About Edge of the Woods
Carex pennsylvanica PENNSYLVANIA SEDGE A delicate grass like plant that will grow in shade. Tolerates foot traffic!
A civilization able to envision God and to embark on the colonization of space will surely find the way to save the integrity of this planet and the magnificent life it harbors.
-E.O. Wilson in The Future of Life, 2002, Author, scientist and Pulitzer Prize winner.
Edge of the Woods Native Plant Nursery was founded by Susan Tantsits and Louise Schaefer in August, 2003.
Founders
Susan Tantsits and Louise Schaefer serve on the Floral Design and Greenhouse Management Occupational Advisory Committee of the Lehigh Career and Technical Institute, Schnecksville, PA.
Louise Schaefer serves on the Lehigh County Cooperative Extension Association board. She has a B.S. in biology from Lehigh University and is a PA Certified Horticulturist.
Susan Tantsits serves on the Lehigh Carbon Community College Horticulture Advisory Committee. She has a B.S. in education from Bloomsburg University, and a B.S. in Horticulture from Temple University.
Memberships
- Philadelphia Area Sustainable Business Network
- Lehigh Valley Sustainable Business Network
- Pennsylvania Landscape and Nursery Association
- Wild Ones
- Pennsylvania Native Plant Society
Community Partnerships
The nursery is working with the Wildlife Information Center in replanting the Kittatiny Ridge with native plants. WIC is a non-profit conservation organization located in Slatington, PA, at the foot of the Kittatinny Ridge. Their mission is to preserve wildlife and habitat through conservation, education, and research for the benefit of the earth and all its inhabitants.
Our Invaluable and Indispensable Co-workers
Sue Ann Alleger - Sue Ann is a long time friend who loves native plants just as much as we do! She helps us in the nursery, repotting plants as they outgrow their pots, making sure all the plants are properly labeled and willingly pitching in wherever help is needed most. If you meet her in the nursery, she will gladly help you with your plant selection.
Warren Birch - Warren is retired from the nursery industry, but just can't stay home! He was the one who kept saying to us "When are you going to open your own nursery?" Warren comes every week and pots our perennial plugs into containers, and also sows seed in flats for propagation. Most importantly, he keeps us going with his encouragement and baked goods.
Toni Casaceli - Toni joined us in 2005, helping with maintaining residential properties and in the nursery. She is able to answer any of your questions when you visit the nursery, and is helping us as we begin to propagate more plants on site. Toni is a graduate of the horticulture program at Lehigh Carbon Community College and is pursuing a B.S. in Horticulture at Temple University.
Plummer Dunkle - Plummer is retired from full time work, works part time at a local nursery as well as helping us one day a week. He and Warren are the dynamic duo who keep us on our toes. They pot plants so fast we can't keep up with them!
Louise Freed - Louise has a certificate in horticulture from Lehigh County Community College, and helps us with our potting and growing operations.
Jeff Kline - Jeff is kept busy full time helping us with every aspect of the nursery. His expertise enabled us to move to our new site and get it up and running. He also helps with landscaping jobs.
Geoffrey Mehl - Geoff generously donated his time, talent, and instructional patience to help us put together this web site. We can't thank him enough!
Terry Stout - Terry also joined us in 2005. He is a talented free-lance artist who generously helps us with our residential properties in between art jobs. Terry is a Master Gardener in the Lehigh County Master Gardener program.