Tucked away on Atlantic Avenue in Oceanside, a small town in Long Island, you’ll find a verdant wonderland that is chock full of plants and knick-knacks. A big shop filled with enough greenery, decorations, and seeds to rival even the most scenic orchard and farm. A place that really takes its love of the holdiays quite seriously. What place of such whimsy and nature do I refer to? It’s the Dees Nursery and Florist, and it has been a staple of both Oceanside and all of Long Island for decades. As someone who spent a good portion of his life in Long Island, I can attest to the fact this place was a part of everyone’s life when it came to gardening and the holidays.
When it was Halloween, this was the place our family came to for our pumpkins, jack-o-lanterns, fog machines, and chocolate lollipops. Oh, and for good measure, the Dees had an on-site haunted house for all visitors who dared to dread for few dreaded. And sometimes, it was dreadful! I kid! At Christmas time, all of our Christmas lights came from the massive styrofoam boxes in the back of the store. Not to mention our Christmas tree came from the miniature pine forest set up outside the store. And Easter, for some reason, was my favorite time to come here. Maybe it was because it was around the time spring was in full swing and that meant the Dees was stocked full of every flower and gardening equipment piece from A to Z.
As long as there are holidays to celebrate, as long as there are gardens to be cultivated, as long as there are Christmas trees to be decorated, as long as there are eggs to be dyed and hidden, as long as their are coi ponds to be installed, and as long as there are flowers in full bloom, Dees will always be there!
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