Farewell Sprainbrook Nursery! Hello our own mini-"Stone Barns"? We should be so lucky!

SPRAINBROOK NURSERY: 448 Underhill Road: the zipcode may come up as Scarsdale, but this is the address of SPRAINBROOK NURSERY-- the organic nursery that so many of us in the rivertowns and lower Westchester have frequented for years....

Me, I brought my kids there to pick out new trees and perennials (fall planting is the best:), and back in springtime for  annual and seedling shopping.  My daughter still stops by to say "Hi" to Taylor the Cat.  And of course, right there all the time-- the ageless Al Krautter, the owner and gardening expert, a real force in organic gardening.

Well, the sad news came a couple of months ago; Christmas 2012 was going to be the end of Sprainbrook.  Mr. Krautter had to sell.  He could no longer afford the costs of running an organic nursery and paying for heat and electric as well as providing his staff with insurance and benefits.  So many folks were just running off to Home Depot and pick up Scotts products and mass produced pesticide laden non-native plant matter.  He just couldn't compete.  And the saddest part: no other nursery business seemed poised to take over.  It was probably going to have to go to a big box store or a McMansion developer.  Bleak prospect.

Well I'm here to report a possible silver-lining. Here's a chance to "remain green and profitable too!"

Here's what the good news from Mr. Krautter and Sprainbrook Nursery: 

" There is a glimmer of hope as we head into the Holiday Season. Last Tuesday [November 26]we had a preliminary meeting of interested people who would like to preserve Sprainbrook as an organic Center: 14 interested people met to explore a co-op idea that would fund and run Sprainbrook Nursery. There were many creative ideas for a new business plan: brilliant minds filled with a strong passion for the organic movement."

"If this ambitious venture were to take place it would require a profitable business plan, community support and investment funding. The Nursery would be set up as an organic center that would serve the organic community and the residents of Westchester for many years to come. We will be holding another open meeting this Wednesday at the Nursery 7:30pm. If there are other interested parties in joining the team you are invited to attend the meeting and tell the group what you can bring to the table."

So here's an idea for you.  Show up at  Sprainbrook Nursery, 448 Underhill Road, Scarsdale, NY: Wednesday, December 5, 2012!  Think outside the box!  Maybe you are not an investor, but maybe you are a gardener or just someone who wants to make sure that this historic piece of organic landscape, complete with trees and greenhouses doesn't just become the site of say: two vinyl clad monstrosities? Maybe you are just one of those folks who likes to visit places like Stone Barns/Wave Hill/Tea Town/Greenburgh Nature Center....and sees that this is an opportunity to create a new fabulous place for all of our families and friends to share?

Think of the possibilities....Children's programming?  Farm to table cooking classes? Gardening classes?  Organically grown seedlings and stock to plant in your own garden?  The best in organic soil and soil amendments?  HOw about a tiny boutique of gorgeous garden related materials?  Maybe someone wants to open a tiny cafe on site that utilizes items grown there?  Just keep thinking and show up.  I'll try to be there too....Sprainbrook Nursery, this coming Wednesday evening!!!!