Dahlias are one of the showiest of summer bloomers. From funny looking tubers (resembling fingerling potatoes) comes an explosion of color all Summer into Fall. They are easy to grow as long as you have a sunny spot. Dahlias are available in a huge range of colors, sizes and flower forms. NOW is the time to plant some garden fireworks! 

The American Dahlia Society recognizes 18 different flower forms from Giant Powder-Puffs to Pompons with all sorts of shapes in between. Most of what we offer are "Decorative" (either formal or informal), "Cactus" (semi, straight, incurved, or laciniated) or "Powder-Puffs." What gets confusing is the term "Dinnerplate."  This refers to the size of the flower (usually up to 10” to 12” across) not the shape. Most "dinnerplates" we offer are classified as "Formal Decorative" in form, but we do have other forms. To get a better understanding of the terminology, come see all the pretty pictures on the packages.

Dahlias come in colors ranging from pure white to deepest purple. Many are multi-colored, in hues ranging from soft pastels to fiery brights and everything in between. It’s entirely possible to plant an entire bed of dahlias with no two the same size, shape or color for a rainbow patchwork effect or a planting of a single color but different flower forms for a more subtle tapestry of texture. Have fun with your dahlias! Let the Nursery Pros help you with adding a dahlia firework show to your summer garden.

Steve Goto and Early Tomatoes 

Get a jump on luscious homegrown tomatoes by planting an early crop. Tomato King Steve Goto is bringing in his all organic cool season tolerant tomato varieties for your earliest plantings on Saturday and Sunday, March 7th and 8th. He’ll be talking at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. both days on how to succeed with early harvests. Many of his selections come from areas that normally have short cool growing seasons so they have cool weather tolerance built into their genes. Steve will explain how you can lend good genes a hand by using frost fabrics during our seemingly random chilly weather and through boosting the humic acid content of your soil with John and Bob’s Soil Optimizer. 

One of the varieties Steve is bringing is 'Cuban Yellow Grape', a very tasty cherry tomato and a new introduction for us. Steve brought 'Cuban Yellow Grape' to our 2008 Tomato Tasting and it was such a crowd favorite that we are now offering it. Other taste test winners and new introductions, 'Snow White Cherry' and 'Cherokee Chocolate' will arrive later this spring. 

Hopefully you will attend a "Gardening from the Ground Up" class (see Coming Events for times and dates) and have your soil all ready and prepared for planting success. If not, be sure to pick up a FREE Tomato Planting Guide for step by step instructions and tips. Yamagami’s Nursery Pros can assist you with everything you need for bountiful harvests. We are here to help you succeed...the first time!

It’s easy to think of the dirt as just a place where roots anchor plants, without life or purpose of its own. Nothing could be further from the truth. Just as the ocean presents a relatively lifeless surface, your dirt teems with life that you can’t see. Life, from the tiniest microbe to insects, can profoundly help or hinder plant life and vigor. People worry about feeding the plant tops that they can see without being aware of all the life that they can’t see. To help you understand that feeding your soil is at least as important as feeding your plants, Yamagami’s Nursery is offering 4 sessions of “Gardening from the Ground Up” classes with Gisele Schoniger, Organic Gardening Educator from Kellogg’s Garden Supply.  She will discuss the benefits of soil prep using soil amendments, organic fertilizers plus beneficial microbes and fungi.  

To make it even easier for you to prepare your soil for spring planting, Yamagami’s Nursery will offer some amazing prices for “kits” to class participants. These “kits” are actually bundles of amendments and fertilizer for 100 square feet increments. And, to make the deal even sweeter, Yamagami’s will even offer free delivery of those kits to class participants. What a deal! 

Classes will be on Saturday, February 21 at 10 AM and 2 PM and Sunday, February 22 at 11 AM and 2 PM.  The fee of $20 per person is rebated as a coupon for $20 of merchandise. Space is limited for these classes so we recommend prepaid registration to reserve a spot. Take advantage of this amazing deal and watch your garden thrive! 

