Saturday, December 10, 2011

GRDN for gifts


I like this little shop so much that I try to stay away from it. It's very hard leave empty handed and times are tight. But I was looking for pretty seeds to send with Christmas and holiday cards and was hoping that Susanne Kongoy, GRDN's owner and a lady with an eye for creative beauty, had stocked some. She had! And exactly what I was looking for, too: Hudson Valley Seed Library seeds, gorgeously packaged. In one fell swoop one's purchase supports local artists - who design the covers - and local seed. And nobody sells seed at this time of winter. Gr. So silly: They make perfect small gifts and stocking stuffers, and in spring when they go into the soil they are the proverbial gift that goes on giving. How green can you be?

Stoically, I ignored the other things I wanted, including the tempting book below,  but caved when I spotted an Ottolenghi vegetable cookbook. I don't like the layout and design of the previous book, and never bought it, but this looked gorgeous. Yes, I could have bought it on Amazon. But buying it here, from a real human who has curated a small collection that seems to appeal immediately, and from a beautiful store, is far more satisfying. And e-books are really useful if you are commuting or have a long plane ride but nothing beats the feel of a well made book in your hands. It is an object. And I like objects.


There are nice objects in GRDN, on Hoyt Street. If you can,  pop in.


There are my seeds.

11 comments:

  1. Those seed packets are so beautiful!

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  2. Those variegated nastutiums look irresistible! My potter friend Ayumi Horie from Cottekill in the Hudson Valley has designed the Tigers Paw Aster pack. Great scheme!

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  3. I like objects, too. (Especially books.)

    And I like the idea of adding seed packets to my Christmas cards, and as stocking stuffers. I had never thought of it.

    I received my Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Catalog in the mail. Their seed packet designs just overwhelm me.

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  4. Right on. What's not to love? Sweet seeds and a book from the local shop that you love. Happy Holidays.

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  5. Beautiful seed packets. Like a Magpie, I would steadily accumulate each and everyone.

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  6. So happy that GRDN is still around. Such a lovely store and al It was part of every walk into Boerum Hill for us.

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  7. The seed packets are such a great idea! I'm not sure if there is a similar thing in Australia, but I'm going to have a look.
    And I agree, I have never read an e-book but I hope we are never without the real thing!

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  8. Is that the place where I bought my Wellies ? That was certainly a special shop and a special lady in charge. Seed packets for gifts - lovely idea. Spotted Trout Lettuce - oh yes please

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  9. Like Pavlov's dog, I immediately ordered some seeds online after I finished reading this post :)

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  10. Excelent seed packets, clever people, making us all want, want... :)

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  11. Lovely packets. I had no idea that The Hudson Valley Seed Library also sold seeds.

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