On the garden path

Release

2012-01-19T09:45:00.001-08:00

Cash is anxiously awaiting for
Daddy to get off the plane
at NAS Jax

Release; The Art of Letting Go

As some of you may know, I have been in Florida while the major transformation has been taking place at The Flower Tree. Before I left we spent the first week of 2012 moving everything out of the gift shop, packing up the small amount that was left after the holiday sale, removing everything off the walls and getting ready. Ready for ReNewal, ready for ReCharge and ready for ReViving the area. We haven't done any major remodeling to the shop for the last few years and it was in dire need of a makeover. After we picked out all the paint colors (by painting numerous different colors all over the walls) and chose the wood to use for some projects - I boarded a jet plane and took off for points east. January and July are usually very slow months in Garden Center World, and it allows me the opportunity to take some much needed Recharge time of my own. The grandsons are now 4 ½ and 1 and the changes that take place between each visit are turning pretty major. We have ridden our bikes, walked the trails, cuddled and snuggled until this Nana is finally starting to relax. My son-in-law, Travis, returned from Bahrain last night where he has been deployed for the last two months. He missed the holidays and so today is their Christmas in Jacksonville. The tree is still up and the presents are to be opened and while we certainly will be celebrating the season, we are celebrating his return so much more.

The title of this post is what I have also been working hard on this last two weeks since I arrived here in Florida. It is …Release….

Those that know me well also know that I like to have my hands in things around the nursery. It has pretty much consumed me these last eleven years, I think in a good way, but consumed never the less. To have a project ongoing at home, a project this large that is taking place without me has been a tough one. When I got on the plane to fly east I had my note pad out making notes, I was working on the website, I was busy flipping through the catalog for the trade show I will be attending this coming weekend…….and then I landed in NanaWorld…..and all of a sudden the decisions of back home took a backseat. It wasn’t because I didn’t care, and it certainly wasn’t because I didn’t want to be involved….here comes the big part…it was BECAUSE I AM SURROUNDED BY MIRACLE WORKERS. Every one of the beautiful spirits involved with making this transition take place has been in my thoughts daily. I KNOW HOW MUCH WORK it takes to achieve the look and feel of what we envisioned. I cannot say enough, THANK YOU! But I will keep trying, every day I walk in, even if they aren’t there and only Harriet is there to greet me, I will be saying thank you, thank you, thank you!

and yes, just in case you are wondering........I am releasing..................

The BIG project - ReNew~ReCharge~ReVive

2012-01-10T05:17:00.000-08:00

I wish I could show you some pictures...
I wish I could view it myself....
But...the project is ongoing without me while I am in Florida snuggling with the grand kids.

Before I left we pretty much gutted the gift shop at the nursery. It has been 11 years now since we opened the Creative Garden, and it was in serious need of a make over. The party started with me there in full swing, the music going, the liquids flowing (coffee), everyone laughing and talking all at the same time throwing out ideas and suggestions.

Over the course of a few days, the walls were emptied, the cabinets moved out, holes patched and hooks taken out of the roof, product donated to our local thrift store that we no longer were going to carry, decorations for the winter season packed up and put away, walls washed down........and then.......I GOT ON A JET PLANE AND HEADED EAST.

So just like you, I will be TOTALLY SURPRISED, and amazed when I get back to Fallon. The creative souls I am surrounded with have been incredibly busy. Throw in some amazingly talented friends that assisted them and you get the picture, a huge change IN STORE.

Friday, January 20th,

THE BIG UNVEIL!

Don't miss it!!!

Where in the world is Susan...

2012-01-09T05:36:00.000-08:00

Morning walks......

and

birthday cake (Sara's 31st)

makes me 1 Happy Nana

ps, I'm in Florida :}

It's a New Year

2012-01-01T18:26:00.000-08:00

I watched the fireworks at the fairgrounds last night from the comfort and warmth of my sitting room. As each "boom" lit up the sky I reminisced about the past year, and thought about the coming one. I think that every year I think of the new year as just that ...a new beginning. A chance to take this one day and reflect on where my life is going and what I intend to do with the next few months as we progress into the new one. I have a lot to be thankful for, as evidenced by my health and almost complete use of my left shoulder (those new to these posts will note that I had rotor cuff surgery last Spring). More important I am thankful to be surrounded by the most positive, hard working, incredibly talented group of women probably EVER grouped together in one small garden. This year as we walk down this path together ~ once again I hope that I can be even half of supportive of them, as they are of me.

The holidays are behind me, and the seed catalogs and garden magazines that stacked up by the chair in November & December are back in my lap. The absolutely beautiful Christmas tree we had this year is stripped of its ornaments and lays outside in preparation of becoming a winter bird habitat and quiet has once again descended on our house. The black eyed peas are simmering on the stove, the dirty rice done and the cornbread ready to go in the oven .....it's dinner time Southern Style.

The days ahead will bring much activity at the nursery, but most of you won't be able to see it for a couple more weeks. We are in the very important task of ReCharging ~ ReViving ~ ReNew'ing both the gift shop and OURSELVES. We have some small and big Gift Shows to attend, and I will be heading out to Florida in a few for some HUGE hugs with the kids.

What more can you ask for on the first day of the year.....temperatures were cold, but the sun was shining, there was no wind ~allowing the perfect opportunity for a long walk and a chance to do a little watering. As I raised my face to the sun, just as the flowers have always showed us to do, I gave thanks, for my life, my husband, my family and my friends. Happy New Year to one and all!

Christmas Eve for Harriet

2011-12-24T23:59:00.000-08:00

'Twas the night before Christmas,
And all through the store,

Not a creature was stirring,

No one came through the door.

Harriet was safely sleeping,

On her bed on the floor,

When outside in the trees

She heard quite the roar.

She ran round the table,

And put her face to the glass.............

To see what could be causing

This loud sounding crash.

"It's just us", we exclaim,

As we open the door

We've coming bearing gifts,

Catnip, treats and toys galore!

We picked up sweet Harriet

And cuddled her well,

Filled her food and water

And pulled out her new bell.

We left with a smile

Harriet's blanket tucked tight,

Merry Christmas to all,

And to all a good night.

Merry Christmas from our family, including Harriet, to yours. May the season bring you good health and happiness.

Winter Solstice, Gardening Style

2011-12-21T08:12:00.001-08:00

	Today, December 21, at 9:30 pm. PST is the Winter Solstice. I could tell you all about the scientific explanation ~ that the winter solstice occurs exactly when the axial tilt of a planet's polar hemisphere is farthest away from the star that it orbits. Or.... I could list some of the cultural elements of the Winter Solstice also known as Yule, Christmas, and Saturnalia. It celebrates the birth of the new Solar year and the beginning of Winter. The Goddess manifests as the Great Mother and the God as the Sun Child. The God also appears as Santa Claus and Old Man Winter. Colors are Red, Green, and White. This is a festival of inner renewal, a time to strengthen bonds with family and friends by visiting and/or exchanging gifts and greetings. No one is really sure how long ago humans recognized the winter solstice and began heralding it as a turning point -- the day that marks the return of the sun to the northern hemisphere. Many cultures the world over perform solstice ceremonies. At their root -- an ancient fear that the failing light would never return unless humans intervened with anxious vigil or antic celebration. But first and foremost, my life as a nursery owner revolves around gardening. I love the winter solstice because it means one very important thing. The days are going to start getting longer. The short days and long nights of winter are not my favorite time of year. I long for the sun on my face and the warmth that the longer days of summer bring. So when the winter solstice hits it’s comforting to know that the days will be getting longer, and Spring and Summer are on the way. Something that also can be done on the Winter Solstice.....walk outside....today or close to it....and take note of where the garden is shaded. This is the shortest day of the year and if you are lucky, as we are today in our beautiful valley of Fallon, Nevada it will be sunny enough that you can use this time to do some planning. Remember last year when you came into our nursery, or perhaps you were at a friends garden looking to try something new, and were looking for a specific plant, one that needed sun all year round. Something like lavender that really does require sun the entire year to stay warm and thrive. Either jot down in your gardening journal, you do have a journal don't you?, or place a rock where it will remind you that this area is shaded all winter, it's not the place to put certain plants. The sun in the sky today is not where it was in the summer, how quickly we forget that though when picking out plants in the gorgeous days of Spring and Summer. HAPPY SOLSTICE to all and beautiful blessings for the New Year!

Today, December 21, at 9:30 pm. PST is the Winter Solstice. I could tell you all about the scientific explanation ~ that the winter solstice occurs exactly when the axial tilt of a planet's polar hemisphere is farthest away from the star that it orbits.

Or.... I could list some of the cultural elements of the Winter Solstice also known as Yule, Christmas, and Saturnalia. It celebrates the birth of the new Solar year and the beginning of Winter. The Goddess manifests as the Great Mother and the God as the Sun Child. The God also appears as Santa Claus and Old Man Winter. Colors are Red, Green, and White. This is a festival of inner renewal, a time to strengthen bonds with family and friends by visiting and/or exchanging gifts and greetings. No one is really sure how long ago humans recognized the winter solstice and began heralding it as a turning point -- the day that marks the return of the sun to the northern hemisphere. Many cultures the world over perform solstice ceremonies. At their root -- an ancient fear that the failing light would never return unless humans intervened with anxious vigil or antic celebration.

But first and foremost, my life as a nursery owner revolves around gardening. I love the winter solstice because it means one very important thing. The days are going to start getting longer. The short days and long nights of winter are not my favorite time of year. I long for the sun on my face and the warmth that the longer days of summer bring. So when the winter solstice hits it’s comforting to know that the days will be getting longer, and Spring and Summer are on the way.

Something that also can be done on the Winter Solstice.....walk outside....today or close to it....and take note of where the garden is shaded. This is the shortest day of the year and if you are lucky, as we are today in our beautiful valley of Fallon, Nevada it will be sunny enough that you can use this time to do some planning. Remember last year when you came into our nursery, or perhaps you were at a friends garden looking to try something new, and were looking for a specific plant, one that needed sun all year round. Something like lavender that really does require sun the entire year to stay warm and thrive. Either jot down in your gardening journal, you do have a journal don't you?, or place a rock where it will remind you that this area is shaded all winter, it's not the place to put certain plants. The sun in the sky today is not where it was in the summer, how quickly we forget that though when picking out plants in the gorgeous days of Spring and Summer.

HAPPY SOLSTICE to all and beautiful blessings for the New Year!

Carson Robert turns 1

2011-12-17T16:44:00.000-08:00

Happy 1st Birthday

Carson Robert Thompson!!!
You may be the "little" brother, but you sure are a "BIG" sparkle in our life.
Love Nana & Papa

Lucia's Winter Wonderland

2011-12-16T06:48:00.000-08:00

Every year around the holidays we girls gather up some snacks and our creative spirits and we flow over to Lucias house. She does the holidays in a BIG way, a BIG VINTAGE way! and we all love it. We wander from room to room and marvel at the inspired way she has not only decorated her home, but her life as well. Most all of the decorations are vintage inspired, and at least half of them are handmade by Lucia herself, including this gorgeous wreath constructed from old ornaments. After touring each room we settle in either for an old movie, or a craft project. This year was a "craft" year - so with Mod podge and paper in hand we started creating an ornament. Many hours of laughter and good food later we ventured back out into the cold with a memory to hang on the tree, and a memory in our hearts. Thank you Lucia, can't wait for next year!

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.............

EVENING OF WINE Raffle WINNERS

2011-12-15T10:48:00.000-08:00

Raffle Winners!

