Noah Johnson | Daily Press Seven Acre Garden & Gifts co-owner Theresa Doyen holds up a bed of violas in one of the greenhouses.

Noah Johnson | Daily Press
Chenier’s Greenhouse co-owner Nick Chenier waters hanging baskets in one of the greenhouses. Nick lifts each basket to check its weight to determine if it needs to be watered.

ESCANABA — As the grass turns green and grows, individuals are out in their gardens, and local greenhouses are opening their doors for the season.

Gardners and experts from Seven Acre Garden & Gifts in Escanaba, Chenier’s Greenhouse in Gladstone and Tony’s Green Thumb in Bark River provided insights into their operations and shared gardening tips for home growers.

Seven Acre Garden & Gifts in Escanaba is in its fifth year in operation, owned by Theresa and Dan Doyen, who say anybody can garden.

“If you can arrange your living room, you can grow a garden,” she said.

She explained that when a person sets up their living room, they put the furniture where it makes sense.

“You’re not gonna put your television in front of a window with blazing sun where you can’t see it,” Theresa explained.

Co-owner of Chenier’s Greenhouse, Nick Chenier, agreed with the Doyens, saying anybody can learn gardening; it just takes time and research.

Chenier’s Greenhouse has been in operation since 1976 and boasts the largest greenhouse operation by square feet in the Upper Peninsula.

Co-owner of Tony’s Green Thumb, Caroline Picard, echoed both the Doyens and Chenier, saying starting a garden can be as simple as buying or putting together a planter.

Tony’s Green Thumb was founded in 1962 by Tony Quist, who sold the business to John Hahn, Caroline and Patrick Picard in 2015.

All three greenhouses agree that anybody can garden, they just need to follow certain instructions to be successful.

There are several factors to consider when starting a home garden.

Whether that be vegetables, flowers, shrubs, or anything else, the first step is to pick an area where you would like your garden to be.

“Lighting is a huge factor when it comes to growing plants, so when picking a spot, observe how much sunlight is hitting it. You can’t put something that needs full sun in a shady spot,” Theresa said.

The placement of certain flowers or crops depends on where the plants are located, as gardens with a west or south-facing side draw in more sunlight as opposed to a north or east-facing side.

“It’s all about the right plant in the right place,” Nick said.

When choosing plants or vegetables to produce, Nick says to think about what type of crop you would like to grow.

“It’s important to consider what you ultimately want to produce,” he said.

Particularly vegetables, as growers should choose vegetables they like to eat or use.

For new gardeners, experts recommend starting small and learning how to take care of a few plants.

“Planting a garden in the ground does not have to be large or overwhelming. It can start small, three by five, or be larger, depending on what you want to grow,” Caroline said.

Whatever size a garden may be, spacing out plants or crops is vital to the garden’s health.

Most plants come with a tag that provides information about properly caring for the plant, including spacing suggestions.

“When you’re laying everything out, usually on the tag, it says how much space things need. Follow that because when they get gigantic, they will grow into each other, and it’ll be very stressful. So proper spacing that’s on the tag, that’s important,” said Abbey Chenier.

In addition to proper lighting and spacing, watering is crucial to a plant’s survival. However, there is such a thing as too much watering.

Caroline says one of the most common questions she gets revolves around how much water a gardener should give their plants, specifically hanging baskets.

“It all depends on the weather and what type of flowers you have. You can tell when your basket needs water by the weight of the basket,” Caroline said.

Nick demonstrated this by walking through a greenhouse and lifting each basket to see if it needed water.

“If it is light, you will need to water. Baskets should be checked daily. If it is in the 90s and sunny, you may have to check it twice a day. Baskets will go through more water on very hot sunny days versus cloudy cooler days,” Caroline said.

She explained the increased heat speeds up the evaporation rate, leading to dry soil and a greater need for watering.

Nick suggests trying to water plants at the same time each day and doing so earlier in the afternoon, as putting plants to bed wet is not ideal.

“That’s when fungal diseases can happen and cause rot,” he said.

“Just as many people kill their plants from overwatering as they do from under-watering.”

There’s not a ‘catch-all’ or an exact science when it comes to growing, as plants differ on the amount or type of care they need.

For example, a succulent can sit in a window and be watered once a month, while others require more sunlight, water, or spacing.

It also depends on the geographical area, as every area has its own set of unique challenges. The season in the Upper Peninsula is shorter compared to other areas, including lower Michigan. Further down south, temperatures in the 90s and even the 100s require much more watering than in areas in the U.P.

While other gardens in the south require more watering, they can begin planting sooner.

“Our spring temperatures can delay when we start planting. We have to watch the weather and have a plan if the night temperatures drop too low,” Caroline said.

Even in the spring, frost is a danger for plants.

Frost can kill plants and typically occurs when the temperature dips in the mid-30s.

Experts said there are ways to combat the frost, including covering the plants with a sheet or bringing in plants at night should they be in a hanging basket or container.

Nick said a good rule of thumb is to bring in outside plants if the temperature is dipping below 40 degrees.

A last resort method would be to spray the plants with a hose as it typically can warm up the plant and prevent frost damage.

Healthy soil is another factor for growers and greenhouses; soil type differs based on the geographical area.

The right soil should be tilled, whether by machine or with tools by hand so that the dirt is loose enough to allow for germination and the permeation of air, moisture, and roots.

An easy test is to feel the soil.

“It might be dry as a bone on the top, but you put your finger in there and it’s wet in there; it doesn’t need any more water,” Dan said.

In the area chosen for a garden, a soil test is recommended, which can be done by taking samples and sending them to MSU Extension. Kits may be purchased online from shop.msu.edu or from a local extension office.

The Doyens said a soil test is a great way to learn about your soil and what plants would thrive in it.

“Specific plants, some like it really acidity, real acidic, some like it more neutral,” Dan said.

Just like humans, plants need nutrients to survive and thrive, and they can get the necessary nutrients from fertilizer.

“Make sure you fertilize your flowers weekly,” Caroline said.

The fertilizer not only makes the plant healthier, but it also makes it look better.

“Your plants are going to be more vibrant, more colorful; the leaves are going to be more green.

And overall, just look healthier because that plant is healthier,” Nick said.

However, just like overwatering, there is such a thing as over-fertilizing.

“People sometimes get way too heavy-handed on fertilizer,” Dan said.

“Fertilizer is supposed to be a boost. It isn’t supposed to be something that you have to use every day.”

Pests such as bugs and mammals can wreak havoc on a garden; the Doyens recommend Green Screen, a Michigan-made product sold at Seven Acre, which they use because they’ve found it to be effective and safe around pets.

Another way to prevent bugs is to let plants dry out in between waterings after they sprout, as a wet, humid environment will promote bugs.

Also, clear any dead plant material as it attracts bugs as well.

Some insects, however, are beneficial, so it’s important to know what’s crawling on a plant.

Each greenhouse reiterated they are there to help local garden enthusiasts, answer questions, provide tips and sell their products.

“Don’t be afraid to start a vegetable or flower garden,” Caroline said.