Jazz on The River 2009

This year is shaping up to be the best yet for our annual fundraiser for Relay for Life, Fallon Chapter. In 2004, we held our first ever "Jazz on The River" as part of a fundraiser for the Churchill County Hospital Auxiliary. It was our first concert out in the river garden, and it was not only a huge success, but it set in motion the 12 outdoor concerts that have followed. The next year, 2005, marked the first summer that we dedicated our Jazz on The River to Relay for Life.

This year, we are proud to have playing for us, Steve Vasco & Jazzmajic. A multi Grammy Award nominated musician now living in the Lake Tahoe area. He has played with some of the greats in the jazz world, and we can't wait to hear his cool sounds under the stars out by the river.

We also have a special treat in store for all wine connoisseurs. This year, because of our new store, Red Zinnia, we have a multitude of wine distributors. They feel as strongly as we do about promoting donations to Relay for Life. They have offered to host wine tents featuring their vintages. We will have tents set up by Southern Wine & Spirits, Luce & Sons, Wirtz Beverage, Encore Beverage, Barefoot Wines and Baronn Imports. Tasting tickets will be available for sale, as well as amazing case discounts for any wine ordered that will be picked up at Red Zinnia the following week.

Here comes the pitch. That concert in 2005, when we first started dedicating all proceeds to Relay for Life, I was asked to get up on the stage and say a few words. As a cancer survivor myself, the organizers thought that it would be good way to help show that cancer touches everyone, including someone you might know. I did make it up to the stage that year, but I couldn't say much. I was staring out over the crowd at my Dad, who had just been diagnosed with lung cancer the month before. My Dad lost his fight with the disease in the winter of 2006. This concert and the proceeds that come with it are one small way that we can not only give - but honor those that have been touched by this disease. As we walk at the Relay for Life the following week, I hope you will join us there also. Go Team Flower Tree!

Tickets are on sale now, $10.00 in advance, $15.00 at the gate. Gates open at 5, music starts at 6pm - until 11. In addition to the tasting tents, Big Ed's BBQ will be catering the food, and Team Raleys will be on hand with Relay for Life luminary bags, t-shirts, etc. for purchase. You can bring your chairs early in the day if you would like and set them up out in the grass, or reserve a table by stopping by the day of the concert. First come - first seated. ALL PROCEEDS from this event go to Relay for Life. Last years donation was over $2000.00, and with the assistance from our wine distributors this year, we know that we will surpass that. If you are going to be out of town, or can't make it for some reason, please keep in mind that your ticket is a tax-deductible donation and can always be given to a friend or family member so that they can attend. Please help us make this the biggest and best one yet! We all thank you, Susan

The Roses....they are exploding!!

This has to be one of my absolute favorite times of year. Last week, I watched as the climbing rose that marks the entrance to our front walkway went from 2 blooms to hundreds. I wish I had taken a picture on Monday so you could have seen the explosion in full color. Here is one I took just a few minutes ago though. It is a "Blaze" climber, planted about 8 years ago, and every single year it just gets better and better. Roses are so easy to take care of here in Fallon. Between the hot dry climate to control disease, and the 300 or more days of sunlight we get every year, it makes for perfect growing condition. Sorry, can't write anymore right now, the roses are calling to me out front. I need to go play in the blooms. See ya soon, Susan

ps, If you are out and about tomorrow, Saturday, May 30th, stop by our rose garden at The Flower Tree. Linda Reed, a multi media artist from California will be in the rose garden demonstrating with FIRE how she makes her Lampwork bead jewelry. Sure to be a hot time!

Oat's Park gets some new trees

Today was an exciting day in our garden world. We watched as the City of Fallon crew, led by Danielle, planted some amazing new trees at Oats Park. When I was first approached by Danielle to bid for this project, I have to admit I was thrilled for the opportunity to put extremely mature trees around the park. We got the bid, specs were worked out, and here are some shots of the new trees. THEY ARE HUGE! These are the largest trees The Flower Tree has ever brought into Fallon, and I must say, I would love to have one of these beauties in my own yard. (If only I could insert a photo of Bob with a backhoe here) Fruitless Mulberries to provide shade for the ballpark, and flowering pears, that will bring loads of blossoms in the spring, and color in the fall. (Danielle standing in the shade)
Drive by, take a look. They did a fabulous job of planting these giants. See you in the garden soon, Susan

Marlea's New Path

Just when you have so much to write about, you have no time to write it. The first half of this month has flown by like the tumbleweeds that get swept up in the wind around here. Every year since we purchased the nursery - spring gets a little easier, things are streamlined a bit, and decisions are easier to make regarding quantities to order, products needed, scheduling staff etc. But nothing prepares you for the curve balls that sometimes come your way. This year, spring brought it's own huge surprise. Marlea Stout, our nursery manager for the past 9 seasons has taken a new position with the Department of Agriculture. For the past nine years I have watched as Marlea quietly took on more and more responsibility. When she originally came to us, she already held a degree in Biology that she had worked hard for from the University of Nevada. She continued her education by completing the UNR Certified Nursery program, and then went on the achieve her ISA designation with the International Arborist Association. All during this time she also kept a very watchful eye on the nursery, the inventory, the employees - and yes, on me.

I hope that we still see her often, wandering through the garden, the sun shining down on her. As I sit here and write this I can't help but feel sadness at our loss, but joy for her future as she follows her dreams. We will miss your daily presence Marlea! Love, Susan

PUMPKINMANIA ! ! !

Under extremely warm, and sunny skies - "Pumpkin Kahuna", Stuart Shim gave a wonderfully informative presentation on the joys, trials & tribulations of growing extreme pumpkins. He was joined with enthusiasm by Scott Goodpasture, of Pioneer Farms, Fallon, reigning Nevada State Giant Pumpkin Champion, (715 pounds, grown in 2000). A huge thank you to Stuart for traveling all the way to Fallon for this great seminar. Missed the class? Stuart has a wonderful website http://www.pumpkinmania.blogspot.com/ that will fill you in on all the techniques and tricks to growing these massive beauties. We would also like to thank Mike McLain with Kelloggs Garden Products for putting this together for us.

Flower Tree Spring Fling 2009

A few pictures from this years Spring Fling garden party. We had a great time, made lots of new friends and enjoyed a beautiful day. See you soon, Susan

CAPS Kissing Booth , VERY POPULAR!

Linny serving up some great treats.


Mike McLain, Kelloggs Garden Products/Dr. Earth Organics, giving his seminar on Maximum Nutrition in the garden.

The "Bonnie Boys", Andrew & Jon after his class on tomato growing.

Sooz, giving the first of her Rose Care 101 classes.