It’s the little things citizens do.
That’s what will make the difference.
My little thing is planting trees.
-Wangari Maathai

Since I started this blog last year, I’ve been asked more than once why I decided to call it “Planting It Forward.”

There were several reasons the phrase spoke to me. The first was to acknowledge that each individual’s efforts to add more green into the world combines with everyone else’s and the result is more than the sum of its parts.

If you take my window box, plus your succulent garden, plus the tree that the City planted in our local park down the street, they aren’t just random acts of horticultural kindness. They work together – creating an ecosystem that nurtures pollinators, reduces CO2 levels and increases our overall green space.

Another aspect of “planting it forward” is knowing that what we do today impacts the future. When you plant a new tree, what grows from that seedling will be enjoyed not only by your children, but their children and untold generations to come.

And then there’s the idea of planting inspiration forward. Which brings us to the quote above from Wangari Maathai.

She was a Kenyan woman responsible for the Green Belt Movement in Africa that planted 30 million trees across that continent in about 30 years. The late Ms. Maathai was probably being a little modest when she said her “little thing” was to plant trees; she leveraged her environmental activism into a platform for women’s rights and increased democracy in Kenya. She was elected to Parliament and, in 2004, won the Nobel Peace Prize.

Along the way, she planted some inspiration. In 2007, a 9-year-old German boy named Felix Finkbeiner learned about Maathai’s work as part of a school project and it gave him an idea. What if kids got together and promised to plant 1 million trees in each of their countries? How much could that help the Mother Earth?

With the backing of the United Nations Environmental Programme, Felix’s class presentation became Plant for the Planet, a nonprofit which planted its millionth tree in Germany after just three years. Plant for the Planet has expanded into dozens of countries since then, and last year kicked off the Trillion Tree Campaign (it’s the number of trees scientists estimate can be planted without competing for space with agricultural concerns or settlements).

From Russia to Taiwan, India to the Ivory Coast, Colombia to the United States, thousands of children are participating and encouraging adults to “Stop Talking. Start Planting.” If they reach their goal, those trillion trees could capture 25% of all human-made carbon emission each year.

I hope that this year, you’ll consider being part of this movement by digging a hole, placing a seedling in it, and planting it forward.

Happy Gardening,
Misti

As gardeners and plant enthusiasts, we’ve always believed in the importance of “cultivating” the next generation (pardon the pun). But seriously, the Warner’s family wants to see children grow up to be people who respect the earth, appreciate the scientific marvel of plants, and understand the joy of growing flowers and food in your own garden.

It’s why we are eager to meet kids in clubs and classrooms and share what we know.

We have regular sessions of The Mud Club that focus on all sorts of cool, botany-related things – like why leaves turn color in the autumn or what happens when a seed sprouts and starts to grow. Kids who go to the club come home with a project or craft they make after the lesson.

We also head over to Sinagua Middle School each month to teach a class as part of that school’s STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) education. At the end of the year, the students visit us with a field trip out to the nursery.

We’re hoping we’ll get out to more schools soon, now that we have Warner’s on Wheels.

If you’ve caught my previous blog about “WoW,” you’ll know it’s our fitted-out trailer that we got last year. We can use it to go to events to sell plants, but more importantly, it’s a mobile workshop where we can bring interesting STEM-related lessons to schools, tailoring them to any age group.

Here are a few examples of the type of STEM topics we offer:

• Pollinators – Who they are, what they do and why they are important.
• Native Plants – What does that mean and why should we care?
• Fungus – It’s among us: Where to seek and find fungus.
• Why do leaves change color? The Fall of Chlorophyll.
• Germination Station: How Seeds Work
• Environmentalism & Sustainability – Taking Care of Mother Earth

We’re very excited to get out into the community more with Warner’s on Wheels, particularly to schools and events where we can share our love of the art and science of horticulture in a really interesting, kid-friendly way.

If you are interested in Warner’s on Wheels or know of a class or club we should be reaching out to, drop me a line!

Happy Gardening,
Misti

This is always an exciting time of the year for us – the Hiring Draft is almost here.

Each year, we hold a draft for applicants who want to work at Warner’s, and I always look forward to that Saturday when new, fresh faces come to the nursery to show us what they’ve got.

The Warner hiring process is not like your regular job interview. For two hours, we have our applicants participate in all the activities they’d be expected to do if they got the job. Once the draft is over, we call back the most promising candidates for interviews.

