G

Gardening:

Eltzroth and Thompson Greenhouses: (434)295-2488, 1686 Monacan Trail Road, Charlottesville. www.eandtgreenhouses.com

Fifth Season Gardening Company (434) 293-2332 • Toll Free (866) 998-1782 • Email 900 Preston Ave, Charlottesville, VA 22903 fifthseasongardening.com/stores/charlottesville This family-owned business is uber-Betty — focusing on organic farming and a do-it-yourself brewing (kombucha, beer, etc) and sustainability mindset. They are also generous to the nonprofit community — including donating a tree we planted at Burley Middle School as a “thank you” to our volunteer Board! From their own words: “We feel that we provide the vital element not found at many other gardening stores today: knowledge. Whether you have questions about OMRI certification, simple hydroponic systems, lighting plans, hop varieties, container gardening, or the best way to attract bats, we are dedicated to trouble shooting problems and answering questions about your plants, grow systems, and beer.

 At Fifth Season Gardening Company, we feel as though we can make a difference in our community, state and nation by educating people on the practices of organic and hydroponic agriculture. Organic and hydroponic gardening can reduce water usage, increase yields, reduce pest and disease problems, replenish dead soil and increase microbial life, thereby stimulating long-term and sustainable plant production. We have always felt that by sharing and passing along our knowledge, we will leave the world better than we found it. 

The Garden Spot: (434) 973-4402, 515 Rio Road West, Charlottesville. Owners Ed and Jeanne Mickiewicz are extremely helpful, knowledgeable and not surprisingly, earth-friendly: they recycle their pots (and others if the size fits their needs), and apply fungicides and pesticides only on an as-needed basis. www.facebook.com/thegardenspotcville?ref=stream

Panorama Pay Dirt: (434) 978-4566, 300 Panorama Rd, Earlysville. Steve and Drew Murray. panoramapaydirt.com

Gardens:

Cville Foodscapes (434) 806-6255. C’ville Foodscapes designs, installs, and maintains food-producing gardens in Charlottesville. Our mission is to help people grow healthy food using organic, sustainable methods. Free initial consultations for residents within C’ville or the immediate vicinity. Email: info@cvillefoodscapes.com, www.cvillefoodscapes.com

Sunnyside Projects: 434-218-3490. Artisan Carpentry and Design in Charlottesville. Creative Sustainability Projects including: Raised Garden Beds, Green Houses, Geodesic Domes, Custom Shelving, Idea Fabrication and Retail Displays.  SunnysideProjects.com

Gifts:

C-Ville Arts Cooperative Gallery: (434) 972-9500, 118 East Main Street, Downtown Mall. With 70 artist members, you’ll find a wide assortment of hand-crafted clocks, artwork, jewelry, etc. When I stopped in, Steve (who himself brings new life to old jewelry) just sold a cheese board made from recycled wine bottles. I also admired Allan Young’s clocks made from computers (his card states, “Saving the Earth one piece at a time.” cvillearts.org/
Charlottesville City Farmer’s Market and Holiday Market
(see under F for food)
The Virginia Shop: (434) 977-0080, Barracks Road Shopping Ctr. Selling Virginia’s finest foods, traditional gifts, and Virginia wine for over 20 years. www.thevashop.net