Wednesday, March 10, 2010

On The Cusp Of A Labeling Revolution

Our LaserPro C180 laser engraver came two days ago and we can't wait to get it up and running. The process of getting everything together (computer, software, venting, etc.) will take a couple months but this unit (paid for thru a generous grant) will allow us to start producing high quality plastic labels for the gardens. We are still ordering stake and label materials at thsi point however. Our intent is to start with tree and shrub labels, move to perennials, then finally annuals. This transformation will take years but we thank Olbrich Botanical Gardens for their inspiration (and help) with pursuing this system that will have a significant visual and education impact out in the gardens.

It has been overcast and drizzling all day althought the sun poked out in the afternoon for a bit. The snow is melting quickly and it's just plain "greasy" out there. We all agree that this weather is acceptable as long as it doesn't get too sour thru the rest of the month. Almost 60 degrees today. When's the last time you saw that temperature in early March? Jerry, Larry and Bill were out in the gardens pruning, cutting back grasses (see picture to the left) and bringing in more lights show stuff. Dr. Gredler continued to paint obelisks and Jumbo Jim has two RECAPPERS working with him at the other building. We saw Tom and Kathy H. from Jenka Blossoms today. They do a lot of our custom growing and do a dynamite job. They brought over a sample of a neat new petunia. See 'Phantom' to the right. Pretty cool. I finished a presentation and our largest perennial order today. I'm taking more time to enter all our orders in to spreadsheets that will later expedite labels and plant lists. Each year we learn something new to make things easier and always wonder why we hadn't done that in years prior! At the bottom is Rose putting silver paint on our culvert rivets. She has a fine hand and was our expert last year at rejuvenating all the lettering on our many quote benches out in the garden.

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