Welcome to our first Weekly Picks of the spring 2013 season! Although spring doesn't truly start for another 20 days, we are certainly ready now; we're sure you are as well.

2012 brought on some unique challenges, but also presented some opportunities. Land development is slowly reestablishing. People seem to be loosening up a bit and spending again.

But all this pales in the light of the tragedy in Newtown. Such a senseless act that fell on the hometown of many Planters' Choice employees has been tough for us. But your warm response and kind thoughts have helped to make a difficult time for us and our community easier. Thank you!

On a positive note, we are fully prepared as always to do the best we can to help you in any way. We will be well stocked this year as always, offering the highest value possible in the form of helpful and knowledgeable staff, excellent availability and quality, all with competitive pricing.

Our new website will go live later this month. We will provide you with the best information we possibly can, and allow you to participate through many interactive features. We look forward to learning with you online!

We have always believed that a well-informed customer raises the level of professionalism in the business. To that end, I encourage you to follow us on Twitter. We will be imparting tips and knowledge, so your customers can follow us as well. If you're not already signed up, it's quite easy to do. We will be sending out tweets almost every day, starting next week.

Questions or comments? I'm always reachable at dnewman@planterschoice.com. Thank you for your loyalty in the past. We look forward to working and growing with you in 2013!

-Darryl

First bay in propagation house, Newtown

Things are always busy at Planters' Choice even through the drear of winter. Whether it's potting up bare root plants, fertilizing container material, trimming, pruning, cleaning - it's all part of late winter business here at the nursery.

Or, as some like to call it... getting on toward...SPRING!