Growing Edible Greens this Winter

This article was written by Casey, she has a passion for herbs, succulents and learning more about gardening. While putting the nursery back together after Christmas Casey has had a chance to really see what we sell. She saw that the lettuces were quick sellers thus she did a little research on different varieties and would like to share her findings with you. Enjoy your salad.

Gardener’s Salad: So many greens to choose from!

Welcome winter time in San Diego with some cool season greens sure to perk up any salad!  We’ve just gotten in some novel edible greens as well as an interesting assortment of lettuces.  The lower temps we’ve been experiencing might be a little chilly for most San Diegans, but lettuces and their counterparts are slower to bolt (go to seed) in the cooler weather.  Insect pests like leaf miner, aphids, and whitefly are also less active during the winter. Another highlight to growing lettuce and greens is that they will grow quite well in the shade, so you can tuck them nearly anywhere in the garden to harvest year round.  To harvest evenly and discourage bolting, just give your plants a “flat top” hair cut about an inch from the soil, leaving the budding centers to re-grow for your next salad.  With so many varieties of leafy greens to choose from, it’s easy to have a gourmet array growing right in your own backyard!

Right now MHN has some delicious choices for lettuce in six packs.  Red Fire has soft green ruffles brushed with red at the edges. It’s attractively colored curly leaves would be a perfect addition to a baby leaf salad.  Freckles is a fun romaine type lettuce that has a scattering of red speckles over each crunchy leaf.  Its upright growing habit means you can harvest mature heads at 55 days or enjoy it earlier as baby lettuce.  Or, try a selection of lettuce types at once with a six pack of Bistro Blend.  The lettuce seedlings sprouting up vary in color from deep purple-red Rouge D’Hiver and Red Salad Bowl to green Parris Island Cos and Oak Leaf lettuce.  We also currently offer Oak Leaf Lettuce in 4 inch pots.

Spice up salad time with greens that have some kick.  Osaka Purple Mustard is beautifully hued and mildly spicy with a wasabi like flavor.  Oakleaf Arugula has eye-catching lobed leaves, while frilly Frisee has a cheery textured appearance.  Give Italian favorite Silene a place in your garden this season, and enjoy the slightly herbal flavor of its mild green leaves, similar to arugula or chicory.  Harvest the young leaves early for salads, sautés and omelets, and then enjoy the delicate fringed, bell shaped white flowers it puts out in late spring/early summer.  Red Rib Italian Dandelion is a striking contrasting green to add to your salad or used in light cooking.

And don’t forget, there’s always space on a windowsill to grow your own sprouts.  A staff favorite for sprouting are the Sunflower Microgreens from Botanical Interest.  These 100% organic seeds are sprouted and ready to be picked in just about a week after planting….and of course have the appealing texture of fresh sprouts with the toothsome taste of sunflower seeds!  What a great combo.  We also carry Spicy Microgreens and a mix of Sandwich Sprouts.  Be sure to ask about our seed trays and Seed Starter planting medium to get your seedlings off to a sure start.  Happy Gardening!

What to plant in January

Why a Fresh Cut Christmas Tree?

Just My Thoughts

One way to improve our economic situation is with a small jester...the Christmas Tree.

The good ol' American Fresh Cut Christmas Tree, it is a simple product, a renewable resource that keeps people working and earning a living all year long. In good times and tough times; let me explain.

The Christmas Tree begins with a propagator somewhere in Northern United States. We have seed sourcers that look for the best possible traits in fir trees. These folks harvest and germinate the seed that will eventually become a Christmas Tree. The little starts are grown to a height of 4" to 6" in growing trays here in the U.S. before being sold to Christmas Tree farmers who plant them on private farms. Some of these farms are small family owned with just a few acres while others are larger producers with hundreds of acres. The farmer employees people to plant them and grow them until they are ready to harvest, which typically takes 7 to 8 years, at an average height of 7' - 8'.  During the growing period not only are the hired employees caring for these trees but fertilizer and pesticide companies have employees working to keep the Christmas Tree healthy and on track to reach their optimum height. As the Christmas Tree reaches the age of harvest employees go into the fields to grade and select. Christmas Trees need to be ready for cutting every November, so more employees are hired. Some of the Christmas Trees are grown at higher elevations and helicopters are hired to haul them out of areas not easily accessible with tractors. In the processing areas more employees have been hired to tag, wrap, organize and load the Christmas Trees. Truckers are hired to take the trees around the country, giving an economic boost to the trucking industry. Many of these trucks then load up with another commodity to return to their original state, making it more profitable for them.

