Forget-Me-Not Nursery plants are off to a blooming season

Business provides flowers, advice and a venue for special events

By Jon Scudder
Turnagain News

The Forget-Me-Not Nursery held a Mother’s Day celebration continuing what has become an annual tradition for the business nestled in its natural setting a short drive-up Indian Road off the Seward Highway, located half-way between Girdwood and Potter’s Marsh.

Owners Brandon and Courtney Ruckel bought the nursery in 2012, which also hosts special events such as a weddings venue for couples. The couple is celebrating their tenth year in business.

This reporter was one of those enjoying the day visiting the nursery on Mother’s Day. Courtney Ruckel helped with advice ahead of time to get the planting season started and pick out the perfect plants.

“There was a lot of snow this winter, but temperatures were actually pretty mild,” said Courtney Ruckel. “The ground didn’t freeze very hard, so spring will happen very quickly once the ground thaws. I think people would be surprised at the cool temperatures’ plants can handle, especially our starts.”

She added they grow in very cool conditions as they can keeping the greenhouse open as much as possible during these later months of spring, even on cold days. 

“When plants are left indoors too long, they can get leggy from 24 hours of warm temperatures,” she said. “They need cool temps to stay compact and healthy. So, you can harden off plants outdoors as long as they don’t freeze. If you think there may be a frost, you can bring them in at night or cover your plants with row cover, which is a white material farmers and landscapers use to let less light in and to keep a frost from hitting the foliage.” 

Courtney further explained row cover lets 70 percent of sunlight through the cloth, so you can use multiple layers and remove the layers as the plants get used to the sun, wind, and possible night frosts.

“There can still be snow on the ground while you harden your plants off, as long as a hard frost does not hit the plants,” she said. “We’ve had annuals out for weeks now, and I think they find it refreshing. Of course, we are in Indian, where the temps are milder and the snowpack less.”

Soil temperature was another topic. “You can plant established starts with good roots in cool soils, but the plants will just sit and wait for warmer soil temperatures before they begin to grow,” she said. “There is no advantage to putting them in the ground before soil temps are 50 to 60 degrees. Just as you use row cover to protect the plants you are hardening from sun, frost, and wind, you can warm your soils with what’s called infra-red transmitting plastic. It’s green, and it lets the warm sun rays through without allowing weeds to really establish themselves. You can tack this onto your raised bed frame and warm the soil while you harden off your plants outside the garden. Then, the day comes when the soil is warm, the plants are hardened, and then you put them in the ground.”

She said the nursery offers some unique annuals and hardy perennials that keep customers coming from afar to the nursery. Some of the most popular perennials would be Ligularia, Primrose, and Blue Poppies. There are unique annuals which are equally popular. They are Senetti, Nemesia and trailing Alyssum. “I can’t really list the annuals, because people go crazy over all of them,” she exclaimed. I guess Nemesia is a big one, because it’s hard to find elsewhere.”

She said business has improved every year. “People are noticing a true difference in the plants we grow versus those grown in other nurseries … however, the landscapers have taken pictures of the roots of our plants when they pull them out in the fall, and our plants are exceptionally vigorous. So far this means people are returning earlier each year to ensure they get the plants they desire. We only expect this to grow as word spreads. But so far, every year they come with smiles and drive away with healthy plants. What a relief and a joy.”

Una Swain from Potters Marsh was one of those customers on Mother’s Day who made the 16-mile trek to Indian versus the convenience of one of the box stores nearby her home. “This is a very beautiful nursery,” remarked Swain. “The diversity of flowers and plants here can’t be found at other nurseries.”

Additionally, the nursery provides the perfect backdrop for weddings and other special events. “We do have openings for weddings, as every Saturday is not booked for this year,” she said. 

People can also host midweek events like birthday parties, corporate dinners, art/paint nights, dances, meals, retreats, and memorials from mid-June through September.

“It’s lovely whether you decorate or not,” said Courtney. “It has a royal feel, as guests can move in and out of the building with ease. Children can flow in and out as well. People from out of state are blown away because there is the feminine element of the flowers combined with the ruggedness of the landscape, mountains, and the Turnagain Arm right in the vicinity. They enjoy walking the land, viewing our food gardens and sitting on swinging benches in the sun. It has a nice flow, with the ceremony outdoors and the reception in an intimate space that is bright even on a rainy day. I do love that it is bright and warm even on a rainy fall day.”

Their venue is truly admired she explained from the combination timber frame structure, flowers, guest tables, centerpieces, and gardens, making it what she referenced as a very classy venue. With the venue, plants and advice you need, this entrepreneur couple has what you may need from a new garden to starting a family, all from a local business.

Their website is www.forgetmenotnursery.com and can be reached at (907) 653-7673