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Fonnesbeck Greenhouse in Mendon
started life as the family's cow pasture
By Chari
Ingraham
September 25, 2008 | MENDON -- Residents of Mendon
who want to start a garden or need to do a little touching
up before winter don't need to look far. Fonnesbeck
Greenhouse supplies the basics, from seeds, to fertilizer,
to full grown trees.
The greenhouse, located on the left side of the road
as you enter Mendon's city limits, catches the eye with
an array of colorful perennials, petunias, and hanging
potted annuals. Behind the store is an acre of land
that offers all kinds of trees, plants, shrubs, and
garden ornaments.
"Three of my children really like this kind of thing,"
said Tawna Fonnesbeck, co-owner of the greenhouse. "They
helped us build [the greenhouse].
"This used to be our back yard. It was the cow pasture.
We started with two little greenhouses and my husband
and children built the rest."
Fonnesbeck, her husband and co-owner Barry Fonnesbeck,
and their children have been running the greenhouse
business for 18 years. Fonnesbeck said she was surprised
when the greenhouse became well known throughout the
area.
"We don't do a lot of advertising. Mostly people know
about our store by word of mouth," she said.
The greenhouse is best known for its hanging baskets,
which are sold in the spring and are planted by Barry
and one of his sons. Fonnesbeck said they also help
customers begin new yards by putting down new grass
and supplying trees, flowers and fertilizer.
Fonnesbeck offered several tips for those who wish
to begin a garden this fall:
-- "It's not too late to plant anything, as far as
trees or shrubs," she says. "It is an especially good
time to plant grass."
-- If it's a long, dry fall, continue watering and fertilizing
until winter. Fertilize vegetables gardens well, especially
during fall.
-- Refrain from trimming roses and other plants. This
stimulates growth, which is better for the plants in
the spring season.
-- When beginning a garden, it's best to start with
grass, then perennials, shrubs, or trees.
-- "If you have a lot of green tomatoes that refuse
to grow, quit watering them. That will stress them to
grow," she says.
It's a good time to begin a garden, and with its wide
varieties of trees, plants, and gardening supplies,
Fonnesbeck Greenhouse is a good place to start.
"We try to make it worth the drive to come here,"
Fonnesbeck said.
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