You Grow Girl™

I went with my mother, who like me, was a Canada Blooms virgin. (Note: Yes I know you're waiting for it, but there will be no jokes about "deflowering" dear reader. There are some heights of cheesedom to which even I have not the stomach to ascend.)

The day, however, was not without its trials. Firstly, we got parked. We saw the stairs up to Front Street, but I think my gluteus muscles subliminally sensed that exertion was imminent so through no will of my own, I blurted out "Why don't we take the elevator?

Five minutes later. Close up on Allison and her Mum wandering aimlessly in an underground parking lot.

We decided to head back towards the stairs. After all, it was only a couple of flights up given our P2 parking level. Make that three, OH NO SORRY - IT'S FOUR. Note to self: Find out what crack head designed the CBC parking lot and write a strongly worded letter to him/her.

As we reached the top I was certain that I was about to have a heart attack. But then I realized that I was just out of shape. Hideously and utterly out of shape. My mother was not far behind me, gasping for breath somewhat herself. She, however, was in this fabulous quilted spring jacket and pants. I was in my scrubbies. Even when my mother is oxygen depleted she looks great.

Finally we made it to the convention centre. Canada Blooms was located in the south end though. It was a bit of a magical mystery tour finding it. (I half expected a prize for finding the entrance way.) The first thing that hit me was the smell of flowers, a pure wall of scent. The next thing was the smell of quiche. I have an uncanny ability to locate food sources at any event. My mother and I obtained sustenance and then set about touring the show.

And as for the show? Wonderful I must say. Everything for the hardcore gardener to the philistine was available. Bouquets, seeds, potted plants, tools, furniture and decorative crap of absolutely no use whatsoever, except that it's gardening related.

One of my favourite booths was for Wildflower Farm, an absolute treasure located north of Toronto. They have seeds, dried flowers and starter plants but they are all native Canadian wildflowers. Definitely worth a visit if you live in the Greater Toronto Area.

My other favourite booth was where I purchased a, well to be honest I don't know what you'd call it. It's a triangular tool you can use as a mulcher, hoe, soil breaker, sod cutter, ice scraper. The list goes on. My mother loved it because she would just look for the yellow and green triangle floating above the crowd if she wanted to locate me. Everyone reacted to it - they looked at me with a "what the hell is that?" expression. Later on I passed two other women who had each bought one too. No words were needed. We simply nodded to each other, silent with the knowledge that we will have a definite advantage this season due to the wisdom of our purchase. We had become members of the Funny Looking Doo Hickey Garden Thingey Society. I suppose this instant camaraderie is what it feels like to be a Free Mason.

Now my garden's getting into full swing. The rose stems have turned green, the banana bush has new growth, as well as the clematis, and the tiger lilies are breaking through the soil. I've cleared a ton of old mulch and dead growth, 3 bags full to be exact, sprained a hamstring and gotten absolutely filthy.

It's great to be back.

previous entry