One of the New Year highlights is the seminars our Mr. Ed gives on Rose Pruning and Fruit Tree Pruning Demonstration.

Mark your calendars now for the Fruit Tree Pruning Demonstration on January 7, 2007 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm at the nursery. The how, why and when to prune deciduous fruit trees and citrus will be discussed. Spraying and fertilizing schedules will be outlined. We also will have instructional handouts available for you to take with you. All of our bare root stock will have arrived so you can pick up the new additions to your garden after the demonstration.

Then the next Sunday, January 14, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm Mr. Ed will conduct our annual “hands-on” rose pruning seminar at Red Morton Community Park, 1400 Roosevelt Ave., Redwood City. Come prepared to prune roses. Bring your pruning shears and gloves because you will practice what you learn! If it rains, wear rain gear and water-resistant shoes. Mr. Ed will demonstrate pruning hybrid tea, floribunda, shrub and tree roses. He will also outline fertilizing and spray schedules. There will be instructional handouts to take with you.

Dress weather-appropriately for both events as they are outdoors. We will serve light refreshments at both events and there is, of course, no cost.

Plan to come to these informative demonstrations!

Need some gift or stocking stuffer ideas for that favorite gardener? Here are some ideas:

• Gloves from West County Gardener—lots of varieties, sizes and colors
• Felco pruners and other products
• Garden clocks and thermometers
• Statuary
• Ceramic pots
• Water wands
• Brass ornamental faucets
• Garden tables and chairs to be able to enjoy that wonderful space
• Bonsai plants and accessories

And then there are Gift Cards!! You can order them on our website and we’ll send them directly to you or to everyone on your gift list.

Part of the color in celebration of the season is the blooming of Christmas roses. While a variety of plants over time have come to be called “Christmas Rose,” they all are steeped in a legend that dates back centuries:

In vain she searched the countryside for a flower that she might bring, but the winter had been cold and harsh – and there were no flowers to be found. Saddened, the girl began to weep. An angel passing over her stopped to provide comfort and smote the ground that was wet from her tears. There did spring a beautiful bush that bloomed of white roses.

"Nor myrrh, nor frankincense, nor gold," said the angel, "is offering more meet for the Christ Child than these pure Christmas Roses." And thus young Madelon went her way and worshipped the Prince of Peace, bearing the gift of her heart and tears.

Iceland Poppy Papaver nudicaule (Papaveraceae)

With their silky blossoms, poppies are the ultimate show-offs. While some kinds have big, rowdy leaves, making them difficult to use well in small gardens, our favorites - Iceland poppies - are shorter (1 to 2 ft. tall); flowers are cream, orange, pink, rose, salmon, yellow, or white.

Landscape Uses: With their tall, leafless stems that dance with every breeze, poppies are graceful companions to many plants.
• Grow orange Iceland poppies with blue pansies
• Pair rose Iceland poppies with Pink Impression tulips; underplant either combination with forget-me-nots.
• Use red poppies like 'American Legion' to add sparkle to silvery dusty miller.

Pre-Emergent Crabgrass Control Plus with Lawn Food -Contains "TEAM"

A granular lawn fertilizer containing Team, a premium pre-emergent weed killer which controls Crabgrass, Foxtail, Goosegrass, Poa Annual and other annual grasses in established turf lawns. Should be applied one to two weeks prior to the anticipated germination of the target annual weed.

MR. ED’S TIPS:

When you bring your Poinsettia home, remember that it was raised and has spent all but its last few days in a greenhouse. It is a living plant and although indoors in the family home or office is not the most ideal environment, there are steps you can take to prolong its beauty:

• Try to place the plant in a place where it will get six or more hours of indirect sunlight each day and then move it to its best looking place when “company” comes.
• Keep the plant in a cool room but not near any cold drafts, hot air registers or the fireplace.
• Water the plant when the soil surface is dry or the pot’s weight is light. Water in the sink until water runs out the bottom; leave in the sink until it has completely drained.
• Don’t fertilize your poinsettia.
• Transport and move your plant carefully because the branches are brittle. Have a second person hold the plant when you take it home or put it into a large box so it won’t bump the inside of the vehicle.
• Excessive heat and lack of light are the two greatest enemies of your poinsettia plant. It should last two to three weeks before it starts dropping leaves.