The draft is pretty reflective of our work philosophy here. We believe in hands-on experience, working hard, and having fun – and for us, two hours of playing outside in the dirt and working with plants is the best time you can have!

So what are we looking for?

People who are enthusiastic about gardening and about our customers. For almost half a century (wow!) we’ve been honored to be our community’s go-to garden center and a huge part of that is our friendly customer service.

Applicants also need to be comfortable working on their feet outside in all types of weather. It can also get warm in our nursery and hothouses. You’ll need to be able to regularly lift 30 to 50 pounds – we’ve got a lot of bags of soil, birdseed, mulch and more that need to be moved around!

What will you get in return? A terrific job experience in a beautiful environment with an amazing team.

Interested? Or know someone who might be? Then plan to join us on Saturday, March 9 at 10 am.

You can read more about our Hiring Draft (and download a job application) here.

Happy Gardening,
Misti

Spring is coming.

We can feel it in the nursery. It’s more than just that we’ve stocked up on seeds and soil and everything gardeners need to get ready for a new season. It’s a feeling of excitement. The days are getting longer, they’ll get warmer (eventually), and before you know it, we’ll be outdoors planting and cultivating and enjoying the fruits of our labors.

But you don’t have to wait. Now is the perfect time to start planning for the garden you want this year. This is when you should figure out the best spot for your veggies, or start sketching out big projects, like adding a butterfly garden or building a patio.

I know there are also some folks reading this might not feel that confident about their gardening abilities. Maybe you tried gardening in the past and it didn’t work out. Or maybe you feel confident about creating beds of annuals and perennials but aren’t as sure about trees and shrubs.

We’ve got you covered.

Beginning next month, we’ll be offering Warner’s Root Camp, a Gardening 101 series of classes to help you build up your skills in the garden. Participants will pick 10 expert-led classes in topics ranging from understanding your soil and seed planting to drip irrigation to building specialty garden spaces, like those that attract pollinators.

In addition to the classes, Root Camp participants will get special savings, free tools and guides, and special one-on-one guidance as they develop their outdoor spaces.

We will be rolling out details soon on this multi-month series of classes, so be on the lookout. The first class will be March 16, but we’ll be encouraging you to sign up earlier – we suspect these classes will fill up fast.

Happy Gardening,
Misti

Welcome to 2019! Or at least to my first blog of 2019. 😉

So here’s an interesting thing I read the other day: according to Strava, which is an app for runners and cyclists, most folks give up on their New Year’s resolutions by Jan. 12. Something like 75 or 80 percent. Isn’t that amazing?

In spite of that, I’m going out on a limb to ask you to make another New Year’s resolution because I think it won’t be too hard to keep. At least it won’t involve going to the gym five times a week or passing up that chocolate lava cake because you’re on a diet. Ready?

Be kinder to Mother Earth.

We are big on environmentalism and conservation here at Warner’s Nursery. It’s why a lot of our Mud Club events for kids focus on the topic. In fact on Saturday, Feb. 19, we’ll be talking about the three R’s – reduce, reuse, recycle – and for a fun hands-on craft, the kids will be taking water bottles and turning them into aquariums! It’s also why we offer workshops and classes on everything from composting to attracting pollinators and wildlife with your garden.

If you aren’t sure how to be greener in 2019, here are three simple ideas to get you started.

• Bring your canvas or tote bags with you when you go shopping – and remember to use them! Don’t leave them in the car (I’ve been guilty of this). First of all, these bags are way sturdier than those flimsy plastic ones, they tend to hold more items and they won’t wind up in the landfill.
• Detox your home. If you want to improve the air quality in your house, go through your cleaning products and substitute harsh chemical cleaners with eco-friendly alternatives. You’d be amazed what a little white vinegar and baking soda can do!
• Plant a tree. Spring will be here sooner than you expect and it’s the perfect time to add a little leafy splendor to your backyard. You’ll improve the air quality as trees add oxygen and reduce carbon dioxide, plus you’ll be giving shelter and food to birds and small animals. Also, if one of your other New Year’s resolutions was to reduce stress, trees can help; they are proven to make people feel more relaxed and happier.

It’s not too late to make a New Year’s resolution that will not only help you but the world in general.

Go green in ’19 – you won’t regret it.

See you soon,
Misti

Hey everyone!

I hope you are all enjoying the wonders of the holiday season. Everything is so glittery and beautiful here in Flagstaff, particularly at night when the holiday lights are in full view. It’s just magical.

