SPRING BLOOMS
By the time "spring" officially arrives the seedlings started in south windows of our home since January, have been transferred to the large greenhouse located at the top of the hill across the road from Greystone Retreat.
You are most welcome to pop in and visit the greenhouse during your spring stay to witness the daily caretaking of plants.
Thanks to automatic watering systems, timers, backup heat and other modern conveniences, the daily visit to the greenhouse is usually pleasurable ... plus it provides a great workout climbing the hill twice a day to feed furnace!
The greenhouse is located near Bridge Trail on Greystone Trails (map provided in your 'Welcome Package').
Wood from our property ...
powers the boiler ... which heats the floors of the greenhouse ... which provides ideal conditions for the plants.
We recycle and re-use whenever possible. Deadfall is collected from the edge of trails; trees that are cut to create new trails are cut in lengths to be dried for furnace and larger pieces split for the following year. Small branches go through the chipper/shredder as mulch on trails.
Large logs are squared off on our portable sawmill and turned into benches around firepits at each 'Rest Area' along the trails.
Split wood is stacked in various locations and is provided at the Retreat for guests to use in fireplaces and at the firepit on the shoreline.
Thousands of plants
We literally start thousands of annual flowers each year. It may seem like a lot, until they are spread around the property in hanging baskets, balcony planters and various garden areas.
We also enjoy growing many of our own vegetables in two private gardens by the greenhouse.
Extra flowers
Our germination rate is well above expectations and we always have plants to spare. There is no way we can compost these beautiful living plants, so we display them at the end of the driveway so passers-by have the opportunity to beautify their properties.
Donations are gratefully accepted and are paid-forward by gifting monies received to various charities.
We are in the midst of growing beautiful annuals for you to enjoy during your stay at Greystone