Back when New Seasons opened the market in Slabtown, I did a post that you can access HERE.
The most outstanding feature of the handsome building was the vertical planting. I wondered how it would fare over time. Lucky, then, that we happened by on the very day that the heavy equipment was brought in to do maintenance.
I was able to talk to the guys doing the work. They told me that they were replacing any plants that were dead or dying. A drip system is built into the structure but, even so, half-yearly inventory and replacement keeps the whole thing looking fresh. I wonder how many living walls enjoy that level of commitment or the resources to make it so. And hey…even the cherry picker has that “designer” look.
Plantings around the parking areas are maturing nicely. Somebody knew what they were about when they specified the plants. Often I see a promising installation that peters out or gets choked by weeds in no time. The care taken by New Seasons makes me want to shop there.
You know how grocery stores put gum, candy and toys by the checkout, making it dangerous to take kids shopping? Well, this place is dangerous for kids like me.
I need blinders to get by the attractive displays at the entries.
But if I need to pick up a hostess gift or a little birthday remembrance, this is my go-to shopping destination. Gotta support those plant-centric retailers, don’t we?
How lucky you are to have such a cool store nearby! We tend to think that vertical gardens need a lot of maintenance but twice a year doesn’t seem bad at all. Its great that New Seasons has made a commitment to keep their gardens looking good!
Must be a “plant person” somewhere in their hierarchy.
Very interesting about the green wall maintenance. I wonder what happens if this is not done, and how many green walls get this attention or anything like it. Love the plantings around the parking area.
I’ve seen plenty of crispy examples where the enthusiasm for vertical gardening burned out…kind of like getting the kids a puppy and expecting them to live up to all those wild promises.
I’ve never heard of Slabtown . I’ll have to it up.
It’s the area around Good Samaritan, northern NW. Got its name from the early lumber mills in the area which sold slab ends to be used as a cheap heating source. It has long been a patchwork of parking lots and old warehouses. New Seasons is in the vanguard of revitalization (er, gentrification) of the neighborhood.
I think that’s a New Seasons I’ve never been to, I don’t recognize the planting. Oh and I do love the mental image of you interviewing the workers!
They were very happy to tell me all about it without much prodding. Having just watched the movie Spotlight, I’m well aware that I lack journalistic tendencies.
I’ve often wondered how they install and maintain those vertical garden spaces. Fascinating. What a nifty garden resource to have nearby. Yes, it does look tempting.
It is basically a grocery store but of course I would focus on the plants.
Hi Rickii,
Catching up on my reading. I didn’t realize New Seasons had sold. That’s kind of a bummer. But you got me thinking about my shopping habits. Now that we’re in our new digs, I’m noticing it’s more and more about convenience–together with quality. We cook at home so much–because of pesky diet considerations–seems only reasonable to get good ingredients. We still use Costco, but just for a few regular things. (I have to admit like to wander around there once in a while, but that only happens if I get there alone. The guys make it their job to keep me on target.)
In conclusion, if I’m actually going to drive across town–or even out of town–it’s generally for plant related reasons. Then I might, might, stop at another store for grocery shopping–if their ingredients aren’t primarily poison–and it’s in the same flight path.
That New Season in NW is pretty cool. And if you do get there, Seams to Fit Home is right up the block–plus Pomarius a few blocks away.
Cheers
Sounds like you have a few reasons to be in that neighborhood. Home cookin’ is the best!
Looks like my kind of store. The wall planting is beautiful but I hadn’t given much thought to how it would be maintained.
After seeing several dead or dying wall plantings, I was especially impressed.