Evening of Wine

12/14/2011

Check the numbers below, if you are a WINNER, bring your ticket to Red Zinnia and collect your prize! Thank you for attending our Annual Event, we really appreciate your support!!! Susan

274946: Twisted Oak short sleeve T-shirt

274957: Twisted Oak long sleeve T-shirt

275210: The Glenlivet collar shirt

274955: The Glenlivet collar shirt

274924: Fireball Whiskey T-shirt

274918: Crown Royal T-shirt

275118: Crown Royal T-shirt

275078: Crown Royal T-shirt

274962: Crown Royal T-shirt

275041: Crown Royal T-shirt

274976: Crown Royal T-shirt

275056: Crown Royal T-shirt

275106: Crown Royal T-shirt

275061: Crown Royal T-shirt

275080: Crown Royal T-shirt

274927: Crown Royal T-shirt

275029: Crown Royal T-shirt

275065: Crown Royal Gloves

274967: Crown Royal Gloves

274939: Crown Royal Gloves

275128: Crown Royal Gloves

275000: Crown Royal Gloves

275096: Crown Royal Gloves

274947: Crown Royal Gloves

274982: Crown Royal Gloves

275086: Crown Royal Gloves

275084: Crown Royal Gloves

274959: Crown Royal Gloves

275089: Dewar’s Hat

274933: Dewar’s Hat

275109: Dewar’s Hat

275185: Dewar’s Hat

275122: Jagermeister Hat

275013: Cruzan Hat

275040: Cruzan Hat

274970: Cruzan Hat

274936: Cruzan Beach Hat

274978: Cruzan Beach Hat

274989: Tom, Veg, & Herb Fertilizer and Pruner Set

275072: Rose & Flower Fertilizer and Pruner Set

274965: Four Vines “Loco” Wine

275119: Trevisiol Pros Ecco Wine

274934: Salt City Fragrance Diffuser Kit

275039: Salt City Fragrance Diffuser Kit

274979: Fear Less, Hope More sign

275083 Colorado Blue Spruce Tree

274923: GRAND PRIZE CHURCHILL VINEYARDS BASKET

Family Holidaze 2011

2011-12-14T06:43:00.000-08:00

Pinecone Bird feeders,
Yule Logs & Centerpieces.....ahhhhhh another great Flower Tree Family Holidaze!
Thank you to one and all that stopped by and spread some cheer with us! Merry Christmas!

Natural Wreaths (Evening Class)

2011-12-10T06:45:00.000-08:00

Michelle's second Natural Wreath Class took place this past Wednesday evening. It was a little chilly out in the green room, but with the fire sparked and the laughter flowing, it felt pretty warm to me. Because it was going to be dark by the time the ladies got started with class, Michelle had come in earlier in the afternoon and gathered twigs and berries...pieces of mossy branches...a little bit of everything from the back gardens. She had also brought in her own dried artichoke flowers from her summer garden. They were beautiful on the wreaths. Add a little here, put a little there, and the end results were natural and creative reminders of gardens past, and the holidays ahead. Everyone had a great time, and the creative juices were flowing.......take a look for yourself.

Michelle is hiding behind the wreath she made as the demonstration. Lucky, lucky me...I got to take that one home to hang on my own door.

Natural Wreaths with Michelle

2011-11-28T19:30:00.000-08:00

Every year a group of local teachers and friends get together for their own private natural wreath class. The first hour is spent with Michelle as she leads them around the nursery property gathering twigs and branches...bits of ivy and Oregon grape..a few dried grasses and berries...some russian olives that have turned light grey on the trees...a little bit of everything that catches their eye. Then the fun begins creating their own art piece to grace their front door.

Arranged and organized by the beautiful woman to your right, Melinda, they fill the room with laughter and joy. It feels pretty special to be part of their "Making a Memory" every year. Can't wait to see what they create next.

What gardeners do..........

2011-11-21T19:09:00.000-08:00

What do nursery workers do when they get a well-deserved day off, well …….they GARDEN of course. Yesterday I spent the majority of the day out in the side yard. Cleaning, raking, re-arranging the plants that still need to go into the ground, I KNOW, I am quickly running out of time. The morning temps were in the high 20’s and I had to wait till mid-morning until the hose was thawed enough to get water through it, but once it started flowing I was on my way. The trees all got a great drink, the shrubs and perennial beds soaked it up and the roses…......well let’s just say the bark I spread last month was floating when I was done. We live in the DESERT….with 4” of moisture a YEAR! I know a lot of you have a hard time wrapping your head around that…especially those of you back east that get a regular dose of 4” a day. But here in the high desert of Nevada you have to water even in the winter. At least once a month I pull the hose out, even when it is 20’ out….and give everything a great drink. I’m just very grateful when a sunny day with no wind comes with it. The upset of my morning, finding all the tomatoes under the plants I pulled up to put into the compost pile. I thought I had gotten all of them and placed them in the garage to ripen before the hard freeze last month.

My plans for Thanksgiving Day: YES, I will get the rest of the bulbs and pots of perennials in their forever location, as long as it is sunny.

and this leaf from the forsythia.......it's hanging onto summer.......just as I am.....

East Bound

2011-11-17T07:59:00.000-08:00

Robert and I took off into the wild blue skies last week for points east. Once a year we go to the kids together, usually around Thanksgiving time. The rest of the year we split up our visits so one of us is here at the house to take care of the two businesses, hug on the dogs and watch out for freezing pipes or burning up plants…depends on the season. While in the vacation planning stages a few months ago we realized that our oldest grandson is now the required 44" tall, so this trip we were Disney bound. A thrill seeker just like his Dad and PaPa, we couldn't take him there until he was ready for the rides.
Growing up in Florida I have been to Disneyworld many times, including the month after it opened in 1971. Piled into my Dads borrowed (with permission) pickup, my brother driving, and a couple of close friends in tow we headed north from Miami to spend a couple days in the campground and see what all the hoopla was about. Fast forward 40 years!!! and we were heading south from Jacksonville to do the same with the kids. Same campground, but this time it was a cabin at Ft. Wilderness instead of an old tent. The magic is still there, and of course …. everything was even more magical with a four year old in tow. The look of wonder on his face was only surpassed by the smiles on my daughters as she watched her son. As my grandson told me in his own words after we got off the Dumbo ride for the second or third time “Nana, I think all my dreams have come true”. Mine too Cash, mine too.

and YES Carson, I promise we will take you again when you are four!

15....and counting

2011-11-02T21:40:00.000-07:00

October 31st was Halloween for a lot of you, (not if you live in Fallon though, we celebrated on the 29th as Fallon celebrates Nevada Day on the 31st). But for me....it was a birthday of sorts..of our house. The House That Bob Built is now marking it's 15th birthday. Bob, for those of you that don't know us - is my husband of 38 years, my best friend, my confident....and oh yes, the builder of our home. It was a hot summer day that they cleared the then one acre field of alfalfa and marked out the foundation of our house. 89 days, yes 89 DAYS later, it was finished! During those months we were camped out in a crowded little house by the Stillwater refuge, but enjoying our evenings eating pizza at the job site and gathering more and more information from different dealers on what appliance, lighting, plumbing fixtures, carpeting, linoleum, tubs....you get the picture. We were building a home. Having been in construction for years before we started our home, Bob had some pretty "set in stone" rules. The biggest one was Black Black No Trade Back! There were to be no changes once we got started. Couldn't decide that the windows needed to be bigger or smaller, couldn't place a door at the west instead of the east, couldn't move walls to accommodate a bigger living room...black black..NO trade back. But in the end, he was right, as he most often is, darn it....and we kept the house under budget and got the home that we wanted....needed....and to this day...love.

Here it is 15 years later. We have changed the gardens outside many many times. We have added a multitude of trees, rose gardens everywhere the sun shines, an extra large garage out back for Bob's passion - off road motorcycle racing/riding and we have raised our daughter through high school/ sent her off to college/welcomed her future husband into our home as our son/ had their wedding reception in the backyard/ and watched as the little tree we planted out back grew it's branches strong enough to accommodate a swing for their sons. We are happy people, and we love our house....our home...and yes...I want to say...after all these years.....

Thank you Bob, I still love the "House that Bob Built"

Giant Pumpkin Weighs In!!

2011-10-31T19:58:00.000-07:00

Our HUGE pumpkin out front (and all our others that we had for sale this season )was grown for us again this year by Scott Goodpasture of Pioneer Farms. He weighed the pumpkin before he brought it down to the store. That's right, Scott SEALED the envelope with the weight in it so we could not peek. If I didn't know better, I would think he didn't trust us or something.

Rose sorting through the hundreds of entries

The envelope please........

And the winners are............IT'S A TIE!!!!

Both ladies will receive a gift certificate for their lucky guess.

Harriet would like to thank all of you for participating. And.....if you would like seeds from the GIANT beauty, just let us know and we will save you some. (Not this one, Harriet was to afraid to sit on the big one)

And the CAPS Winner is.....

2011-10-30T18:50:00.000-07:00

Every few months they ask me to come into this place filled with trees and wander around. I'm pretty big, but they don't even mind if my tail hits a few things. I know there is a cat here, and I think her name is Harriet, but she doesn't really like me. I like her though.

Not sure why - but they always do this silly game called "Find the Dog Biscuit in the Papers", but I'll play along. There is usually something good at the bottom.
hmmmmm......I smell a winner......

My job here is done......time to relax!

Melinda, David and Abby picking up their new tree

THANK YOU! To everyone who purchased tickets for the Fall 2012 CAPS raffle. It was a huge success, with $372.00 worth of donation tickets sold! To find your new best friend like Budro above, visit the CAPS Website
Next up is our Winter Raffle, watch for info soon on the gorgeous Colorado Blue Spruce that could grace your home this holiday. Thank you again for helping us support this much needed cause, Susan

Free Seed Offer is back for 2011

2011-10-26T19:08:00.000-07:00

Do you qualify for 20 FREE PACKETS OF SEEDS?

Every year the seed companies take back hundreds of packets of seeds that we have not sold and give us credit towards our next years order. Last year we happened to ask them "Just what do you do with all these seeds that are returned ever year?" We were told that they were either;

1. Sent to developing countries

2. Repackaged and sold again the following year (something I can not imagine! them doing, opening up all those little seed packets and re-marketing them)

3. Destroy them.

So we asked very kindly if we could give them away to non-profit organizations, and they said YES!!! Just as we did last year, we thought we put it out to more of the community that these packets are available, and since we reach over 5000 now on our email list every week...........here goes!

** FREE ** 20 PACKETS OF SEEDS
(approx value $60.00)

Available to any Non-profits in the Fallon/Fernley area. All you need to do is bring in some sort of ID or information on how your non-profit will use the seeds. We will let you sort through the hundreds of seed packets that are available. Please share this information with your friends that might also be able to use them. Seeds continue to keep their germination success for years, you can store these until next spring and then plant.

Think of the possibilities:
Teachers - class project

Senior Citizens - start a community garden at the Senior Center

Churches - Want to start a growing area around your Sunday School program?

The seeds will be available until they run out! And a huge Thank you goes out to our two seed suppliers that have agreed to allow us to do this:
Livingston Seeds and Botanical Interests.

Pumpkin Planting 101

2011-10-25T19:45:00.000-07:00

1. Find a great pumpkin, ours happen to be grown especially for us by Scott Goodpasture of Pioneer Farms here in Fallon - Many of you probably know him, he is the one that sits on the side of the road selling the "Fallon Grown -Hearts of Gold Melons" all summer. He is also the one that grew us our GIANT pumpkin this year that is on display at the nursery. Guess the Weight Contest is going on now! Stop by and put in your entry, NO purchase necessary, and......you could win a $50.00 Gift Certificate from The Flower Tree Nursery!!!!! We will draw the winner on Saturday, October 29th at 3pm.

2. cut off the top, CAREFULLY (yes, that is a bandage on her hand....from an earlier practice planting)

3. scoop out all the goodies...and SAVE THEM. These happen to be going to Rose's worm bin since she had first dibs, and a bandage to prove her worthiness.

4. Pick out some flowers, (we used mums and pansies) then walk the nursery and the display garden back on the river with a pair of pruners to get all the extras that will fill out the arrangement and VIOLA! you have a beautiful and inexpensive piece for the front porch or even Thanksgiving table.(these averaged $8.00 INCLUDING THE PUMPKIN) We clipped cattails from the pond, Virginia creeper that was climbing up the pole behind us, dried lambs ears and even some cabbage leaves from the back veggie garden....you get it..... anything else that pulled at our creative spirits.

and if you are ever so lucky, as we are.....you have a special helper named Harriet

One of the many gardeners that stopped by to make their own creation. Korena with our CSA (Community Supported Agriculture - www.mewaldtorganics.com ) here in Fallon - The Garden Goddess

Rose with her creative centerpiece

a great time - had by ALL!

