Springtime!!

Yikes!! Here it is , the second week of May, and I am finally writing a blog. . . .Lots of happenings since my last post (back in the Dark Ages, I think): The big Spring sale at the Farmers Market went well,the weekly sales at the Nursery are continuing ( great way to get great LOCALLY grown plants), and my veggie garden is doing great!
I can't emphasize the advantage of locally grown plants/shrubs enough. . . the plant is used to this climate, it has survived at least 2 years in this climate ( at least at Nature Trail Nursery), and is "toughened" to our growing environment. How long will that Big Box shrub ( that has been grown only God knows where) last in the heat of August and September? How long does the bloom last on that hydrangea you bought blooming in March, when it shouldn't even start blooming till May?
On to another soapbox. . . .
Have you noticed ( if you plant a garden, and if you aren't, you should be) that most places that sell seed are selling more and more hybrid seeds only, or at leaat less of the heirloom varieties? This is NOT a good thing. . . .Heirlooms are the dependable standards that produce true to ther parent plant, year after year. With hybrids, who knows what you get if you replant seed from what you grew this year.If we lose the heirlooms and are left with only hybrids, the safety and security of future seed resources is at risk. . . . which leads me to genetically modified vegetables, which is a topic for another day.
Remember, buy local, help the local economy, and use environmentally friendlier plants. . . .available at our Nursery.
We are still having sales on Saturdays through the first of June ( from 9AM till 1PM) See you there!

A New Year

Here we are in 2011. . . .where did 2010 go? Did you accomplish what you wanted to this past year? Have you set new goals for this year? Will you try some new or different plants or shrubs in your yard or garden? Do you have ideas or plans for some new hardscape. . . maybe a retaining wall, firepit, or walkway?
If you are ready for new or additional hardscape, give us here at the Nursery a call or email. We can design/install something to fit your budget and your lifestyle.There is nothing like the look and texture of a real stone fireplace, walk or wall, plus the added benefit of years of dependable service and durability.With real stone, you never have to worry about the color of your stone wearing off, or the stone itself deteriorating,
If you are ready for additional or new shrubs to add interest color, or depth to your yard, consider our many varities of hydrangeas or wegelias. We offer old favorites as well as new varities such as the "Incrediball"mophead hydrangea, or the beautiful "Glowing embers, with its dark red to rose -colored blooms.
We will begin offering blueberry bushes by the Fall of 2011, so be ready for more announcements about that.
I pray all of our friends and interested readers will have a safe and prosperous New Year, and I look forward to helping to beautify your yards and outdoor living spaces.

I'm a Slacker. . . . .

Yep, I am a slacker. . . .I haven't posted a lick since . . . .June? I have to confess that the heat, drought and generally lousy economy took the will to write anything right out of me. . . BUT hope springs eternal in those of us who are plant lovers, and I just know next year will be better! We still have some nice Knockout Roses in 3 gallon containers on sale for . . .that's right, $10 each!!Also some nice Oakleaf Hydrangeas for $12. We will have some reblooming lacecaps next Spring, as well as the fantastic INCREDIBALL Hydrangea- imagine an Annabelle on steroids. You will have to see the blooms to believe the size of them.
Right now I am sitting here with a great cup of WestEnd Coffee's Augusta Grill Blend, and there is a nice warm fire in the stove- thank the LORD for simple pleasures.Keep in touch dear readers!

Summer is here!!

Summer is officially here and man, is it hot!! The garden is cranking , and the Nursery is growing. We will have new hydrangea selections next year, and who knows what other surprises are in store. I think we will be running the Nursery every Saturday next year from Spring until the end of June. I will be keeping updates on the blog as things unfold. Remember we offer hardscaping design and installation services as well as great deals on superior plants and shrubs.

Summer is coming. . . .

May is blowing by at an unreal rate! The garden is doing well- I have small 'maters that are the size of grapes...Ha!! Beans and corn are growing , squash is forming too. The star jasmine is covered with blooms and the fragrance is almost overpowering, but I can live with it. The Annabelles are ready to bloom and so are the Oakleafs. Remember, for LOCALLY grown shrubs come see or call us and we can set you up. You will not find better hydrangeas anywhere else. Need a little privacy- a place to decompress and catch your breath? We can create that space for you- whether with plants/shrubs, or a combination of hardscape and plants, we can meet your needs. Contact us, you will be glad you did.

Another month gone. . . .

Wow!! Time is flying by. April is over, and here comes May. I have been eating lettuce, onions, and radishes out of the garden for several weeks now. The corn is 3" out of the ground; things are happening! The wegelia are at their prime right now, and the hydrangeas are fixin' to start blooming. All the wegelia are on sale right now at $12 each. Hopefully the pictures will load. . .

Random thoughts, Stuff for sale, etc. . . .

Well, another Tax Day come and gone. . . the buggers got their pound of flesh for another year.We need to go to a National Sales Tax, but that is an issue for another day. Time for more pleasant things. . . April is almost gone, and things at the Nursery are alive and well. How is your veggie garden coming along? There is nothing like seeing those seeds you planted come to life, grow, and then reward you with fresh HEALTHY produce. I will be posting pictures in the future of the garden(s) and if anyone sends me some pics, I will post them also.Gardening and yard work is a great way to get some exercise, Vitamin D, and fresh food- why wouldn't everyone want to do it? The wegelia here at the Nursery are starting to bloom right now and would be a great way to put some early Spring color in your yard. We have them on sale right now -3 gallon pots at $12 each- and have the following varieties: Ghost (pale green foilage, with red blooms) Red Prince, Carnaval( red, pink and white blooms, a personal favorite), and Wine and Roses ( a Color Choice selection with a beautiful maroon/pink bloom and dark varigated foilage) These plants love the sun /partial shade and will give you years of enjoyment! Too often we dwell on what we think is wrong with life, instead of being thankful for the blessings (big and little) we enjoy each day: our spouses, kids, freedom, good ( or even decent) health, a beautiful sunrise/sunset, a good cup of coffee ( thank you West End Coffee), good music ( Vaughn Williams, Dave Brubeck, Chet Baker, SRV, Claude Debussey,Chris Duarte, the Who, etc), good BBQ, a good cigar ( CAO, Drew Estates, Perdomo, etc), I could go on and on. I guess I just want to say "Thank you, LORD, for all you have given us.May we never take anything for granted, our get so used to what we have , we lose our appreciation for all we have.