Field grown plant material, and more.

admin — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 16:23:58 +0000

Watkins Nurseries has been a field production nursery for over 130 years and for five generations. That’s unheard of in this industry and quite a feat in this economy. In the past ten years there has been quite a change in the local landscape, the booming economy encouraged the sprawl that moved the physical location of the offices but it did not change the main focus of the company. We still grow plants, we still have fields, we still install landscaping. We supply plant material to local landscapers as well as design and install commercial and residential landscaping. Our biggest challenge is to meet the changing needs of the “green” economy and stay up to date on the inventory of plant material that we grow. There have been many changes in plant cultivars and field production methods and we are keeping in touch with what works best and what the demands are in the industry.

Local landscapers also need to visit our re-wholesale yard to see what we keep in stock for their needs. We have pre-dug field grown plant material as well as container material that covers the basic needs of any job. We can also special order plant material for the contractor (given notice) and have the job ready to go when they are!

Designs on 2010, meet our designers.

admin — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 17:20:16 +0000

As the decorations go up for the holidays people tend to notice the things that need to be done outside. Now is not the time to alter the existing landscape but it certainly begs for your attention after the holidays are over. One of the best things to do in January is to get organized for spring landscape installation. Most homeowners contact us when the first warm March weekend comes along but it would be prudent to contact a landscape designer now to get a head start on the planning process.

At Watkins Nurseries we offer landscape design and consultation services for the residential landscape. We have two experienced designers, Jerry Lawson and Sharon Baum, that are available to help you plan your garden. Both designers have Bachelor’s Degrees in Horticulture from Virginia Tech and a combination of experience that is at least 25 years each in the Horticulture Industry, primarily as designers. They have both taught design courses at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College and have contributed to the success of the Maymont Flower and Garden Show in year’s past. Please contact our designers to set up a consultation:

Jerry Lawson jerrylawson@watkinsnurseries.com

Sharon Baum sharonbaum@watkinsnurseries.com

Let us help you create the landscape of your dreams.

Rain, Rain, Go Away….

admin — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 17:18:16 +0000

Rain, rain, go away, I’ve got work to do today. With so much rain its hard to get into someone’s yard to get work done. The objective in landscape design and contracting is to create something beautiful, not a mud pit. Once it dries out to the point that we can get in our client’s yard we are faced with the backlog of digging material out of our fields for installation on the job. We are farmers after all and the weather plays an integral part in how our business runs.

This lull in work gives us a chance to think about the holidays and a new year. If you are still shopping, you might want to consider trees as a gift. There certainly isn’t any buyer remorse in planting a tree. Trees are a “green” gift, (I never thought I would say it that way) and is a gift that keeps giving. Trees convert carbon dioxide to oxygen, they provide shade, they prevent erosion, they give us a sense of place in the landscape. Call us today, we have trees!

Is it spring yet?

admin — Wed, 20 May 2009 15:41:20 +0000

Spring is a fickle character. One day its 85 degrees and your digging out your summer clothes and the next day is rainy, windy and cold. As disagreeable as this is to our human thermostat this is perfectly fine for the plant material. Plant growth is influenced by ground temperature and it takes longer, warmer days for that temperature to change.

Now that its May the temperature is right for putting color in the landscape. Most of the color that we think of comes from flowers and now that the frost date has passed you are safe to add those annuals. Garden centers are full of colorful annuals and blooming perennials right now, but do not disregard the color of foliage and bark in the landscape.

Watkins Nurseries carries plant material that provides seasonal color change and you will only have to plant it once. Maples, oaks, pears and dogwoods are but a few of the many field grown plants that provide color interest many times of the year. We can also advise you on how to coordinate those color schemes. Consult one of our designers to help you put the right plant in the right place while using the right color scheme!!

What can you do to make the best of the warm weather?

admin — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 13:56:07 +0000

My thermometer reading is 71 degrees today. Daffodils are peaking through their blanket of mulch and the buds on my neighbors quince are swelling and showing that hint of coral that will look lovely inside. What to do, what to do? Now would be the time to get your garden tools out and give them a good dose of “elbow grease”. Most homeowners put up their tools for the winter and head inside but this is a great opportunity to bring it all out and clean it up. Clean and oil all of your pruners, order replacement parts for them as needed. Clean off the shovels and hard rakes and file as needed. A little oil wouldn’t hurt to protect from rust. The lawnmower blades could be sharpened and parts ordered and put on the shelf for the mower. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to make a list of tools that need to be replaced. Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and wouldn’t it make your gardener happy to have a brand new tool to start off with in the spring. Remember, you get what you pay for in tools. A quality tool that is well-maintained will last a lifetime. Happy gardening! Give us a call with any of your landscaping needs. Landscape plans make great gifts too!

Longing for change (in the weather)

admin — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 16:33:15 +0000

Well , the inaugaration is here and so is the winter weather. ( Global warming where are you?) Now is the time to plan for planting. The garden centers and greenhouses are bare so there isn’t any inspiration from those standbys, but you can go to the internet and catalogs in the warmth of your home.

First make a list of the plants you would like to put in the garden this year. From Ash trees to Zelkovas you can make a list of plant materials. Good categories would be trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals, etc. If you are planning a vegetable garden get the seed order in now and plan to start them indoors. This is also a wonderful way to get children involved and chase away the cabin fever. Next ,scour the internet and catalogs for ideas on which hybrid is best for your area. Check out the hardiness zone rating for the plant material. The central Virginia area is rated from Zone 6-7 depending on which area you live in. Go to the USDA website for a link to the Hardiness Zone map.

Finally, if you want to put the right plant in the right place, consult a landscape designer. Watkins Nurseries has talented, experienced, landscape designers on staff. We have been creating and installing residential landscape designs for decades in the Richmond, VA area. Now is a great time to contact a designer to start planning the design of your dreams. Call us at 379-8733 or go to out web site, www.watkinsnurseries.com

Stay warm and dream big! We’re here to help.

Watkins Nurseries off to a fresh start!

admin — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 18:50:31 +0000

Welcome to the new Watkins Nurseries web site.

With a New Year we all have a list of hopes and dreams for our families and friends. Our resolutions include a modern approach to a tradition of providing quality landscape services to the Greater Richmond area. This web site is an example of how Watkins Nurseries will strive to meet your needs. Watkins Nurseries also looks forward to taking bold steps in the future in the field of landscape services that we provide. Look for the same quality, field-grown plant material but more innovative design by our experienced designers.

Look to Watkins Nurseries for a comprehensive approach to the design/build process. Watkins Nurseries is moving our staff, equipment and customers into an arena of technology and design that will better serve you as you create a garden that works with your environment. With staff that is knowledgable in plant material and techniques that have stood the test of time, count on Watkins Nurseries to meet your landscape design and installation needs.

Our resolutions are the same as yours, a beautiful, healthy, safe place to live. We want to help you achieve that dream in the New Year. Watkins Nurseries is here to help make your home or business a a better place to work at or live in.

Welcome to Watkin’s Nurseries’ Planting Guide!

admin — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 03:07:08 +0000

Welcome! Check back here for updates.