Not many people think of bees during the fall and winter, unless you're a bee keeper like Paul. Unscripted and unprepared, check out a video below that Paul and Joyce's children put together, showing Paul preparing his beehives for the long winter months. "It's interesting to see this process. During this time of year we are focused [...]
Butterfly Bushes "I like that they attract butterflies. Butterflies are my favorite! They have a strong scent too, a really good one. They bloom at the start of the summer and keep blooming, which is a nice feature." Delphinium "They're unique, with a tall stock. The colors are really neat, especially how they blend together. I [...]
Coreopsis "These have been out for a week or so. I like the color, the yellow with the red center. They're beautiful and easy to grow. They're long-lasting, which is a nice feature. They have a long blooming time. Most perennials come and go." Astilbe "These perennials are good for shade. There are many different colors, [...]
Despite a soft drizzle, Woodstock Elementary School kindergarten students had a blast on their tour of Sprucedale Gardens Nursery on Monday, May 2. Five classes were taken on a tour of the businesses’ greenhouses and over-wintering houses, learning how Sprucedale and other nurseries grow their plants and store them during the winter. Children often enjoy the [...]
We received a variety of ornamental trees and shrubs (including summer flowering trees) today! This is the third truck this week and there's more on their way. There's new plants to see all weekend long so we hope to see you here!
Paul is excited to announce that despite some below zero winter days, his 13 honey bee colonies have survived through the snowy months! "This is extraordinary," said Paul. "It's amazing they all survived!" We hope you're enjoying last year's honey because there should be plenty more available later in the year!
"Winter is finally upon us, but here at Sprucedale Gardens we are preparing for spring! Seeds and plants are ordered and we'll soon order tags and pots. Soil for putting on plants is already here and waiting. What do we do all winter? Besides placing orders, we compile our planting schedule, do our taxes, make advertising [...]
You live and you learn! If you've talked to anyone from Connecticut - or any other state in New England - you've probably heard (multiple times) about last year's winter! It was cold. It was long. And there was feet and feet (and more feet) of snow. Cars were buried. Some people couldn't get out their [...]
"There was a great honey harvest this year at Sprucedale Gardens," said Paul Larson. "We expect to have plenty of honey available for sale!" I documented the process as Paul filled this year's first jar of raw, natural honey! Step One: Take frame of honey off of the hive. Step Two: Cut off the wax cap. [...]
The mums are getting HUGE! They have more than doubled in size, pouring out the sides of their baskets. In only a few months these mums will be fully bloomed, bursting with color. Here's a photo of the mums taken when they were two weeks old, just to refresh your memory!