Whenever we go on holiday, we like to scout out the cool garden shops in the places we’re visiting. Sometimes it takes a little bargaining with the kids. “We’ll give you 4 hours at the waterpark for an hour of not constantly whining ‘can we go now’ while we’re at the garden store.” And when you find a really neat garden shop, one that reflects the culture and nature of the place you’re visiting, it’s so worth it.
I remember visiting Southern California a few years ago and finding this great shop in Laguna Beach while driving up the coast. I think this is when we had the idea to seek out garden stores when we’re on the road to see what the local gardening “flavor” was like. Now we’re hooked. And its great fun to bring home mementos of our travels from these shops. Much nicer than the standard T-shirts and snow globes and loads of dirty laundry.
But it’s fun to seek out the shops in our own neck of the woods, too. And while convenience and proximity to home trumps most other considerations for regular visits, we have found really cool shops like this one within our hunting and gathering radius. On the odd Saturday that doesn’t find us shepherding the kids to the soccer pitch, we plan on discovering a few more this fall.
As I’m writing this I’m thinking this might need to be a theme-Cool garden shops we have loved ©,®,™, etc, etc. Might make for a few interesting posts.
Ever come across a spectacular garden shop in your travels? I’d love to hear about it!
NestOfSquirrels 
Let me be clear, I am not the main gardener in our household! That is the husbands domain. But I am the veggie grower (when the mood comes upon me). Backing on to bush we have battled cockatoos, bush turkeys, wallabies etc etc so growing a veggie garden is a challenge. On saying that, we have an awesome garden centre about half an hours drive away called Flower Power.
It has a few acres of plants, pots, an indoor garden centre, cool and pretty interior and exterior design stuff and a mad cafe/restaurant overlooking a small man made lake with ducks, swans and koi with an indoor play centre and fab coffee. We can buy plants and entertain sproglets at the same time! Not half bad.
That sounds amazing! Thanks for sharing and good luck with the wallabies et al.;-) Cheers!
Not exactly on my travels as it is in my home territory, but Habig in the Broad Ripple neighborhood of Indianapolis is a pretty cool garden shop. You can’t miss it going up College Street because their sign is a monstrous green gardening trowel standing vertical. My character Stone Turtle came from Habig. 🙂
Sounds cool! Next time we’re up Indy way, we’ll have to check it out.
I like to visit the shops that sell hand made art and jewelry from local artists. Not only are most items reasonably priced but many times the artists are in the shop. I have a bracelet that is very valuable to me because I spent a long time talking to the artist herself about the stones she used to make the bracelet 🙂
It’s those kinds of experiences that make things special to us. Thanks for sharing!
I have my favourite gardening shops but agree it is good to explore others on my travels… will probably be doing that this very weekend 😉
Sounds like a lovely way to spend a weekend! Cheers!
I am lucky in that my daughter actually likes going round garden centres and such. She’s spied some wildflower seeds at one which I think we will have to get next year, though goodness knows where they will go in the garden.
Raising a gardening daughter-well done, you! 🙂 Cheers!
🙂
What a lovely post! I’ve been to Laguna Beach on several occasions but before that placed opened, so it’s good to read and see the photos. Did you ever stop for fish tacos at that little Mexican restaurant on the main drag at Laguna Beach? Best fish tacos ever. wonder if it’s still there. Your idea about garden stores away from home is a good one.
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it! And now I want fish tacos from Laguna Beach 😉
We have a lot of nice gardening resources locally. Can never get enough of them. I’ve enjoyed garden shops attached to public homes/gardens that I’ve toured, but never thought to seek out garden centers while on vacation. Sounds fun. susie
Thanks, Susie! I hope you find some gems! 😉
I’ve seen a couple: Annie’s Annuals in California and Joy Creek Nursery in Oregon.
Great photos. And yes, I remember the bargaining not so long ago with our kids…a real advantage of an empty nest is that one can shop and linger where and whenever;0) and course, being quite new to the area i love this post! I will check this out, looks good! have a great weekend, Johanna
Hey Johanna, glad you enjoyed-Have a wonderful weekend! Cheers!
We like these kinds of places too.. So much fun! Thank you for the follow at words like honey.. I will like it here..
Thanks! Looking forward to reading your blog. Cheers! Ben
looks like a great place. I only visit when alone, I’m way outnumbered when it comes to bargaining.
LOL…nothing like a little alone time at the garden center! Cheers!
What an outstanding post/// Remarkable photos !.
Thanks a lot for sharing!, best wishes, Aquileana 😀