Peony time

2011-10-20T11:32:00.000-07:00

I am a lucky, lucky gardening girl. People bring me things all the time and my garden is the recipient of many new varieties of plants that I may not have otherwise. Yesterday one of our favorite Flower Tree fans, Janice M., brought by some pink peonies that she had just divided. Her garden is overwhelmingly beautiful and she has been on our sponsored garden tour many times. Rose thought I had a bag full of dead roots to take home, so I opened it up further and showed her where the peony starts were coming off the roots. Gave her one to take home also, (that is what gardening is all about) and took the rest home to my own garden.

On the way to the spot I have picked out in my Moon Garden to plant the peonies, I had to stop and take a picture of this magnificent rose. I planted it from a little 1 gallon pot this last spring. It is now almost 8' high and stretching all over the trellis. It has been in bloom for about 5 months now. Wow oh wow, this was a great find. (Fourth of July - climber)

Staghorn sumac starting to put on it's fall dress for the party

One thing peonies like is especially rich, composted - well drained soil. From adding cocoa mulch to these beds the last couple years this spot should be perfect. Morning sun, afternoon shade. They are all planted and tucked in for winter. I can't wait to see what sprouts in the Spring.

Well of course I had my ever faithful gardening buddy to assist........Chopper

This is the color that Janice has told me to expect come Springtime, ahhhhhh

See you in the garden soon, Susan
Peony Fact Sheet

My garden visitor

2011-10-13T10:14:00.000-07:00

Isn't she beautiful - guess she loves the zinnias as much as I do. Can't wait for the 100's of babies she will leave for next spring.

Rise and Shine, It's Gardening Time!

2011-09-29T10:27:00.000-07:00

A day in the garden today. The sun is shining, temperatures couldn't be more perfect, no wind and the best part- no place I need to be - perfect! Started out with some journaling about this weekend, it's the 11th Anniversary of Bob and I owning The Flower Tree and I kept finding myself getting up from my chair, coffee cup in hand, and walking around the garden. It's very hard to put into words the feelings that I have about these last 11 years, how do you sum up the joy of doing what you love, with people that you love even more, and capture the magnitude of it all.....so we will start in my own garden first.

My pumpkin patch that I didn't plant. Love it when things just sprout up from the wine barrels where I drop my kitchen compost all winter. I have four barrels in the side yard and while I plant them with flowers, sometimes things just come out on their own. Lovely - just wish all these blossoms had time to produce, but we know a frost is just around the bend.

aghhhh, THRIPS have invaded my David Austin rose in the back garden. Not a whole lot to do this time of year, will have to put some organic controls on them in the spring.

The tomato plants are HUGE this year. I will be covering all these plants with frost cloth soon. Don't want to miss a one of the hundreds that are still green on the vine.

The rose tree out front. First time I have tried a rose TREE, we usually don't even bring them into the nursery, but we fell in love with them when they had a mistake shipment on the truck that was delivering our Weeks Roses so we kept 30 of them. I think we all took at least one home. I planted mine in the ground and it is COVERED with new growth, just hope I get to see them bloom before the frost.

well OF COURSE I have things to plant today

$12.00 bone from Scraps in Reno that he won't touch .....

.50 one from Safeway.......guess I didn't raise a vegetarian dog....

prune off the suckers - or you could spend $28.99 for a spray that will keep them from coming back. Me, I prefer the couple minutes of pruning

and when the little ones won't work....watch out dead stuff - your coming down!

yeah, I know, what was I thinking????? I forced this squash???? (another compost freebie that sprouted itself in the herb garden) in between the trellis, if I flipped the picture it might make a good Halloween story - arrow through the head and all......

the back rose garden.....so totally neglected this year because of the shoulder issue ... all pruned up now though and it doesn't seem to have minded - all except for the thrips :{

Enjoy your day, I know I am.......

Lucky Purchase for Linda

2011-09-26T07:55:00.000-07:00

Sometimes, if you are lucky, you get a LOT more than you paid for. We sold a beautiful wrought iron arch today that came with a nice little surprise bonus. Rose and I had moved this arch on Saturday from where it was tucked into the Jeepers Creeper white rose garden up by our large fountain. On Sunday morning one of our first customers of the day walked in and saw it and wanted it immediately. What she, nor I knew, until we started to take it apart was that she was getting the extra added bonus of 5 beautiful Praying Mantis egg sacks with it. We showed her what they were and explained that they would hatch in the Spring. Other customers there at the time were glad to see them also, as they had been destroying them thinking they were wasp nests. So check out the pictures, and look for these in your own garden. If you find one, or maybe you will be lucky to find 5, just leave them alone. In the spring out will come possibly 100's of baby praying mantis, the most
natural bad bug predator you could hope for. Praying Mantis research

Land of Lucia

2011-09-23T07:43:00.000-07:00

It’s always a treat when touring “Lucia Land”. From the moment you enter her house you are transported back in time to when life was a little, make that a lot simpler, and memories flood you at every corner. Lucia, like a lot of us girls, loves vintage – and she has absolutely mastered the art of mixing it in with the rest of today’s world. I find myself taking just a little more time when walking through her rooms just so I don’t miss anything. The collection of Bauer and McCoy pottery that fills a bookshelf filled with other childhood favorites. The breakfront overflowing with dishes and serving pieces that you are sure once graced the homes of most of us in the 60’s, and the mosaic pieces that she has created over the years from pieces of pottery that represent every state of the union. Her home allows you to step back in time while still being treated to all the comforts and technology that makes life easier and more comfortable today. Then you venture into her office – and it is hard to call it an office, more of an art room since that is what she does for a living when she is not helping us to create the most fabulous displays at the stores. She is a multi-published author/illustrator of children’s books for Scholastic and others, and it is in that room that you understand where a lot of her creativity and wonderment evolves from. Lucia LOVES Disneyland, and this room is filled with her collection of memorabilia to that children’s play land as well as her grandmothers doll collection that she has lovingly preserved and a collection of Golden Books that would rival even the best antique book shop. But we are not here to see the treasures in the inside of her home; it is her garden we have gathered for…….let’s head outside…….

Rose, Sooz and Lucia stop to admire the fountain she designed

Yes, ferns will grow in Fallon, NV - and thrive. They just need shade in the afternoon and an acid soil mulched in every once and awhile

Michelle, Korena and Doris admiring the "Alpine" garden that Lucia created to remind her of her favorite places to hike - the forest.

hammered aluminum happens to be one of my collecting obsessions!!! so to see a piece here that was transformed into a piece of art for the garden was pretty inspiring. Sorry Lucia, I will be copying this once - or twice .....

the girls, mingling through the rose garden

an old gate is re purposed into an art piece to lead you further into the rose garden

Sooz has to get just a little closer to the roses...

we all....love our sunflowers

the garden shed

Lucia and Bill raise a family ....or two... of goats

the poser

Thank you Lucia, for the E ticket ride of "LuciaLand"

Playing at Red Zinnia

2011-09-22T08:19:00.000-07:00

I GOT TO PLAY AT RED ZINNIA TODAY!!! Now that the season is slowing down a little at the nursery I get to rotate into the schedule at the Zin once and awhile. I am ALWAYS amazed at the displays that Lucia and Vivienne create, it is such a joy to step through the door. For me, it is back to the garden tomorrow, but stop in at Red Zin, they would love to see you, and I think you will enjoy what's in store.....for you there. See you soon, Susan

fun, fun, fun - I was the one who got to unpack all the new fall and winter scarves from Tickled Pink today, sorry...this set is going home with me!

Lots and lots...of new jewelry is now finding its way to the store ...

Don't know which is prettier, the artwork, or the beautiful displays that Lucia creates with it

Everyone ......has someone that would love this book!

yep - perfect gift for those little grand babies, the new version of Boogie Monster, complete with CD

ahhhhhhhh Fall is in the air, new colors and fun accessories are arriving almost daily

always fighting him about where he left the hammer? you probably won't be if you use this one!

new cookbooks and supplies

oh, and OF COURSE, the best selection of wine..

and beer.......around!

stop by, sit and relax for a little while, we would love to see you!

New beauties in the garden

2011-09-22T07:49:00.000-07:00

These bloom in the WINTER, even in Fallon. Ask Jaime about these beauties, she has had wonderful luck with them in her own garden. Everything you always wanted to know about hellebores

New aster variety, "Blue Henry"

My own personal favorites for this year, Agastache!!! I am sitting RIGHT NOW watching the hummingbirds out the window on the ones I planted in wine barrels. They love it! and we got three more colors in today - pink , purple , and the brighter orange than I have. Hardy to 0, I will protect these in the winter with extra mulch.

Sunrise....Sunset

2011-09-15T10:54:00.000-07:00

Sunrise, the morning of the Harvest Moon

Sunset....and the rise of the Harvest Moon

Sooz's Garden of Roses

2011-09-09T07:33:00.000-07:00

On a recent lovely summer evening, the Flower Tree/Red Zinnia Family Garden Tour took us west of town to the open countryside off Pioneer Way. Sooz's garden is a lot like her, amazing, eclectic and beautiful. Winding turns every few feet took us deeper and deeper into the heavily scented garden of roses and colorful perennial beds that surround her house. I lost count after a hundred - and try as I might, I couldn't remember many of the names. There is a reason she is the rosarian for the Flower Tree - she LOVES roses! And with that love has come the passion to spread it to all of us.

My very first true rose garden was built with her guidance, and strong back fifteen years ago. We dug out and planned what would become the first of many rose beds in my gardens. Follow the pictures below as they lead you further and further into her own gardens. You won't be disappointed, I know we sure weren't.

Lucky for us, Sooz keeps most all the roses tagged.

Dainty Bess, couldn't forget the name of this beautiful climber.

This morning in my garden

2011-09-08T23:10:00.000-07:00

I was the fortunate one when my daughter got a new camera - I got her old one. Some shots from this morning, bear with me as I learn how to use it.

Henry Fonda - my favorite yellow rose, for the moment

Cherry Parfait / died to the ground the winter of 09, but coming back nicely

Love, love, love zinnias!

Hummingbird Heaven - not a single morning goes by that I don't look out the window and see one on this plant. (agastache)

Chaste tree 'vitex' in full bloom, another hummingbird magnet

When I try and talk you into planting a Sally Holmes climbing rose - THIS IS WHY. This one also died back to the ground in the terrible winter of 09, but look at it now. This is one LARGE clump of blossoms.

buds are the palest of pinks

what first appears to be a small cluster of buds turns into the magnificent one above.

See you in the garden again soon.

Garden of Rose

2011-09-02T07:41:00.000-07:00

This last Thursday found us gathering at Rose's house for our Flower Tree/Red Zinnia family garden tour. She has been working extremely hard on her gardens for the past few years, and it shows with bursts of color at every turn. We wandered through the yard finding artsy treasures, a full worm bin, compost area, huge monster tomato plants and masses of beautiful roses. With the soothing fountain in the background we found many places to just sit - relax and enjoy. The weather could not have been more perfect and as the evening settled into night we sat around the fire pit and toasted to another amazing gardening moment surrounded by friends.

Cheers to Portland

2011-08-27T09:37:00.000-07:00

What a great trip. Lots of information for this group of plant nerds to process. For our last day it seemed only fitting that you get to enjoy our trip as much as we did, so .. we are repeating the specials from this past week. Stop by anytime this Saturday or Sunday to take advantage of:

5 gal FRUITLESS MULBERRY Reg$38.99 NOW $21.50
SPECIAL OF THE DAY: ALL ROSES - BUY 1 GET 1 FREE
25% off any (1) ITEM TODAY ONLY NO SALE ITEMS, CONSIGNMENT OR ALCOHOL
ALL FRUIT TREES/ BUY ONE GET ONE FREE/ NO LIMIT
All Spring & Summer Perennials 1 Gallon or Larger BUY ONE GET ONE FREE!

See you in the garden soon, Susan

Perennials a Plenty

2011-08-26T11:00:00.000-07:00

First full day at the Far West Show yesterday, there where so many new perennials to see that it was staggering! This one is a new rudbeckia called "Passion". Look for this one in the nursery next Spring.

