An interview with Ron Baldwin, owner of Aunt Clara’s Greenhouse, 803 U.S. Highway101, Chinook, Wash.

Springtime is planting time and nurseries are getting ready for eager gardeners. April 1 was opening day of the third season for a small family nursery in Chinook that specializes in high quality plants. Shop here for flowers that will last the season. The nursery is open from noon to 6 p.m. daily. For more information, call (360) 777-8122.

What would you like readers to know about Aunt Clara’s?

“Small nurseries have to find a niche to beat the big box stores. It is hard to beat them on price, but not hard to beat them on quality. The big stores offer plants that are seed generated. My plants are cutting generated. All annuals are patented plants. The people I get my plants from have invested millions of dollars to get vibrant, disease resistant plants that offer full value for the whole season. If you shop for price you will be hurting by the end of the season.”

What is your niche?

“We offer what we feel is the best, longest lasting bedding plants. Our biggest product is custom containers and hanging baskets. Our real specialty is hanging moss baskets. The moss is part of the planter. These hold water longer and they are wind resistant. I just started carrying English basketry. These are iron baskets for the high-end market.

What do you charge for your baskets?

“A 12-inch basket sells for $28. The hanging moss baskets cost $75.”

What else do you carry?

“I have a nice line of Vietnamese glazed pottery. These are frost resistant and are good for all four seasons. We have expanded from containers and annuals to perennials, pottery and specimen trees. We like weeping trees, maple, and Japanese Cherry with a twist. We have blooms everywhere.”

Where did you get the name, Aunt Clara’s?

“I promised my mother I would build a greenhouse for her 20 years ago but never got around to it. Everyone knew her as Aunt Clara, so when I started this business I named it after her.”

What can you tell us about the size of this nursery?

“We have around 3,000 plants, and 200 hanging plants. I do not have any employees, just my wife and myself. We are open from April to the middle of July. I also own Red Raven Audio. I provide the sound systems for events. In the fall we go to the shows for commercial and wholesalers. We start taking orders and start the growing in January.”

What can you tell us about the volume of business?

“Last year we were very close to sold out by mid July. I will sell 140 hanging baskets by Mother’s Day.”

What would you tell someone starting a garden from scratch?

“First, make a plan, a diagram, even if you are going to change it later. Ask your neighbors what works best for your area. Shop for quality. You want plants that will give good value all season long.”