The instant I saw the beautiful greenhouse, cottage and gardens at 1 Alfred Stone Rd. my purpose became clear: clean-up this deserted garden space and turn it into an urban vegetable and perennial flower farm. Get the greenhouse functioning, growing annuals and perennials, and turn the beautiful cottage space into a store to sell locally grown products and to hold classes and workshops on environmental stewardship and natural health. If there was ever a place to combine my passions of gardening, environmental stewardship, creativity and natural health, this was it. But today, as I hesitantly opened the old wooden gate and stood staring at the over-run gardens, I felt sheer panic creeping in. My mission was clear, but the task seemed impossible.
I took a few breaths and began to look around. My panic was soon lessened by the joy of seeing some familiar friends. The feathery fronds of two astillbe plants were creeping out from behind some dead branches and a giant bed of lovely chives displayed their purple spring blossoms.I went over to explore and soon found myself ripping back plastic tarps, pulling out giant weeds, pulling back dead branches and discovering a world of treasures hidden beneath the mess. I started seeing magic everywhere- hidden in every corner of the space.
A spectacular varigated clematis, hiding between dead twigs but still managing to twirl up the wooden pergola to share its brilliant Spring beauty. A sea of purple- allium, corn flower, and nepita- carrying on a perfect Spring performance despite their neglect.
A sweet baptisia managing to remain strong and beautiful despite a strangling, weedy vine.
My excitement grew as I continued to explore; I felt the magic of my secret garden. I even found the lemony, calming goodness of my favorite herb, melissa officinalis (lemon balm), growing up through a hole in one of the plastic tarps.
With each weed I pulled, my determination to build my dream business from this magical and vibrant space grew sronger. And while the challenge looms large ahead, today I was reminded that the impossible becomes possible when you slow down, look around and get. to. work.
Stay tuned as the season progresses for more information on Vella Gardens, opening at 1 Alfred Stone Rd., Pawtucket RI.
