THE GARDEN CENTRE

On a scale of lame to rad going to a garden centre for a first date for most would be lame. Hella lame. But for me its be the opposite. I remember back in first year I had this massive ass 6 hour gap between classes (who the hell in the world came up with that idea) so I'd go to the local plant barn. It was just one train stop out of the city and it was super pretty. Needless to say I'd come back to class with baby lettuce or seedling flowers. My peers didn't get it. Also on the scale of how scary this is to do by yourself (as this was my first solo venture for this project) it was a complete 0 because plant places are THE BOMB DIGGITY.

I don't know what it is but there is something super calming about a plant centre and I already have the next one I want to go to (Coromandel Cacti if anyone is curious). I think it might be the nostalgia of it all. The plant centre I choose for this venture was the Kings Plant Barn out in Takinini. I used to go there as a kid and it was the most magical land. It had nooks and crannies everywhere. It was filled with little houses and wooden toad stools and BUNNIES. Maybe its because I've grown up so everything is less impressive or maybe its because plant barns aren't as popular anymore but its so much smaller now.

The air was humid in this kinda nice way that made you feel alive. Its hard to imagine how these plants survive in such heat. But then again they aren't humans. The lack of humans that occupied this place was clear. A few dotted here and there picking up additions to their garden. What I remembered to be an extensive magical land of plants had shrunk to quarter of the size but they still managed to cram in rows and rows of trees, succulents, herbs, veges, florals, you name it they had it.

Its like an adventure. You never know whats around the corner. Walking through the rows of tree you get a shock when you turn a sharp corner into another breathing human. When you pick up a pot and see a spider you give a little squeal but its ok because thats the spider's home. The birds chirp and the bees pollinate and the air is filled with peace. Its all a sort of magic.

FINAL THOUGHTS
It was like a weird way to connect with nature and connect with oneself (of course if you were going on an actual date with a real life breathing human you'd connect with each other). It would be easy to spend hours here. Particularly with someone you love. Needless to say I spent hours here just by myself. Looking at the plethora of plants that populate this world. I'd totally recommend it as a date because A) most plant places have cafes these days B) you can buy some plants for your home C) and as we've already established: plants are cool. My top tip is to take a bottle of water with you particularly in the scorching sun. Hydration is important yo. And wear boots because mud is a thing. Also put your phone down and connnnnnnecccct *singing in a slightly creepy tone like connecting is some scary shiz*

ps The plant + pots I brought were for this youtube vid!
pps I'm still listening to the kooks.