Barbecue season is here and Dad is at the grill. Give him some BBQ Rosemary from Monrovia for extraordinary shish kebobs and healthier barbecues. BBQ Rosemary has long straight stems that make great skewers, adding flavor and color to your feasts. Lamb, chicken and shrimp are wonderful grilled on 5" to 6" rosemary stems. Rubbing fresh rosemary on meat before barbecuing prevents the formation of certain carcinogens and makes for a healthier barbecue. Tossing stems directly onto the fire adds flavor to meats as well as grilled vegetables. Rosemary can be grown in containers and enjoys frequent pruning. Give Dad a treat the whole family will enjoy, BBQ Rosemary.

If Dad's not much of a cook maybe a low-maintenance landscape plant would be a welcome Father's Day gift. If Dad is a golfer, how about a Golf Ball Kohuhu (Pittosporum) from Monrovia. It gets its name from its symmetrical round mound growth habit. Dad will like it because it requires little if any pruning to keep its neat and tidy shape. It stays under 3 feet tall and wide, is evergreen and hardy. Round and dense, it makes an attractive hedge or border, and grows well in containers too. Golf Ball Pittosporum is one Dad-friendly plant, whether or not he enjoys golf.

Of course there could be a number of plants Dad might enjoy receiving from Citrus (great for bartenders) to a large Tomato plant (for the gentleman farmer) to an Herb Garden (for chefs). Bring Dad in for a walk though our garden and let one of our helpful, knowledgeable staff help him choose that special something. We are here to help you and Dad succeed...the first time! Happy Father's Day!

Finally there is a safe, organic treatment for earwigs and sowbugs. It's Sluggo Plus to the rescue! It is Sluggo (iron phosphate) with the addition of Spinosad, derived from a naturally occurring bacteria. Applications last up to 4 weeks effective controlling Earwigs, Sowbugs and Cutworms in addition to Snails and Slugs. Use it safely around your fruits and vegetables. Talk with one of our CCN Pros for more organic pest control information.

Summer Lawn Care should be easy because in the summer, the lawn wants to "kick back and be green." Problem is, the environment, Mother Nature and "us," all seem to be working at cross purposes. We recommend a slower release, lower nitrogen, fertilizer like Dr. Earth Super Natural Lawn Fertilizer in summer to help your lawn "kick back and be green" without forcing thirsty, fast-growing and trouble-susceptible new growth. Proper watering guidelines can be found on our FREE Lawn Watering Guide originally published by the Santa Clara Valley Water District and later modified by me. Pick up a copy today and start to water more effectively.

The most common summer question we get at Yamagami's is, "Why do I have brown spots in my lawn?" Basically there are 3 answers to this question: too little water, an insect infestation (most likely grubs), or a fungus problem, which is often the result of too much or too frequent water. On the back of our FREE Lawn Watering Guide, I have developed a 3 step method to help you diagnose your problem brown spots.

If diagnosis eludes you, cut out and bring us a 4 inch by 4 inch cube sample of your turf, roots and all. The sample must include part of the brown spot and mostly the area around the brown ON ONE PIECE, for us to examine. It's from the transition zone that a diagnosis is made.

Lawn care in the summer should be easy. If you are having problems, talk with the knowledgeable staff at Yamagami's Nursery. Our FREE Lawn Care Reminder Card Service will help you maintain a beautiful green lawn. Our FREE Lawn Care Watering Guide will help you resolve any watering problems. Hint: if you water your lawn more than twice a week, you are contributing to the problem!

Remember, Yamagami’s Nursery is here to help you succeed…the first time.

Add some beautiful plants to your garden and support the search for a cure for breast cancer.. A portion of the proceeds of the sales of these plants is donated to Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Visit their website: www.komen.org for more information about this worthy cause.