The Good Witch's Garden

Look at it. Just look at it.

It looks like a lovely home to me.

Come on.

Stay close.

Come, come, come.

Oh! What's that? I don't know.

- Did you see someone? - No.

Here. Take a look.

Oh! What delicate "rosa borso."

But at this time of year? After the first frost?

It's bizarre!

Ah!

It's as if summer never ended around here. Oh!

Don't!

If you don't know what it is, you don't know what it will do.

- Martha, it's a flower. - Yes, one of her flowers...

And if there's one thing I know

about Miss Cassie Nightingale it's:

- one never knows. - Oh, stop fretting.

This is the perfect setting for the Bicentennial celebration.

But it's such an important event.

Why celebrate the town's traditions with the most untraditional woman in town?

Because her house is 200 years old. It's a landmark.

And the woman obviously has a green thumb. Huh. Probably green all over.

Like the Wicked Witch of the West.

Oh no!

- Did you hear that? - Sounded like a banshee.

- Get real. There's no such thing. - Really, Cassie?

Well, maybe it was Mother Nature yawning

in preparation for a long winter's nap.

I could use a nap myself.

You better take a break, grandpa.

I wish Mother Nature would stop blowing back all the leaves we just raked up.

She blew quite a few up against the back fence.

Why not pile all your leaves there, and build a mountain to jump into?

Well, I'm just about ready to throw in the trowel.

It's no wonder, George. We haven't eaten since noon.

You want a bite?

What's that?

It's tonight's salad. Organic.

I'm not much for rabbit food.

- Oh, the rabbits wouldn't touch my garden. - Why not?

We have an understanding.

- Oh, you do? - Yeah,

everyone is welcome to visit my garden,

but I made the rabbits promise, no munching.

You've made a wonderful home here, Cassie.

Thank you.

That's why I'm digging extra deep today.

So the roots really take hold.

I've found my one true home here, George.

I can finally say,

this is where I belong.

Ms. Tinsdale.

Good afternoon, Ms. Tinsdale.

- Well, that's debatable. - Can I help you?

No. This is a matter that needs to be investigated by your Chief of Police.

It concerns Miss Cassie Nightingale.

Go ahead, Martha.

I was standing outside Grey House,

minding my own business, when the monster

seized my ankle.

- Cassie grabbed your ankle? - What?

No. It was her creeper.

- Her what? - A vine. A vine on the ground, that creeps!

That's a very unusual plant.

She has a garden full of freakish plants.

Some of which I suspect may be illegal.

Well, sounds to me like you tripped on a root.

We can't have her hosting the opening night gala

of our Bicentennial if the grounds are unsafe.

I insist that you fully investigate what she's growing in there.

- If you insist, Martha. - I do.

The citizens of Middleton are entitled to a full report.

Out of my way!

Jeepers creepers.

Cassandra Nightingale?

Guilty, Officer.

I'm conducting an investigation.

Hmm.

Looking good.

Well, thank you.

Your kids, George and I have been gardening all afternoon.

I wasn't talking about the garden, but that looks good too.

Oh.

- Hey, Dad. - Hey, kids.

Something wrong, Brandon?

Um, yeah. I just skinned my elbow, that's all.

Let me see that.

I have just the thing.

Essence of aloe.

There. Good to go.

Thanks.

- Bye, Dad. - Bye.

- Bye. - Bye.

- See you tomorrow, Cassie. - Bye.

Thanks for the five dollars.

You want a cup of tea, Jake?

Cassie, Martha Tinsdale claims that

she was attacked by one of your plants.

Oh, really? One of the creepers?

I know that the plant didn't just go after her.

Then you know my plants better than I do.

What, you're saying that one of your plants

actually grabbed Mrs. Tinsdale?

Grab? No, never. But it might have given her a little hug.

A hug?

Well, she's not sharing the love.

She's threatening to move

your Bicentennial garden party to another location.

No. Why?

She claims your house is unsafe.

But it's just the opposite. Grey House is a true haven.

I'm even thinking of taking in overnight guests

to help with the bills, but if Martha...

You really shouldn't pay my kids to help you.

Oh, five dollars is a bargain. And I love being with them.

They love being with you.

Well, they do a great job. And I need lots of help.

Every last leaf has got to shine.

You should get rid of this.

Oh, no, no, no. The Veritas is going to be beautiful.

Just in time for the Bicentennial.

Cassie, you really have done a great job with this place.

Thanks.

I better go have a word with that creeper.

Your teachers really pile it on, huh?

I have to do a history report with Jess about Middleton.

This town?

Lot of books about a place where nothing happens.

- Ah! - Here.

- Thanks. - Yeah, no problem.

But look, if I run into Steve or Duke,

you got to get lost, fast.

- How come? - 'Cause...

they're my friends and don't hang out with little girls.

Okay?

Well, I'll be back and pick you up around six?

Okay, I'll try to wash the topsoil off by then.

What are you smiling about?

People who live in glass houses shouldn't hold hands.

Nosy.

Look, it warmed the cockles of my heart just to see it.

The plants usually keep those windows fogged up.

It wasn't the plants fogging the windows.

Well, I should go. The kids are probably gonna need dinner.

Oh, they already have their dinner.

I just sent it off with Jake. Homemade chili. Heat and serve.

Well, thank you very much.

But I guess I should go anyway.

They might need some help with their homework.

George, you do an amazing job with those two. You help Jake.

You've given them so much time and love.

What about a little time and love for you?

Those kids give me all the love I need.

Oh, my gosh.

Look.

Aphids?

I don't know. Are you going to stop by the nursery?

- I could. - Would you have someone there take a look?

- Sure thing. - If they have some natural remedy, would you pick it up?

Oh. I thought I had more money than that.

You just bought four bags of grass seed and paid two kids.

Takes a lot of green to keep a garden green.

Yes, it does.

And add that to the upkeep on Grey House,

and the fuel bills. That's why I've decided to open it up to a few guests.

- Well, you certainly have enough room. - A bed and breakfast.

If you could get to the nursery before it closes.

My B & B.

Beautiful and bewitching.

There you are, Isis.

Looking for a place to stay?

Yes. As a matter of fact, I am.

Well, I haven't established any rates yet, but I'm sure they'll be reasonable.

I'll get the better of the bargain, staying in a place as beautiful as this.

I'm, uh, Nick.

Nick Chasen. Welcome, Nick. I'm Cassie Nightingale.

And this

is my friend and adviser, Isis.

And that is

Grey House. Grey House, huh?

Doesn't look grey to me. It's a lot cheerier than that.

I put a lot of work into it.

Would you like to see your room?

Yes. Yes, I would.

I'm sure it's as beautiful on the inside as it is on the outside.

Uh, next order of business.

Flowers for the Bicentennial reviewing stand.

Cicely? I thought mums.

Mums are seasonal.

- And affordable. - And colorful, too.

True, but since this is such a special occasion,

I was thinking of something a little more exotic. Excuse me.

Oh sir, we ask that all spouses wait outside.

Oh, I'm not married.

Um, sir, the nursery closed at 4 and, um,

you're disrupting a private meeting of the Garden Club.

If I could just...

- Now, what were we talking about? - Mums.