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!!!!!!! 

I WANT SPRING!!!!!

Today was a cold and windy day. After venturing out to take this picture this morning I was CRYING for spring. The sound of the birds overpowering my thoughts, the daffodils bursting forth with color, the peonies peaking their little heads up saying "Is it time.....Is it time?"

I sometimes forget how much I love my garden. I know......you are thinking, how could you forget????  The smell of fresh cut grass, the buds of the crab apple trees bursting forth with an abundance of color, the scraping back of the bark mulch to reveal the little sprouts that contain all the promise of the zinnias summer explosion. The roses budded and waiting to scent the summer air. And oh.........the sweet juicy pop of the first tomato as you bite into it's goodness.

It's coming folks......I promise.

Michelle's Gallery Show

I first came to love all that Michelle created when she played in the garden with us for the last ten years. Upon semi-retirement from The Flower Tree, she started to follow another passion, painting. On March the 9th, she will be having her first gallery opening and joining her will be another artist she knows well, her brother from Washington state.

She is so very talented! Please make plans to stop by on this evening and see what she is creating now.