Once the Christmas Tree reaches its destination, whether it be a small individual business that sets up in a neighborhood, a local garden center such as ours or a non-profit group there are again more people employed.

Now compare a synthetic tree which is made in another country, there is no economic benefit to our country. No U.S. employees are hired, no U.S. product is used and the carbon footprint to get that synthetic tree here is not environmentally positive.

Freshly Cut Christmas Trees are typically recycled after the holidays and used as mulch, it goes back into our gardens and public areas along with employing another branch of workers. The freshly cut Christmas Tree provides many workers with a means to help themselves and their families while bringing smiles of joy to households all over this country.

In my opinion this is one small way we can help improve the U.S. economy.

Merry Christmas,
Fausto

FREE trees

Saturday November 17th -
Tiger is giving away FREE trees. Bring your truck and your friends to help you load.
This offer is valid for one day and you need to load and take the tree(s) with you.
There is no holding and it is first come first to take home. NO RETURNS all sales are FINAL

Some trees may not look their prettiest, but once you get them into the ground they will settle their roots and by next spring you won't believe they were FREE.

Also marked down are all roses in stock 50% off, stone fruit trees 50% off, large fountains 60% off.

Just remember you need to bring your own truck and muscles to load them up.

New at Mission Hills Nursery

We are still waiting here in San Diego for the fall weather to stay around and our gardens need care.
Watering can be tricky, some days we need to water more than once, especially when the winds are blowing. Other days we have gotten rain and hopefully your irrigation system wasn't running at the same time.

The nursery is filling up and cutting back. We are bringing in fall/winter vegetables but cutting back on pottery selections as we begin the annual move of condensing the two side of the nursery into one. We did receive an order of orange pottery, perfect for your Halloween and Thanksgiving decors.

I do love the fall bedding plant selections.

Annual mums will add color to your containers along with pansies and various ornamental kales. Remember to add height and textures to your containers, snap dragons, stock, and grasses bring all those elements together. If you aren't sure what works come visit China and she can help you. If you want we can schedule to pick up your pots, bring them into the nursery so you and China can work together on them, or just let China know your color preferences and she will do her magic.

We have the sidewalk planter filled with pink annuals and perennials in support of the 3 Day Walkers who come by next month on the 18th. Come over and join us as we cheer them on, remember to wear your pink.

For those who enjoy giving paperwhite baskets as gifts during the holiday season, remember it takes approximately 5 weeks for them to be blooming. Count back and begin planting yours up now for Thanksgiving. This year our paperwhite bulbs are a pretty large size, we were not able to get amaryllis bulbs but we will have the plants come in starting next month. We will plant up gift baskets with the bulbs for gift giving. Another fun area which we are restocking after years of not having, flags. You can see the Halloween flags flying in front of the nursery this week, switching over to Fall Harvest and Christmas. This is an inexpensive way to decorate your home for the seasons or no other reason than it is easy and fun.

Tiger's Tips for June

May gray is gone and June gloom is hanging around the coastal communities. If you are having issues with your tomatoes it most likely is due to the weather. Remember tomatoes like consistency. Consistent soil temperature and moisture. Feed regularly as they are trying to produce food to feed you and your family. If you haven't already heard or seen our grafted tomatoes you still have time to come in and get a few for your garden. Right now they are also on sale, buy 2 get 3rd one for just 1cent. Offer good while supplies last.

for the rest of the Tiger Tips stop in the nursery

Urban Farmstyle Seminar

For our April Urban Farmstyle Seminar we are changing it up a bit. The title of a book caught my attention when the author; Cara Wilson-Granat came into the nursery and asked if we would be interested in having her speak. How could I say no to this title.....
It Takes A Lot of Sh*t To Make A Garden Grow

If you or you know someone who could use a little kick start on shoveling all the sh*t out of their life, you won't want to miss this seminar.

What other good things come out of your garden after you've worked hard shoveling and toiling? Flowers, shrubs and edibles of course. After we've all listened to and laughed with Cara we will enjoy a fresh from the garden spring dish prepared by our local food blogger, Liz the Chef.
Liz is one of our neighbors and when I read her postings and see her photos I want to run over and taste her goodies.