And while my focus is on the holiday next week and all that it means – time with my family and faith, a chance to take a breath and really enjoy the blessings of the season – there is a little part of me that’s already planning for 2019.

It’s natural, right? Almost the minute after we finish unwrapping the gifts and eating the holiday feast, we start reflecting on the previous year and getting ready for the new one.

The crew at Warner’s Nursery has already started the process. Each department has done a review of how the past year went and developed strategies so that we can serve you better in the new year. There won’t be much downtime between the holidays and the spring rush, either; we do our huge inventory check on January 10 and right after that, we start stocking up for the new season.

You, however, don’t have to wait for spring to come by and see us. I suspect that if you are anything like me, you are already missing the fun and relaxation of gardening, so why not stop by and talk with us about your garden plans for 2019? We can celebrate the triumphs of your last garden, plan for your new one, and maybe help you troubleshoot what didn’t go quite right last year.

Plus, we’ll be hosting a lot of seminars throughout the winter on indoor gardening, small space gardening and more.

Thank you so much for an amazing 2018! You are the reason why we do what we do.

Warm wishes from the Warner’s Nursery family to yours for an amazing holiday and bountiful New Year!

Misti

With Thanksgiving this week, we are officially into the holiday swing of things. I love this time of year, but I know how crazy it can be. There’s even a term for it – “festive stress.” So what do we need to do to make the holidays a little more merry and a lot less hairy? Here are a few of my tried and true tips to relax and enjoy the season.

• Avoid the three o’s. It can be a challenge not to overschedule, overindulge or overspend during the holidays, but if you manage to do it, your mind, body and credit card statement will thank you.
• Think of your holiday shopping as an event to be experienced, not a chore to check off your to-do list. Of course, part of that has to do with where you shop – we try to make things very “mellow” at Warner’s, even on Black Friday.
• Deck Your Halls. Yes, there is work involved in dressing up your home, but it’s so worth it. The tree, the stockings on the mantle, the wreath on the door, the garland wrapping around the stairwell, the poinsettias – make your home a showcase of all the holiday things you love!
• Let others help you. Have your friends or relatives bring a dish or two, so the whole holiday meal isn’t on your shoulders. If someone offers to wrap the gifts, cheerfully hand over the tissue paper and tape. Have your Christmas tree delivered straight to your door, so you don’t have the hassle of trying to get it home.
• Whether its weight training, long walks or yoga, don’t take a holiday from your healthy routines. They will help your stamina, counteract any extra holiday eating you do, and keep stress at bay.
• Manage Expectations – Don’t put yourself under the pressure of making the holidays perfect for you and your family. There is so much to celebrate and be grateful for when you are with your loved ones. Why waste time and energy on “perfect” – whatever that means.

The holidays are special for many reasons. Top among them is the chance to cherish long-held family traditions and enjoying time spent with our loved ones. We hope you take advantage of all of the joys this season holds. And from our family to yours, Happy Holidays!

It’s only a couple of weeks away; the Christmas trees are coming.

For many of us, that jewel of spruce, fir or pine twinkling with lights and decked out with treasured ornaments is the centerpiece of our holiday celebrations.

But every year families throughout our nation go through the big debate – get a live tree or an artificial one. We hear from folks who are worried that getting a tree is less environmentally responsible than buying an artificial one. That way, the argument goes, you only buy one tree and aren’t helping denude the forests for the holidays.

For those of you concerned about having a real Christmas tree and its effects on the environment, here’s a couple of things to consider.

• Most artificial trees use polyvinyl chloride, a non-biodegradable compound that produces carcinogens during the tree manufacturing process and when it’s disposed. (On average, artificial Christmas trees last about five to seven years).
• Most artificial trees are produced in China, so shipping them here also adds to their carbon footprint.
• Cut Christmas trees are typically not being chopped down in a forest near you; from Oregon to North Carolina, Christmas trees are grown on farms as a sustainable crop. A single Christmas tree farm can absorb a ton of CO2, plus each acre of trees produces enough oxygen to meet the daily needs of 18 people!
• Most cut Christmas trees are recycled.

And if you really want to be pro-environment, how about a potted Christmas tree? Bring it into your home, decorate it and when the holidays are over, plant it in your backyard (and if you don’t have the room to plant it, call your local parks and rec department or nonprofit group that could use a tree – they’d probably appreciate the donation).

For me, the real argument for a live tree is tradition.

