HILLSDALE, Mich. — Plants in the spring, veggies all summer, apples in the fall and Christmas trees in December mark the calendar for customers at Glei’s Orchard and Greenhouses in Hillsdale.

But the work is year-round for a busy Damon Glei, owner and manager, and employees setting up new strawberry pots, working in the greenhouses and packing apples to sell last week.

“We’re busy all the time getting ready for the next season, and when the warm weather came in March, we were pushed to get what customers wanted. It was warm out and they wanted to plant something and plant it right now,” said Glei.

Spring and fall are the busiest times of year because of everyone planting flowers and vegetables in the spring and apple harvest in the fall. An exciting new project the business is currently preparing is growing strawberries in vertical pots so people can pick berries all summer long. “We started the plants in the greenhouse over the winter and now we will move them outside. “I’m not sure how it’s going to go over, but you never know until you try it,” Glei said.

Glei’s will have a few new varieties of apples ready for harvest this fall, including the late-maturing Pink Lady, described as not too tart but not too sweet, with an interesting bite. Nursery stock is available for those wanting to landscape or change their landscaping around their house and a full line of fresh produce is available in the business’ walk-in cooler.

Glei’s was established in 1918 when Alma Glei and her son, Carl, purchased 40 acres on Milnes Road in Hillsdale County. The farm began with 50 apple trees and slowly expanded to 100 acres of apple trees when Carl Glei married Ruth Haskins in 1929. Carl and Ruth had two sons, David and Owen, who also devoted their lives to the growth and development of the business.

The business has seen great change since its humble beginnings in 1918. The original 40 acres has expanded to over 300, including more than two acres of greenhouses. A fire in January 1990 completely destroyed the main building, which included the salesroom and apple-grading equipment. Although it was a difficult time, the fire allowed for an even better, more functional building that was in use four months afterward and is currently used today.

The business is operated by David and Owen, along with Owen’s son, Damon, and longtime employee Chris Witschen. Glei’s now grows more than 30 varieties of apples, 200 varieties of perennials, 300 varieties of annuals, several varieties of Christmas trees, florist flowers and many types of vegetables.

David, Owen, Chris, Damon and a hardworking, dedicated staff strive to continue to bring the community top quality apples, flowers, vegetables, nursery stock and Christmas trees.

On July 3, 2007, the business once again suffered a devastating loss to fire. Although it began in the workshop building adjacent to the main building, the fire was unable to be contained and quickly spread to the main building. The workshop, apple storage, apple grader, retail store and equipment storage was completely destroyed. The greenhouses were slightly damaged, but mostly unharmed.

Glei’s remained open for business outside in the perennial shade area until mid-November that year. After careful planning and the hard work of many people, the business has been rebuilt with a packing house/apple storage building to the north of the old store, a workshop and retail store now in use.

You can visit Glei’s Orchard and Greenhouses at 3500 Milnes Road, Hillsdale, MI 49242. Call 517-437-4495 or log onto www.gleisinc.com