Shots from the garden

I venture out many mid-summer evenings with a book tucked tightly under my arm, and a cold drink in my hand, to the chair that awaits me in the side garden after a long but rewarding day at the nursery. Last night was one of those magical evenings, when I wished with all my heart that others were there to share it with me. Because I was alone, I lingered awhile in my thoughts before I just HAD to get up and walk into the house, grab the Nikon, and head back out to the patio to try and capture the moment..... if only for me.

The evenings around Fallon are filled with beauty that others don't always get to see. The sunsets...of course...because after all we are in the desert, and second only to the ocean sunsets are the desert beauties. But the true marvels are the rare times when we have CLOUDS! Lots of billowy white puffy things, filled with the possibility of a little bit of moisture and the feel of fresh sheets on a summer day hanging on the line. This was such an evening. And to top it all .......... a RAINBOW! Something I took for granted on 200 out of 365 days in another world...a long time ago, a rainbow...........ahhhhhhhh!


It's tomato time! "Michelle's Garden Ripe Tomato Pie"

I spent most of the morning pruning on my roses and doing some clean-up but the thrill of the day......I pulled  the first Brandywine off the vine and brought it in for a mayo/tomato/cheese sandwich for lunch. I LOVE IT when the tomatoes start to ripen in abundance. I can eat them at EVERY meal and still want more. Hope yours are coming on nicely too, and remember to do your early morning deep watering. You don't want blossom end rot on those beauties. 



When you start harvesting daily, it will be time for Michelle's recipe, so I have included it here so you don't have to go searching for it like I did. Enjoy!!!

Michelle's Famous Garden Ripe Tomato Pie

1 BAKED 9" pie shell
4-6 large red tomatoes -  sliced  very thick
1 bunch of green onions - chopped
½ cup Parmesan cheese grated
1 crushed clove garlic
Oregano to taste
Fresh basil LOTS - I use the whole leaves - not chopped
2 tbs water
1 tbs cornstarch
1 cup mayonnaise (Do not use "lite" or Miracle Whip)
2 cup grated cheddar cheese
Make two layers of the first 6 ingredients
Mix cornstarch water/ dribble over tomatoes
Mix Mayo and cheese and spread on top edge to edge
Bake 350 for 45min - 1 hour
Oh My Gosh
It's so good, you will wish you made 2 ! ! !

Rockin' The River for RELAY 2013

Once again the River was a Rockin' for a great cause. Thank you to all those that supported us in this great event. From the amazing watercolor poster by Michelle Nelsen, to the promoters and workers at the concert ~ we thank each and every one of you! The band "Yellow Submarine" did an outstanding job of bringing people to their feet and Chef Shale got great reviews on the food (you can find her now at her new restaurant inside The Overland Hotel here in Fallon). We also thank local photographer Kori Meyer's for capturing the evening so beautifully. 

I thrilled to report that we turned over a check from the proceeds for $1243.00 to Relay for Life's Chairwoman Lacy Lehman! This brings us well over $25,000.00 in the last 12 years!!! 





























Garden Tour 2013

Some views from this years garden tour. It was a lovely day for a tour ~ heavily overcast, cool and just a sprinkle or two to show us a slight hint of the rain that would come the next day. We want to send out a huge 
Thank you
to the homeowners that graciously opened their gardens to us. 

 Bill and Theresa Lawry
Terri and John Sweet / Sweet Farm
Ray and Bonnie Jones
Dave and Sylvia Lumos
Linda Jacks



















Plein Air ~ Summer 2013


Another wonderfully successful gathering of artists made our day so special. With their contributions of art, and those from our bidders we are happy to announce that we have added $1048.00 to the "Building on a Creative Life" scholarship fund. As some of you may know, this fund was set up in memory of our dear friend, and wonderful artist, Linny Moore. She passed from this earth way to soon, and our semi-annual Plein Air events are just a small way that we can honor her memory. We look forward to awarding scholarships to many artists over the next few months. To apply, or if you know an artist that we could assist,  please download an application here.. We look forward to the Fall event.
THANK YOU ARTISTS
Jaime Sammons 
Michelle Nelsen
Lori Bishop
Lonne Sheldon
Barbara Albright 
Rochelle Langston
Kim Rowlett
Sarah Riggle
Dan Sperl 
Kevin Sammons
Marcia Ernst
Annie Rojas 
Jan Stotts
Mari Nathanson
Denise Johnson 
Monica Fairbanks
Ren 
Tulsa Harrison 
* Cash Thompson 
(* special thank you to Dan Sperl for helping my grandson 
Cash create his own painting)