Todays Special: All Spring & Summer Perennials 1 Gallon or Larger BUY ONE GET ONE FREE!

A day at the Portland Rose Garden

2011-08-25T10:25:00.000-07:00

Apple in Hosiery

2011-08-25T10:10:00.000-07:00

The MOST organic bug/worm control we have ever seen for apples or any fruit. Little footie stockings places around the apple.

TODAY'S SPECIAL
ALL FRUIT TREES
BUY ONE GET ONE FREE!!!!
Hurry, supplies limited.

Treasure Corners

2011-08-24T08:59:00.000-07:00

Today's Special from Portland

We are exploring our own neighborhood in the Hawthorne Historic District today. Treasures will be found! Find your own at either Flower Tree or Red Zinnia today
25% off any (1) ITEM
TODAY ONLY NO SALE ITEMS, CONSIGNMENT OR ALCOHOL

(Yesterdays treasure finds: a box full of vintage 1990's Martha magazines, a vintage wool sweater and handmade winter cap, and what we think might be a Bauer vase- all free - on the corner! (More on the Treasure Corners to come)

Portland International Rose Garden

2011-08-23T08:57:00.000-07:00

Today's post is to honor the knowledge that Sooz has shared with us all year in the rose garden. We are headed to the Portland International Test Garden to spend the day surrounded by the beauty.

SPECIAL OF THE DAY: ALL ROSES
BUY 1 GET 1 FREE
Today Only, hurry while supplies are blooming.

International Rose Test Garden | Portland's Rose Gardens and Rose Garden Store

www.rosegardenstore.org

Window with a View

2011-08-19T17:04:00.000-07:00

My beautiful daughter Sara left for college in 1999, and then went on to get married a few years later and now has two amazing sons of her own. For the last twelve years I have pretty much left her bedroom as it was when she left. Other than moving a treadmill in, adding some yoga space and filling the closet with things I no longer needed but couldn't part with, it was still, "Sara's Room". Her posters hung on the walls, her alter shelf filled with dried roses from her senior year, glass beads that a friend gave her in junior high, bottle caps and concert ticket stubs. The ceiling was still covered in glow in the dark stars and planets and the window sills contained little treasures that only she would know why she saved.

For the last couple years whenever I went to visit her back east, I would always take a few things with me from her closet in an extra suitcase, and she and Travis, her high school sweetheart and now husband, would look through what I had brought and most, if not all of the time, they would stare at me with "that look". You know the one, it says "Why in the world did I save this, and what am I going to do with it now". So over time I have started to ask before I brought something, and most - if not all - of the time Sara has told me "Mom, I really don't think I want those anymore, go ahead and pack them up and get rid of them." Now of course there are a few things that are off limits to this tactic, but most all include pages of paper, because after all she is my daughter. Books of Sara's and old car magazines of Travis's still fill boxes in the closet. When they would come here to visit it was always the same, she would go through her closet and try her hardest to remember why something seemed so important to her but we never had all that extra time to go through it.

This last month when I returned from the kids I realized by a few of our conversations that there really wasn't much here in her room anymore that she would save. I have been wanting to paint and carpet the room for quite some time, and the alcove window overlooking my side perennial garden and fountain have been calling to me for years as the perfect place to sit at a little table and write my blog and thoughts of the day.

This last week out came the Rubbermaid totes and I started the task of getting the room and closet cleared out. The children's and adult books will be saved for her and the boys, and the few toys that remained will also stick around for when they come to visit. They have built a life for themselves and it includes a home filled with possessions, but much more important a home filled with love. I didn't realize until I got into the packing how emotional of a journey it would be for myself. The swim trophies and ribbons from 12 years of competitive swim meets, the boxes of pictures that cover the dining room table until I have time to go through them, the prom dresses, wedding dress, the green corduroy coat that she wore every day because she was so in love with the band Green Day. Suddenly taking the stars off the ceiling seemed to be the easy part. Memories overtake me as I remember back to the day I cleaned out my own room at my Mom and Dad's. They were retiring, selling their home and moving into a large 5th wheel that would start an amazing adventure for them that lasted for 12 years.

The walls are now a cheery yellow and sage green, the carpet plush, and I found the perfect small table to place by the window. As I wrote this I took my first pictures of the hummingbirds that grace the garden everyday. It seems like yesterday and I wonder where the years have gone. But I only need to look at what is remaining in the closet to know - they have gone to having the privilege of raising the most amazing daughter.

And yes, it will always be Sara's Room!

Tradition renewed

2011-08-17T09:22:00.000-07:00

A few years ago we embarked on our own informal garden tour of Flower Tree "family" gardens. We picked one evening each week and penciled in on the calendar whose garden we would be touring that week. Over the course of the late summer we enjoyed each others bounty of blooms and had a chance to reconnect after the busy spring season. Thanks to Jaime, we have rekindled this relaxing tradition this summer, and so it seemed only fitting that we start at her garden this last week. The weather was perfect, a light breeze, gorgeous sunset, amazing food and libations and the added bonus that her Mom is here visiting from Southern California so we got to spend time with her also.

Jaime's gardens are filled with surprises at every turn. A little statue tucked in here, a grove of trees there, a portager garden filled with herbs beckoning you to explore further as you try and identify the multitudes of varieties growing among the pebbled pathways, chardonnay grapes ripe for the picking, a large platform placed strategically for sunset viewing over the swaying alfalfa fields - you get the picture - beautiful , serene and relaxing.

Next week it is on to Sooz's gardens, where something tells me we are in for roses, roses and more roses. Can't wait!

Thank you Jaime! It was a wondefully relaxing evening.

Coming home, Bok Tower

2011-07-22T05:53:00.000-07:00

If I am fortunate, a trip to Florida usually includes a visit to Bok Tower. Located in Central Florida, about three hours south of the kids home in Jacksonville,the town of Lake Wales is where my Mom called home her growing up years. When I was growing up in Miami it was always a stop on our summer vacations spent in Daytona Beach, and sitting on a bench in the warmth of summer is where she taught me much about nature, quiet, solitude and peace. I didn't always "get it" during those summers. Sometimes I am sure I was the cranky one that couldn't wait to get over to the beach, or visit some of the other local landmarks like Spook Hill. But as the years have gone by my visits to Bok Tower are now sometimes seen through my Mothers eyes. The long expanse that can be seen from this, the highest vista of Florida. The miles of orange groves and tall towering oaks filled with Spanish moss that lead up to the towers entrance. The surprise blossoms that meet you at every turn of the walking paths that lead up to the grand pond, and then the tower. I sit now on one of those same stone benches and try and visualize what it must have been like for my Mom to get out of school in the 40's and head up the long hill to the tower where her father was working the grounds as one of the horticultural caretakers. The gardens have not changed much since that time, proof of the planning that went into them. Spending time reviewing the original garden designs on display in the museum I am amazed at the selections of plants that have survived numerous hurricanes and droughts and still have managed to put on a show of splendor every year.

As I walk this path of the garden, I know my Mom walks with me.

From the Perennial Diaries

2011-07-22T04:57:00.000-07:00

This came in my inbox this morning from a fellow gardener that received our Thursday email, thought it was an informative and fun one to share.

Good morning Susan,

Wanted to share a Yarrow story you may want to share with your customers buying the new Yarrows in all the wonderful colors. Last year I started some bright colored yarrow from seed, I got purples, reds, pinks, oranges, etc. I moved them last fall from the veggie garden (where I start my baby plants) where it is safe from rabbits. Since the rabbits had never bothered my yellow yarr

ow, I moved the others into the landscaping, and they were looking really great this summer! Lots of wonderful colors. I w

as imagining how they would look once the plants got big enough to intermix across the wall. Then the rabbits found them, they only eat the flowers, not the foliage, all the lovely flowers are gone, just sticks with leaves. They seemed to try different colors one at a time. Each night a new color was gone. The yellow yarrow, in the same location, is still as big and healthy as ever. The rabbits still do not seem to like the yellow. We will be building a cage wall in front of the yarrow, so I can still see them, but not quite the look I wanted. They will probably grow through the wall and the rabbits will "prune" them. Oh the fun of gardening in Nevada. Thank you for your newsletters, we always enjoy them. ("N" - A fellow Nevada gardener)

A Morning in my Garden

2011-07-10T09:53:00.000-07:00

This is Chopper, and he along with my other faithful companion - Harley, help me garden every morning. Today I had 31 pots left to get into the ground before I leave for Florida to visit the kids. Bob has promised...to take care of the garden while I am gone, so to make it a little easier I wanted to get everything into the ground and near a drip system if possible.

Mission Accomplished!

A few views of the garden before I leave. Can't wait to see how the roses look when I get back.

This is a mock orange that smells heavenly. It bloomed in late spring, and decided it didn't have quite enough, so decided to do it again this week.

The White Iceberg roses are absolute spectacular this year. Love, love love these. No fuss, low maintenance and the bugs never touch them.

Balloon flower, oh so pretty whether budded or open. Every perennial bed needs one or three.

the Canada Red chokecherry tree is pushing tons of new growth. Just really enjoy the dual colors on this large shade tree

An almost.....................ripe tomato. Sure hope Bob finds it while I am gone. Almost tempted to take it on the plane with me for a snack.

the zinnias I planted in honor of Linny are starting to bloom, oh so pretty, just as she was

I wasn't kidding, 31 POTS TO PLANT - guess I have been bringing home more than I remembered. At least now everything is in the ground and when I get back I can bring home some more. Gardening, a good addiction!!!!

A Day at Red Zinnia

2011-07-08T08:42:00.000-07:00

Sometimes it's just nice to show you some of the newest things in store....

Want to make statement in the shower?

Just received a new shipment of amazing art from Amy Paul

Himalayan Pink Sea Salt in their own grinders

New from French Farm, gourmet salts

I love these new wine candelabras

summer purses galore, all colors, all shapes, all stylish and fun!

The newest in the series, Boogie Monster, complete with CD, a know one Nana that will be taking this on the plane to a certain someone in Florida

Comfy cozy robes,

Garden Tour Donation

2011-07-07T19:30:00.000-07:00

With a lovely backdrop of roses, Sooz presented to Shannon, director of the Fallon Youth Club, a check for $410.00 today. The money represents the total of ticket sales from the 2011 Fallon Garden Tour. Thank you to everyone who participated by either opening your beautiful gardens for the tour, or buying tickets. We already have 3 gardeners that have signed up for next years tour!

Cash Dean Thompson turns the BIG 4!

2011-06-25T09:56:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday my sweet little "goofy" grandson, Love Nana

10th Annual Fallon Garden Tour, sneak preview

2011-06-23T13:02:00.001-07:00

The garden tour is coming up this Sunday the 26th, and I thought it would be fun to give you a little bit of a sneak preview of what you might see if you go. Remember, the tickets are only $5.00 and 100% of the ticket price goes to the Fallon Youth Club, a great organiziation struggling to make ends meet.

This year we invited five our your favorites from years past to be on the tour. We have a little bit of everything, from formal gardens to some of the best raised bed layouts we see here in town.
Enjoy the lovely gardens of:

Lisa & Scott Swan

Peg Buckner & Micheal Hewitt

Sylvia & Dave Lumos

Mary & Paul Pflimlin

Doris & John Powell

Lahontan Valley Garden Club

2011-06-22T10:54:00.000-07:00

The Lahontan Valley Garden Club had its monthly meeting in the Rose Garden last week. Such a lovely group of women, and amazing gardeners. If you want to join them, they meet the third Monday of every month and are always looking for new members.

Clematis in Bloom

2011-06-02T16:15:00.000-07:00

Gorgeous view of a purple clematis in full bloom. This picture was taken this morning by Dave Waite with Heavywaite Landscaping here in Fallon. Thank you for sharing Dave!

Clematis is actually very easy to grow here in the valley. The main thing to remember is to keep the roots cool in the summer, and warm in the winter. This one is actually planted in a Southern exposure.

