Sunday, February 18, 2024
9:30am-11:00am
Rooted Living
2918 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, IL 60618
Join local artist Carolyn Kassnoff of It'll Glow On You as she teaches how to make a rubber stamp! We will be focusing on making leaves, our favorite Chicago birds, and other flora and fauna. Everyone will get to take home their own stamp and a stamp pad. All supplies will be provided.
No experience necessary. 12 spots available.
Join Lynn, owner of Rooted Living and professional florist for over 20 years, for a hand-tied bouquet making workshop! Peruse the selection of gorgeous, seasonal blooms and foliage at a pop-up floral bar, then learn to make a European-style hand-tied flower bouquet suitable for gifting.
When properly constructed, the spiraled gathering of stems stands on its own! We'll also cover cut flower care to get the maximum life out of your bouquet.
No experience necessary. 12 spots available.
Sunday, January 28, 2024
9:30am-11:00am
Rooted Living
2918 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, IL 60618
Make a tiny woodland world in a bottle! We'll make a little terrarium with your choice of crystals or rocks, moss, and a little plant. Or just enjoy the moss! The choice is yours.
No experience necessary. 12 spots available.
Ever wonder what is meant by “bright, indirect light”?
Why your plant’s leaves are turning yellow?
If you should be fertilizing?
How to know when your plant needs to be repotted?
Start the new year off by improving your plant care skills with the help of our Houseplant Care 101 workshop...
Space is limited to 12 people.
We're taking a break! We'll be closed December 24th, Christmas Eve through Friday January 5th. We'll be restocked with plants and gifts for reopening on January 6th. Happy holidays!
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Bring a gift or two and we'll learn how to properly wrap a gift together. You'll leave with your gifts wrapped like a professional, crisp corners and all.
Rooted Living will provide gift wrapping embellishments and have wrapping paper to purchase. If you’d like to bring your own, please feel welcome to!
Each ticket includes one sheet of gift wrap and decorative embellishments for one small to medium gift.
Sunday December 17
9:30-11am
Space is limited to 10 people
This is an amazing thing to do with a friend or as a way to connect with like-minded folks. We’ll have hot cocoa, music, and plenty of holiday cheer 🌟
Can’t wait to see you there!
Rooted Living is open…
Wednesday - Friday, 1pm - 6pm
Saturday & Sunday, 11am - 4pm
2918 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Book a 45 minute slot to spread out on our workshop tables. We'll provide the tape and scissors, you bring the gifts and wrapping paper. We also have wrapping paper available for purchase by the sheet. The nominal $5 fee is to make sure people come for their time slots!
Include your order number (provided after checkout) with your booking information for proof of payment.
Need more than 45 minutes? You may book a maximum of two consecutive time slots.
Wishing you a holiday season filled with ease!
]]>Some of Rooted Living's most popular plants are actually non-toxic when it comes to a furry friend trying to take a bite! Here's a handy guide to knowing what plants are in the clear.
Please note, we use the ASPCA's website to check whether specific plants are toxic to pets, please do your own research to double check.
Marantas, calatheas, and ctenanthes are all related and are all not known to be toxic to pets. Some of the other plants that we carry that are non-toxic are ponytail palms, hoyas, various ferns, peperomia, pilea, fatsia, various palms, and cast iron plant.
This plant stays compact, making it perfect for small spots that need just one more houseplant. Easy to care for and non-toxic, this is also a great plant to try propagating. This one is Pilea peperomioides, also known as the Chinese money plant.
Paperplant’s dramatic and sprawling leaves are full of personality and straightforward to care for. Indirect light, even diffused with a thin curtain, works well for this glossy plant. It’s important to keep their soil moist at all times, with water draining through the bottom of the pot during waterings. Waterings can be cut back during the fall and winter time. Because they can grow large--and tall--keep an eye on the size of the pot for any roots growing through the drainage holes and re-pot as needed.
Rooted Living's plant selection is always rotating. Stop by and ask an associate what they recommend for whatever care needs you're looking for (pet-safe, low-light, easy-care, etc.). We're here to help you find a plant that you love!
Rooted Living is open…
Wednesday - Friday, 1pm - 6pm
Saturday & Sunday, 11am - 4pm
2918 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Hop on a Plant Party Bus that will take you to 6 north side Plant Shops.
