Meet The Queen Of The Pond, Shelly The Turtle!

Shelly came to live at the nursery in 1999. Barb, who used to work in the florist, had become a school teacher and was given Shelly as a classroom pet by one of her student’s parents. She had been originally found wandering in a median on a busy boulevard in Fremont. In the classroom, Shelly spent most of her days hanging out in a bathtub. When summer came along, Barb had trouble finding a family that would take her over the long break. We happily said we’d take care of her and set her up in her very own bathtub in Collector’s Corner. Once summer ended, Barb couldn’t bear to take her from her new happy home. We decided to keep her and made the pond her permanent habitat. 

Shelly is a red-eared slider, native to the bayou regions of the south. Upon arrival, Shelly was nameless. Thanks to our most witty employee, Dave Barnett, she was dubbed “Shelly.” She dines better than most of us: fork-fed smoked salmon, shrimp and the occasional strip of turkey bacon.

If you’ve been around Orchard, you’ve noticed her winter habitat we’ve constructed. Our pond isn’t deep enough for her hibernation, as she likes water above 50°F. You’ll still see her wading in the pond on any given day; she enjoys soaking up the sun and practicing yoga on the rocks. Sit near the pond and she’ll swim over and say hello. She loves the attention and is truly the diva of the pond! Just remember to protect your fingers or she’ll try them out for a nibble.

To the best of our knowledge, Shelly will be turning 50 this year! Come by and give the queen of the pond your regards! 

Pesto Everything, Please!

We're sharing a simple basil pesto recipe from the kitchen of our Bedding Manager, Randall Barnes. (And if you want to learn more about Randall, check out his employee spotlight blog!) This foolproof recipe incorporates freshly harvested basil (which is in stock now) that will turn your cupboard pasta, and so much more, into something truly delectable!

Easy Basil Pesto

Ingredients 

• 2 cups fresh basil, packed
• ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons pine nuts
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions: Put ingredients into a food processor and blend until smooth. If you have the time, use a mortar and pestle. 

The Five S’s of Starting an Edible Garden!

If you’re new to gardening or need a refresher, here are five easy steps to starting your own edible garden, recommend by our Bedding Manager, Randall Barnes. 

Sun:

• Vegetables require at least 6 hours of sun daily.
• Be aware of the shade created by trees, buildings and other structures.

Soil:

• Create healthy soil for vegetable growing by ensuring proper drainage and incorporating lots of organic matter. We recommend amending your soil with Master Nursery’s Paydirt prior to planting to help loosen our clay soil and increase moisture. Add one bag per 50 square feet.

Site:

• Select a site close to a walkway or house so you can visit it each day to weed, water and harvest.
• Have a water source close by.

Size:

• Start small and enlarge as you feel more comfortable and learn more about the dynamics of your garden.
• Use a container that is easy and convenient for you to have on a sunny patio.

Selection:

• Grow what you like to eat.
• Grow a fun variety of vegetables, edible flowers and herbs. The combination will give the garden a completed look, no matter its size.

We can't wait for summer veggies to arrive! Get started planning your vegetable garden by viewing our list of what Warm Season Veggies you can expect to find in the nursery in April! 

Long Live Your Lawn: Grub Control

We're here to help you deal with grubs this season before the damage is done! Grubs are waking up from their winter slumber and will cause sections of your lawn to die as they feed on roots and organic matter. They also draw in their predators like your neighborhood skunks, raccoons and moles, resulting in not only brown, but torn up lawns.

We recommend using Bayer Advanced’s Season Long Grub Control Plus Turf Revitalizer. The formula creates a season-long barrier that will kill grubs before they do any damage. Apply anytime now through late summer; our 12 lb. bag will cover up to 5,000 sq. ft. The Grub Control also contains a 6-0-1 fertilizer that promotes thicker root mass for tougher turf. 

It’s ideal to take care of grubs this season before the beetles lay eggs in your lawn during late-summer and continue the cycle next year. Look out for brown patches lacking roots or spongy turf, a sign that grubs are present. Stop by the nursery with any questions you may have, so we can help keep your lawn looking healthy this season!

Seasonal Salads: Shaved Fennel & Orange

We love cooking up seasonal dishes with fresh ingredients we harvest from our garden. Fennel lends a mild licorice flavor and a crunchy texture to meals and in the garden, attracts one of our favorite pollinators, the bees! Plant in full sun behind shorter growing herbs for a stunning backdrop. We’ve already discussed all the reasons we love zesty citrus, both on our plates and in the garden, so this Shaved Fennel & Orange Salad is just the dish we’ve been searching for! 