We have a great selection right now of beautiful one gallon plants. Pinks, purples, multi blends - all will be blooming like this next year with the right care. I think one of them will be going home with me this evening. See you soon, Susan
Clematis Varieties
Home of Clematis
American Clematis Society

Gardening with a One Arm'd Gardener

2011-05-26T08:07:00.000-07:00

Four weeks post-op, physical therapy three times a week, arm pendulums and stretches at home, extremely ugly hot black brace on whenever I am away from the comforts of my daily surroundings (which means most all the time), but still I NEED TO GARDEN! Yesterday was the first day I attempted to actually dig a hole and plant something. Four big passions in my life, children and husband don’t count, are reading, writing, gardening and riding my bike. Reading has saved many a day this last four weeks, writing – while difficult by hand (I am left handed/ as was the shoulder that was repaired) has been ok on the computer. I knew there wouldn’t be any bike riding in my summer plans, but I didn’t know how long it would be for me to get a trowel back in my hand. Turns out – four weeks! Today I planted some more pink creeping baby’s breath around the purple iceberg roses, the one I put in last year has taken off like gangbusters, planted up some Art Deco zinnia seeds in honor of my dear friend Linny who passed away in March, filled a couple containers with soil in prep for some herbs later this week, pruned back a Russian sage – no pruners involved, just break the brittle growth from last year, and cleaned out some pots to get them ready for color soon.

My garden, like yours I’m hope, is just starting to take on the lovely Late Spring Burst. The early flowering shrubs have finished up weeks ago, and the crabapples are now filled with shiny leafs, but the true joy of most gardeners is just now taking center stage from its position in the wings – the perennial beds are waking up and are all set for center stage. Pink Salvias, Agastache, Valerian, Mallow, and Guara – all covered with immense buds just waiting for a little bit more warm weather, and then curtains up – the show begins. I will sit on the deck the next few weeks and watch as the story unfolds in the beds and plan out what to put where when I get full use of my shovel shoulders back. You can’t keep a gardener down, for long.

My Mama dove from last year returned to the same hanging basket on the front porch (at least I like to think she is the same one), it will be another four weeks before I can fill this one with flowers.

This is the year I just know it - the wisteria that we planted around the pergola will finally take over the top

Took the wall-o-water off the little 4" starter tomato plant I put in on April 1st, just in time for the 60mph winds yesterday. But it looks ok this morning, and there are 2 tomatoes waiting for me.

Salvia is amazing, evergreen all winter, the buds are about 1 1/2" across, can't wait to see them bloom.This variety is bright pink.

Mike choose Art Deco Zinnia seeds to pass out at Linny's Celebration of Life. I know they will be just as beautiful as she was, and I will save and re-plant the seeds from the flowers every year in her memory.

Vinca major - Big Leaf Periwinkle, showing this in case you are thinking of a ground cover for an eastern exposure, full sun until about 1pm. Now it is about 2' high, re-roots itself like crazy and has little purple flowers all summer. This path up to the front door is about 20' long and it took three years from one little start to cover all of it. Worth the wait.

yep, aphids on the pink lemonade honeysuckle,(lonicera heckrotti 'Pink Lemonade') nothing that a quick blast of water won't cure

Planted this from one little 3.5 pot last year, it has taken off so beautifully and is absolutely covered in pink flowers all summer and late into fall

the new creeping pink baby's breath that I just planted, with 1 arm!!!

USFWS Wood Ducks on Carson River

2011-05-22T08:43:00.000-07:00

A while back the US Fish & Wildlife Service installed wood duck boxes down on the Carson River at the nursery. They have been monitoring the boxes for quite a few weeks, and yesterday the first of the ducklings appeared. Wood Ducks have been known to be in the valley, but the folks at Fish and Wildlife are trying to track their numbers and see exactly what areas they frequent the most. The majority of the boxes were made by the Boy Scouts as part of their projects, and the boxes are now installed all around our valley. We are lucky to have three on the river, but this year only one had babies. This last Sunday morning when I got to work I walked out back to turn the sprinklers on the new lawn area in Nana's Garden, and got a small startle when I looked down and saw someone standing on a ladder in the river. I am not exactly sure how, but after watching the nesting boxes for the last week the biologists had pretty much pin pointed exactly to the hour when the ducklings would hatch. The first ones to hatch were taken out and tagged through their webbed feet, and then placed back in the box. I yelled back up to the nursery for Ashley to hurry down, and she got to hold one of the babies while the others were being tagged. They will leave the nest in a day or so, hoping out through the hole in the front of the box to begin their journey. Ahhhhh nature!

Stop and smell the roses, it will make you smile.

2011-05-18T19:32:00.000-07:00

The first HUGE shipment of roses every year brings out the smiles and giggles in all of us. Me - with my wounded wing this year didn't get quite the excitement out of it that I usually do because they restricted me from climbing up on the top rung of the carts to unload them, (one of my usual jobs for the last 11 years - being the tallest of the gardening crew). But I enjoyed it just the same through osmosis. The scents, the huge blossoms, the tall canes standing at attention on every plant. Huge Thank you to our grower Weeks Roses, We are VERY HAPPY!!! as you can see.

So glad your home!

2011-05-12T07:02:00.000-07:00

Jaime's husband Kevin, a Navy Seal, stopped by the rose garden today. He is home for a "too short" visit. As we wandered out to the rose garden for a "photo op" (they don't argue with me too often when I request these, I am a Mom and Nana after all......) I watched as he walked away from me, and I closed my eyes for just a moment to say a silent wish to keep him safe when he returns overseas. I thank my son-in-law Travis every chance I get for his service in the USN. I thank Kevin, and every other young man and woman that is away from family, friends and home. I hope you do too, they deserve it, and so much more.

And the WINNER is.....

2011-05-09T06:59:00.000-07:00

The winner of the Spring 2011 CAPS tree that we donated is Wally Preiss! Congratulations, and a HUGE thank you to all that bought tickets for this worthy cause.

Stop by their website to find your next forever friend, www.nvcaps.org and watch for our summer choice to be out front soon. We always pick a beautiful shade tree for the summertime donation.

Ashley, Kat and Kandice assisting with the winning ticket.

Recovery 101

2011-04-29T20:11:00.000-07:00

I always knew that the fact that the husband raced motorcycles for 25 years was going to come in handy one day. In that 25 years of riding/racing came many a broken bone and this last week I realized how all the points that I never knew I was keeping track of - were stacking up in my favor. Wrists, ankles, knees, foot, ribs, shoulders, hands, wrists, (I know- mentioned that one twice, but he broke both 2x each), over the years I have sat in many a waiting room while the surgeons put him back together. What he learned from all that experience was how it could hurt when someone took a piece of your body and stretched it from the inside out and put it back together the way they thought it would function better. And how you needed to take the time, and allow yourself to heal.

Over the last 14 weeks, while I was waiting for insurance approval and doctor’s schedules, I have heard many upon many tales of the woes of rotator cuff injury, repairs and recovery. Remember, we have a very busy store - of active gardeners - that seem to wear/tear their shoulders out a little faster than the rest of the population – at least it seems that way to me now. I have worried and wondered over the surgery, and now the healing process. But while the husband was quick to point out to me that “recovery pain” would be so much better than “constant pain”, I had yet to take hold of that thought and run with it. Apprehension is such a tall mountain to climb. The worry over the surgery itself, the time it would take me out of the garden, not just our business – but my flourishing blooming garden here at home, and the time it would take to fully heal.

So here is where I am, 5 days post op:

1.I am a truly thankful person. I have an incredible support network of family and friends that have not only kept my belly full, but my eyes filled with beauty and my thoughts filled with goodness.

2. You really CAN’T rush anything in this life. While I may be one of the fastest typists around, can ride my bike with no hands, can multi task at least 6 things at one time, and be good at all of them –I cannot tell my body to heal any faster than it is necessary and/or willing.

3. Don’t let the husband help with picking out clothes that will be "comfy" and dressing you unless you want to hear laughter from everyone you work with when you show up at the nursery for “just a minute” to see the new roses and order a truckload of perennials for Mother’s Day weekend.

4.RELEASE: this has been the tough one, and the one that the husband has helped the most with. I release to my body the time it takes to heal. I release to others the responsibilities that I feel are mine and mine alone. I release once and for all the fact that, HE IS RIGHT! Now it is time to listen to his wisdom, take a pain pill when necessary, take a slow walk back into my life, and remember to stop…….and smell the roses (see #3 above, and also all the ones that still need pruning out front – we can only let go so…..fast)

Next stop: Physical Therapy

Time to get it done.........

2011-04-25T07:47:00.000-07:00

Heading off to Reno in a couple hours to finally.....get my shoulder repaired. As my husband keeps reminding me, "Recovery pain has got to be better than constant pain". Will keep you posted on that one.

Till you see me back at the garden center, (which I hope will be by this coming weekend - at least sitting in a chair by the counter) remember to keep dirt under your fingernails, plant something soon, and enjoy the blossoms that are so brilliant right now everywhere you look. See you soon, Susan

Feeling a little "Crabby" today

2011-04-22T08:08:00.000-07:00

No, not crabby - as in having an irritable and unpleasant disposition, but "crabby" as in "OH MY - how I love Crab apple trees. I have been in a crab apple state of mind these last few days as I drive around town and everything is bursting with color. Wandering around Reno on Wednesday with a dear friend I kept pointing out one and then another "look - a Prairefire, over there , look a Hopa" until even she could identify different varieties. If you have been to our nursery you know already that I am a huge fan of crab apple trees, and if I have helped you in making a decision on an ornamental tree you have probably heard me tell of the varieties that I have here on my own little acre of the world. I thought I would share a few pictures (taken this morning) of the ones in my front yard as they are just now bursting with color. The ones in the backyard are about a week away, more on those later. And another plus, you can prune off some branches - the cuttings make amazingly beautiful floral arrangements for the house, with the blooms lasting for a week or more.

Malus 'Snowdrift'

Malus 'Prairefire'

Malus 'Robinson' (This is the tree we planted in honor of my Mom, pink was her favorite color)

Malus 'Florabunda'

remember the post last fall about the five layer tulip planting I did in the side yard? they are all bursting out of the pots

one armed - I managed to get my tomato plant in the barrel. Used a piece of rebar to hold up the wall o water while I filled it. Only had to call for Bob's help at the very last minute when the entire thing was threatening to fall over on itself. I WILL HAVE TOMATOES IN MAY!!! (will keep you posted on this one)

Raised Beds - Thinking outside the "Box"

2011-04-20T08:21:00.000-07:00

We had a class a while back in our "Think Green" series, this one on Organic Raised Bed Gardening. Michelle, my fellow master gardener, and now retired former Flower Tree designer was on hand to assist me. With over 50 people in attendance I didn't have enough handouts on hand, so thought I would put a few of the links up here that I use for my "go to" sources. Raised beds are an easy way to control your soil conditions and for that reason alone they are the reason I most recommend them for vegetable gardening in our area.

The Key Points for Planning a Raised Bed Vegetable Garden

Width of Beds
Make sure that the beds are narrow enough to allow you to work them from the sides without having to step on the soil. A width of 3 to 4' is workable for most people.
Length of Beds
The length is entirely up to you, anything from 8 to 10ft' works for most people. If you make them much longer you will find yourself becoming exasperated every time you have to walk round the entire bed to get to the other side!
Height of Beds
The best height for most purposes is around 1ft. This is deep enough to accommodate most crops and yet doesn't require large quantities of construction materials and soil mixture. If you have mobility problems you can make the beds higher. (use the Kellogg's Organic Soil Calculator to help you figure out exactly how much soil you will need for your beds)
Pathways
Leave sufficiently wide pathways to allow you easy access with a wheelbarrow or garden cart and make sure that you can access the beds from both sides!
Positioning the Beds
It is important to position your beds so that they get the maximum amount of sunshine as most vegetables prefer full sun. Raised vegetable beds are usually aligned north to south to maximize the amount of sun they receive.

* Raised beds can be built in just about any available space, large or small; and with many types of hardware. (wood, block, rock, pallets,wine barrels, tires - use your imagination)

* The soil in a raised bed can be easily adapted to meet the needs of the plants;

* Raised beds are easier to tend than ground level gardens;

* Plants are easy to view and study in a raised bed;

* If desired, a removable roof structure to protect from spring winds can be built above a raised bed.