What we hope to share with you at this Urban Farmstyle Seminar is there are many good things to come out of gardening. Sure you might have sore muscles, but when you sit back and see how fresh your newly toiled soil looks and smell the earthy delights you know it was worth it. Then when your spring flowers begin blooming and you harvest your first crop of the year, all senses kick in and you feel alive.

Come join us in getting rid of life's unnecessary worries and enjoy a taste of spring. Sunday April 15th 11:30 - 1:30, seating is limited, tickets may be purchased at the nursery $5.00. Sign up via our facebook but payment is due prior to event to guarantee your seat.

Tiger's Tips for March

Much is beginning to happen in the nursery and your gardens as we leave winter behind later this month and welcome Spring.

March's flyer will breakdown the month so you don't get overwhelmed by necessary chores. I am recognizing Richard Lesser this month as your go-to seed guy, plus knowledgable nursery person and our 1st Urban Farmstyle Seminar's guest chef will be Chef Miguel from the Red Door Restaurant. New and old products are re-introduced to you.

If you are a computer person please if you haven't already click over to our facebook page, link is at the top and "like" us, you will get gardening tips, offers, and notice of upcoming events. Plus Fausto is beginning to post pictures of new plants that we get in and you will want to come in quickly as some we receive in limited supplies.

Plant a tree with the Lorax and IHOP

We all grew up reading Dr. Seuss, his books would take us on adventures. There is a movie coming out based upon one of his books. The Lorax which "chronicles the plight of the environment and the Lorax, who speaks for the trees against the greedy Once-ler." One other adventure I think we all enjoyed as a child was going out to breakfast. Now you can share with your children these two adventures in one.

IHOP, International House of Pancakes has teamed up with Universal pictures on the Lorax with sweepstakes and games along with giving away 3 million bookmarks which are seeded. Plant the bookmark and hopefully you will help in growing 3 million trees which we really could use as our Urban Forest are dwindling away. Offer valid while supplies last to children ages 3-12.

Now the question is can you actually grow a tree from the seed varieties they are using, Canadian White Pine and Blue Spruce? Here in San Diego it will take more than just putting that little bookmark in the ground or a container. So we are looking at a different tree seed which we will then exchange your bookmark for. We want your child to be successful in their plantings, not discouraged. If your child gets a Lorax bookmark please don't plant it right away, check with us and we will be sure to either give you good planting information or hopefully change it for another tree more suitable for our climate.

Have fun on your adventure with Dr. Seuss and in your garden.

Love in the Nursery

February the month of Love has brought a new love into our lives at home with the addition of our newest granddaughter, Isabella Rose. Isabella is the daughter of our daughter Kristi and her husband Jeff and she joined the family last Tuesday the 7th. A special Valentine Day will be celebrated by her parents this year I'm sure.

When showing your special Valentine how much you Love him or her how about giving them a gift which will show that Love all year? Flowers and Chocolates are welcome gifts yet a gift that reflects your Love each & every day they look out the window and watch it grow is so rewarding.

Pick a tree which bears fruit, as they bite into it every time they will remember your Love. Or how about a rose in their favorite color? Did you take a special trip together or hope to one day? Plant something which will remind you of the area you went or wish to go to. France maybe? Plant a lavender. Italy? How about a wine grape? Or if you and your Love enjoy cooking together you can plant & grow a vegetable and herb garden. Sharing in growing and cooking what you eat is truly rewarding.

My insights and Tiger's Tips

What a crazy weather month we have had this January. Rain and cold then sunny and hot with today being a perfect spring day. It can be hard on your garden so remember to check your plants for any damage. If you did get some frost do not cut your plants yet, let them go even if they are ugly until the weather stays consistent.

As we began the new year with a clean up at the nursery, just like at home, once you remove the holiday tree and decorations it's time to spruce up the place. Our greenhouse is getting some new coats of paints, let me know what you think of the colors. The upper lot pottery section has been reorganized to make shopping easier and our new line of glazed pottery is getting great reviews.

Roses are in and canned up, we are still expecting our order from David Austin to arrive any day. I selected fragrant varieties, don't you wish rose tags had scratch & sniff spots? Stone fruit trees, Japanese Maples, Wisteria and the very popular Weeping Mulberries are also canned and resting for the winter. But don't wait until spring to get them in your garden they would appreciate a new home while they rest.

Oh yes I can't forget the chickens. Willow, Mr. Rooster is very protective of his ladies so keep an eye out when walking around. Maggie and Ash are plump and happy ladies who each lay an egg every day. Spend some time just watching them you surely will walk away laughing.

