It sounds strange after all the rain we’ve been getting, but water restrictions of some type are still expected. This is the perfect time to adjust first your mindset about how much and how often your garden really NEEDS watering, and then next, adjust your watering schedule. Summer heat brings water stress. Much of that stress can be avoided with mulching and deep, infrequent watering. If you can train your plants’ roots to grow deep, your plants won’t be so affected by the heat. 

Yamagami’s Nursery was a center for low water-use gardening information during the last water shortage and we are committed to helping you maintain your landscape (and property values) this time around, too. For example, Yamagami’s is offering a FREE Watering 101 class on March 15 (see Coming Events below) to help you better understand water use. We are also now stocking Earthboxes, which do not waste any water (see article below). Mike Craib’s Class on March 21st will feature many beautiful plants that need very little summer watering once established (see Coming Events, below). 

Let the Nursery Pros at Yamagami’s help you with the watering challenges you face. Most people are surprised to learn that they can save water and actually have a healthier garden (and wallet). We are here to help you succeed…the first time!

If you have ever wondered how to get some of the same bright, fresh flavors you find in top restaurants, consider planting the secret weapon that fine cooks employ--a chef's garden. Get the most out of your garden by adding not only beauty but an endless bounty of flavor as well!

A good chef's garden incorporates the attributes of every location in the garden to produce a variety of flavorful food. Start with a boring fence line. Instead of flowering vines, consider attaching a few trellises and planting a variety of different table grapes. 

To block out the neighbor's windows and create privacy, plant fruit trees. You can harvest apricots and cherries in June; nectarines, peaches, plums and pluots in July and August; and apples, pears and persimmons in September and October.

Fences and walls are a great place to plant berries. If you have the room to allow them to climb, consider planting blackberries, boysenberries, and raspberries. Are you looking for a productive hedge? Consider planting tasty blueberries.

Save the sunniest location for your herb and vegetable garden. Sweetness and flavor require heat to develop.  Don't forget to add a little color with tasty nasturtiums and flowers that attract pollinating bees like alyssum. Save some space for perennials like strawberries, artichokes, and horseradish.  Herbs can be mixed into existing flower beds as well as around your tomatoes.

Are you short on space? No problem. Herbs do wonderfully in containers--and no chef should be without them. You'd perhaps be surprised at how many vegetables can also be grown in containers. Don't forget dwarf fruit trees for your container gardens! Yamagami’s offers a huge selection of containers from simple plastic to gorgeous glazed pottery to house your edibles. Be sure to look into the Self-watering Earthbox! (See accompanying article "Introducing The Earthbox!" and Coming Events listing, below.)

The key to creating a great chef's garden is to look at every available location in your garden with the eyes of a chef. The possibilities are endless and the rewards are delicious. Are you getting hungry, now? Then don't delay, let the Nursery Pros at Yamagami’s guide you to success with your chef’s garden.

Don't miss the San Francisco Flower and Garden Show running March 18 through 22 at the San Mateo Event Center (fairgrounds). This may be your very last chance to experience one of the best garden shows in the country. Beautiful display gardens, great speakers, a special area for kids and some terrific garden shopping await you. Make a day of it with family and friends and find spring garden inspiration.  Even those without a garden space will find ideas at the Container Garden Display. 

Pick up your tickets at Yamagami’s Nursery and avoid the lines. Early bird tickets, available until March 17, run $16 for adults.  Tickets at the door and after the 17th are $20. Make your plans to go and pick up your tickets now!

Tomato King Steve Goto and Cool Season Tomatoes.

Steve brings his all organic, cool weather tolerant tomatoes for early planting. He will speak at 11 AM 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

Earthbox Planting Demo and Talk with Rebecca Jepsen

Rebecca was responsible for the famous Google garden of 300 Earthboxes!

$20 fee per person, rebated as a $20 coupon for merchandise. Space is limited, so pre-paid registration is strongly recommended. Walk-ins will be allowed ONLY if space is available.

Saturday, March 14th  at 10 AM.

Watering 101 with Alan Tagami

This is the time to adjust your watering for the upcoming water restrictions. Learn how to save your landscape (and property value) and save water! FREE!

Sunday, March 15th at 11 AM  

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 as a $20 coupon for merchandise. 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, March 21st at 10 AM and 2 PM

Sustainable Gardening - What is it?

Heidi Johnson, Landscape Designer and Certified Green Gardener discusses what you can do at home.

$10 fee per person rebated as a $10 coupon for merchandise. Space is limited so pre-paid registration is strongly recommended. Walk-ins will be allowed ONLY if space is available. 

Sunday, March 22nd at 2 PM

Yamagami’s Spring Garden Fair!

Speakers, Displays, lots of Free Samples!  FREE!

Bob Tanem broadcasts LIVE
from 7 AM-10 AM Sunday, March 29th

Saturday, March 28 from 10 AM to 3 PM
Sunday, March 29th from 10 AM to 3 PM

Yamagami’s Nursery hours change on Monday, March 9th to 9 AM to 6 PM seven days a week in response to Daylight Saving time. Daylight Saving Time technically begins at 2 am on Sunday, March 8, 2009, and ends at 2 am on Sunday, November 1, 2009, so be sure to set your clocks forward one hour! Your clocks should be set from 2:00 a.m. local standard time, to 3:00 a.m. local daylight time. Previously DST began in April and ended in October, but this is the third year that Daylight Saving Time has been extended by four weeks.

The Energy Policy Act of 2005, which enacted the extended period, is expected to save 10,000 barrels of oil each day due to reduced use of power by businesses during daylight hours, and by individuals in lighting their homes. 

Ironically, not all places in the United States observe Daylight Saving Time; Hawaii and most of Arizona do not use it, and Indiana waited until 2006 to adopt the usage of it. 

The original concept is attributed to Benjamin Franklin in 1784. In a whimsical letter to a French journal, he said that Parisians could save thousands of francs a year by waking up earlier during the summer because it would prevent them from having to buy so many candles to light the evening hours. 

We remember to change our clocks by the phrase "Spring forward, fall back." As spring begins on March 20, 2009, a mere 12 days after the onset of Daylight Saving Time, why not embrace this season of renewal, and replace the batteries in all of your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. This simple act will reassure the safety of your family; properly working detectors save thousands of lives.

Happy almost Spring!