Spring at last

On this first day of spring let’s enjoy the changing season. Here in northern California the sun is shining and hope springs eternal. At the nursery we are selling the cool season vegetable starts, flowers, seed starting trays, and lot’s of seed. The number one question this year from our customers is, are your seed free of GMO? Yes they are. I imagine most folks truly don’t understand GMO’s, but the term and “idea” certainly has caught their interest.

We are in drought here in California, and likely won’t see too much relief rain wise in the near future. Our rainy season is fast coming to a close, and after a few years of drier than expected weather, we will likely see more water restrictions. We are currently in a “Stage 2” water alert. The local water authorities are asking us to cut back 30% on our water usage. It’s doable, and an opportunity for us to teach and guide our customers.

I look forward to being a place where people can come to learn more about how to feed their families, and bring beauty into their lives. While the ornamental side of the business has shrunk over the last few years, the edible side had grown exponentially. We seem to be doing better than in years past, and the customer is engaged in their garden like never before.

So it’s it a positive note that stands above the rest this first day of spring. While there will be challenges going forward, we are entering a new age in horticulture. While not all is shinny and bright in the trades, I have never been happier, or more proud to be a nurseryman. Our goal here is to stay small as possible, while making the largest impact in our world. We can change our world more easily, one customer at a time.

Cheers to spring!

Day Trip to Half Moon Bay

Took a rare spring break and headed to our old stomping grounds of  Half Moon Bay. It was one of those rare days when the sun was shinning, and the temperatures we're in the low 70's F.

The flower show was amazing. Spring has arrived here in glorious color.

The only nursery we got close to was closed on Monday. Good for them.

So much color that even the parking lot's with their blowing bits of garbage seemed OK.

If it hasn't already arrived where you live, spring should be on its way to you soon.

St. Brighid's Day

St. Brighid is one of Ireland's patron saints, and today she is celebrated.This day also signify's in Gaelic, the beginning of spring. It's one of those ancient celebrations that can trace it's roots back into Pagan days. Interestingly, it may be a forerunner of our Groundhog Day. In the old tradition people would watch for serpents or badgers leaving their winter dens. A Scottish-Gaelic poem about the day,

Thig an nathair as an toll Là donn Brìde,Ged robh trì troighean dhen t-sneachd Air leac an làir. "The serpent will come from the hole On the brown Day of Bríde,                                                                               Though there should be three feet of snow                                                                             On the flat surface of the ground."

I had never heard of St. Brighid's day. A nurseryman in Ireland commented on my picture of Snowdrops blooming at the nursery. He said his too we're in bloom, and mentioned the celebration. I like it as it  connects me with a time long ago. It marks the changing seasons with celebrations based on the light in the sky, and not on whether it could be moved to a Monday so as to avail ourselves of a three day holiday. St Brighid's day always falls on the 1'st of February.

It does seem to be getting a little brighter at 5 pm.