Dreaming of Lifelong Learning & Happy New Gardening Year (January E-News)

Happy New Gardening Year!
January 2012

Greetings!

Like a lot of people, I was one person who was happy to say "2011- You're fired!" Now it's on to 2012! And in our business, you really know the Christmas season is over when the seed and supply catalogs begin to arrive and I start traveling to the winter shows.

We've been busy over the winter months. Starting in February, we'll have a list of brand new classes to help you be successful in your garden. Whether you are 5 years old or 55 years old, you should be able to find something new to explore. One of the things we noticed last year was that while we have some seasoned gardeners in our area, there are also many people who are excited about gardening for the first time. So this year you'll notice a new series of classes just for you- the Back to Basics. Our goal is to get you up to speed and ready by the time planting season arrives. If there is a particular topic you'd like to see us cover, please e-mail me using the e-mail link below. There's still time for us to work it into the schedule. Become a lifelong learner in 2012!

A few changes will be coming this year. One will be the downsizing of our postcard mailings. Because of the higher postage rates coming later this month, it just makes sense to shift even more towards emails, even though I've resisted doing so for a long time. If you are receiving this, then you are already on that list. If you have friends or neighbors that usually receive our postcards, please pass the message along to them to give us a call to share their e-mail address with us so that we can get them on the list. If they don't have e-mail, then they are welcome to pick up a hard copy of the newsletters and cards at the garden center. I am the only one who ever sees the names. We take your trust in us seriously and never share the addresses. In addition to that, we are going to begin using a new e-mail program over the next few months, so if things look a little odd, it's probably "operator error." That's a tactful way to say that I'm still a lifelong learner too!

Imagine... Heaartland Tomato

Imagine biting into a red, vine-ripened tomato. Feel the juice dripping down your chin. Savor the flavor of something that wasn't mass produced or grown in a foreign country. A summer gardener's fantasy? Not necessarily!

As some of you know, a couple of years ago, we began growing baby sunflower greens. In 2011 we harvested over 15 tons of them, all certified as organically grown by the State of Colorado. Last winter, Vic started experimenting with other vegetables. This winter, we have the baby sunflower greens, our own Four Seasons Baby Lettuce Mix, spinach and both cherry and regular tomatoes available, picked fresh daily, at the garden center.

If your summer garden seems far away, and you are longing for the taste of a vine-ripened tomato, then visit us this winter. We'll pick fresh for you and the taste is summer wonderful!

Another option for flavorful winter produce is to grow your own. Sprouts in particular, are easy to do in a mason jar in your kitchen. Stop by to pick your seeds up and we'll tell you how to do it!

What's Growing On at Four Seasons?

January is the time for dreaming, but there are also things going on at the garden center, even during the dead of winter.

~It's been dry this winter in most parts of our area so don't forget to give your outdoor plants, trees and shrubs, a good thorough winter deep watering.

~Fresh produce, picked daily, just for you!

~Houseplants to brighten up a winter dreary home.

~Our full line of Lake Valley seeds is in and Botanical Interests will soon follow. Shop now for best selection. Seed starting supplies are also available.

~It's a great time to visit with us if you want to do some dreaming or planning of your own. Generally we are less rushed and have time to sit down and help you make your gardening dreams for 2012 come true.

~New spring merchandise will begin arriving soon. We've already ordered a new pottery line, a new chemical line that really simplifies things, and new tools. If you see something in your gardening catalogs, come by and show us. Chances are we can get them for you and save you the shipping costs!

As a lifelong learner, I'm excited about our new gardening year. I work with some wonderfully talented folks who have brainstormed hard over the winter to come up with practical classes, helpful ideas, and some things that I think are going to be just plain fun. The new classes should offer tips to help your garden flourish. Our mission is to help you succeed!

One last note to share. We had some exciting news right before the holidays. As many of you know, Four Seasons has made the Today's Garden Center Revolutionary 100 Garden Centers list for many years- 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, and now again in 2012. In 2009, we were named the Western Regional Winner. Because of a change in their geographic areas, we were moved into the Southwest Region and now have been named the Southwest Regional Winner for 2012. I'll be in Atlanta when you're reading this to receive that honor.

Best of all, however, while I'm there, I'll have the opportunity to shop over 70 floors of showrooms looking for great new products for Four Seasons this spring, and what woman doesn't love to shop? It's going to be a fabulous year!

Happy New Gardening Year everyone!
Gail w/basket 2009