Unusual Herbs

As I fill up the Herb tables at the nursery I am learning more and more. This week I brought in some herbs based upon customer request and also because the names were different. One such different one on the table this week is Hamburg Parsley. When I first saw it I thought it was hamburger parsley and I envisioned very large leafs that fit on a hamburger. The botanical name for this parsley variety is Petroselinum crispum Tuberosum. It has been described as a cross between parsley and parsnips. The root is what is used and the taste was described to me as a cross between celery and parsley - definitely tasty. You can slice it raw or cook it in soups.

Parsley is rich in vitamins, minerals and compounds which clear toxins from the body. Theories of how parsley gets its name vary. One says it was named for rocks in the Greek gardens, "petros". It is a biennel but most of us grow it as an annual. It is best used fresh so keep it growing in a pot handy to the kitchen, clip if often to promote new growth. You do know why they put in on your plate in restaurants right? Natural breath freshner.

Another leafy herb on the table this week is Chervil, which when I researched it found it has a family alliance to cow parsley, Anthriscus sylvestris. Well Chervil resembles flat leaf parsley the aroma and taste suggest tarragon & fennel. If you enjoy French cooking you certainly want Chervil in your herb garden. Use the leaves to enhance white fish, eggs, soups and salads. When adding to cooked foods add it near the end so as not to overcook the flavor.

An herb which you either welcome into your herb garden or dispise the smell of. Epazote, Chenopodium ambrosoides. This Mexican herb has a very strong taste, it has been used in Mexican cuisine dating back to the Aztecs who used it for not only cooking but medicinal purposes. Used in moderation it may help relieve gassiness that comes from eating beans, thus it is cooked in with the beans.

All of these are on the tables this weekend, I'll post more varieties in a few days, but now it's off to work. See you at the nursery and remember we do have umbrellas so you can shop in the rain.

San Diego's liquid sunshine

Went to bed last night without the rains having come, and woke up this morning to the sound of it hitting our bedroom window. Looking out at it now is a welcome sight as we know the rain makes all the plants in the nursery happier. Plus the weather report says it is going to stop raining in about 15 minutes. Since it was a few hours late in coming I'm not sure it will stop on time. But you can be assured when it does stop later this morning the nursery is be ready for you.


And by ready believe me when I say ready. Fausto did the buying this last week and he bought for spring weather. The vegetable table became tables, the front displays are bursting with geraniums in all colors, and varieties. Chamaelaucium uncinatum, botanical name for Waxflower, are budding and showing some color. Plant these in your garden for a hardy drought-tolerant flowering plant which when cut last for a long time in your arrangements.

Right about now you will begin seeing burst of soft pink flowers with a strong fragrance, this is the Pink Jasmine, Jasminum polyanthum. This is an evergreen vine which originated in China. The abundance of flowers is stunning. Plant it where you want an impact of color and fragrance. If pink is your choice in the garden you will want to see the Pink Magnolias, they are budded and flowering. And if you want to know what this plant will look like when mature you can see one just 2 doors west of the nursery in the front yard of a home for sale. I hope the new owners don't take out this tree it helps us sell alot of trees. (no picture attached just drive by for the real thing)

Red Aloe came in yesterday and I learned that if you give it more water than not it will show more green, very pretty specimens available this weekend.

There is so much more at the nursery we hope you'll stop in, and if it is still raining we have umbrellas you can borrow.

Sunshine and your edibles

When walking this morning I actually had to wear my sunglasses, what a welcome change from the last couple of weeks.
We are so fortunate to live in a city with such beautiful weather for most of the year. Once our rain was over everything looked so clean. While the people on the east coast once their snows are done they will still have a mess to deal with.
Wish you could have captured some of our rains? You can with a Rain Barrel, stop by and see Tiger for more information and to save 30% off your purchase this month.

Many of you are looking for basil plants, we hope to be restocked next week, with the cold weather the plants didn't want to leave the warm greenhouses. We do have a good selection of Tomato plants, broccoli, lettuces and brussel sprouts, have you ever seen them growing?





