Fall/Winter 2009 Newsletter

Always an Adventure

With our twelfth year in business nearly wrapped up, I can say with certainty that every year is an unpredictable adventure! So many things in the nursery business - and in life, in general - are beyond our control, all we can do is hold on and make the most of the ride.

The big factor out of our control in 2009 was the weather. Of course, this should come as no surprise in Iowa, but this summer was especially bizarre. With the exception of a week in mid June that was hot enough to fry many of the hostas, the summer was more like a very long spring. The cool temperatures and regular rains were ideal for the hostas, but many of the water plants were sluggish to show off. This was especially true for the water lilies, many of which began blooming a month later than normal. This was the first time in years that we did not grow a heat-loving Victoria water lily in the big pond.

Despite the challenging weather and difficult economy, business in 2009 turned out to be anything but poor! We had fun hosting two hands-on workshops in April for those gardeners who were itching to play in the dirt! Both the Succulent Garden Workshop and the Carnivorous Plant Bog Bowl Workshop were well received.

Our Spring Open House was hoppin' on Mother's Day weekend. Our large selection of succulents proved to be popular during the Open House and throughout the spring. Succulents are pretty much care free, but the real attraction is the amazing array of shapes and colors they offer. We are already scouting out new and intriguing succulents for 2010. See the Garden Journal entry Spring Whirlwind to read more about our early spring events.

June was the month we met ourselves coming and going. Our third annual Hosta & Dessert Social was a great success - getting together with a bunch of fellow hosta-holics is guaranteed to be great fun! The week prior to the Hosta & Dessert Social and the week following were spent traveling to Hosta Conventions. The 2009 Midwest Regional Hosta Convention took us to Champaign, Illinois and the American Hosta Society 2009 National Hosta Convention lured us to Lansing, Michigan. Three solid weeks of events and traveling was a bit much, but the memories will be treasured forever. Click the embedded links above to view our convention photo galleries and you can read more about our summer adventures in the Garden Journal entry: The Summer that Wasn't.

The mail order portion of our business grew exponentially in 2009. There is no doubt this is quickly becoming an integral part of In The Country and for the second year in a row we find ourselves planning changes that we hope will help us better serve not only our mail order customers, but our local customers, as well. We are greatly appreciative to everyone who was so patient this past spring as we shipped orders as quickly as possible!

Late this summer we embarked on a long over due upgrade here at the nursery. We are relieved that our entire shade house is now covered with permanent shade! This is a great step toward reducing our labor load, since we will no longer need to wrestle with putting up and taking down shade cloth every spring and fall.

As I look out over the garden, now a landscape of dried hosta foliage and mini twisters of swirling tree leaves, I can't help but imagine what 2010 will bring. I can dream, but it really is a waiting game that will surely have a surprise ending.

In the mean time, dream about your coming season as you browse our 2010 Online Catalog! You will find several highly anticipated new hostas, including Hosta 'Rhino Hide' and Hosta 'Curly Fries'. These are just two of the many New Hostas for 2010. You will also find a whole selection of new Heucheras, as well as an increased selection of Shade Perennials. If you are after something low maintenance with an unsurpassed bloom period for your shade garden, be sure to take a look at our new selection of Hellebores.

We are now taking orders for spring delivery. Do consider ordering early to ensure you get the plants you want. Many of the new hostas we have in good supply, but some are limited.

A heart felt Thank You goes out to each and every one of you who support us by visiting us here at the farm, ordering online, or buying our products at the conventions and other events we attend. We are most fortunate to have such a wonderful bunch of friends!

Sincerely,
Josh, Sue, & Jim