Our fruit trees have arrived ready to plant in their biodegradable paper pots. Not ready to plant yet? No problem. Our trees can stay in their pots for several months until you are ready to plant. Follow our FREE planting guide for successful harvests. We offer the best choices for our area from the most popular trees like Fuji apple and Blenheim apricots to the more unusual choices like jujubes, Donut peach and Prunus mume.

Jujubes, also called Chinese dates, are gaining in popularity as more and more people have the chance to taste them. The trees are attractive enough to grow as an ornamental with twisty, somewhat weeping branches, bright green glossy leaves and clusters of small yellow flowers in late spring-early summer. Their fruit is small and brownish red, resembling small apples. When dried, they resemble dates (hence their common name) and are sweet and chewy. Trees are sturdy and VERY drought hardy, yet will also thrive in lawns. Prune them to emphasize their weeping habit for a focal point tree with the tasty fruit as a bonus! We offer Li, with 2" round fruit and Lang, with 1-1/2" oblong fruit. According to a reputable grower, both varieties are self-pollinating.

Donut Peach, also called Peento or Saucer Peach, is a white-fleshed peach widely found at Farmer's Markets but not often at "super" markets. Easily recognizable, it resembles a flying saucer, round and flat with a prominent seed in the middle. It is highly prized for its sweet mild flavor. It is a "low chill" peach, meaning it is a very reliable bearer in our area. Yum! 

Prunus mume varieties are usually sold as "flowering Japanese apricots" for use as ornamental flowering trees. Here, we tend to think of the fruit as simply the aftermath of the beautiful flowers. In Asia though, the fruit is highly prized both for eating and for medicinal uses. Japanese umeboshi are the pickled fruit of the tree. We offer 2 varieties grown especially for their fruit: Mokel and Bongo (bungo). They are easy to grow and very showy in the spring.

Come to Yamagami's Nursery for these and many other tasty fruit choices. See our website, yamagamisnursery.com, for images and descriptions of our complete 2008 Fruit Tree Catalog. Let our expert staff help you select trees for your own backyard orchard.

If you haven't seen it yet, be sure to pick up a copy of the January/February issue of Garden Compass Magazine where Yamagami's Nursery is featured as their "Notable Nursery" on page 34. We are proud to be recognized in a publication of their caliber. Check it out!

Bare root asparagus has just arrived, plump and ready to plant. Nothing store-bought can compare with fresh picked asparagus for sweetness and flavor. Asparagus has been prized both as a taste treat and medicinally for at least 2000 years. It is believed to have been grown in ancient Egypt, then falling into relative obscurity, then "rediscovered" in the 18th century when it was a big favorite of Louis XIV. 

Health wise, asparagus is high in folates, which are critical to heart health. It has been estimated that 400 mg of folates daily would reduce the number of heart attacks suffered by Americans by 10%. One serving of asparagus supplies about 2/3 of the daily folate requirement. Asparagus is also a natural diuretic and has been used historically to treat problems involving swelling, such as arthritis and rheumatism. It is also thought to be useful for PMS related water retention. Asparagus also contains inulin, which feeds the good bacteria living in our intestines, making for vigorous health and protecting populations. Wow, who knew something so tasty was so good for you! 

With a little preparation work in the beginning, asparagus is easy to grow, rewarding your early efforts for many (up to 20) years of delicious harvests. We offer jumbo 2-year-old roots that should not be harvested this year, but can be harvested next year. This first year and after the harvest season in following years, asparagus is enjoyed in its "fern" season when it is a lovely ornamental. Plant it against a fence, behind flowering plants, for a lovely ferny background all summer long. Pick up a copy of our FREE planting guide and succeed the first time in growing your own spears of pleasure and health.

Brush up on your winter gardening skills with a little help from Yamagami's Nursery. Resident experts and a couple of local professionals share their expertise in pruning and winter garden maintenance.  Classes generally last between 1 and 2 hours with plenty of time afterward for questions. Although classes are held under cover, we recommend dressing warmly and bringing a cushion for your folding chair. Space is limited so prepaid registration is requested. Walk-ins will be allowed only as space permits. Register for all classes by calling us at (408) 252-3347. 

Winter Rose Care Class with Lorena Gorsche. Lorena, Yamagami's rose expert, will cover pruning, dormant spraying and general rose care for healthy plants and spectacular blooming. Lorena emphasizes a natural, least toxic possible approach to rose growing. Fee of $20 is rebated as a $20 coupon for merchandise good for a week after the class. Space is limited so prepaid registration is requested. Walk-ins will be allowed only as space permits. Class offered Sun., Feb. 3 at 2 PM.   

Pruning 101 with Alan Tagami, Landscape Consultant. Many plants benefit from winter pruning, but some do not. Learn from an expert what and how to prune in winter. Alan will cover tools and techniques for the home gardener. Fee of $20 is rebated as a $20 coupon for merchandise good for a week after the class. Space is limited so prepaid registration is requested. Walk-ins will be allowed only as space permits. Class offered Sun., Feb. 10 at 2 PM. 

New! Advanced Fruit Tree Pruning and Shaping with Mark Barton, Certified Arborist. Learn how to lower an overgrown, previously unpruned tree; how to espalier a tree, and how to maximize harvest in limited space. Fee of $20 is rebated as a $20 coupon for merchandise good for a week after the class. Space is limited so prepaid registration is requested. Walk-ins will be allowed only as space permits. Sessions offered Sun., Jan. 27 at 2 PM, and Sat., Feb. 2 at 10 AM and 2 PM. 

The ever-popular Pruning Japanese Maples with Alan Tagami, Landscape Consultant. Learn how to bring out the natural beauty of your trees. Fee of $20 is rebated as a $20 coupon for merchandise good for a week after the class. Space is limited so prepaid registration is requested. Walk-ins will be allowed only as space permits.Sessions offered Sat., Feb. 16 at 10 AM and 2 PM, Sun., Feb. 17 at 2 PM, and Sat., Feb. 23 at 10 AM.  

FREE Citrus Tasting hosted by Van's Nursery. Sample various winter-ripening citrus fruit to discover which you want to grow in YOUR garden. Sat., Feb. 9 from 10 AM to 2 PM. 

Broccoli is one of the few vegetables that can be grown all winter long here. Not only can it take a freeze, the plants seem to really like a few good frosts here and there.

One of the more unusual broccoli varieties you can grow yourself (since finding it fresh in stores can be difficult) is purple broccoli. Although, like purple beans, it turns green when cooked, purple broccoli is absolutely gorgeous when served in a cold salad or on a raw veggie plate.

Grow purple broccoli just as you would any other flowering plant--the heads are actually the flowers, after all--but be sure to pick florets before the tiny yellow blooms emerge or else the flavor will be tough and bitter. Plant with Gardner & Bloome Harvest Supreme and Dr. Earth Tomato, Vegetable and Herb Fertilizer. Then side-dress again with both just as florets start to form. Make sure the plants remain well-watered. Maturity occurs in around 50 days, depending on the variety.

Generally, the purple broccoli plant does not grow as one large head, but sends up small florets from the sides of the main stem. If a central head forms, it should be removed (and eaten!) to encourage more side growth. Harvesting the side florets also encourages the production of more shoots. Purple broccoli florets should be harvested when they reach about 1" across to ensure tenderness, and eaten right away at the height of flavor.

We currently we have the variety 'Purple Sprouting' in stock as well as tasty green varieties. Let one of our knowledgeable staff help you succeed the first time in your vegetable garden. Let Purple Broccoli reign in your garden this winter!