Join us for a fun-filled day of exploring a few northside plant shops at the Annual Chicago Plant Crawl! Get ready to hop around to some gems of Chicago's plant scene.
On Saturday, December 9, 2023, starting at 11:00 AM, plant enthusiasts from all walks of life will start at Chicago Plants for a day of adventure and discovery!
The Crawl will take you to Plant Stand Collective, where you'll also be able to shop and meet the owners of Planthaus. From there you'll make your way to Green Spaces Plant Shop in Albany Park. There will be a pit stop for food & drinks where The Orange Tent Project will be set up and ready for you to help fundraise for the Chicago's homeless community. The Party Bus will make it's way to Rooted Living in Avondale and then end at The Catalina Plant Co. where the boys from Plant Parenhood will also be set up with their amazing cacti selection.
Connect with fellow plant enthusiasts, exchange stories, and make new friends who share your love for all things green. This is a chance to build a community of like-minded individuals who can inspire and support each other on their plant journeys.
Raffle, trivia, games and prizes! Each shop will have a sale that day exclusive to participants.
Each ticket purchased comes with a free tote!
Bonus: bring in a warm clothing donation for The Orange Tent Project and get two extra raffle tickets!
Don't miss out on this unforgettable experience! Mark your calendars for the Annual Chicago Plant Crawl on December 9th.
Welcome the coziness of winter by creating a soy wax candle incorporating dried botanicals and crystals.
Asher of Ahmahd Wellness will guide us through the selection of crystals and botanicals to infuse our candles with intention. We provide the materials and the instruction, and you leave with a natural candle.
Sunday, December 3rd
9:30am-11:30am
Rooted Living
2918 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, IL 60618
Our indoor plants take a hit in winter because of shorter days, cooler indoor temps (possibly), and lower indoor humidity (most likely!). With less light available, houseplants tend to slow down growth in winter. Read on for a few tips for happier houseplants in winter.
Whether you're getting new plants from an independent shop, a big box store, or an individual, be sure to protect it from the cold while in transit. Place it in a bag (closed, please!), a closed paper plant sleeve, or a closed box. And make the plant shop your last stop before heading home, to minimize the amount of time left in the car. At Rooted Living, we have some very conscientious customers who bring heir own insulated bags!
Make sure your plants’ leaves aren’t touching the windows. If the leaves are in contact with the windows, they could suffer from cold damage. This is especially important for those plants that live on windowsills. And if you’re in a drafty old building like mine, the windowsills themselves may be very cold. Last year, I put a layer of cardboard down between the windowsills and my plants. This year, I moved the plants off of the windowsills entirely to a warmer and sunnier location.
Because most plants are not growing as actively in winter as in warmer months, they do not require as much water. They also don’t require fertilizer in winter, so wait until you see new growth in spring to start fertilizing.
You could rearrange your plants to place them in higher light areas during winter. Or you could get grow lights to supplement the natural light in your home.
Humidifiers are great for us and for our plants in winter! If your home has forced air, this is especially drying in winter. Your plants (and your skin) will thank you!
A pebble tray will increase the humidity right around the plants they are on. A pebble tray is simply a tray or saucer with a layer of pea gravel (or similar) covering its surface that you place your plants on. The key is to add enough water to sit just below the bottom of your plants’ pots.
In winter our plants are just a bit grumpy and not their healthiest, so they may be more susceptible to pests. Spider mites love dry air, so they’re one to keep an eye out for. Look for very fine webbing on your plant's leaves or stems.
Winter is a great time to give your plants a bath. Dust accumulates on the plant’s leaves over time, which can block light from reaching the plant. Take your plants to the shower and give them a spray down with room temperature water. Wipe the leaves down for extra dusty leaves. If you’re worried about over watering the plants in the shower, wrap the pot with a plastic bag and cinch it around the stems to keep water away from the soil.
Hang in there! The days are already getting longer. Soon your plants will be pushing out new leaves like crazy!
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Looking to create cozy fall memories with your friends this season?
Join us for a morning of modern wreath making using dried botanicals. You’ll leave with a stylish wreath all your own.
Sunday, November 5th
9:30am-11:00am
Rooted Living
2918 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, IL 60618
No experience necessary. 10 spots available.
