Do you have a patch of garden, a terrace, or a sunny windowsill? Then why not give gardening a try? Especially if your summer travel plans have changed to keep you in Geneva; you’ll be here to tend and nurture your little green charges.
Gardening can be a satisfying and tranquil pastime, and doesn’t necessarily represent a huge upfront investment in time and money. A couple of pots, some hardy plant species (for the gardening débutants) and a little TLC, sun and water is all you need.
For everything you need to get started, check out some of the following home/garden centers around Geneva. Avail yourself of knowledgeable sales staff, and don’t forget to read the tags/stakes in each plant for their specific care needs.
Local options include MParc’s Do-It Center in Carouge, located at Avenue Vibert 32, Carouge 1227. This Do-It Center is the largest in Switzerland at 9’000 m². It has everything a gardener might need, and opens at the early hour of 7:30 each day (closed on Sundays). Easily reached by tram 12, multiple bus lines, and car (enjoy easy parking with 500 surface-level spaces).
If you live closer to Meyrin, check out the Jumbo Maxi at Rue des Entreprises 1217 Meyrin. This huge garden/DIY center has garden equipment and furniture, supplies for BBQs, sun shades and much more. It opens at 8:30 daily (closed on Sundays).
An overlooked store for gardening supplies is IKEA. Stop by their Vernier location to stock up on pots, plants and other supplies to create/transform your garden space.
A quick skip across the French border to Gaillard and Ville-le-Grand will bring you to Botanic, a large garden, home decor, pet care, and (at the Gaillard location), a nice grocery section full of local produce and organic/healthy foods. Botanic is open every day, including Sundays.
For the gardening motherlode, and both inspiration and aspiration, head to the 18,000m2 Schilliger garden center in Gland.
Room after room, atriums galore, this mega-center has it all: a huge selection of beautiful plants, a restaurant, pet supplies, toys, clothing, playground equipment, organic groceries, home decor, and much more. It’s worth a couple of hours/visit, especially if you’re making the drive from Geneva to Gland (about 30 minutes without traffic.)
Schilliger is open 7 days/week until June 7th. For more details, click here.
We are a group of international women living in Geneva, Switzerland. If you would like to learn more about our activities and excursions, visit our website at http://www.aiwcgeneva.org/