  





















 








Wish I had listened to myself

yep, I reminded all of you to cover your frost sensitive crops last night, hope you listened. Wish I had :{


on a much happier note.......the cold didn't seem to touch the beauty of the other blooms this morning










Mom's peonies

This last week marked nine years since my Mom passed away. I wish I could say it gets easier with time, it doesn't. But the little things that make up the memories of her time here with me are what help me smile. I planted these peonies with my Dad on the east side of the house where they lived on the river. Pink was her very favorite color. Each year I anxiously wait for them to bloom as they seem to mark the week of her passing. They are beautiful, just as she was.

Planting, it's for the BIRDS


Once again the Lahontan Stillwater Conservation District is having their annual tree sale. I have watched in my own neighborhood as the ash trees that were planted as short little 3' bare roots are now strong mature trees providing a beautiful windbreak on my neighbors property. A windbreak is usually made up of one or more rows of trees or shrubs planted to provide shelter from the wind and to protect the soil from erosion. If designed properly, windbreaks around a home can reduce the cost of heating and cooling and save energy. One of the best benefits in my eyes though, is the habitat it provides for the birds and wildlife.

People are going to wonder.........why are you sending people elsewhere to buy trees when you own a nursery?Here is my answer; First off.....because Marlea Stout, our manager of the Flower Tree for the first 8 years we owned it is now one of the project directors for the Conservation District. We believe strongly in the goals of what she and the board are doing in our valley. And second, many of you, like Bob and I, live on one acre properties or much larger. While it would be great to purchase 100 mature trees to line a property, or group together massive shrubs as a habitat, it just isn't really economically feasible for most. Even those of us that own nurseries!! So that is why we ENCOURAGE you to take advantage of this sale. Bob and I will be adding some shrubs from this list to our own property, and we hope you will do the same. Just click on the link to take you to their order form, but hurry, you only have until March 30th to take advantage of this promotion.


Lahontan Stillwater Conservation Districts Annual Tree Sale

and of course...........we are open 7 days a week to help you with those MATURE trees and shrubs whenever you are ready to plant!!! See you in the garden soon, Susan

Planting by the Lunar Phases

(Special thanks to Sooz Ellis for this posting.)

 Some think this is purely superstition and folklore but it is as old as agriculture. There are definite scientific reasons for planting with the Moon.
There are four quarters in the Lunar Phase, each lasting 7 days. The first two quarters are during the WAXING Moon, or in laymen's terms, it is when the Moon is increasing in light and gravitational pull. This occurs between the NEW Moon and the FULL moon. The last two quarters are during the WANING Moon, or when the Moon's light is decreasing. This occurs during the two weeks AFTER the Full Moon.   
Not only is the moonlight increasing and decreasing during the cycle, but it is also increasing and decreasing the gravitational pull on the Earth. You will see that the tides are higher during the Waxing Moon than during the Waning Moon. With that said the gravitational pull of the Moon also makes the water table in the ground rise as well as increases the amount of light we have in the Earthsooz2's atmosphere. And we all know that any plant loves water and light.RIGHT NOW, THIS WEEKEND, is the perfect time for spring transplanting and some seed planting. Even when we know that here in Fallon that we may still have some cold snowy days, and the spring winds are here, it is still the optimum time for transplanting your shrubs and yes, roses. 
We have the perfect storm of conditions....... why:
1. TODAY is the Spring Equinox and the Earth's tilt is changing up for more direct sunlight.
2. We are starting our Lunar Waxing Cycle which means we will have 2 weeks of increased Moonlight and gravitational pull on the water in the ground and the plants themselves.
3. During the last two quarters of the Lunar Cycle, the Waning Moon, the gravitational pull and light are less, but this is the optimum time for planting any root veggies, or plants that have seeds that grow inside such as: melons, peas, tomatoes, squash, beans and peppers.

By the time THIS Lunar cycle is complete, we will see much warmer temperatures and the cycle will begin again. This doesn't mean you should put off any planting, but with a little planning, you can give your plants the best possible start.