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Home My WebLink AboutTimes Advocate, 1991-04-03, Page 7TT'1S YOUR BlJSTWFS Susan's nursery, a blooming Crediton business By RayLewis CREDTTON - usan Handerer's nursery has really blossomed. In fact, business is 1 growing wild. "I'm running out of room and pretty soon I'm going to have to add on," says Handerer. "Again." What began as a hobby, in a 7x17 foot, lean -on greenhouse at- tached to the side of her barn, has expanded into quite a large opera- tion. Since 1981 Susan's Nursery has grown steadily every two years and she is once again faced with the perplexity of expansion. Located one and a half miles south of Crediton, the present glass structure now covers an area of 25x60 feet and is constructed so that the outside glass walls can al- ways be extended, which enables Handerer to constantly expand. The rest of the house is fibreglass but she uses a lower roof to cut down on heating. The owner says that she built the business piece by piece because it didn't make a lot of sense to accu- mulate debts along the way. "Every year it's different and every year it's a gamble." This year for instance, she spec- ulates that most people are wor- ried and cautious with money, but in the case of her business, she re- mains optimistic. "Many people, when they don't have much money, and can do lit- tle else, choose to beautify the backyard when they have to stay home," says Handerer. That is exactly what she did be- fore starting the business. After purchasing about $25 of flowers and plants, she would then spend the remainder of her summer in the backyard. Handerer grew up in the business with her parents in Augsburg, Ger- many, where they had greenhouses, and she possesses several licenses from Europe in gardening and land- scaping. She entered the field at the age of 15, when she began to serve an ap- prenticeship. In those days, chil- dren entering a trade went to grade eight and then took part in three years of trade school, working ,iny both &g{eecenhouses and flower shops Handerer first served a year in home economics in a convent school, at the request of her mother, but then made the switch to horti- culture. After her three years as ap- prentice, she spent two years as a mixed gardener, with both flowers and vegetables, followed by a year in landscaping. Handerer came to Canada in 1966, settling in London. Two years later she moved to Crediton where she has remained ever since. "It's a small business," says the owner. "But I've got a lot of good customers that have been with me right from the start." The one-person operation is open daily from 4 to 10 p.m. which caps a long day for Handerer, because she also works at Dashwood Indus- tries. Husband Cal comes to her aid, taking care of all the wood- work and renovations, but other than that Handerer is basically on her own. In addition to the many gerani- ums, impatiens and different varie- ties of spring flowers, Handerer adds many others, never afraid to experiment. Currently she is work- ing with some calceolarie which sport yellow, outdoor lady -slipper Times -Advocate, April 3, 1991 Pape 7 flowers, because she feels there aren't enough varieties of flowers in yellow. Aside from those, there is a spot in the greenhouse reserved for Cal's radishes and onions, while Hander- er herself is experimenting with, of all=grapefruit. grapefruit. she lacks the space, Handerer chooses not to grow everything from seed although she does have some mother plants. "I wouldn't like to have the big headaches and large investments for the spring," she explains. In her business, the customer still comes first and is always right. Last year, the nursery sold out of much of its inventory early con- vincing many people to actually preorder for this year. Hunderer has obliged which is a concept many larger greenhouses wouldn't honour. She feels it's just good business. When asked what plants are her personal favourites she agrees it's a difficult decision. "Ml of them," she laughs. "I just love this business, otherwise I wouldn't be in it." Welcome to Florida - Not quite, but while the rest of the area is still feeling the effects of winter, signs of spring am present at Susan's Nursery in Crediton. @,@ sg CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS Kime, Mills, Dunlop. Chartered Accountants Daniel B. Daum, B.A., M.Acc., C.A. Manager 412 Main St., PO, Box 2405 Exeter, Ontario NOM 1S7 (519) 235-0345 Fax: (519) 235-3235 John A.M. Norris CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT 497 Main Street South, Exeter, Ontario NOM 1SI Tropical paradise - Susan Handerer tends to one of her many hanging plants inside her flourishing greenhouse. Tel: (519) 235-3240 Fax: (519) 235-3246 MANAGEMENT AND ACCOUNTING SERVICES rr : :ice; running byftadkind ' a o or c!patto r prggrams't > mo FRED SIIVIMONS B.A. Personal and Business Tax Returns For appointment or pickup service Call (519) 235-1854 r AUCTIONEERS WE Joe CAN find the best GIC 9.75% 2 to 5 years Let us shop the market for you Galser-Kneate FILSON & ROBSON The Experienced Auctioneers that Guarantee You More SS Considering A Sale or Need an Appraisal 666-0833 666-1967 Call Collect Sup ng You with 30 Yrs.Efficient Service • Mobile office • Immediate Payment • 2 Auctioneers !r Is Our Pleasure To Serve You Bob Heywood Licensed Auctioneer Specializing in household and estate auctions Reasonable rates Bob 235-0874 Laverne 235-1278 Province plans upgrades for local highways TORONTO - The Minister of Transportation Ed Philip ahs an- nounced $1,713,600 in funding to improve road structures which will promote local economic strength. Paul Klopp, MPP for Huron said that nine municipalities will benefit from the program. The Lower Town Bridge in Turn - berry Township will be replaced. This project will receive $600,000. Diagonal Road in Wingham will be reConstructed with the assistance of a $72,500 grant. West Wawanosh Township will receive S30,000 for reconstruction of a culvert. Road resurfacing will be done in East Wawanosh with Rinds provided by a $87,000 grant, hnd $52,000 will help Morris Township build a Mit Alf and sand storage shed. In the southem part of Huron County $270,000 will be provided for reconstruction of Main St. in Exeter. Victoria St. which is also highway 4 in Clinton will be resur- faced. The grant is for $189,000. In Goderich the intersection at high- way 8 and Suncoast Drive will be improved. The grant is for $22,500. In Tuckersmith Township bridge number 11 will be replaced The grant is for $390,600. Corrections Minister Mike Far-. nan also announced a grant for the Bluewater Youth Center which is south of Goderich. $280,000 will be provided for repairs and renova- tions. Exeter Grand Bend Hensel! 235-2420 238-8484 262-2607 May we Recommend Our Best Sellers Mystery Section The Old Conlemptibles, . 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