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The Lake County
Horticulture Industry has a long and proud history dating back to
the late 1800's with the Storr's and Harrison Nursery. Today over
100 licensed nurseries in Lake County are producing a wide variety
of high quality container and field grown nursery stock on over 5000
acres. What makes the industry unique in this area is that it is
concentrated in a narrow belt along Lake Erie 15 to 20 miles long
running from Willoughby to Madison. Operations vary in size from
less than one acre to over 900 acres. The Lake County nursery
industry employs over 2,700 full and part-time workers and has an
estimated annual wholesale figure of over $90,000,000 in
sales.
Lake County's location gives added benefits
besides the moderate climate provided by Lake Erie. Most nurseries
are located close to major freeways for ease of shipping. The
Cleveland metropolitan area is a close and vital marketing and
shipping neighbor to Lake County. The nurseries of Lake County are located within 500 miles of two-thirds of the U.S. population.
Neighboring horticultural communities utilize county nurseries as
sources of plant materials and technology.
Other
advantages enjoyed by Lake County nurseries are moderating climate
conditions, natural water supply, moisture, drainage, and other
protective factors attributed to Lake Erie. Another important
feature is the quality and diversity of soil types found in Lake
County, which makes it possible to grow such a wide variety of
plants.
Nurserymen from Lake County have long been
known for new plant introductions and growing a wide variety of
well-known woody ornamentals. This fact coupled with being
strategically close to major shipping and marketing facilities,
along with excellent climate and soil conditions, has earned Lake
County a reputation that is second to none. The Nursery
Growers of Lake County Ohio, Inc. sponsors a
Casino Night in conjunction with the Summer Field Day that is hosted
by a different nursery each year. While visiting the nurseries of
Lake County, it can easily be made into a family vacation. There are
many recreational activities: beaches, rivers, golf resorts,
fishing, wineries, Lake Metropark system, Holden Arboretum, and
shopping to name a few, that are guaranteed to entertain all members
of your family. For more information on things to do and places to
stay in Lake County, please contact the Lake County Visitors Bureau
at 1-800-368-LAKE.
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