Our local GC opened today. Busy but not manic. Well planned, with staff asking all of us grown-ups to maintain social distancing, so no pre-set route and everyone looking out for everyone else. At the tills, it was well organised with distancing marked and plexi-glass to protect till staff. Managed to get some lovely plants, but it is obvious that some plants are struggling having been in smallish pots for too long. But I think the staff have done a pretty good job keeping things going all things considered, so hats off to them. (The Old Well at Tiverton).
Went to Ashwoods an hour before closing today. Very well organised 2mtr marks outside for queuing and new entrance created. Only letting so many in a time and trolleys disinfected and passed to you on entry. One way arrows showing you which way to walk round, lots of great plants in stock. Plexiglass screens protecting staff and a separate exit so you don't bump into those coming in. As usual I spent a fortune.
Went to a local garden centre earlier today, as soon as they opened. Not too busy, everything well managed, the staff wearing face screens and everybody keeping two meters distance. They obviously were taking great care of the plants as the plants were all fresh, healthy and quite mature, with flowers and ready to be planted out. Got my self some beautiful ones. It was so nice to experience that bit of normality again - I really enjoyed it.
See that's the thing, I don't think it'll be the same having to be efficient in a garden centre, I like to meander, and always decide right as I'm about to leave to dash back and get that plant that's right at the opposite end of the centre!
No from me not going to go to garden centres trying to grow as much as can from seed have lots of flower seeds from mags and lots of veg getting there with growing it myself
I will save my money as I like to browse around garden centres and plants do jump into my trolly that I was not going for cause so pretty and also makes me look after the plants I have better
Hilliers emailed and only letting people pay by card not use gift vouchers
I think I would actually kill for a bag of horticultural grit. Keeping well away from the garden centers though until things settle down. Going to be heaving for a week or two and they need experience of keeping social distancing sorting out stock etc.
Most of the fun is coming back with half a dozen plants and 'thingies' I never intended to buy.
I've been enjoying gardening without constant use of a debit card in the past few weeks, never done so much hand weeding and straightforward gardening ever before. Just day after day of getting on with things and I love it.
I'm staying well clear. Not worth the aggravation of queuing in the initial rush. Usually enjoy a good slow look around nurseries and garden centres but this strange time has totally robbed that joy and have been avoiding shops and the extra bit of aggravation it causes and have pretty much moved my shopping online and in click and collect arrangements. The new normal will be a period of adjustment for all of us. Can't pretend everything is OK and go and join a queue with another 50 for a bag of compost.
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At the tills, it was well organised with distancing marked and plexi-glass to protect till staff.
Managed to get some lovely plants, but it is obvious that some plants are struggling having been in smallish pots for too long. But I think the staff have done a pretty good job keeping things going all things considered, so hats off to them. (The Old Well at Tiverton).
They obviously were taking great care of the plants as the plants were all fresh, healthy and quite mature, with flowers and ready to be planted out. Got my self some beautiful ones.
It was so nice to experience that bit of normality again - I really enjoyed it.
Out in 20 minutes after 7 weeks enforced absence, and you call yourself a gardener!
Most of the fun is coming back with half a dozen plants and 'thingies' I never intended to buy.
I've been enjoying gardening without constant use of a debit card in the past few weeks, never done so much hand weeding and straightforward gardening ever before. Just day after day of getting on with things and I love it.