Note to readers: Summer is officially here and for small, seasonal businesses it’s the kick-off to their peak season. Plant nurseries, greenhouses, ice cream stands, drive-ins, campgrounds and outdoor tourist attractions are among businesses that cater to summer activities. Over the course of the summer, Southern Indiana Business Report will feature some of these small businesses, the challenges they face as well as the upside of owning a seasonal business. Today, meet Patrick Hall, owner of Pat’s Plants in Orleans.
Carol Johnson, Southern Indiana Business Report
ORLEANS – From annuals to perennials, heirloom vegetable starts and fresh, in-season produce, Pat’s Plants in Orleans has just about everything a garden and gardener needs.
Patrick Hall owns the greenhouse and gift shop on Ind. 337 east of the Orleans square.
The retired teacher said the venture began as a family business with his parents and brother 25 years ago.
“My dad got laid off from his job and where I lived at the time had a greenhouse business, so that’s how it began,” Hall said.
His parents and brother have since passed away, leaving Hall to carry on the family business alone. The business has expanded over the years in size and selection.
“We started with heirloom vegetable plants and annuals. Now we’ve morphed into a little bit of everything to be competitive with everyone else,” Hall said.
Pat’s Plants still carries heirloom vegetables along with a big selection of annuals and perennials. Hall also carries a large selection of in-season produce such as strawberries and rhubarb grown by his Amish neighbors.
Hall said he learned to garden from his grandmother and has always enjoyed planting, whether that’s flowers or vegetables.
As a small business owner, he gets satisfaction from taking care of customers and their gardening needs.
“It makes me happy growing plants. The potted plants and perennials are all the things that make your summer enjoyable. And the customers that come in, that’s a double bonus, they’re all happy to get their plants and go home and make it look better. It’s just a win all the way around,” he said.
The retail side of owning a plant business may be seasonal, but Hall said running the business is practically year-round. Once the summer season slows down, he focuses on the gift shop, which is open through the fall and Christmas season. He takes some time off in January and then turns his focus to the spring/summer season.
Besides selling plants, Pat’s Plants also offers classes related to plants, food canning and raising your own chickens, often partnering with others in the community to teach the classes.
“I’m a teacher at heart, I want people to learn, so whether it’s plants, canning or chickens, or whatever makes people happy, teaching is the whole purpose of my life,” Hall said.
Hall’s interest in plants extends beyond his business. He is a member of the Orleans Chamber of Commerce and helped organize the community garden tour, which was June 14. He said the focus of the tour was to show people ways to improve their yard and landscaping without spending a lot of money. He also maintains the large flower pots that add color to the town square and works with the Lost River Co-op and Cafe with their Community Supported Agriculture box program.
“That’s what is nice about being a small business, I can be anything and you’re always doing something to benefit your community and your business.”
Pat’s Plants is located at 6828 Ind. 337, Orleans. Hours of operation are posted on the Pat’s Plants Facebook page.