Monday, August 30, 2010

Chemicals on your shelves

Well most of us have switched over to organics when it comes to insecticides, fungicides, and fertilizers there are some who still have chemicals sitting on their garden shelves. I would like to suggest that when you have the need to apply an insecticide or fungicide you check what you have first and use it, yes even if it is a chemical product. If applied correctly this product will be put to better use than disposing in our landfills or improperly down our water system.

Yet if the product has expired or been exposed to the elements and compromised it's usefulness then you should discard it by contacting your local hazardous waste companies.

Friday, August 27, 2010

Name Brands or Personal Recommendations

In our industry there is a lot of time, money and research put into name brands of plants. As an owner of an independent garden center we are often "told" by marketing companies that name brands sell over others. It is our belief that even though a company has done the marketing of their product it must still perform to our expectations. We sell what we believe in. When a new plant or product comes on the market we will bring it in and try it, now if it does not perform as we expect it to than you won't see it restocked.

New plant introductions are always like waiting for Christmas. We get teased at shows with these new plants knowing it will be another season or year before we can bring them to you. What we try to find are the unusual plants, remember when we first brought in Euphorbia Diamond Frost and how excited we were.


How about Bacopa? This plant has only gotten better, it is still one we suggest regularly. Now you can get Bacopa in purple along with white.

Now my question to you the consumer is..........
do you buy based upon brand names? Proven Winners, Monrovia, Miracle Gro to give you some examples. Or do you buy based upon personal recommendations from people you are buying from or fellow gardeners?
this is being debated within our industry and I would love your feedback so I can pass along how our customers feel.

Hawaiian Vacation at Home


With an increase in humidity I've felt like I should be on a tropical vacation. This is possible, without having to pack your luggage, get to the airport 2 hours early and sit on a plane for another 3-5 hours. If you plant Plumerias in your garden you too can take mini tropical vacations. This beautifully fragrant plant is blooming now at Mission Hills Nursery. Select your favorite color(s), take it (them) home to plant where you will be able to enjoy the fragrance, sit back with a tropical beverage turn on background music of ocean waves and relax.

Life is Good! This Saturday enjoy a little bit of Hawaii for breakfast, we will have Hawaiian Sweet Bread and Pineapple juice from 9:00 - 11:00.

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Garden Path Signs




Bullets into Garden Path Signs? Who would have thought used bullet casings and other military and industrial scrap could be turned into beautiful and whimsical garden pieces. Yet one of our suppliers has done just that.

We have in stock some very nice heavy Garden Path Signs, one style I selected based upon our 2 cats Socks and Reina. I imagine during the evenings when we have all gone home that the 2 of them roam the nursery and stop to smell the flowers.

Have you seen all the butterflies fluttering through the nursery? I just had to get a sign which gives them the right-a-way.

Both signs come in a decorative box perfect for a gift to someone else or yourself, we need to treat ourselves occasionally right? If your indoor plants need a little pizaaz you should add a Shroomie, these ceramic mushrooms will bring a smile to your face every time you look at them. Easy to imagine a little garden fairy hanging out below them.

Wednesday, August 04, 2010

Seeds are Restocked


Our seed racks are full with our 2010-2011 varieties. One which seems pretty strange if you really think about it is a seed for seedless watermelon. Ferry Morse has one called Ultra Cool Hybrid, claims to be sweet & seedless. A pollinizer is required and they recommend Sugar Baby, so be sure to pick up both varieties for best results.

The attached photo isn't what your watermelon will look like, I just thought it was a fun way to get your attention.

Our Ferry Morse lines consist of their regular choices along with an Organic Line and Heirloom Line, the pictures alone make me what to plant them. Everything looks so yummy, and you know you and trust the quality of their seeds. One variety we sell out of and reorder all year is the Cat Treats, even my cat at home Hunter enjoys this. I plant a few seeds every week so she always has a new crop growing out of her flower pot.


Another best seller is Basil, just writing about it I'm able to smell this wonderful herb, maybe we'll have to make up a tomato & basil salad this evening. How simple is this recipe, if you haven't tried it or one similar you really should treat yourself to it.

vine ripe tomatoes, cut into bite size pieces or use the cherry ones
a handful of fresh basil leaves, torn into bite size pieces also
blend together a minced clove of garlic with about 2 tablespoons each of extra virgin olive oil and a rich balsamic vinegar.
pour this over the tomatoes and basil and let sit for a little while at room temperature
add salt & pepper to taste if necessary

Enjoy this with some fresh mozzarella a crusty loaf of bread and of course a glass of wine. Sit outside in your garden and reflect on our sunshine which has finally stayed around for a few days.