I saddled up Mario the SuperHonda, picked up The Lovely Cousin Jody and set sail for the wilds of Oley, wherein lies a gardener's paradise: Glick's Greenhouse.
 |
| A sea of pansies |
A former co-worker clued me in to this leafy jewel in 2001, and I've been hooked ever since. Sure, it's out of the way, tucked quietly into the Berks County countryside, surrounded by fields and creeks and farm animals, but the scenery alone is worth the trip.
I moved to Lancaster County — itself a heavyweight provider of picturesque, bucolic landscapes and an abundance of farm stands — five years ago, but my love of Glick's endures. And because circumstances prevented me from visiting last season, I was even more excited to go Friday.
I moved to Lancaster County — itself a heavyweight provider of picturesque, bucolic landscapes and an abundance of farm stands — five years ago, but my love of Glick's endures. And because circumstances prevented me from visiting last season, I was even more excited to go Friday.
My flower beds have been fairly naked since the demise of my spring perennials, waiting for me to indulge in some dirt therapy and just plant something already. But Friday was the day I'd been waiting for — the first day of the annual half-price sale. The prices at Glick's already are very reasonable compared to many of the other flower powers in the Berks and Lancaster area, but the annual "customer appreciation" sale makes my inner tightwad want to break out and dance.
I left the premises with what amounted to three flats of flowers and veggie plants for less than $30.
I left the premises with what amounted to three flats of flowers and veggie plants for less than $30.
 |
| Impatient for impantiens |
I got impatiens and geraniums, lobelia and zinnia, tomatoes and cukes ... the list goes on. We wandered in and out of the various greenhouses for about an hour and a half, sizing up all the possibilities.
I usually look for my old favorites ("They still have 'Mr. Stripey' tomatoes? Score!"), and pore over new items, all the while trying to imagine how I'll configure everything while planting. I generally have a blueprint of what goes where in my little yard — impatiens around the mini pine tree next to the front door, geraniums in my hanging baskets (which invariably turn into the birdie maternity ward) — but colors vary, as do my filler plants.
It's all a very intricate operation.
Meanwhile, my trusty sidekick was bowled over. She's recently moved back home after many, many moons on Long Island, and somehow had never been to the Big G before.
I usually look for my old favorites ("They still have 'Mr. Stripey' tomatoes? Score!"), and pore over new items, all the while trying to imagine how I'll configure everything while planting. I generally have a blueprint of what goes where in my little yard — impatiens around the mini pine tree next to the front door, geraniums in my hanging baskets (which invariably turn into the birdie maternity ward) — but colors vary, as do my filler plants.
It's all a very intricate operation.
Meanwhile, my trusty sidekick was bowled over. She's recently moved back home after many, many moons on Long Island, and somehow had never been to the Big G before.
As she shook her head, bemoaning having gone to Lowe's first this season, I got the feeling that this would take a regular spot in her vegetation rotation. And as we left, she was already plotting next year's plan of attack, which shall be two-pronged.
I agreed wholeheartedly, because, although I left loaded down with green goodness and very pleased, I struck out on my two favorite plants (mini snapdragons and Barock/Contessa Deep Red ivy geraniums), which were sold out.
Oh well. Live and learn. And plan to make a first trip earlier in May next year.
Oh well. Live and learn. And plan to make a first trip earlier in May next year.
 |
| Our final haul for the day |
 |
| Gallons of geraniums |
So glad that you enjoyed your visit
ReplyDeleteto our greenhouse and beautiful Oley Valley.
Beth Glick