Ugly Sweater Contest

wear your ugly Christmas sweater and possibly win a $100 shopping certificate to Mission Hills Nursery. Check out our facebook page for more information.

Great gift idea

This last year we saw a tremendous increase in home gardeners starting or expanding their edible gardens. We brought in garden boxes which you could assemble at home and had a few planted at the nursery, everyone enjoyed the fresh tomatoes, strawberries and herbs. New this year and just in time for the holidays we have a simple to use and store when not in use garden bag.

The Little Acre raised bed garden bag.
No tilling No digging No soil amending No tools No assembly and No weeds

What a fun and easy gift to give that keeps giving, the kids will love growing what they eat while everyone else will enjoy the ease and no hassle growing.

Fausto's special offer includes one Little Acre garden bag, 3 E.B. Stone Planting Compost, and 1 box of E.B. Stone Sure Start for just $74.88 (regular pricing would be just over $95.00) Put the Little Acre garden bag under the tree and the other items can be picked up later so you don't have to wrap the bales of compost. Or you can wrap the compost and really surprise your special gardener.

Tiger's Plant for November

Tiger took time out of setting up our Christmas wonderland to select a plant for the month of November. Even though this plant flowers in the summer you will want it for the foliage which right now just yells "Autumn".

Hibiscus acetosella
Is a tropical hibiscus grown mostly for its foliage. To
me the flower is inconsequential or at best, a nice conversation item. With its psychedelic looking foliage that comes to life during the summer months. The leaves will show red, purple, and a creamy variegation.
This plant will be a great show piece in any garden or container.

Plant Needs: Sun Water: average This plant reaches about 4' and is cold hardy down to 30 degrees. It does like well drained soil

Holidays at the nursery.

Every November we scare many of you, unintentionally that is. No we are not going out of business. We begin moving everything from 4" vegetables, 5 gallon fruit trees, tables and tables of bedding color and tons of pottery from the upper lot. All plants, tables, pots get new homes on the west side, south side, and inside of the nursery. Our upper lot becomes Christmas Wonderland.

Living Christmas trees are already in the nursery,with our first load of fresh cut Christmas trees (no 15 cent tax this year) arriving on Friday, November 18th. Poinsettias will start coming in next week along with wreaths and garland.

If you like paperwhites for the holidays you will want to stagger their planting times. Give them as hostess gifts right before they open completely. Amaryllis bulbs in red, white and a red with white are in our bulb area. While already sprouted ones are on the greenhouse tables.

Holiday plants which are perfect for decorating and gift giving are the Christmas Cactus,
we have them in our greenhouse and Cyclamen on our bedding tables. Succulent wreaths can be hung on walls or doors and left sitting on a table with a candle in the middle.

Grow your own Christmas tree, we have everything you need in a little brown bag. How about a gift for the cook on your list? Rosemary comes in various shapes and sizes.



Let's not get too far ahead of the holidays, we still have Thanksgiving to enjoy. China planted up some paperwhites which if the weather cooperates may be just ready for gift giving to your Thanksgiving hostess. Or select one of our newest glazed pots and let her plant you a gift with flowers and herbs, sage is always needed when cooking those juicy turkeys.

If you need decorating ideas for your Thanksgiving table you will certainly want to go to the Mission Hills Garden Club's November meeting, you may even win your holiday table centerpiece.


I love this time of year, cool clear days, warm soups, and the smells of fireplaces as you walk through neighborhoods. I am Thankful for my health which allows me to enjoy these simple things.

Tiger's Tips for October

Most people do their planting in the Spring when days are longer and warmer. However, did you know that planting in the Fall is the most ideal time?

80% of the plant's root growth occurs in late summer early fall. Milder daytime temperatures along with a bit more dependable rainfall help the plants to establish themselves.
Your garden's soil is warmer, again easier on root growth.
Pest and disease usually lessen with cooling temperatures.

My tip for this month is that you take advantage of what nature provides and plant those larger shade and fruit trees you've been thinking about. For additional fall planting tips stop by the nursery and pick up my guide, broken down by early, middle, and late October.

A fun family project for this month, plant a pumpkin. No I don't mean plant a seed and grow a pumpkin. I mean buy a medium sized pumpkin cut off the top scoop out the seeds, add soil and annual fall color. Perfect fall decoration. Remember to sit your pumpkin on a dish so it doesn't mark your table. Enjoy inside for a dinner party than place it in your garden. As it breaks down let it compost into your soil.

