Shopper's Guide to the Nursery

I went to Talini's Nursery in East Sacramento today to get some plants to show on Sac & Co (a T.V show! Check it out at 11 am Channel 10)... the topic: Spring Planting. Talini's hadn't gotten all their stock in, but you could feel it in the air. In 2 weeks, they'll be bursting at the seams with gorgeous blooming pretty things. Here are some lessons I've learned (some of them the hard way) regarding how to be a successful plant shopper, and then, a successful gardener. 

 

Plant for the Right Season

The nurseries have warm season veggies and cool season veggies right now. It's not warm enough to plant the warm season fellows yet. Save that tomato for a month or so (When you can sit on the ground and it feels warm, your soil is ready!). But, there's still time for some cool season crops like lettuce. Bedding plants have the same warm/cool season categories ... plants like violas be planted now and will do well into June. If in doubt, ask.

 

Don't Overbuy!

Resist the impulse to just start loading up your cart! You and your plants will be a lot more successful if you stick with what you can actually plant now (or in the next week). Plants do better when they're in the ground.

 

 Read Your Labels!

This was the first plant I spied that I thought, "I want that!" But would it work for me?

 Yes ... I read the label! Sun to part shade, early spring blooming, tends to get a bit floppy so likes neighbors who have a bit of muscle.

 

Try Something New

The hot topics these days: Edible Gardens, Vertical Gardens, Native Gardens.

Meyer's Lemon, already laden with citrus and ready to take home. Looks good in any garden!

California Poppy - I love the standard, ubiquitous orange poppy, but there are sweet variations available as well - proving that you can't have too much of a good thing!

And, the most important rule of all: Right Plant for the Right Place!

Before you head for the nursery, know something about the area you want to plant in. How many hours of sun does it get and is it morning or afternoon sun? How large is the space, not only how wide but how tall? If you buy plants that naturally fit the area you'll save yourself time later on and the plant will be healthier.

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.

Good Morning Talini's!

"Limes" by pfibiger on Flickr

About a week ago I was asked if I would like to be on Good Day, Sacramento, Channel 31's morning show (seen in Sacramento on Channel 12). The reporter, Julissa Ortiz, is a novice gardener and was especially interested in the Mojito Garden I blogged about a few weeks ago. I thought that would be fun...immensely rewarding and easy as a beginning garden project, but also something any gardener (or cook) would like.

We're going to be shooting at Talini's Nursery tomorrow morning. Talini's is located at 5601 Folsom Blvd. in Sacramento. According to a recent article in the Arden-Carmichael News,

"Founded by the late, Italian-born Pietro Talini, who once supervised and cared for the gardens at the Vatican, the garden center opened after Talini left war-torn Italy for the United States with the dream of opening his own nursery. Now, owned by Talini’s son, Louigi – better known to customers and employees as “Lou” – the nursery continues to have a matchless charm, and prides itself on having products buyers can’t find anywhere else."

It really is a great nursery, lots of veggies, shade plants, annuals and perennials, trees and shrubs. By the way, a great resource for growing and using citrus is the grower's website! Check it out...Four Winds Growers.

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