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Greetings!
What a day we had on February 1! Gale-force winds and bitter cold could not dampen our enthusiasm -- we are so glad to finally be open for business. Everything we've been dreaming of is finally coming together now that you've found us! We've had a bit of trouble lately with power outages and frozen pipes, but we're still here and anxious for better weather!
 | | Opening Day |
Spring can't be too far behind -- my red maple tree is flowering and the apple trees at the garden center are just beginning to leaf out.
Are you ready for your spring garden? Are you hungry for home-grown tomatoes? Sign up for one of our Urban Harvest classes (see right). The classroom at Papershell is indoors and very comfortable. I just know you'll love getting to know Diana Liga, the Urban Harvest instructor.
Thanks for signing up for our email newsletter! Come see us soon!
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What is an orange?
Oranges are an ancient hybrid citrus fruit, probably from Asia. There's some evidence that oranges have been cultivated for almost 5,000 years. All citrus are really only one genus, citrus, and interbreed readily. That's the reason we have so many different citrus varieties, each with very distinctive characteristics.  | | Lemon Flower |
Oranges are fairly well-adapted along the Texas Gulf Coast, though you should select hardy, early varieties that tend to ripen before winter. Look for oranges like Republic of Texas, Valencia, Cara Cara, Moro Blood and Marrs Early. |
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Are tomatoes poisonous?
Hard to believe, but until very recently, Americans believed the fruit of the tomato was poisonous and only grew them as garden curiosities. Tomatoes originated in South America and were brought to Europe and to North and Central American colonies by early Spanish explorers. The tomato probably arrived on European shores in the mid-16th century. Even into the 18th century, people in Britain and the North American colonies believed the tomato was unfit for human consumption (while Italians were perfecting their own divine tomato dishes). It wasn't until the early 19th century that North American gardeners began growing them for the table.
 | | Pizza, tomatoes, perfection! |
Thankfully, those dark days are behind us, and here in the sub-tropical South we can grow tomatoes in spring and fall! It's almost time to plant them -- they need to get settled in early so they can flower and fruit before the oppressively hot summer sets in.
Want to know more about tomatoes? Join us for the Urban Harvest class, February 20 at 2:00 pm here at Papershell. Register online at urbanharvest.org or email us for more info.
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When will spring arrive?!?!?
As I write this, I'm waiting for snow and sleet to rain down upon us (and for my pipes to thaw out!) It's hard to believe that spring is right around the corner, but it really is. Our volatile weather in the spring is totally normal, and even experienced gardeners get caught short by surprise cold snaps or unusually warm days in February.
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What do the experts say? Right now Accuweather is forecasting colder than usual temperatures through mid-month and then normalizing after that. What does that mean? The usual unpredictable spring weather along the Gulf Coast! |
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Please stop by and visit! The coffee's on us -- we'd love to meet you!
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Barrow
Papershell: A Garden Gallery
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Artist Chat - Jo EdwardsSaturday, February 5 4:00 pm Visit Jo's website here!
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Urban Harvest Class: Planning The Spring Vegetable Garden Sunday, February 6 2:00 - 3:00 pm Registration required Click Here!
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Urban Harvest Class: Growing Great Tomatoes Sunday, February 20 2:00 - 3:00 pm Registration required Click Here!
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 | | Lumina, by Jo Edwards |
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| Save 25% |
Grand Opening Coupon!
Register for an Urban Harvest class and get 25% off your purchase of vegetables, soils, amendments, tomato cages, seeds and other vegetable garden accessories.
Go ahead! Reprint this email to share coupons with friends. We'd love to meet them, too!
| Offer Expires: March 31. 2010
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