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Business & Tech

Boutique nursery sprouts in downtown courtyard

Holiday greenery and gifts spring from a partnership of "Joys".

Benicia Patch periodically profiles local businesses. We talked to Joy Alberts, owner of Joyous Spaces, about her new boutique nursery located in the 300 block of 1ststreet. The courtyard property, owned by , is located between the Benicia Plein Air Gallery and

How long have you been in business? 
I started my business this summer of 2011. I was originally making planters. My plan was to create a garden design and coaching business. I thought it (the planter) would help me get my name out there. When I was out running one evening, I stumbled across this place. I thought it was a perfect location for me. 

I talked to owner, Phil Joy, and his wife about the idea of having a nursery here, to rent the space for two months. Two days later, I was in this space. I was lucky that Phil had a number of items he let me repurpose for display, like these spools. Everything is repurposed.  I ran into a few people who make other products like this furniture from repurposed wine barrels. The rest is my creation. I am sourcing the wreaths from a couple of friends.

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And you say you are sourcing locally?
My goal is to source within a 100-mile radius. I’m trying to focus as much in Solano County as possible.  I think this is a great place to live. I want keep the tax revenue here. I am big on buying local and supporting local community.

What got you into the business of garden and design?
I have degree in interior design and worked in the field for years before I had kids. I was always an avid gardener. You can see that in my designs in these displays -- there’s whimsy, but also structure. I love the design process. I especially love it in the garden, because the design process evolves.

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What’s coming for the Holiday Season?
I created displays for holiday gifts whether it’s for dressing your own table or (to give) for a hostess gift; or maybe you'd like something for your front door. So you can come in here and buy a really nice arrangement that is handmade by a local craftsperson or gardener.

Tell me about this textured, light-weight planter that started it all.
I happened upon this recipe in an alpine garden book for hypertufa (the mixture for the pots.) I have a greenhouse at my home, and for the next few days, I kept considering all the things I could use for forms to create them. One of the ingredients in the recipe is peat moss, the bogs are being destroyed and they do things like filter greenhouse gases, so I didn’t want to do anything to deplete them. I decided to find different filler that would work as well. From this reporter, the smaller planters are so light they can be hung on the wall.

Will you be doing custom projects?
Yes, absolutely. I would consider that a consultation, and I am doing those now for a couple of clients. I consider your color palette and the environment the plants will be in.

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