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. 

Deux short days away

Update on the garden; NO I COULDN'T WAIT!!! I know that everyone at the nursery will tell you that you shouldn't prune your roses until somewhere around April 15th. We do that for a very good reason. If you prune to early in the season, the new growth that is stimulated by the pruning will have a strong possibility of freezing once again. The problem is, there aren't a whole lot of days available to spend in my own garden during this busy time of year, so I have to grab them when they come. And yesterday, it came. I got the newly sharpened tools out, put on the double thick gloves and went after it. I had every intention of doing one small area of the front yard, and six hours later......they were done.....and so was a whole lot more. Next week....it is on to the side yard.

So with the Spring Equinox just two short days away, what are you doing in your own garden his week? Temperatures are set to be in the 60's again here this week, the sun is shining, the wind has abated...for today, and the birds are making their nests everywhere. I love this time of year!!! See you in the garden soon, Susan

Spring sprouts on a rainy day

How cool is it to wake up to a slightly drizzly, but semi-warm day and realize that you can spend part of it in your own garden. I filled up the fountain for the first time this season and listened as it spilled over the sides and created its soothing sound.  After the pruning workshop yesterday at the nursery I was inspired to tackle the shrubs that were in desperate need, and then it was onto "uncover" mode. Everywhere I pulled back the heavy mulch I applied last fall I found little treasures waiting for me. Spring REALLY IS only a short 17 days away!!!!
walking onions....if you would like some, just let me know...they multiply by the hundreds each year and the flowers are just beautiful. The original few that Jaime gave me are now VERY well established and I  plenty to share.
ahhhhhh......the rhubarb is doing amazing under all the leaf mold cover I used in the fall. I
placed a warm blanket back around them for a few more weeks.

 hardy geraniums that I put in last year are doing nicely with hardly any cover over them. can't wait to see how they spread this year

   leftovers in the compost pile, going to have to break them up pretty soon so they break down better
  spring sprouts, you can just see all of them smiling....just like I am

Pruning 101 with Jay

We got lucky with the weather this last Saturday. No wind, the sun was shining and it made for a perfect pruning day. For the last 12 years we have been very fortunate to have Jay Davison here with us to do our pruning seminar. He is always such a wealth of information. THANK YOU JAY!!
Just in case you missed Jay's informative talk last week, here is a link to his power point presentation as well as some pics of him helping us with the massive wisteria in the nursery.   Jay's Pruning Tips


Tree Huggers Dream

The last few days were spent surrounded by trees. Jaime, Sooz and I set out for the Linden/Lodi area in search of the best trees and shrubs we could find to fill the nursery this spring. We "tag" our own trees whenever possible at the growing grounds. Some may think it is just a way for us to get out of winter for a few days and be surrounded by flowers and beautiful trees. Flowering trees, evergreen trees, BIG TREES, small trees, trees ready to burst with fruit in the near future.....they may be just a little bit right......it was this tree huggers dream come true. 

First stop, Normans Nursery in Linden. We found some of the most amazing fruit trees I think we have ever had. After last years banner fruit crops, it will be nice to have some new varieties to share with our gardening customers. 
 picnic lunch in the orchard
  Quick tour of one of the cloning/rooting greenhouse led to perfect timing for us, Raul was trimming up all the rosemary and sent us home with a massive bag full of clippings. 

seeds in the greenhouse, these will be the shrubs we purchase in about two years time


 tree purchases and tagging complete, it was time to head to Lodi to meet with Stuart Spencer, Program manager for the Lodi Winegrape Commission. Of course we had to try a few of his recommendations also.





last stop on a great trip, Eisley's Nursery in Auburn.
2 days later......HERE COME OUR TREES!!!!!!!