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MITCHELL BAY NURSERY
- Organic deer resistant and cottage gardens for your enjoyment
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Plant information signs answer many questions
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Weekly plant discounts
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We test plant hardiness at the nursery
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Organic soil mix let plants transition easier
Open Thursday through Saturday 10-3
1071 Mitchell Bay Rd.
San Juan Island
Colleen Howe-Gregory
mbfarm@rockisland.com
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Mitchell Bay Nursery:
Earth and frog-friendly and a first in the state
posted 04/26/2006
Foamy runoff collected in the cachement system at a wholesale nursery after spraying inspired Colleen Howe to eliminate manmade chemicals from her nursery. Howe and her husband Bruce Gregory already ran one of the most environmentally friendly operations - Mitchell Bay Farm & Nursery on San Juan Island - but Howe was challenged to take the nursery to the next step. The most difficult part was dealing with rooting hormone, she said. It took two years, but the nursery became the first ornamental one in the state to be certified organic.
She didn't succeed the first year. Because she used aspirin and water as a fungicide, she didn't pass certification. "Aspirin is made in a lab," she said. "Instead of being discouraged, I became more challenged." She resolved the aspirin problem by using willow tincture. To figure out the correct acidity, she borrowed her neighbor's hot tub PH kit.
Besides the benefits to the environment in general, the environment in her rooting box has changed. "My rooting box smells wonderful," Howe said. She uses a solution of lavendar, teatree and roesmary essential oils for the cuttings. She is not the only one appreciating the change. A tiny frog took up residence followed later by a teenier baby frog.
Howe and her husband, Bruce Gregory, own and operate Mitchell Bay Farm & Nursery located at 1071 Mitchell Bay Road on San Juan Island. It is open Thursday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
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