Did you get your antioxidants in your breakfast this morning? Make it easier on yourself by planting a berry bush in your backyard. How yummy do fresh berries with your morning cereal or yogurt taste? We have varieties which are suitable for our mild climate.

Rainy Day Savings

We try and stay open during the rain for those of you who enjoy gardening in it. Yet there are times we close early so always call before heading over. Yet if you are going to come over we want to Thank You with Rainy Day Savings.
Print this blog entry and bring with you on any day this year 2010 that is raining. No it couldn't have rained the night before, or may rain the next day it has to be raining when you come in. By shopping in the rain you can save 20% off your purchase.


20% valid on your total purchase of regularly priced items, can not be combined with any other offer.

If you aren't going to garden in the rain than at least put on a pair of boots and jump in puddles. Puddle jumping brings out the child in each of us

European Baskets

Join us Saturday February 13th for a class on European Baskets. These may be planted to be enjoyed either inside or outdoors. If you already have an empty basket bring it and see how to bring it back to life, or buy one from our selection.


In celebration of Valentine's Day we will serve Strawberries, Chocolate and Champagne during the class, so bring a friend and make it a fun morning.
Class begins at 10:00 am, you also receive 15% off any plants you purchase for your basket.

Winterizing your Rose Garden

The first in our series of gardening classes will be Sunday January 31, 2010. Class begins at 11:00am and will run about 1 hour, depending on how many questions there are. This first class is on winter care of your roses.
Learn how to prune your rose


and what are the correct tools to use. What to spray your roses with after you have pruned them. And if adding new roses to your garden what to look for in dormant roses.


Bring your own pruners, be sure they are sharp and we'll let you do some hands on pruning.

After learning these simple steps to successful rose growing you will be inspired to buy more roses for your garden, or begin a rose garden so we will offer you a FREE Louise Hay rose with the purchase of any 4 other roses.

Pineapple Talk

Pineapple Talk given to the Bromeliad Society on Tuesday January 12, 2010 by Fausto Palafox, owner of Mission Hills Nursery.

Tell Us Your Experience

This year we are celebrating our 100th anniversary, and Reina dressed up when we told her about it.


The biggest celebration will happen during the spring. Since the nursery was first opened by Kate Sessions there have been many who have walked through our nursery and found just the right plant for their garden. A good many had brought their own children in, who are now bringing their grandchildren in, and taught them the many benefits of gardening. Whether it was done out of a necessity to grow food, to beautify your home, or as exercise we are glad you have chosen us. "Life's a Garden, Dig It!" has been our motto for many years and it really is true. Our newest slogan is Dirt....where it begins. As Fausto tells us without good soil no matter what you plant you will have a harder job getting it to grow.

As part of our celebration we want to hear your story. Please send them to me either via email toni@missionhillsnursery.com, mail, or drop them by the nursery. If you have photos or other memorabilia please include these. If something you want to share is not able to be copied we will return them after our celebration.

Each month we will select one story to post at the nursery and the winning entry will receive a $50.00 shopping spree, winning story will be selected by our staff and our key affiliates.

Send your story in now, everyone has something memorable to share with others. If Reina could only talk I'm certain she would have a great story to tell about how much she and Socks Love living at Mission Hills Nursery. We never know she just may tell me something I can write about their adventures, stay tuned.

Getting There

We are about 70% restocked at the nursery, our upper lot is blooming with winter color, citrus trees some flowering some fruiting. Our pottery department has been moved to make your shopping easier, or maybe harder since you will be able to see more choices in one spot, oh and you thought just running to the nursery to pick up a pot was a simple chore.

We've left open an area to be used as our planting area when bareroot roses and dormant trees arrive. Here is a photo of them in their fields being harvested.

Our first order is due to arrive early January. You can pick up a list of our 2010 rose selections at the nursery or on our website. If you want to know which stone fruit trees and other ornamental trees are coming in just drop me an email and I'll send it over.

