I try not to write diaryesque, “what I did today” posts unless they involve hiking, shows, or both. However, Plant’It Earth is having its 17th anniversary sale, and thus, forgetting my 17% off coupon at home (get yours in the illustrious SF Bay Guardian, page 4), I tromped through the Panhandle and down to Divisadero and Grove. If you live in SF and like plants, grab a weekly for the coupon, get to this stellar garden store before December 1st, and take advantage of the discount on things like orchids, succulents, growlights, and organic supplies.
Within a mere 45 minutes, I saw too many cool orchids at the store and too many random artifacts along the walk home that I can’t help myself: I’ve gotta share ‘em. Though I didn’t catch the names of any of the orchids, I do know the Orchidaceae family is the second largest of all plant fams (after Asteraceae, the Sunflower family), has some of the most highly specialized and evolved flowers, and there’s a useful photo gallery to help I.D. orchids here.
And then, upon walking back out into the world, this killer rig pulls up right in front of me. As the Tiny House Blog put it, these artistic homes-on-wheels “still evoke a feeling of romance and adventure,” two of my favorite things (theoretically, at least). How do I get one of these gypsy caravans?
But the funkiness of the sunny-cold afternoon wouldn’t quit. Hanging on the chainlink fence surrounding the barren DMV parking lot were three separate plant holders. Guerrilla crocheters strike again! For the most part, the succulents looked really healthy, and one was even in a “pot” crocheted from re-purposed plastic bags. As much as I aesthetically like those fabric wall pockets sold at Flora Grubb and seen all over the hip parts of the Mission, at $39-$49 each, and with all the plastic bags floating around out there…..Even if they are a little too trashy, they are a nice reminder that not all plant accoutrements need to be purchased at yuppie gardening stores, or purchased at all.
the dmv: not the best proponents of alternative transportation. Remember when you could skate (or watch skaters) anywhere you wanted?
This is one of my favorite posts of all time! I love that cabus! I would hang my hat in that thing in an instant : ) Could you imagine…that thing would host the road trip to end all road trips.
Hi Amber — Thanks! I had fun writing it, but more so just living it, though I would probably have the most fun if I could hang my hat and road trip in that hippie rig. Imagine it: Carousing around the country, from national park to botanical garden to brewery, crocheting guerrilla plant holders to leave your mark along the way……HA!
I have got to say i have never seen anything like the plant holders or the gypsy caravan which is something else!