterday as well... loved it. The woman who helped us out in one of the greenhouses was awesome, and you could tell she has a passion for gardening and landscaping. Since I had posted a question a few days ago about ground covers, she went through a number of options. She showed us the vinca that was somewhat recommended, but it sounds like we might be going with thyme. While it doesn't flower, it's very sturdy and does well in Folsom soil. We're probably going to order three flats for about $50 total (although, we'll wait a week for their grand-opening sale and get the discount... 33%, I think).

They had a tremendous pottery selection and a much wider variety of just about everything compared to Home Depot and Lowe's (which are fine stores).

[tsukiji]

What's wrong with veggie seedlings? We've been in Spring for the past month or so already I think we skipped Winter and went directly to Spring from Fall.

Interesting -- I didn't know that about ladybugs (keeping them in the cool/dark). I learned my thing for today (well, hopefully, I'll learn one more thing later).

[aztransplant]

I haven't been to the one in Folsom yet, but I don't see a problem with the veggie seedlings if they are things like broccoli, spinach, lettuce and not tomatoes and squash plants.

Some of us love places that carry veggies early because we have cold frames. I have a ton of broccoli right now and the spinach and lettuce is looking good.

Hi ducky,

I hadn't even thought of cold frames . . . DUH!!! But, yes, they did have lots of tomatoes, summer squash, etc.

[aztransplant]

What's wrong with veggie seedlings? We've been in Spring for the past month or so already I think we skipped Winter and went directly to Spring from Fall.

Interesting -- I didn't know that about ladybugs (keeping them in the cool/dark). I learned my thing for today (well, hopefully, I'll learn one more thing later).

I'm just passing on what I was told by the gal at Peas & Harmony:

"The weather has been nice, but it is still way too cold to plant any summer stuff. April and May are the times to do that. You can put in some pea seeds right now and some potatoes. That would keep things rolling. You can also start your own lettuce seedlings."

Maybe I was misinformed??? And, of course, I wasn't even thinking of those who have cold frames or greenhouses.

And, here is the info on ladybugs I received from Peaceful Valley: http://www.groworgan...fs/pbe402-l.pdf

[4thgenFolsomite]

ladybugs shouldn't be sold at all. nearly all of them fly immediately away and really don't stay in your yard once you buy them. also they are harvested in national forest lands and should be left in their natural environment. its just a way for a few people to make a little money, yet it doesn't help your yard with pest control, the lady bugs all die, and the forest has fewer lady bugs in the end.

as for veggies, I don't see any problem with buying tomato plants right now. lots of people buy them early and protect them. its cold, but its not freezing any more. even if they were already planted in the garden, they would survive. they'll grow very slowly right now and if it rains the water can splash spores onto the leaves and cause some damage, but when it warms up, they'll grow out of the damage.

I'm glad Green Acres is open now. We'll see what they come up with. Lowe's has actually had some pretty good selections of planting vegetables in the last few years, a good assortment of tomatoes, etc. Nice to have some additional choice. And especially nice to have that big empty store finally open with some kind of retail.

[folsom500]

Anyone know if Green Acres has a plant warranty like HD or Lowes ?

[aztransplant]

Looks like it:

http://www.idiggreen..._guarantee.html

[tsukiji]

I'm just passing on what I was told by the gal at Peas & Harmony:

"The weather has been nice, but it is still way too cold to plant any summer stuff. April and May are the times to do that. You can put in some pea seeds right now and some potatoes. That would keep things rolling. You can also start your own lettuce seedlings."

Maybe I was misinformed??? And, of course, I wasn't even thinking of those who have cold frames or greenhouses.

And, here is the info on ladybugs I received from Peaceful Valley: http://www.groworgan...fs/pbe402-l.pdf

I was just kidding. It doesn't seem like we had winter yet.

[Harold]

ladybugs shouldn't be sold at all. nearly all of them fly immediately away and really don't stay in your yard once you buy them. also they are harvested in national forest lands and should be left in their natural environment. its just a way for a few people to make a little money, yet it doesn't help your yard with pest control, the lady bugs all die, and the forest has fewer lady bugs in the end.

as for veggies, I don't see any problem with buying tomato plants right now. lots of people buy them early and protect them. its cold, but its not freezing any more. even if they were already planted in the garden, they would survive. they'll grow very slowly right now and if it rains the water can splash spores onto the leaves and cause some damage, but when it warms up, they'll grow out of the damage.

I'm glad Green Acres is open now. We'll see what they come up with. Lowe's has actually had some pretty good selections of planting vegetables in the last few years, a good assortment of tomatoes, etc. Nice to have some additional choice. And especially nice to have that big empty store finally open with some kind of retail.

I tried ladybugs once, you're right, they all flew away within a day, aphids were still a plenty. Decided it was a waste of money buying ladybugs.

[olivia]

So, I couldn't wait for Grand Opening and decided to visit Green Acres yesterday. I was VERY impressed by the staff. VERY friendly and VERY helpful. I asked about ground cover and was asked a bunch of questions about where it will be, will it be walked upon, what kind of sun exposure will it get, etc., etc. Then, based on my answers I was shown several ground covers that would do well in the area I described.

The only things I'd "complain" about is that they had A LOT of veggie seedlings for sale even though this is NOT the time of the year to transplant new seedlings as it's still getting too cold at night for them to do well. Also, many of the seedlings were overgrown -- some of the cauliflowers were already sprouting heads and hadn't even been transplanted!

Also, they had ladybugs for sale. I'm not complaining about that! I love using ladybugs as organic aphid control; however, they had them displayed by the cash registers, in full light, and at room temp! They should be kept in a dark cool place (such as the refrigerator) until release so they will "sleep").

So, looks to me as though some of their practices are aimed more at keeping merchandise moving and giving the customer whatever s/he wants any time of the year (despite quality) rather than focusing on how to provide the customers with the best (quality) merchandise.

The place is layed out very nicely as well. Lots of customers, but it did not feel crowded at all.

I didn't buy anything, but I'm sure I'll be back later in the season . . . my friend from EDH bought worm castings (I have my own worm bin), neem oil, and something else. She was pleased with it as well. So, I think this place is going to serve EDH and Folsom very well.

Did you notice if they have worms (as well as the castings)?