If April showers bring May flowers, what do May showers bring? Floods? That’s what it seems like lately. With all this rain and cloudy weather it’s hard to see the bright side of things. However, with sunny days ahead of us and the ground still soft, it seems like a perfect time for gardening. Often, I find myself romanticizing gardening at a Lowes or Wal-Mart while collecting plants, seeds, soil, and planters; all of which I intend to create a little makeshift garden, but tends to be dead by midsummer. Nevertheless, being in a new area that seems a bit more forgiving due to it’s not so humid weather, I am more determine than ever to keep my plants alive at least more than a month.
Today, on my way home from running a few errands, I finally decided to stop at this gardening center I’ve passed numerous times. Tucked alongside Church Street and the train tracks, Sunnyside Gardens is a little Mecca for gardeners, or people who like to pretend to be gardeners like myself. Opened since 1981, this family owned and operated business is far better than any big box store you can think of. When you first arrive, several dozen red wagons sit by the parking lot to be used to carry your plant purchases. With over twenty greenhouses, these come in handy as each one is overflowing with an assortment of annuals, perennials, vegetables, hanging baskets, container gardens, climbers, shrubs, herbs, and houseplants.
If that doesn’t seem like enough, they also have tools, supplies, a variety of pots, and garden accessories; not to mention special deals and sales on certain items. In addition, Sunnyside also has special events that they host such as workshops and festivals. One of their events, that I am truly looking forward to, is their Fall Festival which includes a butterfly house, a pumpkin patch, hayrides, an assortment of food goodies, and other activities.
With all this shrubbery information, I found myself giddy by the amount of plants. I walked up and down each aisle as I planned a Better Homes & Gardens yard in my imagination. My husband, knowing better, pointed out that my thumb is in fact not green and suggested that we ask for help. This is where Sunnyside Gardens also outshines the other stores. The staff there is beyond helpful and actually talked my ear off for once. Although we were just looking today and seeing what was available, they informed us that if we needed help designing something, especially a container, they would be more the happy to help us create the perfect pot. They also pointed out they had a website and Facebook page that has helpful tips, information, and the current sales going on.
After what seemed like an hour of wandering in this little oasis, we sadly left empty handed, but our minds filled with ideas on what we could do upon our return. We intend to be back after the holiday and start off small. I have a feeling, however, the next time we go our little red wagon will be filled with this and that all the while we are quoting Monty Python’s Holy Grail and the Knights of Ni.
Here’s the address if you would like to check the place out:
Sunnyside Gardens
345 Church St
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866-8625
(518) 584-1034
Opened from Monday to Saturday 8:30am-6:00pm, and Sunday 8:30am-5:00pm.
