Outdoor Style
Here’s the dirt on our favorite gardening shops.
INTO THE GARDEN. If you seek outdoor furniture—teak, metal, rattan, wicker—this McKinney Avenue shop is the place to find it. Our favorites are the wicker Trinidad lounge chairs and ottomans. Each set has a super-sleek, gunmetal-gray finish and fluffy, cream-colored cushions perfect for prolonged outdoor lounging. Into the Garden also carries a ton of cement statues and one-of-a-kind, handcrafted Santos such as St. Francis, Raphael, and the Virgin Mary. Hang them in your backyard and create your own meditation garden. Mon-Sat, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun, noon-6 p.m. 4527 McKinney Ave. 214-351-5125.
JACKSON’S POTTERY. Do you love whimsical little welcome signs? Do you do most of your cooking on the grill in your backyard? If you answered yes to either of these questions, then you’ll hit the mother lode at this 15-year-old shop just a stone’s toss from Love Field. We’re also convinced Jackson’s is the only spot in town where men and women can shop together in peace. The front of the store features pretty terrariums and beautiful clay pots for the little lady, while the back of the store showcases every kind of barbeque pit imaginable for the tough guys. Every Saturday, Jackson’s gives away samples from the grill. Who doesn’t love free meat? Mon-Sat, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun, noon-5 p.m. 6950 Lemmon Ave. 214-350-9200.
REDENTA’S GARDEN. Attention, environmentally conscious gardeners: all plants at Redenta’s are organically grown, and every item in the store is earth-friendly. We go for the superb herb selection, including 12 varieties of thyme, from lemon and lime to spicy tabor. Cabbage, marathon broccoli, indigo hybrid radicchio, and red Russian kale fill the greenhouse. We picked up a few varieties of lettuce and other greens, took them home, and made a salad—watch out Nigella Lawson. In the front of the shop, discover vibrantly colored, bamboo-stick brooms with hand-woven bristles made from 100 percent renewable sorghum and bamboo and tinted with nontoxic dye. Mon-Sat, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 2001 Skillman St. 214-823-9421; 6230 Colleyville Blvd., Colleyville. 817-488-3525; 5111 W. Arkansas Ln., Arlington. 817-451-2149. www.redentas.com.
RUIBAL’S. There are two kinds of gardeners: those who plant an occasional seed and haven’t touched their Garden Weasel in years and those who know a fertilizer mix by the way it smells—and who laugh at the amateur who bought the Garden Weasel. Ruibal’s, in the plant district at the Farmers Market, is for the latter. They specialize in plants that do well in Texas’ unpredictable weather, and they can spot a neophyte a mile away. The selection is beautiful and massive, and you can’t go wrong with any plant you pick. Just ask for advice from Kenny, Mo, or Sean. They’ll tell you what you need, what you don’t, and these dudes don’t dillydally. Mon-Sun, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. 601 S. Pearl Expwy. 214-744-9100.
SMITH & HAWKEN. We know that this Knox Street shop isn’t much of a secret, but it has such a good inventory and gardening philosophy that we would be fools to leave it off the list. S&H is all about educating the consumer. We came upon several different displays throughout the shop with mini histories of their products, such as super-versatile lavender. After learning about spray roses and forcing bulbs, we found a pretty gardener’s journal, perfect for the organized green thumb. S&H also hosts a free orchid seminar three times a year. Mon-Sat, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun, noon-5 p.m. 3300 Knox St. 214-522-6522. www.smithandhawken.com.
Photo by Abel Sanchez
How Does Your Garden Grow? The First Men’s Garden Club of Dallas shares its favorite tips.
1• Plant warm-season vegetables and annuals such as beans; cantaloupe; cucumber; and amaryllis, begonia, and celosia.
2• Apply your first mineral lawn fertilization of the season, using a slow-release 4-1-2 or higher ratio product.
3• Early April is the start of mowing season. Don’t bag your lawn clippings. Use a mulching mower or recycle the lawn clippings in compost or as mulch.
4• Check the mulch around shrubs, perennials, and newly planted trees. The mulch should be 2 to 3 inches thick to help conserve moisture and prevent wild fluctuations in soil temperature.
5• Review your watering habits. Improper watering is one of the most common causes of poor growth and lack of vigor. Plant roots grow where moisture is present. Frequent, shallow watering results in shallow root systems that are easily damaged by heat, cold, and any other type of stress.
For more information about the First Men’s Garden Club of Dallas, visit www.dallasgardeners.org.
style file
LIP-SMACKING GOOD
A couple of years ago, a package of fabulous-smelling concoctions from Dallas-based Bella bath products arrived at our office. We wished that Jennifer Maloy, the genius behind the brand, would go into cosmetics. Fast-forward to 2003, when all of our dreams have come true. Bella has a new line of lip glosses infused with a hint of mint in sheer shades, such as pink and champagne. They’re all luscious and small enough to fit into the tiniest pair of your low-slung cargo pants. $12. www.bellabeauty.net.
SHOP TILL YOU DROP
We used to love the monthly trek to First Monday in Canton. But that darn traffic on I-20 has put a damper on our road trips. Now, to satisfy our flea-market fix, we head straight to Fair Park the second weekend of every month and check out the fab goods at Buchanan Markets Antiques & Collectibles. Even after four hours of browsing, we didn’t hit every vendor (though we did pause for a chicken-finger basket at the snack bar). We sifted through vintage thank-you notes and stationery, old doors salvaged from churches, furniture, cocktail jewelry, and loads of mix-and-match antique plates and dishware. Just as good as Canton, but right in our own backyard. Automobile Building @ Fair Park, 1010 First Ave. 405-478-4050.
www.buchananmarkets.com.
SMOOTH MOVES
Christi Harris developed her first facial skincare line in 1973. Thirty years later, she’s introduced a body-care line, which turns your skin from flaky to fabulous faster than it takes to down a piccolo serving of Monkey Business at Paciugo. Follow the four easy steps: cleanse, exfoliate, moisturize, and seal the moisture into your skin. The system is simple, and we love the subtle, honey-almond scent. www.christiharris.com.