As a self-contained little ecosystem of plants, moss, and stones, terrariums are not only easy to maintain but make for a beautiful addition to any space.
In this workshop, you’ll get step-by-step guidance as you craft your very own woodland-inspired terrarium.
🪵 Sunday, October 15 from 9:30am-11:30am
🌿 No experience necessary and all materials provided
🍄 Space is limited
Presented at Rooted Living, 2918 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, IL 60618
REGISTRATION HAS CLOSED
Community workshops are for you, our community! We offer a limited number of tickets for most workshops at a reduced rate. Please choose the price that best honors where you’re at. If you are able to pay at the suggested level or higher, it helps keep our workshops on a sliding scale for those who can contribute at a different scale.
]]>Our city's tap water contains salts, minerals, fluoride, and chlorine, which some plants do not like. After I water my plants, I fill up my watering can to be ready for the next time I water so that...
1) The chlorine has a chance to dissipate
2) The water is at room temp, which plants prefer
If you really want to baby your plants, use distilled water or rain water!
Our newsletter has many more plant tips like these, as well as special offers, first looks, and updates on what is happening over here at Rooted! You can subscribe at the footer when you scroll down on this page.
Rooted Living is open Wednesday through Friday 1-6pm and Saturday & Sunday 11am-4pm at 2918 North Milwaukee Avenue.
]]>🍄 One terrarium per ticket
🌱 Space is limited to 8 kids
🪄 Magic potion punch will be served for the kids
🥂 Mimosas will be available for the grown-ups
Community workshops are for you, our community! Please choose the price that best honors where you’re at. If you are able to pay at the suggested level or higher, it helps keep our workshops on a sliding scale for those who can contribute at a different scale
]]>Grandparent's Day is just around the corner and we’re here to help you find the perfect gift when you stop in... Consider Rooted Living your go-to spot for sustainable and meaningful goods 🌱
Our doors are open:
Wed-Fri 1-6pm
Sat & Sun 11am-4pm
Find us at 2918 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Gift details: Grandma's Story: A Memory and Keepsake Journal For My Family by @korieherold (We also have Grandpa's Story — these journals are gorgeous!); conversation cards also by @korieherold; card by @shortpocketsstationery (locally made!); air plant, an easy and fascinating plant
Join us at Rooted Living for a Leather Wallet Workshop with @affinitydesignco on August 13!
Everything is included for your completely customizable wallet including leather, waxed thread, and hardware.
You’ll learn how to saddle stitch and how to set snaps and rivets. Get ready to bang on things and have some fun! 💥
Space is limited to 10 participants.
Whether you are new to gardening or have been digging in the dirt for ages, our favorite things are hand-picked just for you 🌱
▫️The Kinfolk Garden
Celebrating the idea of nature as nourishment, The Kinfolk Garden offers inspiration and guidance to anyone looking to live in harmony with plants and flowers. Featuring 30 inspiring people and places around the globe, this hardcover book offers an easy approach to bringing more nature into your life.
▫️Linen Apron
This linen apron by VIKLINO is an instant favorite, especially if you find yourself moving between the garden and the kitchen on these summer days. VIKLINO uses European OEKO tex certified linen, which is then stonewashed in order to soften the linen without the use of harmful chemicals. We have three colors in stock: blue, amber, and black.
▫️Gloves
Make quick, painless work of prickly plants, rough soil, dry bark, and grasp wooden tool handles with ease. As a B Corp Certified business, Barebones started with a philanthropic mission and continues to provide essential skills, education, and tools to underserved communities. These leather gloves come in a gorgeous shade of green (pictured) in three sizes.
▫️Sun Red Philodendron
Part of the beloved philodendron genus, ‘Sun Red’ has glossy, bright leaves with a gorgeous red tint. Very easy to care for, this tropical foliage can make any space into an instant jungle! Medium to bright, indirect light is recommended. They will tolerate lower light conditions, but will probably revert to green leaves. As always: if you have any plant care questions, we are here for you. We have a limited selection of these beauties, so stop by if you want one for your collection!
Our doors are open…
Wed-Fri 1-6pm
Sat & Sun 11am-4pm
Find us at 2918 N. Milwaukee Ave.
