I wanted to write this last year at this time but did not have the guts.  Now that I am seeing it again, it is time to say something.

Some retail nurseries need to take a hard look at themselves as they are the cause of their own failure.

"Where are the Red Trucks?"  Answer: We are going "Green"

No, not green trucks.  Something a whole lot more fuel efficient and cost efficient.  Hybrid cars.

I was late to work today.  Camera was calling.

As a photographer, light is all important.  When I can get skies with clouds that give it character and soft light (but keep the camera dry) I start looking for something to photograph.  This morning was one of those special mornings.  And the subject was one of my favorite trees busting out in glorious bloom.

Huge and Delicious

On 1/25/2012 the USDA in association with OSU announced and unveiled the latest version of the Cold Hardiness Zones Map for the U.S.   Nursery Management magazine has done a nice summary of the changes here in NMPro so I won't repeat it here.  In short, zones have shifted both due to warming trends but also more accurate geographically due to better data and technology.  Some areas are now colder or warmer on the zone chart as technology is able to take into account geographical features like elevation, bodies of water, etc.

I like the new website.  It is very interactive and lets you or your customers enter a zip code to see their cold hardiness zones.  You also can zoom in, select regional maps and download the maps (warning - big files).  I have pulled down the full Illustrator file and converted to a 24"x36" poster sized pdf file.  Just have to find a place to print it.

I heard the shout from the front office - "Ron get your camera!"

We have made various plans in case of disasters and Friday it paid off.  Not that it was a major disaster but the effects were troubling none-the less.

One of the planned scenarios is what happens if we lose utility power during our busiest part of shipping season.  When shipping up to 240 orders a day, we are processing a lot of invoices, packing lists and calling a lot of customers alerting them to their deliveries.  Being without computers, printers, copiers and phones was not something we wanted to have to do.

Lavender Twist® Redbud

Cercis canadensis 'Covey'

Some of you are already building snowmen.  In this agricultural rich San Joaquin Valley, we rarely see the white stuff so we have to be creative.