For more than forty-five years the sculpture of Isabel Bloom has warmed the hearts and brightened the homes, gardens and offices of art lovers and collectors throughout the United States.

Isabel, a native Iowa artist who once studied under the watchful eye of American master Grant Wood, favored artistic subjects ranging from playful children to friendly creatures of the air, land and sea. Cast in concrete and hand-finished to resemble weathered bronze garden sculptures of the Victorian era, Isabel's artwork fits comfortably into virtually any home or office décor and is, of course, a beautiful addition to garden and patio settings.

Today the creation of Isabel Bloom sculpture rests in the talented hands of designer Donna Young, Isabel's protégée and artistic collaborator since 1986. Preserving the unique style that survives Isabel's passing in May 2001, Donna has designed many of the most popular sculptures in their collection.

Wegman’s is truly excited to add this collection to offer our customers. These sculptures are lovely and a wonderful last minute Christmas gift.

Among the New Year highlights are the seminars our Mr. Ed gives on Rose Pruning and Fruit Tree Pruning.

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!

Growing Conditions
• Morning sun
• Organic, well-draining soil
• Do not over-water in summer, especially in clay soil
Daphne odora does best in morning sun and afternoon shade. Give it well-draining soil (amend with compost). During summer, water only as often as needed to keep it alive.
Size and Shape
• About 3 feet tall (4 if you're lucky)
• Spreads to 4 feet or wider
• Nice rounded shape
Flowers
• Flowers in February and March
• Flowers are pink to purple in clusters at end of branches

Trivia Question: Is rice a grass or a grain?

Question, answer, and winner from November 9th edition:

Question: How much ketchup contains the nutritional equivalent of an entire ripe medium tomato?

Answer: 4 tablespoons of ketchup

Winner: Linda Lee Rudin

MR. ED’S TIPS:

Cover Crops and Why

For thousands of years farmers and gardeners have planted cover crops on their fallow land, especially during the winter. Cover crops are an asset to the home gardener not interested in growing winter vegetables. Typically, cover crops are legumes such as clover, alfalfa, vetch and fava beans. Legumes form nodules on their roots which fill with nitrogen-fixing bacteria. which are able to take nitrogen gas from the air and change it into soil nitrates which plants use. In the spring, the cover crop is plowed under and allowed to decompose, adding both organic matter and usable nitrogen to the soil in time to start the summer vegetable garden.

Planting mustard in with the legumes provides an additional benefit because its long root will pull minerals up from deep in the soil, where the plants do not normally reach. When the mustard is plowed up with the legumes, both nitrogen and additional minerals are added to the garden soil.

And, if you would like to have a cover crop both you and your children can enjoy, substitute various dwarf garden peas for the alfalfa, vetch and clover. Pick and enjoy the pea pods as they mature. Picking the peas will not diminish the nitrogen production in the nodules on the roots of the pea plants (another legume).