Welcome to the second full day of spring!

We’ve had an unusual weather pattern in southwest Georgia over the last few weeks, with days of unseasonal cold and rain followed by beach weather. Luckily, the growing plants at Perry Wellness Center are spending protected time in one of the five greenhouses on campus, before they head for the market and a new home.

PWC founder and CEO Stuart Perry is grateful for the greenhouses and unfazed by the weather. He explains, “I learned about greenhouses and weather unpredictability in Buena Vista, Georgia as a kid. My mom and dad loved flowers and plants.” As a matter of fact, they sold them to area residents – a tradition Stuart hearkens back to in his emphasis on raising plants as a peer project.

“I have been pleased with our early plant sales at Happy Patch Market,” Stuart notes. “It is going to be another banner year. Happily, our customers believe as I do that early plants make us feel better.”

Plant maintenance is critical this time of year, when older plants are groomed and fertilized to provide them with new growth, and newly propagated or delivered plants get settled. Growers in two states help keep the greenhouses full, with color and variety.

To ensure that the many greenhouse plants are well maintained, Jamie Minich and Cindy Corbin have joined the Perry Wellness Center family. Their job description? “Keep the plants alive and looking healthy.”

Come visit our spring greenhouses soon and say hello to Jamie, above, left, and Cindy.