Around Town ~ The Plant Niche, Earth Day

 

“Around Town” this month I stopped in to chat with Erika at the Plant Niche, in downtown Sulphur Springs.  The Plant Niche is tucked away at 222 Tomlinson Street.  Her hours are from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 12 p.m. – 7 p.m. on Saturday.  This single mom is working hard for her family and has come up with some very innovative ideas to help our community and homes become greener.

 

               Not only does the Plant Niche offer classes, but you can also stop in to purchase your favorite house plant.  If you are not sure about your green thumb, put Erika’s green thumb to work and have her schedule a time to care for your indoor plants, at your home or office.  Fresh plants are so healthy for the home or office environment, cleansing the air, and providing natural color and sustainability from within.  Her plant care services can make the difference in your home and allow you to house plants that you might not have thought to care for at home. So many people think about the outside appearance of homes and forget to place plants in the home. Let Erika help you decide what plants would fit your lifestyle.

 

               One of her latest collaborations is with the Sulphur Springs Public Library, where she has been offering classes for free to the public.  Her latest class was filled to capacity with guests making fresh, live terrariums to take home and enjoy.  Space fills quickly so if you want to join in the plant fun, be sure to check out the Library’s website for more information.

 

               What we really wanted to discuss together was her upcoming event on the Square, to celebrate Earth Day.  This year’s Earth Day Celebration will be held in conjunction with the Spring Market on Main, April 20^th.  Visitors can come and enjoy learning more about the environment and how they can help make a difference by creating a greener living space.  This celebration is free to the public and there will be food vendors, live music, speakers and you guessed it, plants. Be sure to head on down to Celebration Plaza in Downtown Sulphur Springs this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.  There will be something for everyone to enjoy and experience.

 

               While you explore downtown, be sure to hop on over to the Plant Niche, just pass through the Courtyard from Main street and enter her shop on the other side.  You won’t want to leave any plants behind. 

Terrarium Class ~ The Plant Niche

     If you are looking for a great Girls Night Out event or a fun and unique Date Night, look no further than The Plant Niche for one of their hands on classes.  You can schedule a private class for  your group or join in on one of her pre set classes and savor the fun.  

    Not only is Erika very helpful and hands on, she is knowledgeable about her products and services that she has to offer.  Part of her business is coming to your home or office, placing plants and maintaining them on a schedule that fits your plants life style.  I know I can get discouraged when I purchase a plant and it does not do well.  Erika helps to make your plant investment grow.  

    
                                                    

    In one type of class Erika teaches you how to create your terrarium and allow for the best environment possible for your plants to thrive.  She provides the container, tools, soil, rocks and plants for your experience.  As she said you are creating an "artistic botanical garden, and you are the artist." 

    

In our class we had the choice to create a foliage garden or a succulent garden.  Usually she has each class select one or the other, so plan your class well.  The foliage garden we built came with rock for the bottom, soil, three plants and moss for the top to help retain moisture for a happy plant home.  To keep your plants happy Erika suggested misting the plants every so often and that the mist is like, "lotion on the foliage."  If one of the plants starts to look a little weepy, add a little bit of water just to that plant.  There is no need to add water to the whole of the terrarium. 

    For the succulent gardens, the glass bowls began with rock, soil, three plants and then they layered with rock and sand.  We had adorable little tools to help move our sand and rocks around so as not to damage the plants after placement.  The tools helped to bring sand and rock into artistic shapes and make a lovely home environment for the succulents.  Erika suggested keeping the succulent terrariums in a location that had good indirect light and some humidity so the plants could pull the water from the air.  I think a bathroom with some lovely light would work wonders for this tiny garden.

   

 No matter if you are looking for a great night out or if you want to liven and freshen your home or office with plants, look no further than The Plant Niche.  Erika will help you to select the best plants for your environment and maintain them for your ease.