SUTTONS BAY -- Eric VanThomme knows plenty of gardening tricks.
Of course, he has an advantage. His family business PlantMasters of Suttons Bay features a vast complex of greenhouses, a maze of dozens of structures. Inside the protective enclosures, plants already poke through the soil. The garden center grows a large array of goods including flowers, vegetables and herbs, and VanThomme is preparing for the Mother's Day through Memorial Day customer rush.
Gardeners emerge with green thumbs twitching eagerly as soon as the weather begins to break from its icy winter grip -- and sometimes before then. Growing techniques such as cold frames and indoor starts allow gardeners to extend the growing season. VanThomme and other local experts share pointers on how to start some plants earlier than the region's climate usually allows.
Read today's Northern Living story on Page 1E to learn more from these garden guides.
