Moran's Nursery opens in full bloom for Rainier residents

Moran's Nursery officially kicked off its annual springtime season on Thursday, April 24. With a nursery full of brightly colored flower baskets overflowing with combinations of geraniums, nonstop begonias, petunias and verbena, Moran's offers shoppers interspecific geranium flower baskets as well. The geranium is a favorite, due to its hardy nature and long-blooming periods. All flower baskets are priced at $34.

Also on display at the nursery is an initial inventory of herbs and vegetable starts and flowers for planting, with a larger vegetable selection to be available in May as the weather warms up. "Since I've been in business, I know who the good growers are and I buy my baskets from them," said owner Cathy Moran. "I don't raise my own baskets anymore, but I do expect top quality baskets when I buy them. I know these people so I trust them."

Moran's Nursery started in 1974 and eventually grew to 10 greenhouses with commercial sales in Longview and along the coast. After several years of operating year-round, the Moran's decided to focus solely on spring time operations. Currently the sole owner, Cathy has been greenhousing for 54 years and will be transitioning out of the seasonal operations next year after her godson, Dan Mattson, and his wife, Trish move to the area to offer more support.

"They're going to take over my place when I decide to not be the one to do it, which will probably be next year, and I'll help them out," Cathy said. "I've been in this for so long now and I'm 80 years old, so I kind of think it's time. Plus, I feed 70 heads of cattle every day, so I need extra help."

Located at 79248 Alston Mayger Rd. in Rainier, Moran's Nursery is currently open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. until mid-June. Cash or check only. For exact close dates, visit Moran's Nursery on Facebook.