GARDENING MENTORS WE WILL MISS

It’s not unusual for gardeners to turn to trusted mentors in their quest for the prettiest and most robust plants to fill their garden beds, window boxes, and pots each year. Sadly, in 2025, the area is missing some of the garden gurus upon whom we depended during earlier seasons. We read the sign in front of the farm stand in Oneonta’s east end and learned from the Daily Star that Annuttos would not be opening for the 2025 season due to owner Deb’s death due to cancer.

Across the river, the Davenport Garden Center remained dark and empty throughout April. No bright and cheerful pansies or violas to signal the start of spring 2025.

In a different direction, up NY 205, Marian Striesse and husband Rusty, long-time operators of Changing Seasons Nursery, have sold their business to Julie’s Garden where they continue to mentor the new owner and assure that she gets off to a well-prepared start with energy, knowledge, and fresh ideas.

Each of these proprietors will be missed because of their plant knowledge, and their caring and helpful personalities.