Saturday, October 10th was the day of reckoning for Sir Galahad and Godfather Alan. Who would be the heaviest? Well, it was a Giant Pumpkin grown by Dean Kwarta from Willow Glen, weighing in at 559 lbs! Wow!

A Giant Pumpkin grown by the Bramer family in Los Gatos, weighing in at 302 lbs, was the runner-up. We also saw a handsome pumpkin from the Seutter family in Mountain View that weighed in at a respectable 107 lbs. Our own Sir Galahad (ineligible for prizes) weighed in at 327 lbs! Godfather Alan Tagami was very proud. Last year’s effort (Mighty Mabel) was under 100 lbs, so we are definitely making progress!

Bob Tanem, garden writer and radio personality, was the official judge and Alan was the MC. A small but enthusiastic crowd was here to witness the event. It was fun for all.

You can follow Sir Galahad’s life on our Facebook page.

View the Pumpkin Weigh-off on YouTube at:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ztxr62IMCU

Here's a fun and easy way to grow your own spuds, in a tub! Gardman Patio Potato Tubs just need a flat surface in the sun to produce buckets of spuds. Made of polypropylene, these deep tubs feature a plastic reinforcing ring to keep their top upright and handles to make moving them possible. No digging necessary!

Gardman Potato Tubs are 16" in diameter and 20" tall, have drainage holes and offer flaps near the base so that you can harvest larger potatoes without having to disturb the plants or small tubers. If you’ve never grown your own potatoes, this is a great way to start!

Learn how easy it is to grow your own tasty spuds! See ongoing demonstrations of the Gardman Potato Tub on Saturday, November 14th from 10 AM to 2 PM.

Arabian Jasmine, Jasmine sambac 'Grand Duke', is back in stock! Heavenly fragrance is not all this tropical beauty has to offer! It is also used in ceremonies and for tea. In Hawaii, it is known as Pikake and highly prized for leis.

Growing it in a container is a good idea because it likes perfect drainage. Additionally, you can move the container to a protected spot for frost protection. They always sell out quickly, so come get yours today!

Hiking, strolling and even gardening can be a little easier with a sturdy stick to lean on when on uneven terrain.

Yamagami's has just brought in a handsome line of walking sticks and canes to help you get around comfortably. They are individually crafted in the USA from fine woods including sassafras, ash, hickory, ironwood and sweet gum. They are as beautiful to look at and feel, as they are functional.

Come try one on for size and get around in comfort and style. They make a thoughtful gift for friends and family.

Yamagami's is here when you want to succeed…the first time.

Now available at Yamagami's Nursery is the EcoMetro Guide, with over 200 coupons for local businesses. The EcoMetro Guide sells for $20 but the coupons within are worth many times that amount. For example, if you are considering hiring our Plant Doc, the guide contains a Yamagami's coupon for half off the hourly rate for a savings of $50! The other Yamagami's coupon offers a 20% discount for purchases over $100, so the guide would pay for itself with a $100 purchase (or larger).

Look for many coupon offers from businesses you already frequent. Businesses with coupons include grocery, dining, entertainment, travel, garden and home, adding up to savings of over $3,000.

Buy one for yourself and some for a thoughtful "green" gift anyone can use.

Diatomaceous Earth Information

We frequently get questions about using diatomaceous earth as a pesticide. The following article is reprinted with permission from the S. F. Chronicle, Ask the Bugman column by Richard Fagerlund.

Q: You mention diatomaceous earth a lot in your column. Is it really a cure for all pests?

- P.B., San Jose

A: No, it certainly is not. It is very effective against many pests, and it will repel pests as well. If you have termites or wood borers, you will need an insecticide such as orange oil or Termidor, depending on the pest.

There are several types of diatomaceous earth, or DE, and they are processed differently. Do not use swimming-pool grade, as this form is not effective as an insecticide and may also contain a high level of crystalline silica, which, when inhaled, can cause silicosis, a deadly lung disease. All forms of diatomaceous earth are abrasive to the lungs and eyes, so use proper protection when using this product. In and around your home or business use only food-grade DE. It is labeled GRAS, for generally regarded as safe, and kills insects more effectively.

DE is mined from the fossilized silica shell remains of unicellular or colonial algae or one-celled phytoplankton in the class Bacillariophyceae, better known as diatoms, that converted the silica they ingested to form their shells. Diatoms are animals that are related to the crustaceans of today. Diatomaceous earth absorbs the waxy layer on the surface of insect skins, causing the insect to desiccate (dry out). DE also controls slugs and snails. In addition to its desiccant action, it works abrasively to rupture insect cuticles, allowing cell sap to leak out.

You can put it in woodpiles, under stones and in other hiding areas in your yard to control centipedes, scorpions, cockroaches and any other pests. If you want to put a barrier around your house, you can mix it with water (1 cup per gallon of water) and spray it around the foundation. It will leave a whitish color where it is applied. It won't hurt insects when it is wet, but when the water evaporates, the remaining DE will last a very long time.

Read more here.

Note: Yamagami’s Nursery offers Safer Ant and Crawling Insect Killer in handy squeeze bottles and Concern Diatomaceous Earth Crawling Insect Killer in 4 lb bags. Both are suitable for indoor and outdoor use.

Saturday, November 14th
Ongoing Demo of Potato Growing in Containers, featuring Gardman Potato Tubs.
Dennis Blackman will be here from 10 AM to 2 PM to show you how easy it is. We'll be offering a special price on the tubs that day. Don't miss this one!

Wednesday, November 18th
Yamagami's Nursery closed for inventory

Thursday, November 26th
Yamagami's Nursery is closed to celebrate Thanksgiving.

Friday, November 27th
Yamagami's Nursery Christmas tree lot opens!
Place your advance orders by November 22 and save 10%!

Call us at 408 252-3347 to reserve your perfect tree.