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Magnolia Gift & Garden Newsletter August 2011 | | |
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It Has Arrived!
2011 Pottery Collection
 | | 2011 Pottery Collection |
Our 2011 Pottery Collection has arrived. This really is an exciting time of year for us. We have received some old favorites and new shapes and colors. With this collection comes new inspiration and ideas just waiting to evolve. Let us help you to create the perfect potted plant for your unique situation. Whether you need some instant pizazz, or a low maintenance pot that will last more than a season, we can assist! |
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August Special
Canna Lilies Buy 2 get 1 Free
 | | Canna Buy 2get 1 free! |
Canna Lilies are in all their glory this time of year. These beauties are boldly colored leafy plants with exotic Orchid like flowers. We are happy to have some very beautiful selections:
Canna 'Pretoria' Zebra striped foliage has green and cream alternating stripes. Foliage is topped with light melon colored blooms.
Canna 'African Sunset' has foliage that changes as it matures. Varigation is Maroon based changing to shades of Red to Pink to Orange. Exotic looking flowers bloom Orange.
Canna 'Intrigue' have a more delicate looking narrow leaf that is Purplish-Grey. Flowers are a stiking contrast colored Orange.
Cannas do better with more sun then shade. They are perfect for poorly drained areas in the landscape, though they are quite flexible and can handle many different situations. These plants do spread so you should divide them every few years to keep in check. Cannas do a superb job of adding a lush tropical feel to any landscape, and they do great in pots as well! |
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It Happens
Tips to reviving a crunchy plant
Even the best of gardeners experience a missed watering every once and a while, whether it be caused by a broken sprinkler or a simple oversight in your daily watering routine. Here are a few general tips to help recover a "toasted" plant:
-If the leaves are dry and crunchy it is a good idea to run your hand along the branches and remove that foliage. Even a light pruning along the tips helps too. It can be a workout for those roots to revive an unhappy plant so the less they have to revive, the better. When removing the damaged leaves this helps speed up the reemergence of new foliage.
-The best way to tell if the plant is a total loss or not is to snap a twig. If there is green in the center this is a good sign that the plant will revive. If the center of the stem is brownish or whitish in color- you may have lost the plant.
Plants are very forgiving. So don't beat yourself up. It happens to all of us, novice or expert gardeners alike. |
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Split Tomatoes
 We have had many questions about the cause of split/cracked tomatoes. The biggest factor is inconsistent watering. A brief period of drought or over watering is typically the cause.
Most minor cracking is harmless and the fruit still tastes great. Larger splits, however, expose flesh and are an open invitation to disease and pests. So do yourself and your tomatoes a favor and keep your watering methods consistent.
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| | Wilson Girl's Gazpacho |
If you haven't noticed we here at Magnolia Gift and Garden love food, especially when some of the ingredients come from our garden. A wonderful customer and friend, Leslie shared this great recipe with us. We wanted to share it with you too!
Wilson Girl's Gazpacho/Homemade V-8 Juice
This recipe is so easy to make. You can change the recipe up with other spices and veggies. This soup is addicting to eat and can be doubled or tripled then frozen for a winter treat. Leslie tries to use all local and organic produce which are easy to come by this time of year.
3 lbs Tomatoes- Cut up with skins on
2 Bell Peppers- Cut up, seeds removed
1 Hot Pepper- Optional, w/wo seeds (include seeds if you like spicy)
1 Onion- Peeled, cut up
4+ Cloves of Garlic- Peeled and smashed
2 Cucumbers- Cut up, skin on unless skin is too bitter, then remove
1 juice of Lime
3-4 T of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1-2 T Rice Wine Vinegar
Salt & Pepper to taste
This is easiest to do in 2-3 batches in a blender or food processor once all ingredients are assembled. You may need to add a bit of water while doing so. Place first 6 ingredients in blender/processor and pulse to get started. Puree to the consistency you like, adding final ingredients as you go. Taste to correct seasoning to your liking. Chill for at least an hour (it's worth the wait) Then enjoy! Stores in the fridge for a week or so.
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Open 7 Days a Week!
Last Month of Summer Hours
Mon-Sat 3-4 Sun 9-3 |
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"Simon Says"
 | | Pug Words of Wisdom |
August To Do List
-Keep deadheading and harvesting
-Pick herbs for drying try to do so in early morning or evenings while temps are cooler
-Toward mid/late month start sowing seeds for fall crops
-Apply third dosage of EB Stone Organic Fertilizer
(Simon is one of Chris and Courtney's three dogs. He loves dishing out wisdom he has picked up while spending time in the garden.)
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"My green thumb came only as a result of mistakes I made while learning to see things from the plants point of view"
~H. Fred Dale |
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Just Arrived!
New Japanese Maples!
 | | Japanese Maples |
Exciting new arrivals! Our New Pottery Collection offers a wide range of colors and sizes making them a perfect pairing with Newly arrived Japanese Maples.
Among the loveliest landscape specimens in old-town Chico, the Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum cvs.) has become an iconic Oriental accent.
With slow, hardy growth and lacy foliage, this diverse species ranges from stooped, gnarled pondside specimens to upright trees perfectly scaled to the urban backyard.
Long-lived, these are also invaluable in containers and shaded corners, requiring little pruning.
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Always Open During Construction
Did you know that there is a significant statistical correlation between the incidence of diaper rash in Ireland and road construction in California? Before you get too worked trying to figure that one out, I'll tell you. Both increase during the summer. And on a less extraneous note, the arrival of the hot season also means projects around the nursery are in full swing. On our grounds, as on roadways across the state, there is always work to be done. Because beyond the bare necessities of running a retail business, Magnolia is always looking for ways to improve and...well, blossom.
Back on a grey December day in 2008, Magnolia Gift & Garden became the newest nursery in Chico. Facing turbulent economic times, and a harsh winter ahead, it was hardly a fortuitous start. But co-owners Courtney Paulson and Chris Hunter refused to yield to discouragement. Situated on several acres of underutilized land, they shared a dream of transforming a modest plant nursery into a unique showcase of horticulture, outdoor art and practical sustainability. Nearly three years later, their enterprise has grown into a thriving business with a reputation for exceptional plants and personal customer service.
Far from resting on their achievements, Chris and Courtney continue to build toward their vision. With the input and help of dedicated staff, Magnolia founded a chicken flock last year, and has plans to add four-legged environs to the property soon. The anticipated goat herd will help control weeds, enrich the soil and provide yet-another family friendly attraction. The organic vegetable display garden may be joined by a self-service public orchard, or any number of other agricultural enterprises which have been discussed.
And when we say that Magnolia is always open during construction, we aren't just referring to the hours of operation. Chris and Courtney are open to the suggestions of their customers as to how they can continue to grow their business into a resource to the Northstate community. Everything from a flock of ducks to a coffee shop has been put on the table, and wholly new ideas are welcomed too. So the next time you visit, feel free to give us your input. Take another stroll around the property-graciously pardoning any mid-renovation untidiness-and share your ideas for innovation. The work is ongoing, but slowly, dreams are taking root here.
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Sincerely,
Magnolia Gift & Garden
1367 East Ave. Chico, Ca 95926
(530) 894-5410 www.MagnoliaGardening.com
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