Grown by "Little" Al's

It’s time to deck your porch with the feel of the harvest season. Al’s Garden Center has lots of great pieces like pumpkins, ornamental gourds, and potted cornstalks to transform your front step. These decorative additions are grown by our “little” Al’s, the grandchildren of Jack Bigej, the owner of Al’s Garden Center. Our 4^th generation of growers comprise of six of Jack’s 13 grandchildren.

 

Growing up in the nursery industry means constantly looking for projects to peak the interest of our children at young ages. About five years ago, Peter (13) and Samantha (11) Russo, (oldest grandchildren,) started planting and tending to a small batch of gourds. That small batch has grown into a large corner of a greenhouse and into a great variety of gourds ranging from birdhouse gourds to turks turbans, as well as several others.

 

Annie (9) and Greg (7) Ruef, decided to jump in feet first and plant a 1½ acre pumpkin patch. They helped weed, water and hoe all of the pumpkins that we sold at Al’s last year. They are busily preparing this year’s pumpkin crop for the fall season and have over seven acres of orange, plump pumpkins ripe for the picking.

 

This year to add to our fall mix, Ryan (9) and Jack (7) Bigej are growing potted stocks of corn. These living stocks of corn add height and dimensions to your doorstep. 

 

For all of their hard work, our young entrepreneurs won’t be spending their earnings on “tricks and treats”. Their well earned funds go straight to the bank for their future college endeavors.