Shaved Fennel & Orange Salad from Lulu Yang of Lulu's Kitchen

Serves 4

Ingredients:

• 2 medium size fennel bulbs, thinly sliced or shaved
• 2 oranges, thinly sliced
• 2 lemons, thinly sliced
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon top quality olive oil
• Salt and pepper

Preparation:

1. Put all of the above ingredients together in a bowl and mix.
2. Taste and re-season accordingly.

This recipe is from the website of CUESA, The Center for Urban Education about Sustainable Agriculture.

Show-Stopping Spring Herbs

Our spring selection of herbs has arrived! We love these leafy greens for the range of flavor they lend to our meals. With so many choice varieties, it’s hard to choose just one! Here are a few of our show-stoppers that you’ll want to be sure not to miss next time you are browsing the nursery.

• ‘Barbeque’ rosemary is the perfect addition to your backyard cookout and great for skewers! Growing 2 to 4 feet tall, this hardy evergreen shrub is perfect for borders, hedges and containers. Plant in sun with moderate watering. Plus, small clusters of blue flowers bloom late winter into spring, attracting our favorite pollinator, bees!
• Italian oregano is considered by many to be the best all-purpose culinary oregano. Distinguish it from Greek oregano by its darker and slightly hairier foliage. Plant in sun and enjoy leaves fresh or dried in your next meal!
• ‘Brussels Winter’ chervil is a classic sweet and tasty herb enjoyed in French cuisine. Cook with fresh leaves (as heat ruins their flavor), chopped in Bearnaise sauce, soups, potatoes, egg dishes and fish and enjoy its mild anise flavor. Growing 6 to 18 inches quickly, plant in morning sun to part shade and keep moist.
• Ginger mint’s sweet and fruity fragrance will fuel your culinary arts this season. Use in ice teas, fresh fruit compotes or salad and enjoy this zesty addition. This GMO-free and locally sourced herb is a vigorous spreader and should be contained. Plant in full sun to part shade and enjoy its tall and lush foliage.
• Rub your fingers through the foliage of the lemon verbena and come out smelling like a lemon drop. Use this fragrant herb to flavor drinks and preserves, enjoying its terminal clusters of white blooms this summer. This hardy, semi-deciduous shrub (which grows up to 6 feet) likes sun with moderate watering. Rangy growth can be nicely controlled with pruning hard or 'pinching' often. 
• You’ve seen this sugar substitute before, but have you tried it fresh off the bush? We recommend plucking off a leaf of stevia rebaudiana and trying it for yourself. This herb’s leaves are 30 times sweeter than ordinary sugar. Containing zero calories and safe for diabetics, this locally sourced and GMO-free herb is a must-have for rare plant collectors and all those with a 'sweet tooth.' Adorned with white florets in late summer, stevia will take full sun with moderate watering.

For all of our herbs, we recommend plucking off a leaf or two and trying it yourself to help narrow down your favorites. As always, our knowledgable staff is on-hand to help answer any questions you may have!

The Best Plants For Your Family Vegetable Garden

When planning our garden, we take into account our families, seeking out plants that are hardy and non-toxic for our rambunctious pets and curious children. We believe gardening is a passion to share with the whole family. Here are a few low-maintenance (because sometimes making time is near impossible) garden-to-table plants we love for their exceptional taste!

• There’s nothing like stepping out into the yard and popping a sun-warmed tomato off the vine, right into your mouth. Our cherry tomatoes are great for picking and we’ve got cages and trellises to keep them off the ground. 
• If you have a drip system set up, we recommend cucumbers and summer squash. Although they require more consistent watering, the payoff is abundant. Cucumbers, one of nature’s top hydrating foods, is comprised of 96% water and will help you beat the heat this summer! And who can resist a squash’s versatility in the kitchen?
• We love our quick growers. Radishes, for example, are only 21 days from seed to picking! Two of our favorites, the French Breakfast, an easy addition to a summer salad, and the Easter Egg, offer a blend of red, white, pink, purple and two-tone colors to your harvest.
• Green beans are easy to grow and harvest, great for any new green thumb. Nothing beats escaping the heat in your own bean pole teepee hideaway. Plant green beans and watch as your kid’s new reading spot grows lush.

We recommend Master Nursery's Paydirt for vegetable gardens. A blend of 45% chicken manure and 55% mushroom compost and redwood sawdust is great for loosening clay soils and improving moisture retention. Come April 1, our tomatoes and peppers will be available. In mid-April, our summer squash, cucumbers, zucchinis and corn will be in stock! Stop in today and check out our selection of delectable edibles.

Happy gardening to you and your family!