10 Days in my Garden

Amazing what 10 days difference can make in the garden when you live in Northern Nevada. Just a short time ago, this was the view out my bedroom door onto the deck. Early morning I got up to witness once more the white covering on my trees. It was a warm day though, so it didn't stick around too long. Just enough to give us more of that much needed moisture. My favored spot for afternoon reading took on a new meaning

and then early this morning.....

Slipped on my shoes, draped a shirt over my shoulders and walked outside to the beauty of the plumcot tree in the side yard to take some shots for today. The tree is so filled with blossoms we will be taking some off for sure so as not to break the branches this year.

I even got my fountain going yesterday. What a beautiful sunny day it was to get this going.

In between these last 10 days we also unloaded all the Spring shipment of evergreens from Oregon. HUGE thank you to my two helpers Cody C. & Cody M. My tulips I put in pots last Fall are coming up like gang busters. The perennials beds are popping up in abundance. So fun to see all the little tiny things I planted last Fall coming up all over the place. Ten days - life in Northern Nevada. and on a personal note, Happy Anniversary to my dearest.

37 years ago we started out as kids - and the fun just continues.

Life with a hampered left wing

What parts of the chores in the garden world can be completed with one arm? I am finding out this month as I sit here and await the surgery that is scheduled for my left shoulder. Turns out that lifting trees and bales of compost are not so good for parts of your body when you reach the AARP crowd. I have always been a careful person regarding lifting, I thought. I lift weights and walk/run in the winter to stay in shape for the spring season that hits the garden center business like thunder, and I eat right and get lots of needed sleep. Well, maybe not rest - my husband would say, but I do get sleep. I do yoga on a semi-daily basis, just as much for my peace of mind as the strength of my core. So when my shoulder started to ache a few months ago I just put it on the back burner part of the brain and didn't worry to much about it. Figured out that if I just babied it a little all would be well. Turns out a 3" tear in your rotator cuff does not heal on it's own.

So, in a few weeks you will still find me at the nursery, but I will be the one behind the counter dispensing my best "Garden Words of Wisdom". I just won't be out loading any more trees or bales of compost for awhile. See you there, Susan

Spring Forward!

Well as much as I positively hate losing an hour to daylight savings, I have to say - SPRING FORWARD - sounds pretty darn good about now. I went on a nature walk of my own today around the Sparks Marina. http://www.cityofsparks.us/living/parks/marina/ It is a two mile path around the whole lake and what a lovely day to do it. The air was crisp, the mountains in the distance to the west were covered with snow, the clouds many and a few drops of rain even touched my cheek. The marina has a lot to offer for a horticulturalist nerd like me. I was on my walk with a friend who's husband is one of Bob's partners on his dual sport dirt bike rides. We had spent the night at their home at the marina and as we leashed up their two labs to go with us I was thrilled that such a beautiful path is basically right out their front door.

So many varieties of trees surround the lake I could not even keep track. Pears, plums and crab apples just to name of few of the varieties that will be covered in blossoms soon from the looks of their heavily swollen budded branches. With temperatures predicted in the high 60's this coming week, possibly even 70! Spring Forward really is appropriate. Amazing cotoneaster hedges overflowing the retaining walls, wonderful burning bush lining a large part of the path. I am going to go back soon, just to see everything again when it is all leafed out.

If you have the chance, skip part of the time you might have planned for the Legends Shopping center or Scheels, and take the short walk west to where the path starts. I guarantee you won't be disappointed. Stop and sit on one of the many benches and tables provided, sip on a cup of coffee from the vendor right there and enjoy the day. It is a beautiful park, right smack in the middle of the city. And yes, the dogs thoroughly enjoyed it too.

When we got home mid-afternoon I walked around the yard to survey what the wind damage was from the other day and to take note of my own flowering trees and shrubs. Tree limbs and twigs were thrown about and covering parts of the garden, but my branches are just as ready to greet the upcoming Equinox on the 20th of this month as the ones were at the Marina. And the best part of my stroll around my own garden, these beauties were also here to surprise me. First ones for me this season...ahhhh SPRING FORWARD - yep, See you soon, Susan

Edible Reno Tahoe

My first article for Edible Reno-Tahoe came out this week.

http://www.ediblecommunities.com/renotahoe/spring-2011/diverse-picks.htm

A huge thank you to Editor/Publishers, Amanda and Jaci for giving me the opportunity. It is a fabulous magazine and huge asset to our area, catering to a lot of the things I feel passionate about. Food, Sustainability, Vegetable Growing, Organics, and did I mention FOOD! Pick up a copy at many locations in Reno, or at The Flower Tree and Red Zinnia next week, and do what I do. Keep it in your car after you read it so when you find yourself up in Reno and can't decide on a great place to eat just browse through the write-ups. You won't be disappointed.