Wild life is interesting. Who doesn't love to sit in the woods and see a deer pass by or a squirrel hop along and suddenly run up a tree with purpose? Birds are also fascinating to watch and add color to our world when the trees are so bare. I have two stories relating to animals at FGS; one is endearing and one is not.

First the not. The rabbits at FGS - and basically everywhere this year - are out of control. We planted four Nellie Stevens at our house and the rabbits have eaten the bottom 30" off the tree. For people who love plants, this is a travesty. Edison and Truman are no help either; oh, they love to stand on the deck and bark in the dark but do they even attempt to chase the critters? Nope.

The rabbits are also having after-hours parties in the Landscape Division. Poor Viridian and Jacks - I think they have replaced shrubs multiple times, sprayed rabbit repellant, and put plants up on tables to protect them. The conversation we had yesterday in the office:

Lisa "Did you know you can rent a hawk on a tether?"

Me "Wait, what? You can rent a hawk?"

Lisa "I'm from Harnett County. You can rent anything."

Needless to say, as cute as some like to think bunnies are, they are not. They may be your friends, but they are our foes.

Now for the heartwarming story. Hannah, Scott's assistant, has adopted a Canadian goose. She named him Henry and they are besties. She is hoping he will not take off come spring.

While on her daily walk around the lake, she spotted four duck eggs outside the nest. She jokingly threatened Scott that she was going to take them back her office. Scott casually mentioned this to me and we chuckled.

I waited all of one minute then picked up my phone. "Please tell me you are incubating the duck eggs. Please please please. I support this. Who is gonna stop us? I'm not afraid to make the boss mad. Just preferably don't burn the house down."

My favorite part was Hannah's response: "No taksies backsies!" Needless to say, the eggs are traveling to and from FGS in a cozy box with blankets and being kept warm and loved. We are waiting to see if there are indeed baby ducks growing inside. I want to be a pet at Hannah's home, for real. (UPDATE: All four were duds. Hoping momma Pickle Chip has better luck in her nest!)

We are hopping around like mad getting ready for spring. You'll blink and it will be March. We are only weeks away from the Forsythia and Daffodils showing their vanity, and we are so here for it, and for you. Start making your plans now!

We're rolling into spring ready to help you dig in. We are rolling this program out on Monday, February 6th!

If you've thought about tackling a small area but aren't sure if you can do it yourself, let us do the digging for you.

You pick, we plant. It's that simple.

Click here for full details!

This lovely Magnolia is starting to bloom! Blooms come in a range of pinks, yellows, and whites. We currently have the ever-popular Jane and the tall and elegant Dr. Merrill in stock. Sizes vary from large shrubs to small trees.

We want YOU to join our text club!

If email newsletters aren't really your thing but you want to stay up-to-date on what's happening at FGS, join our text club! You can expect one text per week with exclusive offers, reminders about upcoming events and classes & workshops, and updates on discounts and new arrivals! You can opt out any time.

Fee is $15/person; includes a watering tool or measuring tape

Building terrariums is an art form enjoyed by many plant lovers. In this class, you will create a one-of-a-kind ecosystem to enjoy for years to come!

Fee is $45/person; includes all necessary materials and supplies,

Fee is $15/person; includes plant clippings

Fee is $15/person; includes a pair of pruners.

CLICK HERE to see the full job descriptions and apply!

Step right into a magical garden in your own backyard! Our in-house designers are ready to guide you through the process, and we are booking design consultations for February and March.

Whether it's a patio, walkway, dry creek bed with bridge (wow!), retaining wall, firepit, raised garden bed, or something else, we're here for it!

WILL YOU LEAVE US A REVIEW?

If you love us as much as we love you, could you leave us a review? We really appreciate it! If you can't give us a great review, please let us know why. We love your feedback! THANK YOU!

We post daily to Instagram @fgsdurham (Garden Center) and @fgslandscapes (Landscape and Lawn Maintenance) and Facebook to keep you up to speed with what we're up to, what's in stock, and all the fun we're having!