Thank you for supporting us over the last 99 years

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from all of us at Mission Hills Nursery.
May your holiday season be filled with the warmth and laughter of
family and friends. May your garden provide you with a bounty
of fruit, vegetables and flowers.

Rain and more Rain

Rain has been falling all day and even though not many of you are venturing out to the nursery those brave soles are finding it very peaceful. I've enjoyed walking thru the plants during a rain, they seem to be singing and reaching up as they stretch their limbs. The cats are hiding inside while little boys splash in the mud and little girls scream with delight. Such a welcome sight after so many months of dry. Let's hope the ground is able to absorb most of it instead of having it run off into the drains and out into the ocean.

Now that we've gotten our first rain you may be wishing you had purchased that Rain Tank while they were on sale last month. Many of you did buy and we should receive them in the nursery by the 14th. If you didn't buy last month but still want to get one installed before the winter rains stop you can still order yours, turn around time is about 2-3 weeks, you won't want to wait too long or you could miss out on Mother Nature helping you water your garden this spring.

This is the stream line version which fits flatter against your wall. Our most popular one is round and holds 205 gallons. Stop in and talk with Tiger if you have any questions.

Fresh Christmas Trees

Our first load of fresh cut Christmas trees is on the lot at Mission Hills Nursery. Juan, Enrique, and Fernando have been busy getting them ready to be sent out to homes and businesses this weekend. The fragrance of the season has begun to fill the neighborhood, while the warm cinnamon pine cones fill the inside of our nursery.









This picture gives you an idea of the beauty of our Poinsettias, you will want to come in and see them for yourself. They are stunning and vivid, so clean that more than one customer thought they were artificial. This weekend we have them in Red and White, but in another week you will have more color choices.

Strelitzia reginae Mandela's Gold

Fausto loves to research different plants to bring into the nursery. Some come in ready to sell while others we have to grow and wait. The wait is over on a beautiful plant which we grew from seed. A Yellow Bird of Paradise, the seeds were brought over from South Africa and the first crop is just beginning to bloom. While Fausto was out taking a photo of the bloom one of our nursery bees, and you know we have many, landed on the plant.


Strelitzia 'Mandela's Gold' marks the first time a yellow Bird of Paradise will grow true from seed. Usually they will cross pollinated by the more common orange Bird of Paradise. At the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, in South Africa, the curator had access to 7 yellow Bird of Paradise plants and spent the next 20+ years hand-pollinating them with each other to increase the stock. Their first yellow strelitzia introduced to the trade was released under the name 'Kirstenbosch Gold'. In 1996, they were given permission to re-name it in honor of Nelson Mandela.

'Mandela's Gold' has 3 yellow sepals and 3 deep purple petals that sit on top as the crest of the bird's head. 'Mandela's Gold' grows to about 4-6' and needs warm, tropical like conditions, even indoors.

Truly a plant for the serious collector of the "unusual". Stock is limited bring in this page to receive yours for 15% off regular price. One discount per family please. Valid 11/11/09 thru 11/13/09 yes 3 days only special pricing.

Trick or Treat

Witches, goblins, princesses, and more will be walking the streets this Saturday, drive slowly. What a fun time Halloween is, a day when you can dress up and pretend to be someone or something else. Come in dressed in your costume and see Claudia for a FREE gardening treat.

Our fall clearance sale ends once Halloween is over, you still have 4 more days of great savings and as we hoped the fountain inventory is shrinking daily. With all fountains in stock at 50% off they are moving quickly.

Fall temperatures bring new plants to the nursery for your garden. China has a nice selection of mums, pansies, violas, and kales. Enrique has been feeding and pruning the roses, many are setting new buds and blooming he has included them in the clearance sale. Juan has the trees cleaned and fed, just waiting to help load them in your car or for the taller ones see Fernando to schedule Richard to deliver them to you. Our other Richard is ever so happy to walk the nursery with you and select just the right plant for your problem area, he works Sundays and Mondays. And if you want to capture some of the rain we'll get this winter you certainly want to talk with Tiger.

