My Bit of Heaven - by Kristl Walek

[Ragged Robin]

Best of luck with your move to Nova Scotia, Kristi, think of all the wonderful things to look forward to in your new search and discovery which we are longing to share through your 'heavenly' postings 

[Paul T]

Kristl,

Just catching up with the last couple of weeks of your postings here... I adore both the orchids, and that wonderful Drosera colonising the log is a beauty.  Thanks for the pics of the Trillium germination as well, always fascinating to see.

Here's hoping all goes well with the imminent move.  I wish I was closer and able to help, as it is going to be such a big job for you.  All the VERY best from the other side of the world. 

[Luc Gilgemyn]

Well... there's nothing else we can do but wish you all the best with your transcontinental move Kristl ! 
I'm sure a lot of us would gladly be lending a helping hand if it were'nt for the distance...   
Now that would make for another Forum gathering possibility wouldn't it. ! ?   
Makes a change from a Bulgarian mountain top 

I hope all goes smoothly Kristl and I'll be looking forward to your musings about your pioneering work at the other end of the continent !

[Lvandelft]

Kristl, I once had to move our whole nursery, though only 10 kms.
So I know a little about what you have to go through.
But a new place to start again, gives so much new energy too, so you will not have much time to think back.
Wish you all the best at your new place!

[Kristl Walek]

Although my move is only a few days away, I wanted to share a few last pictures with you.

You might remember that I found a very large patch of Chimaphila umbellata last season, out of flower and was determined to see them in bloom prior to my departure.

And here they are!!!!

Also, a few more pictures of Drosera rotundifolia with it's elegant nodding flowerheads, colonizing a log next to a lake.

Lastly, the fuzzy flowers of Mitchella repens, with some of last season's berries still hanging on.

[Kristl Walek]

A friend here found this picture very sad, but it was a liberating moment for me.

The sign represents my last 20 years here and I will not be able to put it up in my new home, which is not zoned for operating a nursery. Most importantly, I want to create new memories in Nova Scotia, which is a very important transition for my life. Thus, like the phoenix.....

The hat was Graham's, who placed it there symbolically as the end of these years working with me here....

[Lori S.]

Oh no!  It is the end of Gardens North!  
Well, all I can say, Kristl, is thank you so much for all the wonderful species you made available to grateful gardeners across Canada (and elsewhere) through your Gardens North!  It made me feel quite "adventuresome" and opened so many new horizons in gardening!  I wish you the best of everything in your new location!

[Kristl Walek]

OH NO, Lori....the seed business is very much alive, and will continue in Nova Scotia. The sign I burned was my nursery sign (and that I am giving up to devote myself totally to the seed) and to (perhaps) begin to have a bit more of a life as a result. So the liberation comes in this....

[Lori S.]

Oh, whew!  
I'm delighted to hear that you will be continuing with the business, and I'm sure so many others would be too!!!!

[Ragged Robin]

Absolutely Lori, I join in your sentiments of Kristi still spreading the seed.  Although I haven't had the opportunity to partake in the SRGC seed exchange yet it must be so satisfying for Kristi to know that her efforts are enjoyed by so many and that her expertise is so appreciated and valued all over the world

Kristi, it's always sad and soul searching when the end comes to such an important phase in life but I really admire your courage and vision in starting again in a new venture and recognising that there are new horizons to aim for at any stage in life - chapeau!

[Brian Ellis]

Funnily enough you were in my thoughts last night Kristl, I reasoned that it must be about now that you were about to embark on another of life's great adventures.  All best wishes with the move, I hope it goes without a hitch and that you are soon 'back to normal' in your new home.

[maggiepie]

Kristl, best of luck with your move, I hope the weather is kind to you and your plants.
Would love to see pics of the plants you are taking once they are all packed up, I bet it will be eye popping

[ruweiss]

Dear Kristl, let me send you my very best wishes for a succesful moving with little
or better no stress and a good beginning at your new home.

[Paul T]

Kristl,

The sign burning was one of those cathartic moments in life...... out with the old and in with the new.  I hope all flows smoothly from here! 

[Kristl Walek]

Everyone's good wishes are taken to heart: thank you for your encouragement.

This morning we picked up the 26 foot rental truck and a small group of us worked hard into the dark for the first day of loading---which must be finished by this time tomorrow and on it's way to Nova Scotia the day after.

All the shelving units from the office were used to build a framework inside the truck, so that various levels could be constructed almost right to the top of the truck. The house plants were safely tucked into a high spot at one end. The tall plants inside the aisles of the shelves as a beginning, before we started to work our way upward and across.

Brian, Graham and Eddie choosing candidates and loading; Robert (one of our own on SRGC) digging a few last-minute plants for me; and my darling daughter taking the olives off her pizza.

The woodland plants are all now safely inside the truck; tomorrow we do the succulents and bulbs---as I hope that there will be space for the tufa and the troughs....