On a recent morning commute, I was driving down my street and saw a sight familiar to my childhood. A mother was positioning two girls in matching plaid, on either side of their wreath-accented front door, camera in hand. It's that time of year again. For the obligatory holiday card. Before the days of digital cameras, cell phones, and social media allowed you to tell everyone what you had for lunch, this card included a primitive method of communication called a letter. This letter was your chance to tell that high school friend that your family was doing better than hers. No emojis. No "Like" button to pass or withhold judgement. I can still hear the sound of my mom dragging out the heavy typewriter and click-clacking through the year on paper, punctuated by the occasional curse word when she discovered a mistake and had to roll back the reel. This letter detailing our accomplishments was always accompanied by a photo of my brother, me, and our various pets. We really were quite gifted children and I pity the families who had to compare themselves to us....Actually, right now, I am pitying myself as I recall some of the awful hair and fashion choices that were made.
In the spirit of this tradition, but free of snark or boastfulness, I'd like to share what 2015 was like at Johnson's Nursery.
December 2014
Every year, before we shut down between Christmas and New Year's, we have an all company potluck which is affectionately called "Pig Out Day". This event of gluttony was followed by a clay pigeon shoot out. No one lost an eye.
January 2015
Contractor Sales began their trade show season, like every winter. Landscape crews were performing maintenance on the nursery equipment. Winter pruning at the Jackson farm. Landscape designers were working on designs and quotes for spring projects. On Jan. 30 the Menomonee Falls staff had "Soup-er Bowl Day" where the conference room was full of crock pots of soup, chili, and stew. Who cares if the Packers didn't go all the way this year?
February
Our Harvest Team in Jackson dug some very large Swamp White Oaks with some very large equipment. Some of the trees were for spring stock, and some were installed in customers yards right away (yes, this is possible in winter. watch). Contractor Sales hosted their 6th annual Ice Fishing event on Pike Lake in Hartford for their clients. The Landscape Design department was a flurry of excitement at the arrival of a new LCD touch screen printer and scanner.
March
Wholesale Sales Manager, Jeff Wolters, shared his stock of fish procured from icy lakes for an annual Fish Fry...our favorite winter activity around here is eating. This was our last chance for us to sit down, relax, and break bread before we descended into spring chaos.
April
We announced that, in partnership with Waukesha County Recycling Department, Johnson's Nursery would be accepting your plastic landscape pots and trays all season, every day, for free. A bus of Urban Forestry and Horticulture students from Mid-State Technical College visited the nursery for a tour and to learn about careers in propagation, production, and sales. Seasonal staff returned from winter layoffs. The Jackson farm crews began harvesting. The big show is here. Finally spring has arrived!
May
Why do we put ourselves through this every year? I looked in the mirror and I looked at my colleagues, and we all have the 50 yard stare. Just keep swimming...just keep swimming...
June
Pats on the back all around, we survived May. We once again hosted the annual Wild Ones Native Plant Sale at the nursery. Johnson's Gardens in Cedarburg had the honor of welcoming the Garden Centers of America on their summer tour of the Milwaukee area.
July
Did you know that Savory was the Herb of the Year for 2015? At the end of July, I was a guest at the Chicago Botanic Garden for their annual Herb Weekend. For two days, I manned a cart and spoke to the public about Winter and Summer Savories, history and folk lore, and introduced them to Montrose White Calamint Savory. In turn, I learned that Calamint is sometimes used in Italian cooking and makes a delightful addition to a summer peach salad.
August
A familiar face at Johnson's Nursery reached a milestone this year. Sally Lacy, Administrative Support, celebrated her 25th year with us. When you visit the nursery next year, please offer your congratulations. On August 21, Johnson's Nursery and Johnson's Gardens shut down for our Employee Appreciation Picnic - a day of inter-department tours, food, games, and fun. The winners of the kickball tournament received the coveted pink lawn flamingo.
September
Late summer conifer harvest was in full swing. We braced ourselves for the rapidly approaching end of season. Still lots of projects to finish!
For the third year in a row, Johnson's Nursery hosted "Where Ecology Meets Economy", co-sponsored with Southeastern Wisconsin Invasive Species Consortium (say that three times fast). It was a day dedicated to learning and sharing land ethics with individuals throughout the Green Industry.
October
Babies were the theme for October! Yard Crew Member, Manuel, welcomed a healthy baby boy. Landscape Designer, Lynda Lowry, was delighted by the addition of a baby boy on Halloween (I'm very excited to be an auntie again!)
Foreman, Woodrow Kerwin, had the honor to be chosen to attend the International Landscape Lighting Institute for 5 days and 5 nights in Rio Verde, AZ. The 18 attendees honed their design and installation skills while installing projects for 2 parks in Rio Verde.
November
After 10 years with us, Horticulturist and Salesperson, Bill Smithyman officially retired. He is looking forward to a retirement filled with travel. I'm trying not to be envious that he will now be able to enjoy Spring like a normal person.
And now, suddenly, it is December again. How quickly a year flies by. From all of us at Johnson's Nursery, have a safe and healthy holiday season!
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Carrie Hennessy, Landscape Designer
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2014 Pig Out Day & Clay Shoot
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Food-related gatherings strengthens
Johnson's Nursery's company culture.
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Planting large trees in winter.
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Over 50 pallets of plastic containers
were collected throughout 2015!
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Students tour Johnson's Nursery to learn about the nursery business and careers in the green industry.
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Plant enthusiasts from around SE Wisconsin
gather for our annual WI Native Plant Sale.
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The Garden Centers of America summer tours arrives at Johnson's Gardens in Cedarburg.
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Carrie Hennessy was a guest at the annual Herb Weekend at the Chicago Botanic Garden.
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The annual Employee Appreciation Picnic.
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During Where Ecology Meets Economy, one of the tours enjoys a demonstration on killing Buckthorn.
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Carrie's winter container by the entrance of the nursery.
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