Standing out

Good company. The lone white bloom surely stands out to my eye as my dear wife Karen and I stroll the rows at the nursery to one side of the Ontario Orchards parking lot.

So many plants

The long look. I’m still devoted to Ballantyne’s Gardens, I repeated to myself as my dear wife Karen and I looked out over the many plants we encountered at our first discovery of the nursery at Ontario Orchards.

All the rocks you need

More than plants and trees … My dear wife Karen and I chuckled when we thought about how we’d looked for a small bag of tiny rocks for a mini spot on our front lawn a few weeks ago. Look at the supply we could have chosen from at Ontario Orchards. We’d decided upon sand…

To Ontario Orchards

A pleasant surprise. When my dear wife Karen and I took our annual drive north to the popular apple farm stand Ontario Orchards, we were met by a new addition to the now-sprawling spread. The folks have added an orchard to the other side of the parking lot. We decided to stroll a bit before…

Happy Thanksgiving to all

The rise and the fall. As my dear wife Karen and I walked through the back room of Ontario Orchards, I thought that these many, many scarecrow dolls looked right at home together. Pyramid of fall dolls. My mind went to: More. They found their place. I hope everybody is gathering with family or friends…

Still time to consider plants

Nurse them inside these next months. The folks at Ontario Orchards offer plenty for the green thumb in you. There were racks of various plants on display during the October visit by my dear wife Karen and I. Eye-catching? Some were sitting, others were hanging out. I wondered which were supposed to go outside for…

Yes, we like them apples

Our local favorite. Ontario Orchards grows many types of apples that flourish in our Central New York climate. Word has been that a late frost made this year’s crop dicier than usual at many of area orchards. So my dear wife Karen and I were glad to see a robust selection during our visit, including…

Spooky, yes

Signs of the season. Do you wish to send a little Halloween scare to those visiting your home, or a Thanksgiving welcome? Both sentiments are available at Ontario Orchards. Pumpkins in between, too.

Anybody looking for a scarecrow?

Comfortably seated. There must be a market for these homey scarecrow dolls resting at Ontario Orchards. Put them on a stick in your garden and the big birds won’t bother your plants. Perhaps. Or maybe just present one to a youngster in your life as a sign of the season.