Gale Nurseries

Who We Are

Gale Nurseries designs and builds gardens primarily on the east coast, however, for an interesting project will go anywhere in the world. We specialize in period, native and contemporary gardens. Gale Nurseries has been around since 1927.

Our History

Gale Nurseries started in 1927 as a result of the onset of the great depression. Charles H. Gale II lost his job as a glasscutter and decided to work with his brother Harry who was an estate gardener along Philadelphia's waterfront. The siblings were able to scrape together enough landscape work, which allowed them to purchase a Model T truck. In the mid 1930's their sons Charlie and Bob joined them in the business until they were called to serve in World War II.
During World War II both fathers had passed away leaving Charles and Bob with the family business. The post war housing boom gave way to thousands of new homes sprouting up on the farmland of the Philadelphia suburbs, which provided many opportunities in the landscaping business. In 1955 the cousins decided that they wanted to dissolve their partnership and go their separate ways. That same year, Charlie moved the family out of the city into a house on seven acres in Lower Gwynedd Township, property that is still home to Gale Nurseries today.
Charlie Gale took the name Gale Nurseries and continued working in garden maintenance until 1963 when a major shift took place. An accountant friend of Charlie’s told him for years “If you can get the lawnmower out of your hand you will be more successful”. The evolution from garden maintainer to garden creator did not happen overnight. In 1963 Charlie was able to take his friends advice, and with three employees began doing landscape design and installation. By the early 1970's through a combination of coursework and work experience, Charlie had accumulated enough knowledge and expertise to receive his Landscape Architecture license. Later, Charlie was honored to serve on the same licensing board that had granted its seal of approval on his work.
This time Chuck, Charlie’s son, had graduated from Delaware Valley College and was working with his father. In the mid 1970’s during a flight over the Main Line Chuck realized this was where Gale Nurseries needed to expand. Then, through their association with the Philadelphia Flower Show the Gales were recommended to John T.Dorrane JR, son of the founder of Campbell Soup Company, who hired them to design gardens on his Gladwyne property. Soon, word of mouth recommendations led the Gales to many other main line clients, a mode of advertising they still depend on today. Now more than 80% of the company’s business in Pennsylvania is on the Main Line. “But that does not say that we won’t go other places for a really nice job”, Chuck says. Gale Nurseries has designed and project managed gardens from Nantucket down to Florida. They even designed a garden in Brittany France.
Chuck Gale became president of Gale Nurseries in 1977 after Charlie passed away. Daughter Christine Gale joined Gale Nurseries in 2008 after completing her Master's in Landscape Architecture from the University of Massachusetts. Christine and Chuck have been very involved with Bucks Beautiful. Chuck is currently a member of the board and created the Bulbs for Bucks program, which has just met its goal of planting 1M bulbs throughout Bucks County. Christine, who coordinated the project was recognized as a member of the Intelligencer/Courier Time’s 2014 class of the 40 top business leaders in Bucks and Montgomery County under the age of 40.

 

 

 

 

meet our team

Chuck Gale, CEO
After graduating from Delaware Valley College with a degree in Ornamental Horticulture Chuck started working for his father Charlie Gale in 1970. When Charlie Gale passed away in the spring of 1997 he became president of Gale Nurseries. Having worked in design-build over the past fifty years Chuck has worked […]
Christine Gale, President
Christine Gale is the fourth generation to be involved with Gale Nurseries. After graduating in 2004 from Skidmore College with a degree in Business and Management she continued her academic education at the University of Massachusetts earning her Master’s in Landscape Architecture in 2008. Christine was responsible for the coordination […]
Loren Foster, Vice President
Loren graduated in 2000 with a degree in Landscape Architecture from The Pennsylvania State University. Since joining Gale Nurseries in 2001, Loren has collected an abundance of recognition which includes awards from the American Society of Landscape Architects PA & DE chapter, several gold awards from the Pennsylvania Landscape and […]
Ryan Winneberger, Landscape Designer
Ryan graduated from the University of Massachusetts in 2008 with a degree in Landscape Architecture. After joining Gale Nurseries in 2012 Ryan has been involved with all aspect of design work.
Candy Koons, Comptroller
Candy has been with Gale Nurseries as Comptroller since 2000. Candy graduated from Brandywine College in 1974 with a degree in accounting. With over thirty eight years of experience she manages the key administrative responsibilities at Gale Nurseries.
Steve Ostroski, Project Manager
Steve made a switch into the landscape business after spending several decades in construction. Steve brings with him years of experience in project management, permitting and the inspection process. As well as experience building landscape features such as pool houses and other outdoor buildings. He also specializes in outdoor lighting […]
Josh Weil – Operations Manager
Josh received his Associates degree in Landscape Technology from Pennsylvania College of Technology in 2001. Josh started as a foreman with Gale Nurseries in 2004. Since then he has worked on many different scale projects and currently is overseeing our construction operation. He is also is a professionally licensed truck […]
Eve Mahoney, Nursery Manager
Eve has been involved in the nursery business since 1998. Since joining Gale Nurseries in 2011 Eve brought with her a degree in horticulture from Temple University. Eve runs the Greenhouses and Nursery operations at Gale Nurseries and helps to buy in specialty plant materials.