Four Seasons Nursery: 
the Vital Earth Colorado Connection

by  Mike Alexander

The main greenhouse and attractive grounds make Four Seasons Nursery a magnet for gardeners from four states.

Nestled in a valley at the "four corners" of the United States is Four Seasons Nursery. The nursery, in Dolores, Colorado, is a leisurely drive from Durango, Colorado, Farmington, New Mexico, Bluff, Utah, and Mexican Water, Arizona. Four Seasons Nursery is a destination nursery where people spend the day shopping, or enjoy a picnic in the park-like setting. A caterer is set up on the grounds during the selling seasons. Dolores is surrounded by San Juan National Forest and the Ute Mountain Indian Reservation, making it a tourist mecca.

Four Seasons Nursery was owned for many years by Larry and Joy Keeling, and is now owned by Vic and Gail Vanik. It characterizes what the name implies: a nursery for all seasons. Spring is when the majority of their plants are grown.. Summer brings the warm sun, the locals, and tour buses from four states. Fall is pumpkin season and cool weather planting time. Winter brings Christmas and hundreds of trees, thousands of poinsettias, and acres of luminaries. It is always a place of beauty.

Note the vigor and radiance of these greenhouse potted plants at Four Seasons Nursery.

The nursery has developed an excellent working relationship with the regional Carl Pool distributor. Mike, the manager of Four Seasons, purchases Carl Pool products from Greenhouse and Garden Supply out of Albuquerque, New Mexico. The employees at Four Seasons recommend Carl Pool fertilizers because they know how well they work. They say "It's better, not cheaper. Pay a little extra and get the best."  They also carry the Earth-Safe Organics line because it provides 100% organic solutions for their many organic gardeners. Top-selling Carl Pool products are BR-61 and Instant Rose Food.

We truly look forward to working with Four Seasons Nursery as they "show the way" in managing an independent destination nursery. Please stop in and see them if you are ever in the neighborhood. You may contact them at 26650 Road 8, Dolores, Colorado 81323 (970-565-2743).

The Vital Earth News / Horticulture Edition / Summer 1999