When the roots are coming out of the bottom of the nursery pot's drainage holes, it's time. If that hasn't happened but you have a hunch that a larger pot is needed, try this test: pop the plant out of its pot and if you see lots of roots circling the pot, that means that it's root-bound and, yes, time to repot!
While it can be tempting to repot your new plant right when you get it home, it's best to wait a few weeks first. Both relocating and repotting are stressful for the plant, so be kind to it and let it acclimate to its new home before repotting.
Rooted Living is open...
Wednesday through Friday from 1PM - 6PM
Saturdays from 11AM-4PM
Embroidery Workshop on July 9 with Heidy of Girl and the Hoop.
This workshop is designed to introduce you to an art form that will help you slow down and reconnect with yourself and nature.
In this workshop, we'll cover embroidery basics and practice different stitch types. All materials are included and you’ll get the kit to finish at home. How great is that?!
Sunday, July 9
10:00am-11:30am
Rooted Living: 2918 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Open to all levels
Space is limited to 12 participants
As an added bonus, you’ll get 10% off everything in the store including original art pieces stitched by Heidy!
And you check the calendar and realize that next week is, in fact, JUNE?!
We feel you!
That’s where Rooted Living comes in: through sustainably sourced goods and thoughtfully curated community workshops, we’re here to help you slow down and live more intentionally in a way that feels good to you.
If you’ve been craving this too, let’s press the pause button together in our upcoming community workshop:
🌿 Yoga with Asher of Ahmahd Wellness (@asher_ahmahd) on Sunday June 11 from 10am-11am at Rooted Living 🌿
This 60-minute class is accessible for all levels. Focusing on breath to movement, we will explore a series of postures to feel rooted in your body, helping you to live in the present moment.
And yes, we’ll do yoga surrounded by plants!
This workshop is your well-deserved break from the day-to-day pace and a chance to nurture your mind, body, and soul.
Community workshops are for you, our community! Please choose the price that best honors where you’re at. If you are able to pay at the suggested level or higher, it helps keep our workshops on a sliding scale for those who can contribute at a different scale.
]]>The #1 Wellness Planner, recommended by Oprah Magazine and Self Magazine. Prioritize the activities that fill up your cup so you are in the position to vigorously go after your goals every day. This thoughtfully designed holistic planning system includes everything you need to plan and schedule your day, work towards your dreams, and feel healthy and happy along the way.
Hand-poured by a Logan Square-based candle artisan, this candle has been curated to bring awareness to your creative mind, with sweet orange, frankincense, calendula, and carnelian stones. Add this candle to your home to incorporate it into your meditation practice OR just enjoy it for the wonderful smell! (Psst...Asher of Ahmahd Wellness is also teaching a yoga workshop here among the plants in June! More on that soon!)
This weighty terrazzo planter features multi-hued specks in a neutral palette including sage, bronze, peach, and blue. You can pair it with a plant that you love!
We have so many more options for gifts for Mother's Day and the option to combine a selection of gifts in a gift box. Stop in to see all the new additions to the shop!
Rooted Living Shop Hours:
Wed - Fri: 1pm - 6pm
Sat & Sun: 11am - 4pm
2918 N. Milwaukee Ave
Chicago, IL
Registration closes at the end of the day on Thursday, May 11th.
Spring Floral Design Workshop
Sunday, May 14th
9:30am - 11:30am
Rooted Living.
2918 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago
Enjoy a hands-on floral design workshop led by Lynn Fosbender, owner of Pollen Floral Design and Rooted Living. Lynn is a long-time florist who pioneered eco-friendly floral design in Chicago and is known for her whimsical, garden-style arrangements.
After an introduction to the essentials of floral design and a demonstration, each participant will make a garden-inspired floral arrangement to take home. We’ll make floral design accessible by using flowers you can easily find at the farmers market or grocery store, with a few more special blooms available at specialty flower shops.
We’ll cover cut flower care, the basics of floral design, and Pollen’s techniques for working without floral foam.
By the end of the workshop, you’ll walk away with a new (or improved) skill and your very own floral creation!
This workshop is for any skill level. All tools and supplies will be provided. Maximum of 12 participants.