The site below is always a helpful source of information whenever I am putting a class together. Our own cooperative extension service in Nevada is up for budget cuts this season, and I hope that they come through it. They provide a wonderful service to the community. Colorado has one of the most complete garden section out of all I keep track of though, and since their climate is so similar to ours, I recommend them quite often: http://cmg.colostate.edu/gardennotes/713.pdf

Here are a few that I found online to stir the imagination and get your creative vegetable juices flowing...........

And my All Time Favorite, is this one! Now I know what to do with all those left over bottles from the wine tastings at Red Zinnia.

Then and Now

2011-04-14T20:00:00.000-07:00

I took photos of quite a few of the old posters that were on display at the Jacksonville Children's Museum when I last visited the kids. I have these on the desktop of my computer and they pop up every now and then. The display was an interactive one meant to show the children what life was like back in the 30-50's when war efforts overseas and troubles at home due to the depression were causing hardships to families everywhere. As much as things change, they stay the same don't they?

I think this is one of the things that drew me to the nursery business to begin with and what continues to make it a life that I want to wake up to every day. When you help someone build their first vegetable garden, plant that first seed, turn that first shovel of compost into the ground - you are planting something inside yourself also. Success can be spelled in so many different ways. Sure, money is one of them, but fortunately for me, it hasn't ever really been an important part of my life. Success this last ten years has been measured for me by the smiles on the faces of fellow gardeners when they harvested their first crop of carrots, or built that first trellis that withstood the winds of our valley, or got that rose to bloom and thrive in the desert. Success is taking a bag of soil and creating a living world under the ground, planting a small 4" tomato and harvesting enough at the end of summer to freeze 20 gallon bags of marinara sauce. Yeah, I guess you could say, after all these years, I still love what I do.

This second poster brings up another class that we have planned for the nursery this season. If you would like to contribute ideas and recipes we would love it. I never learned this particular skill as a child, or adult - but I have a few friends and fellow gardeners that are absolute experts on canning. I will keep you updated on the date, but it will be sometime late summer when the bounty of the garden is overflowing. Perhaps a "Best Pickled Beet Contest" is in order????? See you in the garden soon, Susan

Sharing little joys

2011-04-09T07:34:00.000-07:00

My daughter Sara is wonderful about sending over little links that she thinks might help me at the garden center - and life in general. Yesterday she forwarded one over that sent me down a path of link clicks that lasted for over an hour. While I don't usually HAVE an hour, the injury to my shoulder has forced me to take a back seat in the outdoor gardening department. Instead, I am filling some of that time with gardening ideas and reading. So - here is a little something I picked up today, Sharing your bounty, houseplant style.

A couple of weeks ago one of our fellow Flower Tree followers dropped by with some begonia cuttings that were from her GREAT Grandmothers garden. Just the thought of this little plant having been alive for longer than I have somehow just fills me with joy. If you already have begonias you probably already knew how to propagate them and share, but since this was my virgin plant, I thought I would share. And share I will, a leaf off of this plant as soon as it is mature enough to do that. Mine is still in water as you can see here, another injury issue - I have plans of getting help potting it up this coming Sunday. And when it is big enough to take a cutting off and sharing, I have just the person in mind who will get my first one. Are you out there??? Is it you? Happy Soil Day, Susan

Driving through town on a Sunny day.

2011-04-08T07:45:00.000-07:00

Wondering what some of the plants and trees that are blooming right now around town are?

Flowering quince has found a perfect spot in front of Churchill Stations. Even though this shrub loves the full sun, tucked into the northern spot here it seems to even bloom well in the shade.

Tucked under the vintage car at Farmers Insurance you will find huge clumps of daffodils, although when I went inside to say Hi and tell them why I was taking pictures of the truck I was told that the majority of them find their way onto Mark's desk.

Look for this beautiful little flowering plum out front of Mayor Tedford's office. Over the next couple weeks watch this area as all the crab apples that are planted close to this tree start to bloom.

What can you say about the forsythia blooming on both sides of Berney Realty, BREATHTAKING!

Another fine specimen of a flowering plum found on the south side of Nevada State Bank, this one I think is a 'Blieriana'. All you have to do is get close and get a whiff of the blossoms to know that the bees will have a field day in here. Plant one in your yard if you are trying to get more pollinators to visit.

And the last one for this week, judging by how many we saw when we drove around town, probably one of the most "over planted" trees in Fallon was found in front of Sandwinds. But, how do you argue with a tree that not only takes all the harsh weather we throw at it and still shows up every year with beautiful blossoms, amazing shade and incredible fall color. What do I say to flowering pears, PLANT ON!

next week: hmmmmmmm what is blooming now: TO BE CONTINUED

The River Rises

2011-04-03T18:51:00.000-07:00

The Carson River will start to rise this week, and now we will be able to see it, thanks to the marvelous effort of a few great friends. A couple days ago I happened to mention to Mike and Rose when we were back looking at the River Garden how it would be great if we could actually see the river that is just on the other side of the picket fence. Next thing I knew Rose was "volunteering" her husband Dave and his 2 chainsaws, and Mike was offering to help him clear a path so we could at least see a 10' section or so. They started in at 9am Sunday morning, and by noon not only the 10' section, but the entire width of the River Garden was cleared, raked and burning in a neat little pile down by the waters edge. The TCID (Truckee Carson Irrigation District), for those of you that don't live here in Fallon, is getting ready to release water into the river from upstream any day now so it was imperative if this was going to happen, it happen fast. Who knew!!! just how fast it would be. A huge THANK YOU!! to Dave and Rose Faulk, and Mike McLain for making the already serene garden even more beautiful.

10 Days in my Garden

2011-03-31T08:07:00.001-07:00

Amazing what 10 days difference can make in the garden when you live in Northern Nevada. Just a short time ago, this was the view out my bedroom door onto the deck. Early morning I got up to witness once more the white covering on my trees. It was a warm day though, so it didn't stick around too long. Just enough to give us more of that much needed moisture. My favored spot for afternoon reading took on a new meaning

and then early this morning.....

Slipped on my shoes, draped a shirt over my shoulders and walked outside to the beauty of the plumcot tree in the side yard to take some shots for today. The tree is so filled with blossoms we will be taking some off for sure so as not to break the branches this year.

I even got my fountain going yesterday. What a beautiful sunny day it was to get this going.

In between these last 10 days we also unloaded all the Spring shipment of evergreens from Oregon. HUGE thank you to my two helpers Cody C. & Cody M. My tulips I put in pots last Fall are coming up like gang busters. The perennials beds are popping up in abundance. So fun to see all the little tiny things I planted last Fall coming up all over the place. Ten days - life in Northern Nevada. and on a personal note, Happy Anniversary to my dearest.

37 years ago we started out as kids - and the fun just continues.

Life with a hampered left wing

2011-03-21T13:46:00.000-07:00

What parts of the chores in the garden world can be completed with one arm? I am finding out this month as I sit here and await the surgery that is scheduled for my left shoulder. Turns out that lifting trees and bales of compost are not so good for parts of your body when you reach the AARP crowd. I have always been a careful person regarding lifting, I thought. I lift weights and walk/run in the winter to stay in shape for the spring season that hits the garden center business like thunder, and I eat right and get lots of needed sleep. Well, maybe not rest - my husband would say, but I do get sleep. I do yoga on a semi-daily basis, just as much for my peace of mind as the strength of my core. So when my shoulder started to ache a few months ago I just put it on the back burner part of the brain and didn't worry to much about it. Figured out that if I just babied it a little all would be well. Turns out a 3" tear in your rotator cuff does not heal on it's own.

So, in a few weeks you will still find me at the nursery, but I will be the one behind the counter dispensing my best "Garden Words of Wisdom". I just won't be out loading any more trees or bales of compost for awhile. See you there, Susan

Spring Forward!

2011-03-13T17:01:00.000-07:00

Well as much as I positively hate losing an hour to daylight savings, I have to say - SPRING FORWARD - sounds pretty darn good about now. I went on a nature walk of my own today around the Sparks Marina. http://www.cityofsparks.us/living/parks/marina/ It is a two mile path around the whole lake and what a lovely day to do it. The air was crisp, the mountains in the distance to the west were covered with snow, the clouds many and a few drops of rain even touched my cheek. The marina has a lot to offer for a horticulturalist nerd like me. I was on my walk with a friend who's husband is one of Bob's partners on his dual sport dirt bike rides. We had spent the night at their home at the marina and as we leashed up their two labs to go with us I was thrilled that such a beautiful path is basically right out their front door.

So many varieties of trees surround the lake I could not even keep track. Pears, plums and crab apples just to name of few of the varieties that will be covered in blossoms soon from the looks of their heavily swollen budded branches. With temperatures predicted in the high 60's this coming week, possibly even 70! Spring Forward really is appropriate. Amazing cotoneaster hedges overflowing the retaining walls, wonderful burning bush lining a large part of the path. I am going to go back soon, just to see everything again when it is all leafed out.

If you have the chance, skip part of the time you might have planned for the Legends Shopping center or Scheels, and take the short walk west to where the path starts. I guarantee you won't be disappointed. Stop and sit on one of the many benches and tables provided, sip on a cup of coffee from the vendor right there and enjoy the day. It is a beautiful park, right smack in the middle of the city. And yes, the dogs thoroughly enjoyed it too.

When we got home mid-afternoon I walked around the yard to survey what the wind damage was from the other day and to take note of my own flowering trees and shrubs. Tree limbs and twigs were thrown about and covering parts of the garden, but my branches are just as ready to greet the upcoming Equinox on the 20th of this month as the ones were at the Marina. And the best part of my stroll around my own garden, these beauties were also here to surprise me. First ones for me this season...ahhhh SPRING FORWARD - yep, See you soon, Susan

Edible Reno Tahoe

2011-03-05T09:45:00.000-08:00

My first article for Edible Reno-Tahoe came out this week.

http://www.ediblecommunities.com/renotahoe/spring-2011/diverse-picks.htm

A huge thank you to Editor/Publishers, Amanda and Jaci for giving me the opportunity. It is a fabulous magazine and huge asset to our area, catering to a lot of the things I feel passionate about. Food, Sustainability, Vegetable Growing, Organics, and did I mention FOOD! Pick up a copy at many locations in Reno, or at The Flower Tree and Red Zinnia next week, and do what I do. Keep it in your car after you read it so when you find yourself up in Reno and can't decide on a great place to eat just browse through the write-ups. You won't be disappointed.

Follow the Yellow Brick Road... to the Plant Wiz

2011-02-24T07:59:00.000-08:00

Sooz was a busy, busy artist while I was gone to Florida. Well, actually everyone was. They repainted the entire "green" room a lovely soft white, including the roof, upgraded the displays, new curtains, new shelving, and TADA! A YELLOW BRICK ROAD! For 11 seasons now I have looked at this walkway leading to the counter and said to anyone within listening distance, "Wouldn't it be nice to have a Yellow Brick Road here, it is just PERFECT for it?", well leave it to Sooz - to listen and act! With Ashley's help she created a beautiful, whimsical rendition.
Come on in, walk down the Yellow Brick Road, you might find Sooz at the end, just one of our many Plant Wiz's. THANK YOU SOOZ, I love it!

Spring around the bend

2011-02-23T19:25:00.000-08:00

What are those absolutely beautiful fragrant pink puffs in our picture today? Why that would be one of the hundreds of trees that we unloaded at the nursery this morning. Filled with the promise of Spring, this one arrived just a little bit ahead of our season here in Fallon so we tucked it up by the building to save the blossoms. But we don't mind, nope, not a bit. Pieces of it found their way home with a few of us tonight. Prunus blireiana 'Blireiana Flowering Plum'.

With Rose on the forklift, and Sooz, Candice and I on the ground, we inspected and unloaded hundreds of new trees and shrubs that will fill the nursery with the promise of more blossoms and greenery to come. It is a special day at the nursery when the first trucks of the season arrive. Usually we try and space them out a bit more, but with the storms forecast for over the hill, everyone came TODAY! Tomorrow we will get them all tucked into the lines, watered in - and then stand back and enjoy them. My how easy it is to love this business.

