A Trip to the Redwood Barn Nursery in Davis, CA

I was in Davis to pick up some meds for my sick kitty, and dropped by the Redwood Barn. I'd never been there before, but have read some great articles online by the owner.

A small easy-going nursery...lots of succulents (I like that)...picked up some greens for my wheelbarrow salad project...

but, best of all, were these cute outhouses! I want one for my tools, I do!

...or that one I saw at Walmart that looked like a little Nordic ski hut for kids...I think I have a birthday coming up...oh, no, that was last week!

WPA Rock Garden - Sacramento, CA

I've been looking thru some old photos of this great garden in William Land Park. I'm going back this week...see what's new...see what's old. This is a garden for everyone. Kids love running the paths, artists set up their easels, Daisy Mah, the gardener who created this oasis, can often be found working in the garden and will happily tell you the names of the over 1000 plants.

The Placer County Master Gardeners 2009 Calendar

The new Placer County Master Gardeners' Calendar for 2009 is now available at Placer County nurseries and from their website. Pick up a copy...it's a short course in everything for the "water-wise" gardener.

Eggplant Recipes?

flickr photo by Barisioni

Do you like eggplant? I have made Ratatouille and Eggplant Parmesan (mmmmm...sigh...) what's your favorite eggplant? your favorite eggplant recipe? If you post a comment, maybe I can think of a prize...

Eggplant, Anyone?

Oct 4th, 2008 - If you're looking for some weekend fun, check out the Loomis Eggplant Festival! There will be great food and crafts and silliness and small town pleasure. While you're there, make your way down Taylor Street to the just opened High Hand Cafe. Take a look at their new outdoor pizza oven...


meet some friendly folk......
and enjoy a meal in the conservatory...the flytrap salad is said to be really good! ;-)

a Modern Mediterranean Garden

I'm looking for a way to take the '80s out of a ranch house and give it a modern edge, so I stop by the gorgeous High Hand Nursery to see what they have in the way of pots...

These urns would do, but so would the ribbed ones...

...or these smaller ones...

The house belongs to a Greek artist...she needs a more artistic environment, I think...perhaps a sitting area with these chairs from Pottery Barn, where she can have some coffee and a chat with her cats.

I love the look, the crunchy sound, the color of decomposed granite (DG to the trades)...maybe we'll take the grass out and replace it with DG...and surround it all with lovely mediterranean plants like lavenders, mexican feather grass, purple fountain grass, perhaps a hearty shrub rose, purple smoke tree. Maybe there will be some room for a lemon tree.

Fall is for Planting

flickr photo by Tigerzeye

Fall is the season for planting most everything, especially in the Sacramento Valley where there's a long growing season. When plants newly get plopped into that hole you've prepared, the roots that bring in water and minerals and oxygen (so the plant can breathe) still have the shape of their old container. They dry out faster and can't really do their job to anchor the plant. Planting now allows the roots to get integrated into your soil before the low temps of winter settle in...trees (which soon will be in nurseries showing their fall color), new or reseeded lawns, shrubs, perennials, fall bulbs...can get a head start and by spring will be ready to take off. So, now is really the time! If you need some help, re-designing your garden or planting those bulbs or shrubs, send me an email.
Jeannie (Geno herself)

Ruth Bancroft Garden in Walnut Creek

Echeveria hyb. Hummel #1
Originally uploaded by bancroftgarden

A few years ago I discovered the Ruth Bancroft Garden (Walnut Creek, California), internationally recognized as one of the finest private gardens in North America. Check out its website for tours, plant sales and classes. It is truly unique. Mrs. Bancroft turned 100 on September 2nd, 2008!

2nd Thoughts on 2nd Spring

One of the things I love about gardening is the science of it, the gaining of knowledge and competence by trial and error. With that, I have to admit my 2nd spring experiment hasn't gone so well. Like many of you, I don't always get my plants into the ground the minute I get home. And, so, some of those plants I cheerily brought home didn't make it past Sacramento's Second Summer! But, I learned that the asters and the alyssum were the more fragile...and the vinca was quite up to our late-August heat wave.
Lessons learned: 1) the Second Spring isn't quite the same as the First Spring...duh...it can be really hot, so be prepared! 2) plants do better in the ground which stays cooler and more likely to be watered than the small easy to dry out compartment of the 6-pack.

It's "Second Spring"

...or so say the folks at the Alden Lane Nursery in Livermore. It turns out we still have plenty of growing season in California! I'm intrigued...a new solution for the problem of the late summer, heat-stressed garden...fresh plants!
Livermore's a few hours away, so I take my shopping list to my local Home Depot to see what they have...
Lobularium maritima, Sweet Alyssum... looks pretty when the weather is cooler, then starts looking ratty, shearing back 4 weeks after they come into bloom will give them a second chance.
Antirrhinum majus, Snapdragon...a friendly flower, does well in the winter garden here in the northern California, as do pansies

asters

vinca - starts blooming in late spring, and won't quit!

I don't find everything on the list, but enough to make me happy!
11 6-packs for $22...a small price to pay for a second spring.

Herb Gardens

Here's a short video with instructions for a simple container herb garden...Make your own quick and easy herb garden

A trip to the Fair Oaks Boulevard Nursery

It's fun to walk thru the lovely Fair Oaks Blvd. Nursery...Always inspiring...

here's an above ground natural waterfall/pond (no digging!)...great water sounds...

...and, of course, the opportunity to buy something for me (Tropaeolum minus "Tip Top Alaska Salmon" and Salvia guaranitica "Black & Blue Salvia")

Geno's Garden Services

My specialty is small space gardens:
backyards, frontyards, funky gardens, garden rooms, japanese gardens, herb gardens, you name it!

Design:
Working with me in person,
After the initial consultation, I'll create a 1st draft conceptual design plan, with a tentative plant list. We'll then get together for round 2...and adjust the vision. Your final design will include both the finished design and a plant manual, with pictures and maintenance information.
Or on-line,
If need be, we can have a cyber relationship! You'll take the measurements and photos and fill out a survey and I'll then, create the 1st draft design, and we'll go from there.

Coaching:
I want you to be a happy and successful gardener. Check out my profile on the Garden Coach Directory. I am also available for lectures for garden events and will do my best to make it interesting!

Hands-0n Help:
Seasonal maintenance and planting
I enjoy the follow-up relationship with you and your garden and know this is a valuable service. Everyone has questions about when and how to prune, and how to keep their garden looking its best. Many would like to add bulbs, annuals, perennials, or refresh their containers. Possibly you need extra help because of illness or vacation. Sometimes there are irrigation system repairs to be done. Many aren't garden nerds like me, who finds all of this exciting!

Whether you need garden design, coaching, seasonal maintenance or planting, Geno's Garden can help! Call me at (916) 764-5243, or email hansonja@aol.com.