Community workshops are for you, our community! Please choose the price that best honors where you’re at. If you are able to pay at the suggested level or higher, it helps keep our workshops on a sliding scale for those who can contribute at a different scale.
Reduced rate: $60 per person
Suggested rate: $90 per person
Supporting rate: $120 per person
Register here.
]]>For all of us plant lovers, spring is a big deal! There is no better time to get your hands in the soil, appreciate how verdant Chicago becomes, and maybe just go all in on your houseplant journey (anyone else treat yourself to new houseplants after spring cleaning? Just me?).
In the early months of 2020, both three years and a lifetime ago, I was spending more time inside with my houseplant collection. There’s always been something very therapeutic about tending to plants, especially during such difficult times. And so, I had the idea of bringing this to the community with a simple pop-up plant sale. It quickly grew into what you know today as Rooted: a local shop filled with curated a selection of plants and the things you need for their care, propagation, and display (and sometimes a hen or two).
Some of you have even been around since the days when Rooted was the floral studio for Pollen!
What I didn’t expect was for houseplants to teach me so much about slowing down and living intentionally.
In a way, Rooted has outgrown its container and is ready to grow into its new form.
(Don’t worry, houseplants aren't going anywhere—how could they?!)
I am thrilled to share that on April 29, Rooted will become Rooted Living. At our same spot in Avondale (with an expanded shop floor!) we will offer a curated selection of practical and beautiful home and gift items that are thoughtfully sourced, with an emphasis on items that are eco-friendly, fair trade, or from local businesses.
At some point, we’ve all felt that life is sometimes overwhelming—too busy, too fast, too much stuff—and lacking in something vital: connection.
With Rooted Living, I hope to create a space that makes it easier to feel connected to yourself, to nature, to community, to your home, and to what you value most.
Soon, the storefront will be stocked with thoughtful goods like candles, kitchen goods, stationary, DIY crafting kits, books, and more. We can’t wait to help people like you get started in unplugged hobbies through community workshops like yoga, candle making, macrame, houseplant care, embroidery, and floral design.
Are you as excited as I am?!
In the end, I hope that Rooted Living can be a place where you not only feel at home, but where you can come shop for thoughtful goods and learn in workshops that support you in feeling at home in your life.
Our grand reopening is on April 29, and I’ll share more details about it as the date gets closer. I can’t wait to see you there.
Usually, a plant's happiness can be narrowed down to the right watering routine and the right amount of light. In my previous plant care post, I talked about watering. In this post, I'll cover light, so between the two posts you'll be well on your way to happy plants!
The amount of light a plant receives depends on a number of factors. People often think about the direction that the window or windows in the room face, but it's a bit more complicated than that. For example, let's say you have a south-facing window, which would typically be considered a high light situation, but if there are obstructions outside of the window such as a tree or a building that block the light, then it could be a low light situation.
Another factor is how far the plant will be placed from the window. Also, items in the room blocking the natural light, such as curtains or furniture can turn an otherwise high light situation into a low light situation.
Most houseplants prefer bright, indirect light. But what the heck does that mean? And for that matter what is direct light?
You’ll see plants’ light requirements often referred to as 1) bright light, 2) bright, indirect light, or 3) low light. Let’s break that down.
Bright light for a houseplant means being in front of a large, unobstructed window that faces south or west, with the sun hitting the plant for five or six hours each day. Plants that like bright light include cact, jades, succulents, birds of paradise, and crotons.
You’ll see this light requirement more frequently than any other. Bright, indirect light means a spot close to a window, but not where the sun is directly hitting the plant. So this could mean the spot is next to the window instead of right in front of it. Or it could be in a south or west window where a sheer curtain is always drawn, or it could be a few feet from the window, out of the path of the suns rays. A spot very near a north or east window can also provide bright, indirect light.
Low light spots are those that are more than a few feet from a window. Depending on the size and orientation of the windows, that could be anywhere from 5 or more feet from the window. Low light tolerant plants include ZZ plants, snake plants, and pothos on the very low light tolerant end of the spectrum. Other low light tolerant plants include aglaonema, dracaena,
You'll notice I'm careful to use the word "tolerant" to describe low light tolerant plants. Most low light tolerant plants will put up with low light, but they'd prefer a bit more than low light. Most low light tolerant plants will limp along in low light, but need a bit more to grow and thrive.