Planting Mental Health

2011-02-22T10:30:00.000-08:00

Recent research shows just five minutes of active gardening a day decreases the risk of mental illness and increases the sense of well being. Until now, nobody knew how much time people had to spend in green spaces to reap these benefits. Really, it was any physical activity in presence of nature that was found to provide these results. (Garden Chic, Feb. 2011)

Life as a business owner must be extremely different for all of us. I often wonder what it would be like to go to auction to pick out cars, do you choose the colors that you sold last year, or just the pink ones that you think would look pretty driving down Maine Street. When you have a hardware store - how do you make the decision exactly how many nails are needed in any given month, and can you imagine trying to do the buying for a restaurant, not knowing how many people are going to venture through your door each day - and just what do you do with the leftovers? It's not like you can lose them in the freezer for a year or two until you are forced to clean it out like I do.

Well I don't order food, or cars, or nails - but I do order trees. Lots and lots of trees. This is the week that our very first shipment is coming in for Spring 2011. Over the last two years we have all been faced with uncertainty in our own personal financial lives, and in the business world it has been no different. So this year it is a little more difficult to put together an order for trees when the landscapers in our town are hurting and the local real estate market is in one of the worst slumps in the country. But, anyone who knows me, and if you are reading this that probably includes you, also know that I am the Queen of Optimists. So, I am ordering trees!!! and shrubs!!! and more trees, and a thousand roses, and flowers, and organic soils, and hundreds of varieties of seeds, and colorful gloves, and gardening books and anything else I can manage to find that will bring us back to the soil and our roots. I truly believe that if we all just dug our hands in the dirt a little more it would be a happier, calmer world.

And for me at this moment, it's time to head outside while the sun is shining and the wind has stopped and get some of that great mental health going. See you in the garden, Susan

What is Michelle up to?

2011-02-22T08:03:00.000-08:00

As promised, she is getting ready to raise her first family of chicks, baking bread & painting. Catch up with her new artwork on display at Red Zinnia. Sorry, I'm not sharing my first loaf of ciabatta bread, it was so good I ate it all!

Sitting on the dock....

2011-02-20T02:05:00.000-08:00

of the river, St. John's in Jacksonville

Books I'm Reading, this week.

2011-02-17T15:19:00.000-08:00

In the morning I sit in my chair with the sun streaming in through the windows - read the local paper, peruse the many trade magazines that seem to come in every other day, and then I start in on my gardening books. Some days these books can give me just the inspiration I need to go and open the gates at the nursery when the wind is blowing 60mph, snow is falling and the temperatures might not get above 30 -like this last week has been treating us to.

This morning I choose a new book that was introduced to me from a friend and fellow gardener, Alice H. The Kitchen Garden Grower's Guide by Stephen Albert. A practical vegetable and herb garden encyclopedia, I am hear to tell you, it is a book that no serious gardener or chef should be without. From the soil to the plate, this manual is straight forward and easy to follow. It provides answers to basic and in-depth growing questions. It includes how to plant, how to grow and care for crops, how to harvest, how to store, and how to prepare vegetables and herbs. From asparagus and beet greens to Belgian endive and strawberries, this book helps readers organize a small garden close to the kitchen that offers their favorite, fresh-picked-at-the-peak-of-ripeness small crop. My own juicing garden is getting some revamping this coming season, and with this book in hand it will not only make it easier to plan and plot, but it also is inspiring me to try some new things.

Another that has just came into the store from my buying trip to Atlanta that will be added to my pile at home, What's Wrong With My Plant? (And How Do I Fix It?), by David Deardorff and Kathryn Wadsworth. This book is an EXCELLENT diagnostic tool. I actually bought it for the store so it will be at the information counter if you want to take a look. It breaks down into very simple, easy to read diagrams how to diagnose your plants ails, and fix them organically. Written in Microsoft's famous style of "Did it fix your problem- go to page 120, if not see below", it is a book that all of us can benefit from. (Rose already told me after she unpacked it and had a chance to glance through it, she wants 3 copies)

Got any new books that have inspired you this season? I would love to hear about them. Remember, only a few weeks till Spring is Sprung!! ahhhhhhh, Susan

A day, or two, in my life.....

2011-01-29T06:33:00.000-08:00

I’ve been slightly busy this last week doing my best to keep up with my amazing 3 year old grandson, Cash. We have made mud pies, explored a few different bike paths (he on his new bike, me running alongside trying my hardest to keep up), fed the snapping turtle in the pond up the block from his house, gone camping in the front room, had a slumber party, planted some seeds and pruned some mums – and laughed and giggled till it hurts. My newest grandson Carson is just now 6 weeks young, and I can’t wait until he can join us in some of these shenanigans. For now though just having him tucked into the crook of my arm brings me such a sense of peace and joy. The kids have created an amazing life here in Florida, and I am so very thankful to get to enjoy a piece of it with them. Off for a bike ride, see you soon, Susan

The Fog rolls in......

2011-01-17T23:22:00.000-08:00

The fog rolls in, both literally, and figuratively. My mind is a jumbled mess as I try and remember all the booths, all the vendors, all the new product, all the new food, all the...........

Today was our last day at Americas Mart and I left there feeling pretty great about what I had accomplished. By about 6pm I was done!!! My feet and mind couldn't take anymore. After 5 FULL days of running at full speed though I feel pretty excited about the trip. Now if I could only remember everything I ordered, when it is coming in, did I order the same book from 2 different distributors - who cares....it must have been good if I did........ and etc.....

A few shots from today:

I spent some time over in the "Cash & Carry" jewelry area today. This is where a lot of the surrounding areas of Atlanta must shop for their boutiques because you can drop in for the day and purchase just what you need for the month and take it home with you. No shipping, and you can actually pick up the pieces, not just buy from a catalog. There was a feeding frenzy going on in this booth . . . so I had to drop in and see what all the excitement was about....the displays were phenomenal (check out how they hung all the necklaces off the dolls legs), the entire booth was filled with old vintage pieces used in really creative ways....only picked up a few pieces of jewelery here...wish I had more time.....We use old doors and windows a lot ourselves. I loved the way they did actually place settings on these. Not sure it would be practical for the back patio....but pretty never the less......Yep, no excuses now.....get him to hang up that picture after he opens his beer......Think of the possibilities with these "write on chalk mugs".

"Honey, please pick up the milk after work"

"Please stop by the ? on your way home"

"I love you"Another artsy sculpture I enjoyed..........I can think of one friend that would love this bike sculpture on her back wall in the garden....

And the fog did roll in........................we are on the 53rd floor, and when we got back to our room we were greeted with this beautiful vision of the city of Atlanta. A nice way to end the trip. Tomorrow morning it is back to the kids house in Jacksonville, and I CAN'T WAIT to see them again. Melissa will head back to Susanville, Ca, and I will settle in to being Nana again for a few more weeks. It has been a great trip!

Another productive....and fun day!

2011-01-16T23:42:00.000-08:00

Running on full speed today to try and catch up .....we have been finding a lot of new people to buy from, touching base with some of our steady suppliers and searching, searching, searching for that something NEW and exciting that will be the perfect fit for our stores. A few shots from today................

No I didn't buy these, but came across the booth and was transfixed by the creative artistry in them - plus ....see the blue canister about mid-way down the middle doll....I have the exact same one at home...........my Mom kept her tea bags in it and every morning when I was little I would get to open it up and get one for her..........you find memories in the strangest places don't you?

New "Younger" scent in Sonoma Lavender. Look for these at Red Zinnia soon.........neck wraps, booties, and the softest robes I have EVER felt.....
Melissa had bought a baabaazuzu hat when we were at Park City a couple months ago on the nursery tour. She has gotten so many compliments on it she wanted to see if we could find them to place an order. The owner/designer was manning the booth this day, absolutely sparkling lovely women, her name is Susan, but she goes by SuSu, and all their hats, scarves, jackets, bags are made in the North East out of recycled, reclaimed wool items. Hence the baabaazuzu name. Great time at their booth, and the order of our hats should be at Red Zinnia by the beginning of the month.........

of course we tried on everything.....

new fire pots coming to Flower Tree......and yes Bob, I will be VERY careful with them...

there was an entire floor devoted to "all things birding" this year. a new huge category ....found these yellow REFILLABLE nyjer feeders.....sure will last a lot longer than the seed socks for those that fill them every day......and did I mention, THEY ARE YELLOW!

more great new bird feeders, or you can use them as planters.......

finally......a well made, guaranteed!!! solar birdbath dribbler.....

didn't order these....but they sure where unique......

Just plain good food.......

2011-01-15T23:48:00.000-08:00

No Starbucks anywhere close, but I remembered how much my daughter Sara liked Dunkin Donuts coffee when she lived in Maine...............gotta admit, they know their way around an espresso machine................and then we hit the ground running...........lots of floors to cover today...mostly gourmet food/cooking supplies/wine things etc... I had purchased a few of these Salt Boxes for friends for Christmas at Fox & Obel's in Chicago, imagine how happy I was to find them on the gourmet food floor. Now you will find them at Red Zinnia.....
Cat Cora, only female winner of Iron Chef was on hand for demonstrations

Gotta have something to grind the salt in...

all things wine............exciting huge showroom...

exquisite diamond cut glasses.....Made in USA! this pattern sure appealed to me, reminded me of Stillwater Wildlife Refuge.....and Bob.....

ok all my artsy welding friends, how about making me one of these....

we made it out of the showrooms about 9:30, everything is staying open late because of the storms at the early part of the week. When we had dinner the other night we were waiting for our table and struck up a conversation with two women that were from the area. We asked them where their favorite restaurant was in Atlanta and they both exclaimed "South City Kitchen!!!!!!" in Midtown. We decided we deserved a treat - called them to make sure they were open and see if we needed a reservation - all set - we plugged the address in the GPS when we got back to the car and 10 minutes later we were parked on a side street and sliding into the front door of an old house. No time to go into ALL the details, but all I will say -

IF YOU ARE EVER IN ATLANTA - GO HERE!!!!!

Started with Fried Green Tomatoes with goat cheese, red pepper coulis

Melissa had the She-Crab Soup, with fresh cream, sherry

on to my entree.....as a vegetarian I sometimes do not get the same gourmet experience as those I am with....not this time....check out their "Vegetable Plate" Brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, garlic collard greens, fried okra, mac-n-cheese - OH MY .........

we wanted to try a particular wine, and only wanted a glass but it was only offered by the bottle, no problem the wonderful waiter exclaimed.....we seal them up for you! No "open container" problem in this state.

as Melissa said on the way back to the hotel, "That was more than likely, the best meal I EVER had...", I agree. Tomorrow morning we move from our lovely room to an even better location right next door to the Americas Mart. No more driving for the next three days, unless of course, we need to go back to South City for dinner again.

www.fifthgroup.com

Overwhelmed.....and Overwalked.....

2011-01-15T05:15:00.000-08:00

We started the day buying scarves, moved into indoor accoutrement's, added in more scarves, bought more books, visited with a few celebrities, found more books, more hats and then CRASHED for the day at 10pm. It is off and running again tomorrow...........

Just to cute.......

another incredible display piece.........

this mirror will be at one of the stores in March.......

these chandeliers will be at Red Zinnia, and MY HOUSE.....

6' HIGH - Gorgeous vivid red....

Mary Lake Thompson, one of our FAVORITE vendors, Made in USA towels etc, now has developed, JUST FOR US! Red Zinnia !!! Thank you Mary

Melissa, Mary and Me

Loved this display, look for this one somewhere at the store. Recycled newspaper on rope hangers.

Twelve days of Christmas, Lucia will be able to copy this and change it up with her own ideas...

Nice display..........

Awesome! Display

Loved these lights.........

Then we got to meet another of our favorites, The Cake Lady herself, Ann

More scarves..................

so excited about these caps.......they will be at Flower Tree for Spring!
and me............yep, this sums up our day! Tickled Pink!!!

Day 2 Atlanta Gift Show continues....

