Customers come first at the Front Yard Nursery

GREEN THUMBS — Front Yard Nursery General Manager Wes Kohutek, left, owner Kristie Lamb and Duke the Labrador earned their loyal customer following with great customer service. Democrat photo by Krysten Kellum

Front Yard Nursery is celebrating 20 years in business and to mark the occasion will have a big sale on March 24 and 26. Customers will get 15 percent off all purchases and be treated to popcorn, lemonade and raffle prizes. With the arrival of spring, the sale comes at the perfect time to get that garden growing.

Husband and wife team Richard Hosking and Kristie Lamb started the nursery with plants they grew themselves, and they still grow at least half of their inventory. Producing their own plants is part of what sets them aside from competitors.

“We grow things that are hardy for our zone. They are acclimated to our area, not from down south,” Lamb said, adding that growing plants on site is “green” and helps the nursery employ more people.

At Front Yard Nursery, customers find a huge selection of everything needed to garden, including organic options for soils and fertilizers. Also important is protecting your garden from pests or inclement weather. Gophers, moles, voles or deer? Try one of the repellant or barrier products Front Yard offers. They’ve also got frost blankets and a protective spray called Cloud Cover for the big freeze.

Nursery Manager Wes Kohutek has been with Front Yard for seven years now and really knows his horticulture. Kohutek began at the nursery as a “yard boy,” working his way through the ranks and picking up a vast knowledge base along the way.

“Everyone [that works] here gardens. Before we recommend a product we’ve tried it ourselves. We put products to the test,” Kohutek said.

Tired of spending all that time watering your plants? Check out Front Yard’s drip irrigation selection that makes garden maintenance a breeze. And if you are looking to change soils, try Hosking’s “Super O.” It’s a blended organic mix that’s a favorite with locals. Considering Hosking’s background in biological science, it’s no surprise the “Super O” is super effective.

Spring is the ideal season to plant vegetables and fruit trees, so stop by the nursery and see what it has got. Grow something new this year with fun varieties like the Double Diamond Nectarine or a peacotum. Peacotum is a cross between a peach, apricot and plum, and it’s delicious.

For more information, check out frontyardnursery.com, which contains a list of available roses and bare root trees, a seasonal newsletter and lots of helpful links. There will also be a composting seminar March 24 and 25 with Master Gardener Shilo Nielsen beginning at 10 a.m. Front Yard Nursery is conveniently located at 5801 Mother Lode Drive in Placerville. The phone number is (530) 626-3494.

GREEN THUMBS — Front Yard Nursery General Manager Wes Kohutek, left, owner Kristie Lamb and Duke the Labrador earned their loyal customer following with great customer service. Democrat photo by Krysten Kellum

Krysten Kellum

Krysten Kellum has worked for the Mountain Democrat since 2006 as a photographer and was named Photography Editor in 2009. Kellum is a 2004 graduate of UC Davis with degrees in English and French. Her Australian Cattle Dog Penny is the Mountain Democrat newshound.

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