Our fall season is here, enjoy the colors with an array of mums, pansies, violas. Spruce up your containers or garden beds. Decorate your home's walk way or porch with assorted shapes, and colors of pumpkins, gourds and cornstalks. We do have Seasons in San Diego.

Roses 2012

We have our 2012 Rose Selections posted, you may pre-book now for delivery beginning in January 2012. Roses are shipped bare root, or picked up at the nursery planted.

This is going to be a crazy couple of years as we have seen drastic changes within the rose growers industry. If you see a rose you like you may want to book it now. Shortages happen due to crop failures, the grower oversells, and weather doesn't allow harvesting.

We process our orders as they were received, so again order early. If we are unable to fill your order you will be contacted for any substitutions. If you live in a part of the country where you can't plant in January we will grow out your rose, cut it back and ship when you are ready. If we do this than we process your payment in January so we can pull the rose from stock.

After we posted out 2012 selections on our website we received notice that we may be able to receive in some David Austin English roses. Unable to get them on our website we will post them on our Facebook page as soon as they are confirmed. We can't bring them all in so it is always a hard decision when we sit down to choose.

David Austin English roses form shapely shrubs with bushy growth, renowned for their strong & diverse fragrances. These roses are repeat bloomers, providing longer bloom season. Bred for vigor and disease resistance. Also perform well in partial shady conditions along with being quite happy in containers. For more information on David Austin English roses please visit their website.

What do you look for most in a rose?

Fragrance or Color

Staghorn Fern

Staghorn ferns were at one time considered a very difficult plant to grow yet with just a little care you too can enjoy their beauty.

Staghorn does best mounted on a board using moss to protect their roots. Hang in an area with bright light and good air circulation. They really enjoy the warmth and humidity during the summer months. Water regularly during growing season Spring thru Fall, increasing as needed if temperatures rise.

Feed regularly, follow directions depending on what fertilizer you use. During the growing season you can use liquid food such as Fish Emulsion and on occasion give your Staghorn a banana peel which will slowly breakdown.

Chicken Update

When Fausto first brought in these 3 little chicks they fit into the palm of my hand. We were able to keep them by the cash register area where everyone got to see them.

After a couple of weeks they began to test their wings and jump down from their little coop. Not able to fly back up they would sit, flap their wings and make alot of noise until one of us would pick them up.

Then construction began on their condominium complex. Each of them has their own nesting area for when they are older. They have a ramp and places to hide. Moved outdoors they seem to be enjoying the warm summer days, they have plenty of shade, water and scratch. Whenever someone goes down to see them they get all excited.

Because Fausto bought the chickens and he is on the committee to plant trees in San Diego I think he helped sway the votes to name them after trees.
Ash appropriately is the black chicken, Willow is the reddish brown chicken, and Maggie (short for Magnolia) is the lighter one of them all.

Sooner than later these little ladies will be out in the nursery, eating bugs and keeping the kids happy. And for those who are concerned, so far Socks (nursery cat) isn't showing any interest. And with 3 against 1 I think she will keep her distance.

Stop in as they are growing and changing daily, Urban Farming right here at Mission Hills Nursery

Sunday Afternoon

Summer is here, we had too long and cold of a winter if you ask me so I welcome the warmth.
To also welcome in the summer I have brought in a new line of hats from Sunday Afternoons
our first order includes the Palm Spring Visor, not sure which color you might like I think I brought in one of each.

For the men one of the hats I selected is the
Field Hat, Designed for casual everyday use the Field Hat defines comfortable practicality, and it’s loaded with technical features making it one of our best selling sun protective hats. Its full 4” front and back, and 3 1/2” inch side brim are down-sloped for maximum facial sun protection coverage. Features cooling side mesh ventilation, a chinstrap for windy-day security, and an adjustable internal sizing tape system for custom fit. Elasticized wicking sweatband. UPF 50+. Lightweight 3.0 oz. Made in USA

Look stylish and protect yourself while gardening or race season with the
Caribbean Hat for women. The ocean meets the land, with this large brimmed, poly braid women’s hat, in beachy colors. Adjustable leatherette chinstrap, keeps the hat on, in windy conditions. Perfect for vacations. Packs flat for travel. Spot clean with damp cloth, line dry. 50 UPF. Imported

Not to be forgotten, the little ones also have hat choices. Look over Sunday Afternoons selections and let me know what you like, an easy company to work with, I look forward to providing you with more choices.