2011-01-13T23:20:00.000-08:00

3 Buildings

58 Floors
6 days.........What's a girl to do?
SHOP!!!!
The journey to the first full day at the gift show started with a freeway packed - icy, "skating" adventure. We are staying in Marietta, which is about 10 miles north of downtown Atlanta. We waited until the sun was shining pretty bright before we drove in, hoping that the roads would be a little clearer and most people would already be on their way. WRONG! But we made it, got checked in and received our buying badges and we hit the ground running. A few pics from the first day, much more tomorrow.

books - books - books..............today was book ordering day! a kid in a candy store, that was me..... a great thought for the day.........the week.........the year..........the life......

gobs and gobs of fun colorful gorgeous new aprons and textiles will be arriving soon..... Michelle, owner and developer of www.mangiocatti.com and me at her booth. I have been looking for something that I love to take the place of the Burt's Bees that we used to carry. This new Home & Body line will be arriving at The Flower Tree in March.

saw some great displays today, this one is for you Michelle!!!! few ideas for your retirement.
Ended the day at Azio, our absolutely favorite little Italian restaurant downtown. It wouldn't be the same if we didn't end our first day here with a wedge salad, Florentine raviolis and a nice bottle of Malbec.

Day 1 in ICY Atlanta

2011-01-13T05:13:00.000-08:00

First stop on our journey north from Jacksonville was for lunch in Valdosta. You've no doubt seen the bumper stickers that say "We stop for yard sales". Well Melissa and I should have one that says "We stop for Historic Districts" because they seem to call to us from the interstate. It was lunch time when we ventured into Vadlosta and we drove around the blocks to find a parking space and ended up in front of this little diner, Kings Grill. There were other modern little bistros located up and down the street but I said to Mel "Come on, let's go for the local experience". My oh My, were we glad we did. Built in the 1800's, the diner itself was started in the 40's, and the original family is still serving up some good southern hospitality. Melissa went for the full experience, Southern Fried Chicken, creamed corn, broccoli casserole, okra with stewed tomatoes, cornbread and SWEET TEA. From the satisfied look on her face, I would say she enjoyed it!

We made it into Atlanta later on in the evening, on icy roads with crazy drivers, but we are here safe and sound. It is off to the show first thing this morning, more later!!!!!!!

wowShelves throughout the diner filled with memorabilia from the last 75 years. Lucia would have LOVED this diner.

You know you are in the south when the salt shakers are filled with rice. Had to explain this one to Mel, it is to keep the moisture out of the salt. Amazing little vintage shop....fun and great new ideas to look for at the show.

Wine Style, a franchise that we found in Macon when we were looking for a Starbucks.

Found it!!!

All About Michelle......

2011-01-07T13:13:00.000-08:00

The week started with Michelle's Mom's 80th Birthday party. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARION! and then continued on to her last day of full time work at The Flower Tree and Red Zinnia, ended with our annual End of Season party at my house. Lot's of laughs, a few tears........it was a wonderful week, perfectly suited for two of my favorite wonderful women.

1.1.11

2011-01-01T08:26:00.000-08:00

I rounded the corner, with regret standing there underneath the street light for all to see. I am not one to really have regrets, or at least acknowledge them as such, so it took me by surprise. Stopped myself at the next curb, and ended up parking right next to fear and disappointment. This is when I realized that my engine was still running, and I still had a lot of fuel left. I intend to use it wisely. There is no room in my life for disappointment Not when I have so very much to be thankful for. Conserving on the hills, and coasting whenever necessary I have the power to take my journey to the next level. Parking in the shade to keep myself cool, and having all the necessary tools for tune-ups, (read: travel to family and friends) and major overhauls when needed. ...........

I am not one for resolutions for New Years Eve, but I realized I do make resolutions on practically a daily basis. I resolve to swing my legs out of bed and put my feet down on the side of the good, I resolve to place my hands to my face in the morning, and if it isn't showing what I want, to actively take two fingers and pull the sides of my mouth up. I resolve to make the ordinary moments extraordinary if only by adding that extra maraschino cherry to the top of my sundae, I resolve to find the time, no- make the time to do those things that are important to those around me, including myself.

Some people draw us into their lives, whether we are ready, or able to make the journey. With Michelle leaving our daily lives to pursue her artistic talents, I have given much thought these last few days on how all of us came to play and work together. Little bits and pieces of each of us, intertwined now together to form a shawl of many colors, to drape over our shoulders when needed. We pass it back and forth, never washing off the scents of the last user, but gaining from it the strength needed to march forward in the direction our life takes us. To be surrounded by such an amazing group of personalities, I thank my lucky stars for the night they all came into my life.

And to those of us that we are privileged to call our customers, our friends, our family - May the new year bring you joy and happiness. May it bring you peace, calm and merriment. May your paths lead you to journeys filled with excitement, and may the travels that lay ahead for each of us take us in the direction that we long for. While I wrote parts of this many, many years ago, it is so very much more appropriate now, to remind myself of all the good that comes to us on a daily basis.

Happy New Year, Susan

Do More of What You Love

2010-12-30T07:23:00.000-08:00

Part 2 in my year end thoughts takes us to Michelle.

This last month she made the final decision to retire from The Flower Tree & Red Zinnia to pursue some of her other passions that have been taking a strong hold this last year. She is an amazing watercolor artist, and many of you may have seen a few of her paintings on display in the artists gallery hallway at Red Zinnia. I have quite a few hanging in my own house also. I think she always knew she had the talent, but it wasn't until she decided to take a class at the community college two years ago that everything seemed to fall into place. Now she will not only have the time to devote her energy to this creative path, but along with that, she is going to raise chickens!! That's right, RAISE CHICKENS!! When we were at the Chicago show this last August we encountered a booth that sold chicken coops. Every time I would venture down the aisle a little bit, I would have to turn around and go back to see where Michelle was, still at the chicken coop booth.............I would go a little further, turn around, go back............there she was, still at the chicken coop booth.............and again the next day, "Let me just take a look at it one more time.." Seems she was taking pictures, talking to the owners, and trying to figure out just how she was going to build her own when she got back home. That is - once she figured out if legally she could have a chicken coop withing city limits. Well, it turns out she can, and so it looks like I might get some fresh eggs next spring and summer.

So follow your passion, do more of what you love. Whether it is painting with watercolors, raising chickens, or my own goals, to write more....just see where they lead you. Who knows, maybe I will see watercolor paintings of chickens on the walls of Red Zinnia someday....hmmmmmmm

End of the year wrap-up

2010-12-29T07:35:00.001-08:00

Every year at this time the paper and magazines seem to be filled with "how-to" articles that are supposed to make life easier. Business tips on taxes, filing tips for office control, exercise tips to get you up off the couch, and yes, gardening tips to get ready for next spring. This year I decided to start ripping the articles out of the paper a few weeks ago when I felt they may have some useful tips for me, and stash them on the side table by my morning chair. They are starting to stack up a little so I thought I would go through a few of them this morning and see if they still need to stay in my pile.

1. Clean out the clutter: OK, this one can certainly pertain to many areas of my life. It was written in the home section of the paper, but it really seems to have a more powerful meaning, at least to me, when I apply it to my thoughts. Mental Clutter - all those thoughts that sit there on a daily basis and are either, unwanted, unneeded, or just plain troublesome. I realized the other day, after an extremely lengthy - and insightful - discussion with my husband, that I seem to put way to much stock into words that are just "tossed out there", and don't really have an meaning other than taking up space in the wind. Do I really NEED to worry about whether the seed racks are going to fit along the wall this year, or in the middle of the aisle or, if the dogs need their booster shots 6 months from now, or should I give maybe 2 seconds thought to it, then throw it in the "thoughtcan", my new word that will help me visualize throwing the thought away.

Tomorrow: Do more of what you love, and less of what you feel obligated to do.

Sunny and Wonderful

2010-12-28T05:30:00.000-08:00

(This post was written back on December 12th, but I forgot to post it. Since they are calling for snow-snow-snow, and ultra cold weather this weekend, thought it would be nice to remind myself, and my fellow gardeners, that sunny days do happen - even in winter.)

December 12, 2010: Today was one of those amazing December days in Nevada. The sun was shining extra bright, there was no winds and it was 60 degrees!! in December!!! I was fortunate to have the day to putter in my own garden. Started with raking up the thousands of leaves that still seemed to cling to the cottonwoods, and then noticed that I had bags and bags of bulbs still to be planted. After tucking tulips into every spare space of soil around the roses in the front beds, and then continuing around to the side yard, I noticed I hadn't cleaned out the large pot that sits in my morning area. I grabbed the soil scoop - has a better tool ever been invented - and started digging out the annual grasses and flowers that had been so lovely all summer. Dug out a bunch of the soil and piled it around some perennials that I had planted just a month ago, and then started layering the bulbs into the pot. Then I moved another pot over, and another pot, and another pot. Soon I had quite the arrangement going. Can't wait to see it in the spring, filled with color and the early promise of what's to come.

(Chopper always loves to help)

Harriet's Christmas Eve

2010-12-24T23:59:00.000-08:00

'Twas the night before Christmas,
And all through the store,

Not a creature was stirring,

No one came through the door.

Harriet was safely sleeping,

On her bed on the floor,

When outside in the trees

She heard quite the roar.

She ran round the table,

And put her face to the glass.............

To see what could be causing

This loud sounding crash.

"It's just us", we say,

As we open the door

We've coming bearing gifts,

Catnip, treats and toys galore!

We picked up sweet Harriet

And cuddled her well,

Filled her food and water

And pulled out her new bell.

We left with a smile

Harriet's blanket tucked tight,

Merry Christmas to all,

And to all a good night.

Merry Christmas from our family , including Harriet, to yours. May the season bring you good health and happiness. We look forward to seeing you in the years ahead. Susan

And the CAPS winner is.......

2010-12-20T08:53:00.000-08:00

With Harriet assisting, the winning ticket was drawn for this seasons raffle. And the winner is Theresa Bennett. She will be taking home a beautiful Colorado Blue Spruce.

We sold $118.00 worth of tickets for this crucial organization.If you would like to make a donation, or see what their work is all about, or....find your next Forever Friend, click here: http://www.capsnv.org/

Thank you to all who bought tickets. We will be announcing our next Spring raffle in a few weeks. Always a favorite, we will be picking out an outstanding flowering crab apple, perfect tree for our area.

(pic: Rose trying to contain Harriet's enthusiasm)

Welcome to the world Carson

2010-12-17T06:40:00.000-08:00

Born Friday, December 17th, 4:43 a.m. to Sara, Travis & big brother, Cash

Welcome to the world Carson Robert Thompson. From your extremely ecstatic Nana & Papa!

Family Day @ The Flower Tree

2010-12-11T23:26:00.000-08:00

Today was Family Day at the Flower Tree, and we had a wonderful time making pine cone birdfeeders, yule logs, center pieces and smiles. Frosty was kept busy most of the day posing and the kids loved the reading hour with Eleanor and Donna. A huge thank you to Bob Macdonald for taking these pictures for us. It was a great day!

Off to gather pine cones....

2010-12-06T09:20:00.000-08:00

This last weekend Bob and I grabbed the chance to get away for a night and the truck took us in the direction of Susanville, Ca.. I have been wanting to see my friend Melissa's nursery, Every Bloomin' Thing, all dressed up in its holiday finery and we were able to combine that with a pine cone gathering afternoon. This Saturday, the 11th, is our Family Day at the Flower Tree, and one of the free workshops we offer is pine cone bird feeders for kids of all ages. We arrived at her place late in the evening, and she greeted us with a huge bonfire and a hot drink. The next morning we packed a bit of food and set out for Eagle Lake, with the summit being our destination to cut greenery that we needed for the yule log and porch arrangement workshops that Michelle will also be doing on Saturday.

With the snow glistening off the branches and the sun barely peeking out between the trees we gathered heavily scented cedar fresh with berries, noble fir, sugar cone pine boughs and pine cones. The snow was pretty heavy in parts and being the Florida girl I am, the backseat was the right placement for me. I gazed out the side window and took in all the beauty rather than worry about the slick road down the mountain pass. Well, maybe I worried a little. We arrived back at Melissa's nursery just in time for her to teach her wreath making class. With 14 in attendance, it was a lively and fun afternoon and I made a wreath for myself, as well as a YouTube video of one of her porch decorations. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4RB7qc01_I Our first experiment at this, we are going to work on adding lots of videos to our website.

It is always amazing to me that just taking a short overnight trip can fill you with a sense of peace, relaxation and wellness. As Bob said on the way home, "We might just need to do this a little more often."