Garden Girls ~ Sooz's

The desert...you either adapt.....or you transform. Sooz made the choice to transform….and in a big way. Having grown up on the coast of California, the beachfront her early playing ground, we have talked often over the last 25 years about how we both ended up in Fallon. A childhood beach bum myself, ocean sand is in my bones and blood and the only place that I truly feel at home is when it is between my toes and the whish….whisshh…whishhhhhh of the waves fills my thoughts. Sooz grew up in Newport Beach, Lucia in San Diego, and Michelle in Santa Rosa…..how did we all end up in the desert?

Sooz made the decision early on in her family’s years here in Fallon to take her area of sand and transform it, creating her own oasis in the desert. You hear that expression all the time, “oasis in the desert” when you live here in Fallon. They use it on the Chamber of Commerce notices and on the Convention handouts, but what truly is…..an Oasis in the Desert? It is being surrounded by desert and adding the greenery that makes you feel that for just this small moment in time, you are in another place, a place far away - filled with roses and flowers and greenery and water…..just for that slight moment….there, you are where you want to be. Sooz’s home is perhaps the farthest out in the desert that any of us live. Down the highway you travel until you see the signs for a long ago stop across the 40 Mile Desert, Ragtown. We turn left at the historical marker sign and travel a few miles farther into the desert wondering how the south side of the road could be so filled with the magical color of green, and the north side so brown. Upon further glances we realize, yes it is water. The Newlands irrigation project that turned Lahontan Valley into one of Nevada’s most productive farming and ranching areas feeds into the Carson River on our left. It also helped create the greenery of the giant old cottonwoods that line the river and the alfalfa fields that border it. But Sooz lives on the north side of the road, far from the river and where tumbleweed and mustard grass are the only things that seem to sprout up in abundance. Unless of course you help it and design it and work it and work it some more, to create that little oasis you call your garden.  On to Sooz’s. We pull up to the drive, and she smiles, greets us at the entry. We have called her our rosarian here at the nursery for many years, but she truly is our Rose Queen!!

I have set the scene; I will let the pictures tell the story.

We started in the rose bed out front that she was just beginning when we were here last year. Now it is filled! with all David Austin English roses. The sweet scent of old fashioned roses fill the evening air.

Not only the garden, but her house is filled with little treasures at every turn. I loved the use of old lamp parts and handles to make the door knobs in her kitchen. In the pictures below, make sure you look for all the "re purposed" garden treasures.

once again, I wish we had "scentivison" for you to enjoy all the hundreds, (no, I didn't count them, but I am sure it is closer to 200 and not a single less).

 

she is starting to sneak more perennials in around the beds, I think we are wearing off on her, just as she now has all us pining for more roses

 only fitting, Rose takes time to stop and smell the roses







Two more of Sooz's beauties, her daughters Bethany and Korey, and her newest treasure, granddaughter Kennedi.

A stunning mosaic of bricks fill one of the many little side courtyards. A circular pattern, it is rimmed with upright river rock, and tucked off to the side you find a bench to sit and contemplate the day while watching the sunset.

sorry Sooz, but remember Michelle's obsession with snitching bricks.....I swear.....I tried to stop her :}

every rose, labeled so that when you walked around the many many many different beds filled with every color imaginable you could memorize your favorites to add to your own garden

treasures, tucked in - placed about, what stories they could tell

 

Sooz's vegetable garden is overflowing with bounty. These onions were at least 5" across and just waiting to be plucked from the garden. She uses a combination of organic fertilizers, and the chicken coops are just steps away so the bedding is re purposed as walkway material and mulch.

wine bottles make the perfect edging to slightly contain the overflowing herbs

darling little Miss Kennedi

As the sun set on another glorious evening, I looked out over the 40 mile desert, took in the shades of orange that surrounded us and absorbed the peacefulness. It was at this moment I realized exactly why, Sooz choose this space to plant her oasis. Thank you Sooz, for an absolutely beautiful evening.

A day in the garden

 There are some days when the temps are so hot...like today (101) that you really don't want to be out weeding or working in the garden. But the call to be amongst your plants is so strong that you bring out the big pitcher of water, apply the sunscreen, wear the water proof sandals and "buck up" and enjoy it. Today was such a day. I am one of those people that can cool down in an instance...with water.

 My well and pump thank me for the way that I use them to their optimal potential each and every day. What I really don't like though is getting that lecture that goes like this "ah, did you know ...you left the water on...all day.!!!! in the side yard". I try, really hard, to only get that call once, or twice a season.

The SunGolds never, ever, ever make it into the house. They are planted strictly to enjoy in the garden. As the sweet taste enters your mouth and the juices pop, everything just kinda seems right with the world. This is why you garden. Everyone needs a little of that sweetness in your life.

I also stand in the garden eagerly awaiting the arrival of that first bright BIG red tomato. You know, the one that you put between the two pieces of a fresh baked whole wheat bread, slathered with REAL mayonnaise and you just sink your teeth in. With the temperatures we have had the last few days, I don't think it will be very far away.

I grow the dill for a friend, that makes the very best pickles,   

Crocosmia "Lucifer" has arrived. The red spark a beautiful contrast in the garden

As the Fallon sunset once again helps me appreciate living in the desert, I drag myself back into the house, a little after 8pm, a lot cooler and very grateful...for a Day in the Garden.

4th of July, Fallon style

One of the best things about having a store on S. Taylor street in Fallon? It is a prime location for viewing the parade. Great time, had by all, and a big Thank You goes out to all those involved with helping to bring the 4th of July parade back to our town. It was the perfect theme "Hat's off to our Hero's" !

 

You can't see him, but... Kevin ~ one of our HEROES ~ is driving his vehicle in the parade

 Well of course we had libations.......it is the Red Zinnia group after all....thank you Shawn for the great Bloody Mary's!