About us

Pondside Nursery is the latest enterprise of Claverack native Jake Watts. After returning from SUNY Cobleskill, where he completed a degree in Horticulture, Jake established his first successful business, A+ Gardens, in 2002. Building on his prior experience as a foreman with a local landscaping firm, he pushed his start-up into the top rank of Columbia County landscaping professionals within a few short years. After purchasing a house and adjacent property on Rte. 9G just south of Hudson, Jake’s vision for the next phase of his business began to take shape. In 2011 he dug the pond that became the namesake of the nursery, and in the winter of 2012-13 constructed the building to house the retail division, Pondside Nursery. Jake then brought on board key employees of the former Loomis Creek Nursery in Claverack to help realize his vision of a top-notch garden center in central Columbia County, and he stocked the nursery with hand selected specimen trees and shrubs, the best of the best perennials, annuals and tropicals, and the highest quality tools, pottery and garden accessories. The first year in business brought brisk sales and rave reviews from longtime residents and weekenders alike, and provided a beautiful gateway to the City of Hudson where previously there had stood ramshackle billboards on a weed-choked lot. Jake and his staff look forward to a great 2016 season, providing our customers with the highest quality merchandise, expert garden advice, and excellent customer service at Hudson’s new home for the avid gardener, Pondside Nursery.

 

AT PONDSIDE NURSERY …

Robert Clyde Anderson found his way to the Hudson Valley after a New York City career in illustration and book design. A native of Louisiana, Robert is a lifelong gardener, and has designed and maintained gardens in Columbia County as well as serving as right-hand man for eight years at the former Loomis Creek Nursery in Claverack. At Pondside, Robert is the buyer for perennials, annuals, tropicals, pottery, tools and accessories. He also writes our blog and serves as part of the nursery sales team on Fridays and Saturdays.

Nancy Watts Randall is our resident Mom (and Jake’s actual Mom). She’s a native of Columbia County and taught English for many years at both Hudson High School and at CGCC. Nancy is also very active in the community, serving as President of the Hudson Rotary Club and on the Salvation Army Board, among other things, so she knows just about everyone in the county. Her smiling face will greet you and help with your plant selections on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.

Our Office Manager, April Fabiano, moved to the Hudson Valley from her native NW Pennsylvania several years ago. She brings extensive retail and systems experience to the job, scheduling deliveries and appointments, keeping track of inventory, and administering our payroll. April is behind the counter Monday through Friday ready to help customers as well as keeping all the other employees in line!

Betty Grindrod grew up fascinated with wildflowers and gardening on the family farm near Sharon, CT.  She received a degree in ornamental horticulture from UConn and started a long career in estate gardening in Connecticut and upstate New York.  Now enjoying her own garden and helping Pondside customers with their plant questions on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

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