It doesn’t feel like Christmas without that rich evergreen smell in the house from a live tree, garland, and wreath. Placing ornaments and lights on those soft, supple bristles is just more rewarding than decorating an artificial tree. And then there’s the tradition of a fun night out with my family, bundled up in our coats and scarves, finding that perfect tree to grace our home this season. It just feels more in keeping with the holidays than hauling an artificial tree out of the garage!

We’ll be getting our selection of cut and potted trees the week of Thanksgiving.

Look forward to seeing you soon,

Misti

So why put a coffee shop inside of a nursery?

Back when my husband, Dan, and I started to get involved in the management of Warner’s Nursery & Landscaping, my Dad sent the two of us on a tour of garden centers in England. It was an amazing trip, and one thing I noticed was that many of these gardening stores had restaurants or tea and coffee shops right inside the nursery.

The mix of gardening and coffee isn’t as popular in the U.S., but the idea of having a coffee shop here at Warner’s always stayed with me. I think that with the crazy hours we work, particularly in the spring, the idea of having a coffee shop right here so I can get a caffeine fix without leaving the premises was really appealing!

For several years, as I was traveling for work or pleasure, I’d write down things I liked about different coffee shops – the displays, the signage, the menu items, the seating – all with the thought that, someday, Warner’s would open its own coffee place.

Finally, the timing seemed right. It was during our slow time in winter. There were no big projects on the horizon and I wanted to keep my team busy. Most of the work creating Dottie’s was done by our staffers, with me trying my hand at being a general contractor. It was both thrilling and terrifying, but it turned out great!

And then I found out something funny – I knew exactly how our space it should look, but nothing about operating a coffee shop!

Thank goodness for Marni and our niece, Amanda. They picked out the espresso machine, the grinder, and the other equipment we needed. Amanda had experience in the industry, so she developed our operations manual and inventory plan. They also hooked us up with a local coffee vendor, the amazing Matador Coffee.

So we had the space, the equipment, and the coffee – now all we needed was a name.

Everyone loved my grandmother, Dot. She started Warner’s Nursery back in 1970 and even after she retired, I remember her coming in to check that everything was running smoothly. She noticed every detail and wasn’t afraid to get her hands dirty to ensure success. I wanted to honor the fact that none of us would have this amazing life and company if it weren’t for her. A friend of ours who knew our grandma and used to work at Warner’s came up with the perfect name that captured everything I wanted it to be – Dottie’s Garden Coffee Shoppe.

What makes me so happy about Dottie’s (besides having high-quality coffee on demand when I need to refuel) is that creating it was a real family and friend affair.

From Dan and his landscaping crew constructing the counter and installing the new flooring and tile, to our niece sharing her expertise, to friends old and new helping out, starting Dottie’s was an amazing collaborative experience.

I feel it every time I see someone sitting down with a cup of our coffee. I hope you can taste the love in every cup. And I know my grandmother would be proud.

Hugs,
Misti

PS – Our coffee shop is open every day from 8 am to 4 pm.

Do you love being outside during fall as much as I do?

What’s not to love – turning Aspen trees, crisp mornings, fresh apple cider (and, wow, did we have a bumper crop of apples this year!)

And even while we are cleaning up our gardens in preparation of winter, there’s still some planting that can be done so that we can squeeze every minute of outdoor living before the really cold weather arrives.

If you haven’t done so already, it’s time to get those bulbs into the ground for next spring. Spring blooming bulbs need to be planted in the fall because they require a long period of cool temperatures to spark the biochemical process that causes them to flower. But you can’t wait too long, because you need to get them in before the ground freezes.

Fall is also a great time to get trees and perennials planted. I know the temptation might be to wait until next year, but there are a lot of advantages to getting them into the ground now. You’ll get more growth out of the plant next year if they are planted in the fall. Also, there’s less up-front care that is required when you plant this time of year.

Plus, any excuse to be outside before it snows is a good idea!

If you need another excuse to play outside during Autumn, mark your calendar for Saturday, Oct. 20, when we’ll be holding our Warner’s Annual Fall Festival from 10 am to 2 pm. It’s a family-friendly annual celebration of Autumn with lots of fun activities (hay maze, pumpkin patch, a petting zoo, face-painting, Kiddie Caboose, a bouncy house if it’s not too windy), refreshments and more.

Hope you are enjoying your Fall and we hope to see you soon at Warner’s Nursery.

Happy Gardening,
Misti