Behind the Scenes at Dean's Greens

Just because the leaves are off the trees doesn’t mean that we can’t dream of spring and all that it beholds. While the landscape might be dormant, a true gardeners mind is always preparing and gearing up for a new season.

Maybe it’s just me, but when the dull days of winter hits, I am always on the lookout for the nurseries that look to be on the cutting edge of gardening expertise. In some cases, you can find the diamonds in the rough while driving about.  Just like picking out a new tree to add to your landscape while it has no foliage to see the structure, so to this theory can be applied to adding a garden center to your Top 10 lists of places to visit in spring.

Visiting a garden center in the winter can really give you a good insight to what they’re all about. Of course the game face is always on in the height of a busy season, but what is it like when the flowers are gone, the hustle and bustle has calmed down and the gardens are resting? Is your local garden center dormant and resting too? While many might be, and in fact with today’s economy it seems that many are sitting still or even closing, there’s one garden center that certainly is not fitting that description. 

During a drive on Snyder Avenue in Berkeley Heights I was drawn into Dean’s Greens.  It’s not a road that I typically drive down, but I’ll be putting this location into my GPS after today’s visit. I couldn’t help but notice the activity in this nursery as most are barely active, if at all open. 

If you want to get a breath of spring, Dean’s Greens is definitely the place to go. All one has to do is open the door of the florist’s refrigerator and take a deep breath in of roses, baby’s breath, gerbera daisies and the host of other beautiful flowers this florist has to offer. I can only imagine what a bouquet would look like coming from them.  The gift shop is chock full of all types of gardening giftware perfect for any occasion. I now have a list of things I’d like to give or receive!

The next time I visit I will definitely be bringing my dog as I was surprised to find out that this lovely nursery is a dog friendly environment. I absolutely loved the attention given to dogs at Dean’s Greens. In fact, there is a store within the garden center called, “Happy Hound” that offers shelves of healthy, organic dog treats and food, leashes, toys, information and much more. My dog will definitely love the visit!

While perusing around the nursery I asked if I could see what was inside their enclosed hoop houses and the gentlemen there said, “by all means”. Did I mention that the customer service was Grade A?  Inside the enclosures all I had to do was close my eyes and feel spring all around me. There’s a certain smell of earth and soil, leaves and buds waiting to open that exhilarates your inner senses and transforms you into spring. When I opened my eyes, I saw beautiful rhododendrons, hollies, lush evergreens, and even some herbs!  Signage at Dean’s Greens is a plus. I already know what sections and plants I’m going to be focusing on during my next trip. Those that indicate “Deer Resistant”.

What really caught my eye though was the new greenhouse that’s being built!  I found it completely exciting to see as it only means growth; new plant material and beauty come spring.  I was very curious as to what the future plans are for this addition and luckily I found Bob Tokash, owner of Dean’s Greens, and asked “What are your plans for the new greenhouse?”. I love greenhouses and will definitely be back to visit this one that will hold a lot considering it’s size of 100’x30’. 

I also appreciate the fact that the greenhouse will be maintained not only by a hand watering system but also by drip irrigation. There have been far too many times that I’ve walked into a garden center in the height of the season only to find plants that are starving for water so having two ways of watering, will surely mean that this greenhouse will be thriving.

I was also excited to find out from Mr. Tokash that not only will they be bringing in beautiful annuals, but they’ll be growing their own plants too such as houseplants, herbs, and vegetables! I can’t wait!

It was a pleasure stopping at Dean’s Greens as I’m happy that I did as I now have a new garden center to visit in the spring and by the looks of it, with all they have to offer, I’ll be back many times! If you’ve never been by Dean’s Greens, you’ll want to take a trip there. They are located at 295 Snyder Avenue, Berkeley Heights.