Yet there is a method to this madness. While it is early for tomatoes, cool season tomatoes are a special case. What are cool season tomatoes? They are not tomatoes that grow in snow. Mistakenly called winter tomatoes, they are usually heirloom varieties grown for generations in places like Siberia during their short, cool growing seasons. With their greater natural cold tolerance, you can plant them both before (March-April) and after (August-September) our usual recommended tomato planting season (mid April – May). You can further boost their natural cold tolerance by boosting their immune system with special planting methods. I told you there was a method… 

Saturday and Sunday, March 1st and 2nd, Tomato King Steve Goto will be here with his "Cool Season Tomatoes." His primarily heirloom tomatoes are all grown organically , with a special group of amendments to boost their immune system. Learn about Steve’s methods at the 3 talks-happening at 11 AM, noon, and 1 PM--on each day. He will be joined by Mike Castro of San Diego Organic Supply and Gisele Schoniger, Organic Gardening Educator from Kellogg's. 

Get a jump on summer harvests and plant cool season tomatoes in March!

More and more people are enjoying vegetables that used to seem exotic. Edamame, daikon and Asian eggplants are all served in fusion--that is, East meets West--restaurants everywhere. Many Asian vegetables can be grown here, yet plants can be difficult to find. Kitazawa Seeds, located in Oakland since 1917, is the oldest seed company in the country specializing in Asian vegetable seeds. They have seen their market expand rapidly with the increasing diversity of local populations and the rising level of sophistication of local cuisine.

Sunday, March 2 at 2 PM, Yamagami's Nursery is pleased and proud to host Maya Shiroyama, of Kitazawa Seed. She will talk about some of the 250 varieties from her seed line and offer suggestions for your garden and table. It's time to start Japanese cucumbers, edamame, gourds, radishes and other vegetables. Join us and meet Maya! This event is FREE!

Following is a simple recipe from Kitazawa Seed using daikon:

Daikon Tsukemono (Radish Pickles)

Most Japanese meals are served with vegetable pickles, tsukemono. The pickling is done in various methods depending on the desired flavor and length of storage. Some are preserved for only 1-2 days, others for 5-10 years.

• 1 daikon (giant white radish)
• 1/3 cup salt
• 2 1/2 cups sugar
• 1/2 cup vinegar
• Chile pepper (to taste)

Cut daikon into 1/2" x 1 1/2" pieces. Pack daikon into a glass container. Bring salt, sugar and vinegar and pepper to a boil. Pour the hot vinegar solution over the daikon. Cover with lid. Refrigerate 3-4 days. Stir once or twice. This tsukemono is not intended for long keeping.

Yamagami's Nursery has been growing great since 1948! This year we are celebrating 60 years in the business of bringing beauty to the Santa Clara Valley. We are looking for a few new team members this spring. If you would like to grow your love of gardening into a part time career, enjoy helping others succeed, and would like to be part of the team at Yamagami's Nursery, this is the opportunity for you!

We are currently looking for part-time cashiers, a part-time delivery driver, a friendly voice to answer phones, and experienced salespeople. Applicants must be able to work one weekend day. We are looking for friendly folks who will support Yamagami's business motto--When you want to succeed...the first time!

If this sounds interesting to you, pick up an application in the nursery today.

The clock is ticking and prevention of summer crabgrass woes is coming to a close. Every summer we get customers cursing the tough clumps of coarse grass that have conquered their lawn. Removing those low spreading clumps leaves big scars in your lawn and is a real pain in the back! The culprit is often crabgrass, which may have gotten its name from making you so "crabby." Luckily, crabgrass can be prevented but it has to be done by mid-March!

Crabgrass can be prevented with an application of Scotts Crabgrass Preventer Plus Lawn Food before mid-March. It jump starts your lawn's spring growth while keeping crabgrass and other early germinating weed seeds from sprouting. If spotted spurge has been a problem, apply Scotts Crabgrass Preventer Plus Lawn Food again 8 weeks later to prevent late germinating weeds (like spurge and oxalis). Save your lawn (and your back) with Scotts Crabgrass Preventer Plus Lawn Food.

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. 

The ever-popular Pruning Japanese Maples Class with Alan Tagami, Landscape Consultant. Learn how to bring out the natural beauty of your trees. Fee of $20 is rebated back 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. Sat 2/23 at 10 AM.  

Don't stand in line at the Cow Palace. Buy your early tickets at Yamagami's Nursery on your next visit. Early Bird adult tickets are $17 until March 11. Regular price is $20 after March 11. 

The San Francisco Flower and Garden Show runs March 12 – 16 with 4 inspiring acres of gardens, 300 exhibits, lots of fun shopping and free gardening seminars for attendees. Go with a friend and enjoy a day of a thousand flowers.