Growing our Farm Legs...

Farmer Bill and his son Sam

Dear Friends,

Have you ever heard the term "sea legs"? It's a person's ability to keep their balance and not feel seasick when on board a moving ship. 

Well, I think we should have "farm legs" -- which is a person's ability to keep their feet planted in good soil, even when change happens.

Right now, we're growing our farm legs and I wanted to share a little bit about what's going on.

As of this year, many of you have met my son Sam and have seen how he and my other two kids are taking on much larger roles. I hope you all give Sam a warm welcome when you see him.

Our incredible nursery staff have really stepped up and have developed farm legs of their own, as I've been taking time off to focus on my health. 

It's a bit of a shock, and I'd wish we lived in a time where I could sit down and talk to each of you individually that I'm currently fighting cancer. It's in my liver, but (good news!) only there and it hasn't staged or spread.

I've got a fine team of supporters and a mighty plan to follow. Both the eastern and western doctors I am working with from have been great and very informative.

While my family and I are hopeful that this will be just a blip in the road, it's a good time for me to further develop my farm legs for what is to come. And just like gardening, we're never quite sure how everything will turn out, but we've got lots and lots of positive indicators and lots of friends at every turn.

For most of you, this isn't the first time someone you know and care about has been diagnosed with a crummy situation. It's going to be a long road, and if you'd like to help, I can ask for one thing: keep coming in, keep supporting us, keep finding joy in your yard, and sharing that joy with us, and keep telling your friends about us... as you have for so many years. 

So here to all of us getting farm legs, for those who are headed back to school, through a transition in life, or finding a way to bloom where you're planted.

With much appreciation,
Farmer Bill

Introducing the Sherbert Berry

The Sherbet Berry - now in stock.

     This exotic fruit produces small, pleasantly sweet and sour fruit with a uniquely delicious grape/sherbet flavor. Self-fruiting. Plants come in 4" pots and are $4.59 each. Look for it in the herb area and near the front entrance gate area of the nursery.

     Additionally, if you’re looking for some summer-time magic in your yard, consider planting roses.

Spending all of that time outside means that blooms will attract not just your and your guests eyes, but also beautiful bees-and-butterflies. We have a hearty selection of 5-gallon roses in stock now.

Pull the petals and decorate summer desserts, top on salads, or get really crazy and cut and place in a vase.

     We still have plenty of time left to sow seeds for summer crops like gourds, peas, and greens.

     We recommend that you pick up summer seeds soon, as our seed suppliers close down to do inventory and switch over seeds to 2016 packs within the next 4-6weeks and some of the summer seeds will be unavailable in packs.

     We’ve remedied this by carrying seeds in bulk varieties, but now is a smart time to do your shopping before our seasonal inventory shifts.

     Looking for a wonderful summer project while the kids are on vacation? Plant quick-growing tomatoes. We have several varieties of tomatoes and peppers, plus a great selection of herbs. The process of growing and them making home-made tomato sauce this summer is the perfect summer project.

     Our tomatoes, peppers are in the dig-em-up area and are $3.19 each.

     For you fresh herb enthusiasts, we have a fresh selection showing up on Wednesday afternoon — nothing perks meals (and cocktails) up like freshly crushed basil and mint!

     For more adult summer projects, if you’re curious about the brewing scene, now is a fabulous time to plant hops and to learn the art of home-brew. We have hops plants in 1gallon sizes, $10.99 each.

     For many of us, it’s too hot to be in the kitchen. But for those of you who know they’ll have an autumn that includes baking baking, plant stevia plants — you’ll thank yourself when you’re naturally flavoring end of summer teas and making home-made goodies for gift-giving. Stevia plants come in 4” pots and are $3.49.

     While you’re smartly planting for what’s to come, now is a marvelous time to till the earth and tuck in sweet potatoes. Plant now for a sweet potato pie for Thanksgiving. You’ll be glad you did. Sweet potatoes are 1gal pots and $5.89 each. 

As a friendly reminder, all prices and quantities and availabilities are subject to change -- just like Mother Nature. We'll also be closed on Saturday, July 4th. Be safe and we'll see you on the 5th.

What can I plant this week in San Diego?

citrus and strawberries -- a perfect pair for june planting

• Before it heats up, citrus trees are ready to be planted. We have a wide variety of 5 gallon citrus trees that do well in full sun and partial sun areas of your yard — whether that be in a container on your patio or in the ground.
• Organic strawberries are ready to be planted — and 6 packs of strawberries are $4.19 each in Quinalt, Seascape and Chandler varieties. Individual 4” plants in plenty of the 4" White Alpine and Galore series strawberries available at $3.49.
• This week we’ve also expanded our selection of fresh stock of herb and succulent, so whether you're decorating a window box or looking and giving a hand-crafted gift, you'll have a great variety of healthy plants to choose from.

All inventory, quantities, and prices subject to change.