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May 1, 2014
     
Out on a Limb
....the birds of the air can perch in its shade. Mark 4: 30-32 

The Mustard Seed


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Now that spring is in full burst, I can't help, but get excited about all the fruit that we will soon be able to enjoy. Some fruit, like apples, we will have to wait all season for, others, such as strawberries, are right around the corner! Strawberries are one of the easiest plants to grow and they spread with runners, filling whatever space you give them and vigorously spreading beyond, overtaking even the weeds or other lesser crops.
 
The vigorous growth of strawberries reminds me of how a Christian's faith ought be; strong and resilient, with a bountiful harvest that overtakes even the sin (weeds) of this world. I am convinced that every Christian is a gardener and that every Christian produces a harvest...or they may not really be a Christian. Our garden is the world, and our harvest is honor and glory to God. I am personally guilty of thinking I was a Christian long before I really was, so this message comes with no judgment, just an observation I have made in my own life.
 
The Bible is full of analogies about bearing fruit, encouraging us to rely on Jesus as our source of sustenance, teaching us that the fruit we bear is by His strength, not our own. I have been convicted by verses that indicate that anything apart from faith is sin, and, without faith, it is impossible to please God. My hope for you and myself is that we drink deeply of our Lord Jesus Christ, relying on Him for our daily nourishment so that we can overcome sin and share His truth with a world very much in need of His saving grace! 
 
Remember, some, like Paul, are called to plant seeds, some, like Apollos, are called to water them, but God, He is the one who makes them grow...we were created by Him, for Him, for His glory, and I think that means we must share our faith openly, honestly and unashamedly.  In Mattew 10:32, Jesus shares His personal thoughts on this as well.
 
So, whatever you plant this spring, as you enjoy the harvest to come, reflect on your own life and the legacy you will leave...will it be temporal or eternal?  Will it be a worldly legacy or a spiritual legacy? Sad as it is, most of us will be forgotten very shortly after our death...
can you even name your great, great grandparents?  
Think about it and follow your heart, God will lead you!!!

 

Carpe Diem for Christ
Mark Halla
Steward

 

Roy Davison has written an excellent synopsis on "Bearing Fruit" and you can see it HERE

 

Strawberries 101
Did you know that strawberries are the most popular type of berry fruit in the world? It's true! They are at the peak of their season from April through July; however, they have become increasingly more available year-round. 
 
There are more than 600 varieties of strawberries that differ in flavor, size and texture. Strawberries are very fragile and should be carefully handled and stored; this includes removing any damaged strawberries so they don't contaminate others. Strawberries retain their maximum amount of nutrients and tastes when enjoyed fresh because their nutrients are unable to withstand baking temperatures. (www.whfoods.org­)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tips On Growing 

Your Own Strawberries: 

Plant in early spring, in rows, four feet apart, setting the plants two feet apart.

 

Strawberry plants decrease in vigor after a few years, and they are susceptible to diseases, so it's best to start fresh -- not with hand-me-downs. In fact, your whole bed 

should be replaced every four or five years.

 

The mother plants make plantlets that will hop around on runners and root. These will fill the rows and create a mat -- let them fill up a 2-foot-wide space, keeping room between the rows for access.

(www.bhg.com)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Avocado Strawberry Spinach Salad w/ Poppyseed Dressing

Salad Ingredients:

6 cups fresh baby spinach

1 pint strawberries, hulled and sliced

1 avocado, diced (or you can double this to 2 avocados!)

4 ounces crumbled gorgonzola or blue cheese

1/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted

half a small red onion, thinly sliced

add the poppyseed dressing (see recipe below)

 

Dressing Ingredients:

1/2 cup avocado oil (or any oil, such as olive oil)

3 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar

2 Tbsp. honey

1 Tbsp. poppy seeds

pinch of ground dry mustard (optional)

salt and pepper

whisk all ingredients together

 

Toss all ingredients together with the desired amount of dressing, serve immediately.

 
 
The Buzz 
 
Mother's Day is right around the corner, 
stop in for great gift ideas, like 
a hanging basket of strawberries!

 

Upcoming Classes:
FREE Gardening and Jam Preserving Class with The Akerbergs!
Date: May 3, 2014
Time: 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Location: 10000 Great Plains Blvd, Chaska, MN
 
Join us on Saturday, May 3rd, for our Free Gardening and Jam Preserving class, 
with our guest speakers The Akerbergs! The Akerbergs will be sharing their 
gardening tips & ideas on what to plant now so you can harvest, can & 
make the preserves (jam) that you want to later. 
Walk-ins are welcome.

 

 

FREE Gardening with Earthworms class with 
The Worm Farms of Minnesota!
Date: May 24, 2014
Time: 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Location: 10000 Great Plains Blvd, Chaska, MN
 
Join us on Saturday, May 24th, for our Free Gardening with Earthworms class with The Worm Farms of Minnesota! The Worm Farms of Minnesota will be sharing the benefits of incorporating Earthworm castings into your garden. 
Walk-ins are welcome.
 
 
RSVP to our events on Facebook and invite your friends! 

 

 

 

The Crew 

 

Whether Mom wants a single rose 

or an entire rose garden, we can help you select the right one 

for your needs.

 

Need a place to plant them? 

Let our crew prepare the perfect bed for those perfect roses.

 

 

 

 

 

Do You Want to Order Your Plants Online?

We have partnered with Monrovia Nursery

and now you can order your plants online

and pick them up at The Mustard Seed!


Click here to see how it works.

 

 

 
Staff Profile
Name: Michelle Evers

Family Info: From a family of five, my parents and two siblings all live in Milwaukee

Position With Company: Assistant Manager

Hobbies: Running, biking, hanging out at the beach when the weather's nice

Food: Tacos and other Tex-Mex foods

Goal This Year: I want to run either my second half marathon or my first sprint triathlon in the fall!

 

 

 

 

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The Mustard Seed Landscaping and Garden Center 

6055 Hwy 212, Chaska, MN  55318
952-361-9954
The Mustard Seed Landscaping and Garden Center at Halla Nursery
10,000 Great Plains Blvd.
(Pioneer Trail & Hwy 101, Chanhassen)  
952-445-6555  
www.TheMustardSeedInc.com

Seasonal Hours:
M-F 9-8 p.m.
Sat. 8-5 p.m. 
Sun. 11-4 p.m.

 

  

 

 

__________"Rooted in integrity and founded on faith..."__________