Chelse's Greenhouse prepares hanging baskets, plans second location

By CANDYWILLIAMS

When we last visited Chelse's Greenhouse at 1191- Rode Run Road, Elizabeth Township, owner Nyles Falatek was knee-deep in poinsettias.

This time of year, though, he is busy getting together his crQP of hanging baskets that will turn his nursery into a rainbow of spring blooms by May. Last year he planted 1~500 hanging baskets; this year, he's prep~ring4,OOO so his customers have a wide variety of annuals and perennials from which to choose.

The Elizabeth Forward High School and Penn State University graduate is taking a big step with his small business this" spring. He is in the preliminary stages of opening a second location at the, Murrysview, Shopping Center along the high-traffic area of Route 22 at the Monroelville/Murrysville border. The Elizabeth Township greenhouse will remain open and staffed once the new nursery is up and running ·

Falatek has said that customers tell him that he is the best-kept secret in Elizabeth Township. "What malees Chelse's Greenhouse so' special is our dedication to healthy plants and our customers," he says.

For other home gardeners who are as anxious as he is about the beginning of spring, the local businessman is sharing a secret or two of his own.

If you make your way to Falatek's Web site, www.chelsesgreenhouse.com, you will find "The Gardener's Secret Handbook," written by Michael J. McGroarty of wwwfreeplants:com. The e~book made available by McGroarty and Falatek is shareware, which means you can print it, reference it and study it to learn more about plants and gardening ..

You'll find tips on everything from preparing the soil for plant­ ing and designing a visually-appealing. landscape., to the benefits of a compost bin, the correct way to prune shrubs, and some sure-fire methods for getting rid of weeds once .and for all.'

Falatek, who earned degrees from Penn State in environmental and architectural engineering, worked for the Army Corps of Engineers for nine years before opening Chelse's Greenhouse.

For more information about Chelse's Greenhouse, contact Nyles Falatek at 412-445-1264.

The greenhouse is located off Rock Run Road, two miles off Route 48, a mile from Butler's Golf Course (toward Buena Vista).