Kingston Nurseries opens it doors in Harrowsmith

May 12, 2011

Photo: Loretta and Randall Wieting of Kingston Nurseries in Harrowsmith

Though its official opening is not until Friday May 20, Kingston Nurseries, the new garden and landscape design centre located just south of Harrowsmith, has unofficially been open since May 7. Owners Loretta and Randall Wieting opened the business since relocating to Kingston from the United States. Loretta is originally from the Kingston area and wanted to be closer to her family, who live in Kingston and the greater Toronto area.

The couple purchased the 6.5 acre property in October 2010 and began construction almost immediately. Currently the business consists of a two-storey office and store, a 4600 sq. ft. greenhouse and a 1200 sq. ft. tool shed. Eventually the site will also include two large hoop houses for growing.

Kingston Nurseries sells a wide selection of garden and landscaping merchandise, including perennials, annuals and tropicals, potted patio baskets, garden ornaments, furniture, sculpture and gift ware. One of their main focuses will be a wide variety of larger trees and shrubs, including cypress, magnolia, lilacs, and rhododendrons, along with hollies, andromeda and mountain laurels. Randall explained, “The nice thing about planting larger trees and shrubs is that you don't have to wait the usual five or ten years until your garden looks complete.” The Wietings also plan to offer a wide selection of dwarf conifers.

The professional and highly organized layout of Kingston Nurseries demonstrates that the Wietings do indeed know a thing or two about the business. Randall ran his own large landscape design build company in the States for 35 years and brings a lot of expertise to this new Harrowsmith venture. A large part of the businesses focus will be custom landscape design and installation, for which Randall has won numerous awards. The couple are already working on a number of designs for property owners in the area. “Basically we can build and install pretty much anything a customer wants, including patios and terraces, outdoor rooms, entryways, fences, retaining walls, water features, masonry, you name it.” Eventually, when the season hits full throttle, they anticipate having no less than 15 full-time staff members, including two landscape architects.

So far the Wietings are getting a very positive response. “People seem very excited to have us here and we are hoping to become a destination that people will make a special trip to”, Loretta said. “And the people in the area have been incredibly friendly and helpful.” For those who are looking to spruce up their outdoor living space or who need some advice about where to begin, Kingston Nurseries is a great place to start. For those who are building brand new homes, but might be unsure of how to proceed, Loretta says that getting a professional consultation can never hurt. “People can sometimes make some very expensive errors. A few hundred dollars for a one-on-one consultation can be money very well spent.” As far as customer education, goes Loretta and Randall are also planning to hold do-it-yourself seminars. “We're hoping also to teach people how to have success with whatever they plant or build and to show people the different options available to them.”

Loretta then reminds me of a basic fact that those who love their gardens need no convincing of. “Gardens are as much for living in as they are for looking at.”

For those who have yet to visit Kingston Nurseries, ‘tis the season. For more information visit their website at www.kingstonnurseries.com or give them a call at 613-389-7071. Their hours are Monday-Thursday 9-6, Fridays 9-8, Saturdays 9-5 and Sundays 10-5.