Schedule a FREE Water-Wise House Call

Even after all the recent rain, water restrictions of some type are still expected. Time to plan your water conserving options before the crisis hits this summer. Water bills will skyrocket, your garden will be its thirstiest and everyone will be scrambling to find ways to cope. Yamagami’s Nursery suggests you start NOW before the crisis hits. One of the smartest things you can do is to schedule a FREE Water-Wise House Call with the Santa Clara Valley Water District. They will come to your home, look at how you are using water, and make suggestions for ways to conserve. There are even rebates available for a number of household projects that will save water (and money) including upgrading inefficient irrigation systems. Click here for more information.

Come to Yamagami’s Nursery for water-wise gardening strategies, classes and guides. Here’s a tip: the single best thing you can do for your garden is to mulch everything! Mulching now will conserve the water you do apply, will keep water-thieving weeds from growing, and will keep roots cooler, which helps plants withstand summer heat. Plan to attend a “Water-Wise Garden Plants” Class with Mike Craib, Plantsmith from Suncrest Nursery, on Saturday, March 21 at 10 AM or at 2 PM (see coming events, below).  

With planning, proper planting, efficient irrigation and help from the Nursery Pros at Yamagami’s, you can keep your garden and your property values too! We are here to help you succeed....the first time.

Japanese Maple Pruning with Alan Tagami, Landscape Consultant.

Learn how to bring out the shape of your tree.

$20 fee per person, per class, is rebated as a coupon good for merchandise. Space is limited so pre-paid registration is recommended. To pay to reserve your spot, come in or call us at (408) 252-3347 and use a credit card. Walk-ins will be allowed if space is available. (Note: The Japanese Maple Pruning class that had been scheduled for 2/28 at 10 AM has been cancelled.) 

Saturday, Feb. 28th at 2 PM,
Sunday, March 1st at 11 AM or 2 PM.

Gardening from the Ground Up: The True Dirt on Dirt! with Gisele Schoniger, Organic Gardening expert from Kellogg’s Garden Supply.

Bring life to your soil with amendments, fertilizer and mulches. Your garden will thrive! FOR THIS CLASS ONLY Free delivery of soil kits featured in talks!

$10 fee per person is rebated as a $10 credit for merchandise. Space is limited so pre-paid registration is recommended. To pay to reserve your spot, come in or call us at (408) 252-3347 and use a credit card. Walk-ins will be allowed if space is available.

SAVE THESE  DATES:
Saturday, Feb. 21st, 10 AM to 2 PM
Sunday Feb, 22nd, 11 AM to 2 PM

Fabulous Flowers with Annie Hayes of Annie’s Annuals.

Don’t miss this dynamic speaker highlighting her amazing selection of the truly fabulous flowers she offers this year for Bay Area gardens. For this class ONLY--$10 fee rebated as a coupon good for $10 toward a merchandise purchase.

Space is limited so pre-paid registration is strongly recommended. To pay to reserve your spot, come in or call us at (408) 252-3347 and use a credit card. Walk-ins will be allowed if space is available.

Saturday, Feb. 28th at 10 AM

Tomato King Steve Goto and Cool Season Tomatoes.

Steve brings his all organic, cool weather tolerant tomatoes for early planting. He will speak at 11AM and 2 PM on how to succeed with an early harvest of home grown goodness. FREE!

Saturday, March 7th at 11 AM and 2 PM
Sunday, March 8th at 11 AM and 2 PM

Water-Wise Garden Plants with Mike Craib, Plantsmith.

Mike, of Suncrest Nursery, is an expert in Californian, Australian and Mediterranean plants that perform well here and need little summer water once established. Mike will speak about some wonderful plants on display and answer your questions. There is a $20 fee per person, which is rebated back as a $20 coupon for merchandise. Space is limited so pre-paid registration is recommended. To pay to reserve your spot, come in or call us at (408) 252-3347 and use a credit card. Walk-ins will be allowed if space is available. 

Saturday, March 21st at 10 AM and 2 PM