By Chad Koenen

Publisher

While the greater Henning area can’t seem to shake winter’s cover, greenhouses are beginning to transform into an oasis of colors in preparation for the upcoming season. Of course, cold temperatures and snow cover outside has created a fair share of issues for greenhouses as they navigate high heating costs inside to offset cold temperatures outside.

A cold spring with a lack of even a 40 degree day, let alone any 50 degree days to date, has meant higher-than-anticipated heating costs for local greenhouses. In addition to higher heating costs, the greenhouses must navigate higher costs across the board.

One positive from the colder temperatures has been the sunny skies that have been quite common throughout the past few weeks. The sun has resulted in much-needed heat in the greenhouse. 

“One nice thing about the cold weather is we have sunny days, which is a real plus,” said Tom Meinhover of Grass Roots in rural Ottertail. “The negative side is the heating cost is off the mat.”

Even though the heating costs are hurting the bottom line of a number of area greenhouses, Meinhover said the wet winter and spring could do quite a bit to replenish the soil with much needed moisture. The wet winter comes on the heels of several years of drought and dry summer conditions.

“Because of the drought that we had, and the ground did not freeze really deeply, we should be in really good shape with spring moisture,” he said.

Matt and Cathy Goeden, of Goeden’s Greenhouse in Henning, said they are excited for the upcoming spring season, whenever that may come. They have a new greenhouse that is more energy efficient, but despite the new energy efficiency, heating costs this winter continue to be an issue. 

“I’m excited because we have the new greenhouse. It is more energy efficient,” said Matt.

Though a late spring can be a positive as people rush to greenhouses to make the most of a short planting window, Matt said the short window can also be a negative as people simply run out of time to get their plants in the ground.

“In a late spring we see a big rush to get to the greenhouse. In a late spring people are ready (to get plants in the ground),” said Matt. 

Typically at this point of the spring the Goeden’s put a sample of their flowers on a large wagon outside, but that is something Matt said they may not be able to do this year if the weather doesn’t cooperate.

“We like to get the wagon outside, but I don’t even know if we will get that out right now,” he said. 

Though the area is under a winter storm watch this week, with up to a foot of snow predicted on Tuesday and Wednesday, whenever spring comes local greenhouses are doing their part to be ready.