Quotation of the Week: "I have never had so many good ideas day after day as when I worked in the garden." — John Erskine

Vinca minor

Vines have been known to 'hang around' in the best of containers, window boxes and planters... Let me get a little nostalgic for a minute. I can remember so many houses in my old neighborhood sporting window boxes years ago. Have they fallen out of favor? Maybe they haven't; maybe I'm not hanging around in the right neighborhoods anymore! Do you like the vinca vine pictured above? I do. However, I have some gardening friends that will not give vinca the time of day. They're really 'plant snobs' with too many rules about the plants they grow. Not me; I'll give any plant a fair shake. If it doesn't perform, then it's composted. But I digress. This is one tough plant for sunny locations. Great for window boxes, planters, hanging baskets. Want to make a real statement with community hanging baskets and planters? Plant vinca vine and let it do 'its thing.' You will be rewarded throughout the growing season with long tresses of foliage scattered with flowers. Too much growth? Vinca can easily be clipped to keep it groomed in planters and the like. Remember, plants grown in hanging baskets, pots, etc. will dry out faster than those planted directly in the garden. Keep up with watering! Vinca is frequently used as a groundcover. It can grow fast and cover quickly during the warm months.

Good Shade Trees

The right tree in the right place does more than provide aesthetic value to your property - it can increase the value of your home, keep it cooler during the summer, and shield it from the wind so it will stay warmer in the winter. The wrong tree can cause all kinds of problems, such as needing frequent expensive pruning or causing a safety hazard. That's why it's so important to select the right tree. Be sure to consult with our California Certified Nursery Professionals and be clear about what purpose you would like your new tree to serve - as a smaller accent tree or a large landscape tree, for sun or for shade, next to a sidewalk or in a large backyard... and so on. We have both deciduous and evergreen-over 100 varieties to choose from. With a little extra care, your new trees can be planted now to get a head start on next year.

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Special Care for Plants in Containers

Plants in containers often suffer at this time of year. Water them frequently. (A drip system can save time plus all the water that's wasted when you go from plant to plant with a hose.) In very hot weather, containers often dry out almost as soon as they're watered. It's not only the heat; dry air literally pulls moisture out of the soil right through the sides of terra-cotta pots. Terra-cotta containers add charm to gardens and patios, but unfortunately for aesthetics most plants actually grow better in plastic. The idea that plants are helped by a pot that "breathes" is a mistaken one. The soil mix itself should breathe. It should be light and airy, which can be accomplished by adding perlite or sponge rock. In containers that breathe, roots follow the water as it escapes through the sides of the pot. They form a solid mat that clings to the inside of the pot, drying out daily and causing the plant to wilt. When plants are grown in plastic, roots tend to form more evenly throughout the mix. Eventually they congregate at the bottom and along the sides, but by then it's time to re-pot the plant to the next size. Before planting in porous containers, seal the insides with a double coat of black waterproofing tar to help prevent moisture from escaping. Alternatively, try double-potting. Just put the plastic pot inside one of the more attractive pots. (If you want to dress things up a little more you can hide the grow pot and soil by putting a layer of dried Spanish moss or bark chips on top of the soil at the base of the plant).

What you need: Honey Berry Dressing: 1-3/4 cups strawberries, quartered 3 tablespoons honey 2 tablespoons lemon juice 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 teaspoon grated lemon rind Fruit mix 1 cantaloupe, seeded, peeled, and cut into 1-inch cubes 1 honeydew melon, seeded, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes 2 pints strawberries, halved Step by Step: Honey Berry Dressing: In a food processor or blender, process the quartered strawberries, honey, lemon juice, olive oil and lemon rind until smooth. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour. Arrange the melons and strawberries in a serving bowl. Drizzle the dressing over fruit, mix gently and serve. Refrigerate any leftovers. Yield: 10-12 servings Hint: When storing cut melons in the refrigerator, do not remove the seeds; they help keep the melon moist.