So thinking about which way your windows face is a great starting point, but don’t forget about their size, obstructions, and the distance that your plant will be from the windows!
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Want to dabble in propagating your plants? Any easy way to start is with water propagation. All you need is the right kind of mother plant, a jar, water, and scissors! Easy plants to water propagate are vining plants such as pothos, tradescantia (shown here), syngonium, and heartleaf philodendron.
Cut a length of stem that includes at least one leaf and one node. A node is where the leaf meets the vine. You can cut one vine into multiple pieces for propagation, as shown in the photo. If the node has a leaf coming from it, remove the leaf so it doesn’t rot underwater, then place the stem cutting in water with the node underwater. Depending on the type of plant, you could see roots growing as soon as a few days later! Change the water weekly or sooner if you see the water getting funky.
Once you have an inch or two of roots growing, you can transfer the cuttings to soil, placing multiple cuttings in the same pot for a more lush plant. You’ll want to keep the soil of your newly potted up plants a little more damp than usual for a week or two as the plant adjusts from water to soil. Then share with friends!
Want to level up your water prop display? Pick up a locally made walnut propagation station!
]]>Tempted to repot your houseplants, but not sure a) if you need to and b) how to go about doing it? The Avondale Gardening Alliance and Rooted are teaming up to guide you through repotting your houseplants!
The workshop will cover:
-Why repot your houseplants?
-When to repot
-Choosing the right pot
-Choosing the right potting mix
-Steps to repot, including demonstration
Registration is required. Register here. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
]]>Most issues with houseplants are due to needing to adjust the watering method or the available light. And for most situations, that means too much water and not enough light. I'll cover light in a future post on plant care. As for watering, most people are more likely to overwater their plants than to underwater them.
Ideally, your plants are in a pot that allows for water drainage, either because 1) they are planted in a pot with a hole in the bottom of it, allowing the water to drain out into a saucer or 2) they are in their plastic nursery pot, which has many holes, sitting in a decorative pot (sometimes referred to as a cache pot or a cover pot), which can easily be emptied of excess water.
First, we'll talk about how to water plants. Water the plant slowly, moving the watering can around so that the water slowly permeates all of the soil, rather than pouring the water in right on the edge if the pot. This will avoid the water going straight through the pot, which can happen easily if the plant gets very dry and the soil pulls away from the edges of the pot. Watering this way also helps to avoid any dry spots. A watering can with a long, narrow spout will help to get the water to all parts of the soil and slowly. Think of the soil like a sponge that you want to thoroughly moisten.
Continue to slowly water the plant, moving your watering can around, until you first see water come out of the bottom of the pot into the saucer. After 15 minutes or so, if the water in the saucer hasn't been drawn back up into the soil, either dump it out or soak it up with a towel (or turkey baster!).
Next, let's talk about when to water the plants. If you don't know the specific watering needs of your plant, start with watering once a week. But it's far better to judge the needs of the plant by feeling the soil than sticking to a rote schedule. Most plants like to dry out a bit between watering. (Ferns and alocasias are exceptions that comes to mind.) To find out whether your plant has dried out a bit, stick your finger in the top inch or two of soil. If the soil is dry, then it's ready for water! If the top of the soil is still moist, then hold off on watering until it's dry. For plants in smaller pots (like a 4" pot), you often can just feel the surface of the soil. I like to keep my plants in their nursery pots and place them in a cache (or cover) pot, because if I'm in a hurry, I can quickly lift them up to feel if they are light, which means the soil is dry and it is ready for water.
HOT TIP: Our city's tap water contains salts, minerals, fluoride, and chlorine, which some plants do not like. After I water my plants, I fill up my watering can to be ready for the next time I water so that 1) the chlorine has a chance to dissipate and 2) the water is at room temp, which plants prefer. If you really want to pamper your plants, use distilled water or rain water.
Keep in mind that these are just general guidelines. It's best to do some research on the specific watering needs of each type of plant you have. But these guidelines can be a great starting point to making your plants happy!
]]>Wednesday - Friday, 1PM - 6PM
Saturday 11AM - 4PM
Our COVID precautions are as follows:
We will be closed on Friday, July 3rd and Saturday, July 4th.
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