Saturday, December 10, 2005

New Book- California Native Plants

At long last, a new book on California native plants for the garden! San Jose Mercury News calls it "gorgeous" and says it contains "450 color photos that will show even skeptics that natives can bring eye-popping color, sensuous texture and dramatic effects to any size garden..."

Slurp... drool... I want it, I want it!



Paperback version is about 10 bucks cheaper, btw...

Regional Garden Featured in Movie

Hakone Gardens in Saratoga, Ca was used as a movie location for the blockbuster film, Memoirs of a Geisha. Read more in this San Jose Mercury News article.

Thursday, December 08, 2005

Practical Gifts for the Avid Gardener

Crabtree & Evelyn's Gardeners Hand Scrub
This stuff is great for those who garden sans gloves... cleans and moisturizes without feeling greasy. Nice herbal scent too.

30 in Colormark Rain Wand by Dramm


Everyone deserves a Wedgiethis Christmas. If no one gives you a wedgie, give yourself one!




Sandflex Hand Block
This magic rubbery, gritty "eraser" gets the gunk off your pruners and other tools!



Cordless Electric hedger/edger/blower
I love this trio! They really work and you can shuffle the three batteries around as needed. Did I mention the no cords and no gasoline part?



Bulb Auger
Puts the fun back in bulb planting...


Can-O-Worms from Peaceful Valley Farm Supply


Redworms from Peaceful Valley Farm Supply
Hmmm... might not want to put this one under the tree...













Waterproof Gloves by West County Gardener
These ran large for me. If you normally wear a women's M, I suggest ordering the S.












Rose Gloves by West County Gardener


Smith & Hawken Biostack Compost Bin
If space is limited, or if you're not a DIY'er, Consumer Reports rated this composter tops...


Felco Pruners
These are great pruners and come in many flavors. They dull rather quickly (their only downfall, imho), so get the sharpener too.



Felco Pruner Holster
Never again utter the phrase, "Now where the #^%$ did I leave those ^%$#%@ pruners?"


SpeedySharp Knife Sharpener
Great for keeping those Felcos sharp. Works fast, unlike a "sharpening" stone. Those oily things take forever! True, you're not supposed to remove too much metal, but the results should at least be perceptible!


Merrell Waterproof Moc for Men and Women
Slip 'em on and muck about while keeping your feet dry and toasty warm.


Hori Hori
Great for dividing perennials



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Mini-Tiller
Sometimes called a "mattock-hoe"... this is probably my favorite tool.


Kangaroo Container from Harmony Farm Supply


Rainbow Tubs from Gardener's Supply
(Cute puppies not included)icon
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Sunday, December 04, 2005

Impractical Gifts for Garden Goofballs

In addition to the George Bush Garden Gnome Series, there are all kinds of great gifts for the wacky gardener in your life.


Trowel & Fork Earrings from Uncommon Goods


The WonderVase
They say it's "The best gift ever!" Well, then what are you waiting for?!





Plant Pals
For the nature-starved office worker...



















Gnome & Garden... a gnovelty kit
For the land-challenged gardener...




















Snail Sculpture
These are just plain cool!icon
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Worker's Glove Planter/ Vase
I am equally drawn to and repelled by this.icon

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Magic Wish Beans
I wonder if one of them says "Sprout"
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Weeds Garden Stake
'Cause let's face it...



Get more... and perhaps more practical... gift ideas on Amy Stewart's Dirt Blog.

Thursday, December 01, 2005

Argh! I forgot to special-order fruit trees again...

Cut-off for Dave Wilson Nursery (DWN) special orders was in late November. Dang it, dang it, dang it. I could have pre-ordered a few varieties and then picked 'em up at my local nursery (see DWN website).

Capital Nursery #1
4700 Freeport Blvd.
Sacramento, CA 95822
916.455.2601
trees ordered from DWN

Capital Nursery #2
5410 Sunrise at Madison
Citrus Heights, CA 95822
916.961.9100
trees ordered from DWN

Capital Nursery #3
8423 Elk Grove Blvd.
Elk Grove, CA 95758
916.684.2100
trees ordered from DWN

Fair Oaks Blvd. Nursery
4414 Fair Oaks Blvd.
Sacramento, CA 95825
916.483.1830
trees ordered from DWN

Silverado Nursery
9297 Jackson Rd.
Sacramento, CA 95826
916.361.7374
trees ordered from DWN

Windmill Nursery
5750 Windmill Way
Carmichael, CA 95608
916.972.0794
trees ordered from DWN


I know I'm not going to find what I'm looking for now because I'm looking for a plumcot... and DWN lists what each nursery ordered on its website and I don't see any plumcots. Oh, they'll all have Pluots and Apriums coming out of their ears, but plumcots? Nada, zilch, zip. Why a plumcot? Because I once tasted an unbelievably fabulous one and for all the raving I hear about Pluots, I've never... ever... tasted one as good as that perfect plumcot.

I am still planning to install several trees in one hole, a la DWN, but may have to resort to mail order and desperate nursery-wanderings. I'm sure I'll find a few nifty dwarf/semi-dwarf fruit varieties, but oh, the elusive plumcot.