Now if you are still confused about how to get the maximum out of your garden with the water restrictions, or you are ready to redo all or part of your garden please come in and see Fausto. Fausto has been designing gardens for the last 20+ years, I'm always amazed at what he can come up with just by looking at a plot of dirt.

Everyone at Mission Hills Nursery works here because we enjoy what we do and we want to help you. If you ever have a gardening need we hope you turn to us first, we'll be 100 years old next year and we're still "growing".

Container Seminar

Are you envious of the containers you see planted at your friend's home? Do you have limited gardening space? Or has it become harder to get down on your hands and knees to dig in the soil? You will then want to come to Mission Hills Nursery on Saturday November 7, 2009 for a seminar and step by step how to plant container gardens.

Kristi and China will demonstrate how to pull together a few different containers for Fall. You will then be able to ask them to shop with you for a look that will make your friends jealous.

Seminar is FREE and begins at 11:30 am. If you have a container at home you really like bring it to the seminar and plant it at the nursery after you've gotten some tips. This way you can play with the look before you actually plant it. Your plant, soil, and container purchases will be discounted 20%.
Sign up at the nursery by 11/05/09 and you will be entered into a drawing to take home one of the containers Kristi and China put together.

Kate's Sale

I was reading the San Diego Floral Associations 100th year book and there were a few ads which our founder, Kate Session had run back in the early 1900's. One which caught my attention was her Fall Clearance Sale and I decided to follow her.

Beginning Friday October 2nd and running through Saturday October 31st all plant material in stock 5 gallon and larger will be discounted 25%. Just as Kate had done on the shrubs and trees she had in stock.

Sale price is limited to stock on hand, does not apply to California Natives grown by Moosa Creek Nursery. And all sales are FINAL, no returns or exchanges.

Fall is the time to plant and we are looking forward to seeing you in the nursery.

Pumpkins

Our first load of Pumpkins was delivered on Thursday, from small to x-large. Pick your favorites for carving and extra ones to decorate with.

I think the Fairytale variety make beautiful fall displays for your porch or entry way.












Just keep your pumpkins dry and they should last you through Thanksgiving.

Fall Vegetables

I know it still feels like summer yet we are coming upon the time to begin planting our fall vegetable gardens. And how spoiled are we in San Diego to be able to plant tomatoes which will produce during the winter months?

We have begun receiving our winter varieties along with lettuces and kales. Over the next couple of weeks our vegetable area will grow with choices.

Do you know how to prepare your beds for fall/winter vegetables? Or when to harvest your rewards? If not sure or if you want to maybe learn more then join us on Saturday September 26th from 4:00 - 6:00 for a wine tasting and vegetable seminar. The actual talk on vegetable gardening will begin around 4:45. Cost is just $5.00 per person, sign up at the nursery.

Birdbaths

Birds enjoy eating their meals (insects), in your garden along with napping in your trees. Yet not many of us provide them with a place to bath. Yet it can be something quite simple as a terra cotta saucer
to elaborate stone or glazed birdbaths. Just remember not too deep, and they need a ledge to perch on. Keep it clean and your garden birds will sing in their showers.


Visit us at Mission Hills Nursery and we can fill your bird's bathing requests.

Pourpier or Portulaca oleracea

I had a special request for Purslane also known as Pourpier in French and Verdolaga in Spanish this last week and I was able to bring some in from our herb grower Pearson's Gardens. I learned this annual can be enjoyed in stir-fry, salads, and other culinary dishes along with just being enjoyed as a summer flower in the garden.

If you have been looking for this plant it is in stock this week. For more information on this annual visit the link listed above. If you cook with it maybe bring us a sample so we can say first had we've tasted it. I did try it raw but not something I'll be adding to my salads.