by Carrie Moritz, Gazette
Starting a new business at any time can be nerve-wracking; starting a new business during these uncertain times means it’s doubly so. However, Rachel Hanisch, a lawyer and Garretson School Board member, is enthusiastic that her new venture will be able to take off successfully this spring. Her new pop-up greenhouse, Rae’s Greenhouse, will be opening on May 1.
“I have always enjoyed gardening,” she said. Even before the pandemic, “I was thinking about what my life would look like after my kids are grown.”
She thought she’d like to eventually start a greenhouse.
However, there are times when it seems fate steps in. The pandemic left her with the ability to work from home and some extra time, and a chance connection from a client gave her the resources to pursue that dream sooner rather than later.
That client introduced her to Mensch Floral in Avon, SD, a floral and greenhouse wholesaler. They serve “mom and pop-only” greenhouses in South Dakota, Iowa, and Minnesota, and Hanisch said they have been instrumental in helping her pursue the business idea of having a pop-up greenhouse.
She located a 21-foot by 48-foot greenhouse structure, and she is setting it up in the parking lot of Nordstrom’s Storage, right off Dows and Hwy 11.
“It’s supposed to be able to be set up in a day,” she said. Part of the structure was started last week. She’s on track to open on Friday, May 1.
“Lots of people are waiting with bated breath for spring,” she said. The pandemic has forced many to stay indoors, and the weather hadn’t been helping until this week. While gardening is normally a popular activity, this year it’s likely to see even more growth due to some food insecurity and an abundance of extra time on people’s hands.
Local gardening lore has this advice: don’t plant before May 10 (Mother’s Day), because that’s usually when the last frost happens. This places her opening date perfectly before that. It allows customers to get their items and start the planting process after that last frost date has passed.
The items she plans to have on hand include many annuals, some herbs, and some vegetables. She cannot sell perennials and some food items this year because that requires a special nursery license. If this year’s sales go well, she’s planning to obtain that license in the next year or two.
However, she’ll have popular florals such as pansies, geraniums, and dahlias; vegetables such as tomatoes, peppers, and melons; succulents; and several herbs.
“Avon noticed that people are wanting bigger, nicer plants from the get go because we have such a short season,” said Hanisch. So rather than lots of the smaller plants, her selection will be focused on ½ quart and quart-sized seedlings and flowers, plus hanging pots.
“I think that the Mensch’s have a really great product,” she said. She’s seen their product in prior years at other greenhouses, and was always impressed. “Medary Acres in Brookings carries it, and it’s really nice stuff.”
Due to the coronavirus, simply browsing will be less likely to be encouraged this year. However, she will be taking requests via her Facebook Page, Rae’s Greenhouse, LLC, and will be open to doing curbside pickup and deliveries. She will also take requests. Mensch follows up with their greenhouse retailers weekly, so she will be able to get new items quickly. Currently, hours will be all day Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. To place orders, call (605) 321-4170 or email .
