And so it begins.
I took at stroll down to Granville Island (which isn’t an island, nor is it on Granville St.), where I happened upon a gardening shop that I had never seen before. Besides all the cool garden supplies they already had a good stock of herb, veggie and ornamental seeds out. I decided that I couldn’t pass up the Richter’s seed rack and bought myself some herbs. I got Eucalyptus (which I’ve never had luck germinating, but I’ll give it another go in the name of science), bloodflower (just because it looks so cool), dill, and lime basil. I also have a ton of seeds from last year that I harvested and/or didn’t get to plant.
I phoned the building manager today and appealed to him to allow me to dig my own plot. To my excitement he said that it shouldn’t be a problem, but that he’d have to just double check that with the building owner. By tomorrow I should know for sure. Of course this means I have to get my butt down to Home Depot and get some mushroom manure, topsoil, and probably some sand since Vancouver is the clay-soil capital of the world. I don’t think I can possibly express how great this will be. Last year I didn’t have a garden save for a few container plants and it nearly drove me insane. Granted, the spot I have to dig isn’t sunny enough to grow tomatoes, which is usually my main crop, but I do have land available to me at my boyfriend’s house that is in full sun that’s just begging to have some plant life breathed into it. He has a small patio, and no gardening ability, so has appealed to me to help him out.
So, since my future little plot at home only gets a few hours of direct sun a day, I’ll have to choose wisely what plants I want to grow.
Also at the gardening store I found a display for the Rainforest Seed Co. I’m absolutely in love with this company, and I’ve had the best germination rate from their seeds above any other, so I splurged (anything over $1.50 on a packet of seeds is splurging to me) and bought some Lucifer’s Torch and Wild Coffee. My bright, sunny windowsill in my kitchen is just waiting to have some little seedlings there (besides my avocado and amber tree - both of which are about a year old at this point).
As I get my two little gardens and my seedlings in order I’ll definately be posting a whack of pictures, so be on the look out for them!
February 24th, 2005 at 8:50 pm
Aaah! I love Dig This! I live a short aquabus ride away from there (DANGER!) and have purchased many of their fabulous garden acoutrements. I have always been curious about that Rainforest Seed Co. and am glad to hear that you’ve had good luck with their seeds…I’ll have to give them a try.
Hope it all works out and that you get your garden!!!
February 25th, 2005 at 7:35 pm
Ah, that’s what it’s called! Dig This. I should have picked up a shovel while I was there, I really liked the ones they had, but unfortunately I didn’t want to have to walk/take the bus home with it. Of course, now I find that I have to take a cab to go and get my stuff anyway from Home Depot, so I probably should have just bit the bullet.
Not having a car in this city can sometimes be a huge pain in the ass ;).
February 26th, 2005 at 2:04 pm
Is it the one on the corner here? I visited it in October. I loved Granville Island!
February 26th, 2005 at 10:48 pm
That corner plant shop has some beautiful plants, but Dig This is actually tucked away kind of to the right of it close to the water…you’ll have to check it out on your next visit!