Create
cre·ate
/krēˈāt/
verb
bring (something) into existence.
Pretty simple. Or maybe more...
In January we tried something new. We called it R&D week. Everyone spent one week developing container ideas and the next making them.
I missed out on most while churning out office work required for spring. One day in week 2 I had to run up to the shop for something. I came in to the back room to see everybody busily working away making things. It was like Santa’s workshop. It was joyous. What came from that time was more than a bunch of cool containers to plant.
When we set aside time for imagination what gets “brought into existence” is much more than things.
As I sit here trying to crank out a little ditty on creativity I find myself stuck. Huh... a creative block. How ironic. I don’t normally get those. Maybe I’m too distracted with other thoughts. Take a stroll down the Facebook newsfeed and it is easy fall down the rabbit hole. Pay attention to national issues, and the hole turns into a crater.
Between January and now much has happened in the world. And here in my office. I lost a hard drive. All the videos documenting R&D week are gone. I guess that set me up for a creative log jam. I was so excited to show you what they did. And how they did it. And the utter inspiration they bring. They create.
R&D week was much more than making things. It was making connections. Building bonds. Engaging. And now sharing. I’ve not felt stronger about our people then I do right now. They all have each other’s backs. And mine. And that alone makes R&D week more valuable than anything else. We dove in having no idea what would come. For us, create made community. Stronger.
[these yahoos pulled down #1 Landscaper in the Sauk Valley 4 years running]
Our hope is you find this spring’s story fun and inspiring.
Even more, we hope it stirs you to dive into your own R&D week, maybe with a buddy or two. We hope the joy we experienced and the bond is yours too.
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example of some of the things made during R&D week.
Stop in. We open April 2. Check out their work. Visit our Facebook page. I’ll work at posting photos of all the amazing things they did over the winter. If you can, take some time to nurture your own creativity, and those around you. I promise, it’s worth the time.
Spring News:
Early Bird Reserve
Early Bird Reserve is now open. You can reserve your plants now for pickup when the weather is more stable between May 1 and May 15.
Create
Spring Shop Story celebration
Saturday, April 7
9 to 6p
Sunday, April 8
11-3p
Springfest
Saturday, May 5
9 to 6p
Sunday, May 6
11 to 3p
Spring Project Party Calendar
Apr - May every weekend
Private Project Parties are growing. These are fun because they can be after hours [or not]. Email, phone or Facebook message us if you're interested. Here are some of the ideas for private parties to get you started.
DISTINCTIVE GARDENS
2020 Lowell Park Road
Dixon, IL
HOURS
By Appointment
Curbside Pick Up
Apr 1- May 31
Nov 15 to Dec 17
Wed, Fri & Sat 10:00 - 5:00
FAQs
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Curbside Pick Up
There are 8 tables that are assigned after your order is placed. We send out an appointment that details your time and table for pick up. Confirm this appointment.
Look for two emails:
- Order Confirmation
- Appointment Email
Appointments offered in 30 minutes appointment blocks. 1:00p, 1:30p etc.
We try to get as close to your preferred Pick Up time as possible. Please confirm by clicking "Confirm Booking" link in your Appointment Email.
If you need to change your appointment please call or message us on Facebook. Thanks!
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Delivery
Order Online. During checkout select "Delivery". Select your preferred date/time. Bud calls everyone to confirm. If you need a special date/time he'll take care of that request during the telephone call. Hope this helps!
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Redeeming Gift Card
During online checkout fill in the 16 digit number on the back of your gift card in the field that says, "Enter Gift Card Number"
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Redeeming Loyalty Points
Make sure you log in to your account in order to see and use your points.
Loyalty points show up during check out. If you have any to use you will see, "Pay Through Loyalty Point. Current Point Balance Is..."
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Ordering Online
We offer online shopping for curbside pick up or delivery depending on time of year.
Check out Instructions
- Select Pick Up or Delivery.
- Select preferred date/time.
- Order Confirmation
- Appointment Email
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Limited quantities. If you put multiples of an item you want and we only have one in stock an alert will pop up on the desktop site telling you it is out of stock. That means the quantity you selected is higher than the available inventory. For example, Tufa Troughs are all unique. There is only one of each. Each week we take an inventory and add back products that might show as sold out. We’re doing this so we don’t oversell by mistake. So our product availability will change weekly.
iPad shopping. We learned that the pop-up screen where you enter your credit card info was a problem for some. At times the credit card fields were way at the top of the screen and some could not see where to enter their information when shopping on an iPad. This happened especially when they had big orders. If you have problems please message our Facebook Page. We’re learning right along with you and want to help.
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VIP Pricing
Special Pricing. Every now and then we run thank you specials for our loyal customers. When we do, special pricing will show only for you once you log in to your account. This special is unique to you.
Instructions
How To Access Special “Thank You” Pricing
- Click “LOG IN”
Or…
If you didn’t create an account when you shopped,
- Click “Forgot Password”
- That will allow you to set up a password and create your account. Then log in. This will gain you access to special pricing.