Fall is for planting! The evenings are cooler and there's a feeling of fall in the air. Now, while the scorching memories of summer are still fresh, is the perfect time to plant shade trees. We recommend planting deciduous (loses leaves in winter) trees to shade your home in the summer but allow the sun in during the cold, wet days of winter. Why not plant a tree that develops fall color! While our fall color will not rival Vermont's, we can plant some fall brilliance. For a brilliant fall, try some of these reliable color-change artists.

One of the most useful, reliable fall coloring trees for our area is the Chinese Pistache (Pistacia chinensis). It seems to be tolerant of all garden situations from lawn tree to street tree. Although a little gawky while young, they quickly develop a lovely canopy and cast filtered shade. In the fall they are superstars with brilliant red and red-orange foliage. Eventually they can grow to 40 feet tall. Once established they are drought hardy  with a well behaved root system.

Red Sunset Maple (Acer rubrum) is another showy choice. In spring and summer it has glossy green foliage with red stems. In fall it glows in oranges and red-oranges. In late winter/early spring it has small dark red flowers on its bare branches that are a nectar source, followed by winged seeds that birds enjoy. It can grow to 50 feet tall with an upright form that becomes oval with age.

If you are the kind of gardener that wants every plant to perform double duty, consider planting a Fuyu Persimmon tree. Not only do they produce delicious crunchy fruit, but their fall color is a gorgeous warm orangey red color. They are tall (to 25 feet) and somewhat narrow and make an attractive screen. Even in spring and summer, its large foliage is an attractive glossy green.

Royal Purple Smoke Tree (Cotinus coggyaria) is an ideal choice for fall color on the patio as it tops out at about 15 feet tall. Both in bush form and tree form, Royal Purple Smoke Tree is a dramatic garden addition. It features rich burgundy foliage in spring which is later topped with clouds of small flowers which develop into pinkish gray seeds (the smoke). Its fall foliage is a stunning scarlet. It thrives in full sun and can be grown in a container.

Come to Yamagami's Nursery and let one of our CCN Pros help you choose fall color for your garden. We are here to help you succeed...the first time

At last a soil penetrant that works and improves your soil quality from the folks that introduced WORMagic. Soil Pick Clay Buster contains humic acid, Yucca extract and organic polymers. Spray it on your lawn to help the water you apply make it down to the roots of your lawn. Clay soils resist water when they develop a crust causing sprinkler run-off. These days every drop of water counts and runoff from sprinklers is a big waste.

Apply Soil Pick a day or two before fertilizing with Dr. Earth Super Natural Lawn Food to gain greater benefits from the fertilizer, too. Together they will work to better the drainage of clay soil and break down thatch (dead grass) that has built up over the year(s). You may not need to thatch or aerate your lawn after all. These two can do the job for you!

Soil Pick Clay Buster is good for more than just lawns. Use it when preparing new beds and planting holes. It helps new plant roots get the air and water drainage they need to thrive. Get all you fall plantings off to a good start with Soil Pick Clay Buster!

We just received a small shipment of several varieties pomegranates, perfect for fall planting. Pomegranates are chock full of antioxidants and are credited with preventing all sorts of of health problems from cancer to Alzheimer's. Good for you and a good show in the garden. Their large orangey red blossoms are just a prelude to the beautiful fruit that hang like Christmas ornaments.

'Wonderful' is the most popular variety with a rich, sweet/tart flavor. It is the variety used in POM juice.

'Ambrosia' tastes much like 'Wonderful' but by its third or fourth crop, bears HUGE fruit, up to 3 times  larger.

'Eversweet' is very sweet with little or no tartness. It has clear, non-staining sap and is almost seedless.

'Sweet' is sweeter than 'Wonderful' with just a hint of tartness. It adapts well to a wide range of climate and soil conditions.

Pomegranates can be grown as large shrubs or small trees (10 - 15 ft). They can also be trained flat (espaliered) against a fence. Pomegranates are easy to grow and once established, are low water use. too. Plant one for your health and for the flavor, and enjoy the show in your garden.

Fall is for planting a new landscape or rejuvenating your existing one. If you don’t know where to start, take one of the 2 sessions of “Landscaping 101 – Planning Your Fall Plantings” with Alan Tagami, Landscape Consultant. In this class Alan gives you tips for planning a practical and beautiful landscape that suits your individual taste and lifestyle. Learn from Alan’s many years of experience as a landscape contractor and as a landscape consultant.

Class runs about two hours, including time for questions and answers. Bring your sketches and questions to get the most from the class. Fee is $20 which is rebated as credit on merchandise on the day of the class. Classes are on Saturday, September 15 at 10 AM and Sunday, September 16 at 11 AM. Prepaid registration is suggested. Walk-ins will be accepted if space is available. Register by phone using a credit card at (408) 252-3347 or come in to sign up. Don’t miss this one!

Thank you to all our loyal customers for voting us Honors once again in wave Magazine's READERS' CHOICE AWARD as Silicon Valley's Best Nursery. It is quite an honor for a single store, family-owned business. We appreciate your loyalty and hope to continue helping you succeed...the first time.