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Plus: Monetizing Your Hobby Garden, Permaculture Training, Spring Gardening Classes͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
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Spring is a riot of color in the nursery - here, early Echinacea blooms |
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Welcome to April in the nursery!Spring speaks of potential and rebirth as we witness the blossoming of new dimensions of our natural world, and of ourselves. In the nursery, each day introduces new flowers, leaves, and scents. Adventures in the garden encourage curiosity and resilience as we experiment with new plants, planting arrangements, and horticultural techniques. In this newsletter, we’re sharing spring flower staff picks, a new article from contributor Tina Martin, and upcoming local gardening classes and workshops. We hope you enjoy! With warm springtime wishes, Jane
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Spring Flowers - Staff Picks
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CWN staff Jane, Mallorie, Stephanie, Michelle, Kariña, and Laura take a moment for a photo on a recent sunny day in the nursery. |
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What’s your favorite spring flower?This month, we put this question to some of our knowledgeable, experienced staff! Almost everyone chose a fragrant flower, and many mentioned memories of growing up - there is just something about the smell of spring that is redolent of childhood. See our staff’s favorites:
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Daphne
Stephanie’s pick: “Daphne is my favorite by far! I love that they look like hoya flowers, which don’t bloom very often. I love how they look, I love how they bloom, I love how they smell, I love everything about them!” |
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Jasminum polyanthum
Anthony’s pick: “Jasmine is my favorite. My aunt used to have a huge jasmine plant all along her house above the garage, so the smell always reminds me of spring.” |
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Syringa (Lilac)
Michelle’s pick: “The smell of lilac just reminds me of spring. We had two lilac bushes in front of my mom’s house, one blue and one purple, and we used to pick them and make bouquets for her. Lilac, to me, is spring.”
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Salvia ‘Dorothy’s Rose’
Jane’s pick: “As a painter, I’m drawn to its color. This autumn sage in a super femme, soft magenta looks from a distance like splotches of paint on a green canvas and just called out to me from across the nursery.” |
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Salvia spathacea
Brandon’s pick: “Hummingbird sage - it’s a California native! I love how grand it is - with multiple tiers and flowers - it does so much with just one stalk!” |
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Heliotropium arborescens ‘Fragrant Delight’
Mallorie’s pick: “Heliotropium ‘Fragrant Delight’ is my favorite, without a doubt!” |
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Ceanothus ‘Valley Violet’
Kariña’s pick: “It’s a beautiful purple, my favorite color. It’s native, it attracts native bees and flies, and it smells like fresh laundry!” |
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Corydalis ‘Porcelain Blue’
Alex M’s pick: “I love the color! It’s like a periwinkle blue. And it smells like moth balls! It’s interesting.” |
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Strelitzia reginae
Alex P’s pick: “Bird of Paradise. I like succulents a lot. I love how these look like birds!” |
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Grevillea
Robert’s pick: “I’m partial to the Grevillea - that’s why I planted one outside the gate. ‘Superb,’ ‘Peaches & Cream,’ ‘Moonlight’ - I guess I love all of them, all of the wonderful Grevilleas!” |
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Owning a hobby farm is a fulfilling endeavor that can also become a sustainable source of income. By tapping into various monetization avenues, homesteaders can turn their passion into profits. Here are some proven strategies to help you get started on the journey of monetizing your hobby farm. Learn more in this new article from contributor Tina Martin.
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Spring Garden Design Workshops Invest in yourself this spring with gardening classes from Bo Firestone Trees & Gardens, a Bay Area arborist and landscape designer. Sign up at Bofirestone.com/classes by May 3rd to receive an early bird discount.
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San Jose Permaculture Training ProgramSmart Yards Co-op is thrilled to announce the San Jose Permaculture Program in partnership with Smart Yards Education. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or new to the concept of permaculture, this program offers a wealth of knowledge, practical skills, and a chance to contribute to a greener world. Secure your spot and embark on a journey towards sustainability and ecological stewardship.
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From quiet, dark soils burst fresh green shoots. Brown branches yield to new life waking verdant from below. Yearning, waking, stretching - growing larger, and more active. To shake off winter’s sleepy hedonism - extend limbs, one by one - rejoice in the joyful vigor of new life!
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