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How many times have you found yourself just staring at a computer screen and not even aware of what you started out doing? It’s so easy to get caught up in the digital world and forget that as humans we really need fresh air, a natural surrounding and sunshine!
I know I get computer burnout often and it was one of the reasons we decided to go on the road last year in an Airstream trailer. To step away from our daily routines, get outdoors more often and to find our happy again! Getting out into nature can do wonders for your happiness, reduce stress and it definitely worked for us on the road, but what about now that we’re back?
We’re now living in an apartment with huge windows and an empty deck but very few plants. We’re all back to work and school full-time and things have definitely been getting more stressful lately. I knew I was under a lot of stress but I was still really shocked when I stepped into the Forest Glen Greenhouse in Brookfield, NS and
A HUGE GRIN SPREAD OVER MY FACE
This smile didn’t leave my face the whole time I was in the greenhouse.
Isn’t it amazing! This greenhouse (you only see half!) is about an acre and a half big. I was invited to Forest Glen along with my partner at ECM Media, Colleen O’Dea of Curtains Are Open, and Heather from Heather’s Handmade Life (who was writing an article for the Chronicle Herald).
Judy Thompson, her husband Lee, her daughter Megan and her son-in-law Jason been providing flowers for the Atlantic Superstore stores for approximately 20 years and it’s truly a family affair! All of the flowers grown at Forest Glen only go to Atlantic Superstore Lawn & Garden Centers (and their various divisions). All of the PC Garden Centres across the country source from 100% Canadian growers, almost all from within our own region. In fact, the vast majority of plants that people will see at any of the local PC garden centres at Atlantic Superstores across the Maritimes are grown by Forest Glen here in Nova Scotia.
I couldn’t have been more happy to have Judy show us around and learn which plants might be best for my bare deck.
In the three months since we came home I’ve been so busy I completely forgot how much I needed to get outdoors and into nature. It didn’t hurt that it was also a sunny day, but, oh my goodness, being in that huge place with all those beautiful flowers growing just made me so happy. I knew immediately
I NEEDED THESE PLANTS IN MY LIFE!
Incredibly, Judy actually travels to Europe and California sourcing new and popular plants and only choose varieties that will grow well here in our climate. Pollinating plants are extremely popular this year as are pots that are full of colour. The 13″ PC® Jumbo Hanging Baskets come in Blue/Purple, Black, Moss Green, Mist, Red, Yellow, Orange and my favourite: pink! They are also much larger with high soil capacity for better plant performance which is a plus for me. I’m always forgetting to water my plants!
Some of the specific varieties of flowers you can find at the Atlantic Superstore Lawn & Garden Centres are:
PC Calliope Large Lavender Splash Geranium
This blend of lavender and pink brings a rare combination of colour to your garden. The unique PC zonal geranium works well in a home-made combination and will also thrive on its own in your garden. These are exclusive to Atlantic Superstore Lawn & Garden Centers!
PC Dahlias
Always a popular choice, these large, decorative type blooms come in various shades and are perfect not only for stylized pots but also thrive in a flower bed. Dahlias last from early spring to late fall and is a popular option in a cutting garden. One of the newest colours is passionfruit and is a showstopper!
PC Speckled Petunias
These starry patterned flowers, full of colour, are sure to brighten your day on your patio or in your garden. Petunias bloom from spring until fall with the proper care and are bound to be popular again this year at PC Garden Centers.
After our greenhouse tour we had the most lovely lunch by a local caterer who also incorporated a bit of nature into our meal.
Aren’t they beautiful!
I am so excited that the President’s Choice Garden Centers are now open for the season. I’ll be rushing out to one of these garden centres soon to completely fill my deck with both flower arrangements and some vegetables too! Then I’ll add a couple of chairs and a rug from Atlantic Superstore and I’ll have my own oasis I can relax in after a long day at work. These bright flowers, colourful pots and more sunny days are making me the happiest I’ve been since we were on the road in sunny California!
Stay tuned to my Instagram account to see my deck before & after photos!
Disclosure: I was compensated by President’s Choice to write this post, however all opinions are my own.
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