Schnur’s Greenhouse in Butler grows something for everyone

There’s something special about walking into a greenhouse. The aroma, warmth and humidity not only make the plants happy, but visitors too.
Entering Schnur’s Greenhouse is Butler is no exception, as there are four women separating and deftly potting up celery plants. It’s been here since 1889, first as a truck farm and then as a source of plants for as long as anyone can remember. That celery is one of the things fourth-generation grower Jim Schnur, who’s run the operation since 1990, plants for his regulars.

Jim Schnur is the fourth generation to run Schnur’s Greenhouse in Butler.

‘Giant pascal’ celery is one of the special crops Jim Schnur grows for his regular customers at Schnur’s Greenhouse in Butler.

“It’s something we have to have,” Schnur says of the 20 flats of ‘Giant pascal’ celery. “It’s not a popular thing, (but) we still have those older people who come back and want it.”

This heirloom variety originated in France and reliably produces large, thick stalks. It’s considered one of the best-yielding varieties ever. It’s a cool-weather crop that will spend time in cold frames along with cabbage and other cole crops until they are ready for the customers. Usually they can be planted early in May.

Of the nearly 20 varieties of tomatoes he offers, ‘Jet Star’ is a must. “There are a handful of guys, that’s all they want.” It’s a prolific, globe-shaped tomato with high sugar content — which many refer to as low acid because the sugars mask the acidic flavor most tomatoes have. For a decade, he’s carried this variety, which is disease-resistant, crack-resistant, and scar-resistant.

Schnur has almost an entire bench filled with ‘Roma III’ tomatoes. “We sell a lot of it, we never throw a seedling away, people love it.” The cultivar is known for being vigorous with uniformed shaped tomatoes that are bigger than standard romas, up to an eight-ounce fruit. Bigger sauce tomatoes means fewer to process for sauce or canning. He even has a flat here and there of special varieties brought in by locals who can’t start their own seed. “I’ve done that many times for people,” he says.

‘Kohlrabi’ is one of those vegetables from the cabbage family that only gardeners seem to covet. “When my kids were growing up, we couldn’t cut enough of them up,” he says with a laugh. ‘White Vienna’ produces pale green globes above ground which have a crisp white flesh. The sweet, mild taste is similar to turnips.

‘Tabasco’ and ‘Tasty Salsa’ peppers are both used to make salsa that some people have to have. “We had one family already call to make sure we’re growing them,” says Schnur. ‘Tabasco’ puts on lots of small peppers that are very hot, but with a unique flavor. They ripen from green, to orange and are ripe when bright red. That’s also when they offer the most heat. The variety was introduced in 1848 and became the main ingredient for tabasco sauce.

As he walks through long rows of benches in his greenhouses, Schnur points out an interesting petunia named ‘Night Sky.’ It has dark purple flowers that are dotted with white spots resembling stars.

Workers at Schnur’s Greenhouse in Butler put up tomato seedlings. (Left to right) Mary Ann Schnur, Therese Yenick, Lynne Kovach and Rebecca McConnaughy.

He’s spent his life in the greenhouse and always enjoys when a familiar face walks through the door. “It’s nice to see them,” he says. “They always find me. I grew up here, running the walkways, we spent a lot of time here helping dad and mom.”

Doug Oster is editor of Everybody Gardens, a website operated by 535Media, LLC. Reach him at 412-965-3278 or doster@535mediallc.com. See other stories, videos, blogs, tips and more at everybodygardens.com.

Details: Schnur’s Greenhouse, schnursgreenhouse.com or 724-287-3273​​​​​.