Page 04 · The season
The Season
The gate opens on the first Thursday of May and shuts after the second Sunday of October, four days a week in between.
Opening hours
Thursday to Sunday at the Gate
- Thursday9am to 4pm
- Friday9am to 4pm
- Saturday9am to 4pm
- Sunday10am to 3pm
- Monday to WednesdayClosed for potting and planting
The first three days of the week are for the plants: potting on, dividing, the Friday van loading list, and planting jobs out in town. Keeping the gate shut on those days is what lets two people run a nursery and still be there to answer questions when it is open.
Card and cash are taken at the potting shed. There is no need to book a visit; directions to the gate come with every confirmed order.
On the benches, month by month
What Is Ready, and When
Most plants are on the benches all season. These are the months each one is at its best. Prices for everything are on the stock list.
May
First divisionsOstrich fern divisions at $7 for the first two weeks only. Hostas are still unfurling, so buy by the leaf group rather than by the look of the pot.
June
Hostas at their bestEvery hosta is in full leaf. Ferns are fully up and the gallon pots are at their fullest. The busiest month at the gate.
July
Woodlanders in flowerAstilbe and the late Solomon's seal flower. Water anything newly planted twice a week if it does not rain.
August
Quiet benchesA good month to plan rather than plant. The slugs are at their worst, so the blue hostas are the ones to choose.
September
Ferns turnAutumn ferns turn copper and the cooler nights suit planting. The best month for a fern bed.
October
Last weeksOpen until the second Sunday. What is left goes cheap on the final weekend, and then the gate shuts for winter.
Pre-orders and the Friday van
Order Ahead, Collect Later
Pre-orders
- Open by emailfor spring collection1 February
- Confirmed within3 working days
- Held at the gateafter the pick-up date14 days
- Depositon orders over $40050%
The Friday van
- Within 30 miles of PortlandFridays only$25
- Orders over $300Free
- Smallest delivery order$120
To pre-order or book the van, write with the list and the town.
The gate shuts
A Note on the Winter Closing
After the second Sunday of October the gate stays shut until May. The plants do not go anywhere. They sit out on the benches under a layer of oak leaves and a sheet of burlap, which is exactly why they cope with your garden afterwards.
We still read the email over the winter, about once a week, and spring pre-orders start on 1 February. If you write in December, you will get an answer, just not a quick one.
Marit