Think Outside the Big Box: Five Cool Places for a Greenhouse Experience
by Carrie Havranek
Let’s just say I have planting on the brain, and perhaps you do, too. May is the time of year when scramble to get things in the ground for summer harvesting. Here are five cool greenhouse/garden centers that will help your green thumb.
Buzas’ Greenhouse, Easton. This family-owned business sells vegetables, plants, perennials, herbs, and more and implements IPM (integrated pest management), which employs the careful and safe use of biological elements such as insects to keep plants healthy. 3927 Newburg Road, Easton; 610-252-5289
Dan Schantz Greenhouse and Cut Flower Outlet, Allentown. Most people who’ve lived in the Lehigh Valley for any length of time know and love Dan Schantz for its friendly service and impressive, colorful display of cut flowers. Lehigh Street at Interstate 78, Allentown, 610-797-2774.
Herbein’s Garden Center, Emmaus. This favorite spot sells about 70 varieties of plants, trees, and shrubs. Oh! And this weekend they’re hosting the Bonanza of the Bonzai, so you can see the tree artistry of the Bonsai Society of the Lehigh Valley, on display. Who knew? May 19-20, 4301 Chestnut Street, Emmaus. 610-965-9585.
Hickory Grove Greenhouses, North Catasaqua, is sometimes called the “Longwood Gardens of the Lehigh Valley” by its customers. Shop here now for herbs and vegetables such as basil, sage, peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers and more. You can also count on them to assist with all kinds of gardening troubleshooting, pest or disease identification. 1096 Milton Street, North Catasaqua. 610-264-2131.
Northampton County Farm Bureau Cooperative, Tatamy. This place is a cooperative owned by area farmers and has a long, strong history—it opened in 1934. That doesn’t mean, however, that the average backyard gardener can’t find things he or she needs. There’s typically a fairly good selection of vegetable plants, and you can also find a well-performing organic compost, sold by the bag. 300 Tatamy Road, Tatamy; 610-258-2871.
Carrie Havranek is a writer in Easton who needs to get tomatoes and cucumbers in the ground at her plot at Lafayette College’s Organic Community Garden ASAP.