March Tomatoes Madness! Yes, planting tomatoes the first week of March seems mad but we are not talking about just any tomatoes--or just any planting procedures either, for that matter. Steve Goto, a southern California nurseryman with 10 years experience in growing organic heirloom tomatoes, is rolling into Yamagami’s with cool season tomato starts. These varieties are the same ones we offered last fall that have made it through a very cold winter and continued to bear. They come from places like Siberia and Alaska and, with proper planting, should have ripe fruit for Father’s Day, if not before.

Success with cool season tomatoes is greatly influenced by how they are planted. Steve’s plants are in #1 size cans and have all been grown to his specifications. They are all planted with John and Bob’s Soil Optimizer and Wormagic Liquid Worm Castings for enhanced health and cold tolerance. Come meet John Valentino of John & Bob's Soil Optimizer on Sunday March 4th.

Steve’s plants come with a great start and he recommends using the same products when planting them, with a few additions. Start with Gardner & Bloome Potting Soil if planting in containers or use Gardner and Bloome Harvest Supreme for mixing with your soil if planting in the ground. Using Wall-o-Water around your plants keeps them warm, which speeds flowering and fruiting. Dr. Earth Tomato, Vegetable & Herb Fertilizer will ensure your plants’ health and harvest. Come meet Steve and learn the secrets to his success. He will be here with his tomatoes on Saturday and Sunday, March 3rd and 4th from 10 AM to 2 PM. Be the first ones on your block to harvest tomatoes!

Beautiful in the spring garden with fragrant white or pink flowers, in the summer garden covered with berries and in the fall garden with rich Autumn colored foliage, blueberries are becoming more popular in local gardens every year. Blueberries are also delicious and oh so nutritious. They do have a few special needs, primarily adjusting the pH of your soil and proper pruning. Basically though, they are easy to grow. They are tolerant of full sun to part shade and even produce well in containers.

Several years ago the Santa Clara Valley Master Gardeners planted a test garden of blueberries on Winchester Blvd. in San Jose and gained some valuable experience in blueberry varieties and culture. Nancy Garrison, who headed that group, will speak here on February 25th about that experience and the further research she has conducted on her own. She is currently the chair of the local chapter of the California Rare Fruit Growers and has personally visited growers and tasted many varieties. See details of her appearance under Coming Events.

Five Blueberry Health Facts:
• Blueberries rank first in 60 different fruits and vegetables in antioxidant content. Content is highest when berries are picked ripe from the garden. (Tufts University study)
• Outstanding source of pterostilbene, one of the most powerful anti-cancer, anti-cholesterol, anti-diabetes compounds yet discovered. (several studies)
• Blueberries are rich in iron and vitamin C.
• Blueberries (along with cranberries) contain two compounds that protect against urinary infections.
• Blueberries are a good source of fiber.

Yamagami’s Nursery is expecting a fresh supply of several of the best blueberry varieties for our area. We offer a FREE Blueberry Guide and the supplies you’ll need to succeed. Come in and let one of our helpful Nursery Pros get you started on your way to success with Blueberries.

If you are planning to refresh your landscape this spring, Yamagami’s offers a Landscape Consultation Service to help you choose the right plants for your home and garden. Our program is run by Alan Tagami and includes a home visit and meeting with Alan which results in a sketch of your garden, showing plant placement and a plant list. Fees for this service are $400 for either a front OR a backyard with $200 rebated as credit on plants. For a front yard and a backyard, the fee is $600 with $300 rebated as credit on plants.

Alan Tagami, Yamagami’s Landscape Consultant, has forty plus years experience both as a contractor and as a nurseryman. In addition to his consultation jobs, he teaches Landscape 101, Pruning 101 and other classes to make gardening practices easy to understand and to offer practical advice for homeowners. His landscapes are carefully crafted to suit both your taste and your lifestyle. His fans are legion!

Spring is nearly here and Alan’s appointment book is filling up. If you have planting in mind, book your appointment right away. Doing it right the first time saves you time and money and ends up with a cohesive and pleasing look. Yamagami’s Nursery is committed to your garden success. Our motto is: When you want to succeed the first time!

Mini Hands-on Rose Pruning Classes on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings through February from 10 AM to 11 AM. Lorena Gorsche, Yamagami's Rose expert, will lead you through pruning sample roses in our rose department. Bring your shears and gloves! FREE!