The Groovy Gardener: Cape Breton man turns green thumb into budding business
A Cape Breton man is channeling his love of gardening into a budding business, opening a nursery at his home in Albert Bridge, N.S.
Those headed out on the Mira this summer may notice a large sign outside Logan Black’s Hills Road home with the words The Groovy Gardener emblazoned on it.
"My wife actually came up with it (the name Groovy Gardener),” said Black.
“She was joking with friends one time. They said 'You know, he really should be doing this. He's really good at it.' She said 'Well, he is the Groovy Gardener.' It just kind of stuck."
Black has had a green thumb for years. However, when he opened his nursery on June 18, it was the first time his work was available to be purchased.
A snowplow operator by trade, Black earns his income by plowing during the winter.
With a wife and young son, he wanted to make money during the summer and put down some real roots in something he's passionate about.
"I'm a stay-at-home dad,” said Black. “With my wife being teaching, it was kind of a natural progression for me to not sit idle during the summer. So, we just talked about it. Gardening is a true love of mine, so this was just a natural evolution."
Black specializes in perennials, flowers, and some herbs and fruit trees. His goal is to expand as the market allows.
"This time next year we will be massively into our flowers and annuals,” said Black. “We're hoping to have another greenhouse up right away, and have that closed in for next spring. That will just mean more and more."
The Groovy Gardener has only been in business for a short time, but so far, things have been off to a good start.
"The response has been overwhelming,” said Black. “Just the support from the community and the support from surrounding areas. It's just phenomenal."
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, many people took up gardening. However, Black says the market isn't saturated, if anything, it's growing.
"There's more and more demand for it. People are getting really into gardening at home and providing for their families at home, with the prices of everything," he said.
The Groovy Gardener is open from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
'Anything to win': Trudeau says as Poilievre defends meeting protesters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is accusing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre of welcoming 'the support of conspiracy theorists and extremists,' after the Conservative leader was photographed meeting with protesters, which his office has defended.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
Boeing's financial woes continue, while families of crash victims urge U.S. to prosecute the company
Boeing said Wednesday that it lost US$355 million on falling revenue in the first quarter, another sign of the crisis gripping the aircraft manufacturer as it faces increasing scrutiny over the safety of its planes and accusations of shoddy work from a growing number of whistleblowers.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Fair in Ontario, flurries in Labrador: Weather systems make for an erratic spring
It's no secret that spring can be a tumultuous time for Canadian weather, and as an unseasonably mild El Nino winter gives way to summer, there's bound to be a few swings in temperature that seem out of the ordinary. From Ontario to the Atlantic, though, this week is about to feel a little erratic.