On Wednesday, April 13 New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher joined the New Jersey Nursery and Landscape Association to remind residents it is time to start planning this season’s gardens and landscaping.
Fisher and NJNLA representatives visited Laurel Oak Garden Center in Evesham Township to see how they are gearing up for the spring planting season.
“Now is a great time to think about this year’s garden and to visit a nursery or garden center to discuss spring plantings that will brighten your landscape all season long,” Fisher said. “Remember to ask for Jersey Grown to ensure your plants are accustomed to New Jersey’s growing season and are pest- and disease-free.”
Jersey Grown growers are listed on the Jersey Grown website at www.jerseygrown.nj.gov. There also is a search for nurseries and garden centers. The website is now optimized for easy access on tablets and mobile phones.
“New Jersey is home to a robust wholesale and retail horticultural industry,” said Dominick Mondi, Executive Director of the New Jersey Nursery and Landscape Association. “Independent garden centers, like Laurel Oak, exemplify the quality of products and service we expect out of the small businesses that comprise our membership. Home owners around the state should avail themselves of the knowledgeable individuals at local nurseries and garden centers to improve their properties, and their lives, though plants.”
Nurseries and garden centers are part of the $358 million dollar New Jersey horticultural industry. To promote the industry, the Jersey Grown branding program was created and over the years expanded so it now includes trees, shrubs, flowers, annuals, perennials, Christmas trees, firewood, wood and black oil sunflower seed for birdseed.
