TDN Newsletter: 12-31-15

Dear Gardening Friends...   I'm going to keep this brief, as I know everyone is busy now with Holiday goings-on, but I just want to cover a few bases and then close with some difficult news... 1st... I want to remind you that our 2016 Heirloom Tomato Line-Up will be revealed at 6:00am on New Year's Morning!!  I hope you find what you're wishing for!  You may pre-order Tomatoes and pick them up at our Season Kick-Off Sale. Of course, we'll be selling them all through the season, but I know some of you really like to get a jump on things!  So, enjoy.... 2nd... Alex and I will be returning to the Farmers Markets on January 16 and 17... we're taking a bit of time off to prepare the coming season, and to do much needed improvements to help us protect the baby plants from El Nino rains. Alex, who can build anything, is constructing additional shelters in several locations in the Nursery. I'm so glad he loves to build!  This also means we're around, so although we're not at the Markets, we're still Open for Business, so contact us if you'd like to come by:  323-422-3835 3rd... SAVE THE DATE:  Our Annual Spring Kick-Off Sale & Food Drive, benefiting the L.A. Regional Food Bank, will be held the weekend of March 12th and 13th.  We'll post more details as the date gets closer, so stay tuned! 4th... Ordering Rhubarb and Asparagus Crowns has been EXTENDED until January 20th. Please go online and place your order. Remember, you will need to pick them up within ONE week of our receiving them, which should be by February 10th, or so.  Also, please remember: we don't ship these or any live plants.

Now, my sad news, for those who did not read this on Facebook... My Beloved Mama... Many of you knew that I was taking care of my Mom over the last  3 1/2 years...with a very heavy heart I want to tell you that she passed on Saturday, December 19th. She slipped out very quietly and peacefully, though, with my brother and I at her side. Although helping her kept me very busy, it was never a burden. Rather, it was a blessing as she was the light of my life and, truly, the strongest woman I've ever known. I was so we were able to keep her in her own home (where she raised us 3 kids) right up until the end; and, that although the body was having it's difficulties, she was never really "sick".   She grew up on a rural Indiana corn farm, and loved growing tomatoes - and orchids and roses! She was always so interested in everything going on at the Nursery. Whenever possible she helped me with projects I could bring to her house: we bagged up all the mycorrhizae tea bags, sorted and bagged garlic bulbs, weighed shallots and always used the Heirloom Tomato list (and Herb list, Flower list, etc.) for spelling and vocalization exercises. And of course, she loved eating fresh veggies from our garden!   If you haven't already see my Facebook Tribute and would like to see additional photos and read more about my Mom's inspiring life, please click here And I want to thank each of you for your prayers and kind words of support along the way... I can't tell you how much they have meant. Left to Right... *Mama & Me in her backyard, Mother's Day 2007... my favorite! *Her High School Graduation Photo! She was the only one in her family to finish school, and was one of just 24 in the Class of 1941. *Mama and her Great-Granddaughter, Alicia...must have been Christmas, because that was one of her "Holiday sweaters" *Mom and us kids...this was from a photo shoot taken for our Dad's campaign for Lakewood City Council in 1956 (I was 2!) *Mom on her Birthday... I believe it was her 70th.   Well, that's everything  for now, Friends... We wish you every happiness in the New Year and look forward to gardening together again! With love, Jo Anne, Alex, Jake, Lalo & Charlie

TDN Newsletter: 12-12-15

Dear Gardening Friends,   How can it be that this year is nearly over? I honestly don’t know where it’s gone. It was a pretty good year in the garden,  in spite of the never-ending heatwaves, and we really look forward to gardening with you all in 2016.   Now, not to distract you from all the lovely “Cool Season” varieties you are hopefully growing, or will finally get started growing any minute now, but it’s also time (for us, at least) to think ahead to everybody’s favorite crop: Heirloom Tomatoes!   I’m excited to announce I've just completed next year's  "Heirloom Tomato Line-Up" (after much research, hair-tearing, and fervent prayers to the Tomato Gods), and I think you're going to be excited, too! Included are 5 new gorgeous “Purple/Blacks”, 4 new “Reds”, 3 new big “Pinks”, 5 new “Yellow/Orange” and more, more more!!   Wheeee!!!   You're Invited!   OUR HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE will be held on Wednesday, December 23rd  10am - 3pm at the Two Dog Home Nursery 914 S. Cloverdale Avenue Los Angeles  90036 Click here for more details!   ...AND MARK YOUR CALENDARS!   This year, the Big Heirloom Tomato Page will go live on our website New Year’s Day, and Pre-Ordering will begin!   Rx for the ultimate “Stay-in-your-Jammies-Day” -  Watch the Rose Parade, and then read up on our 50 exciting varieties and begin making your plans!!     Calling all Rhubarb & Asparagus Lovers!!   FOR A VERY LIMITED TIME... We are offering dormant crowns of “Victoria Cherry” Rhubarb and two varieties of Asparagus - "Farmers Friend" & "Jersey Knight".    Ordering for Rhubarb & Asparagus CLOSES January 10th.       You can order online through PayPal, send us a check, or see us at the Market; we expect to receive our order by early-February, and you MUST pick up your order within ONE WEEK and either plant or temporarily refrigerate.     Please NOTE:  We do not ship live plants or crowns!!   You can read our “Helpful Guide” about Growing Asparagus here:  HOW TO GROW ASPARAGUS       Finally, as we begin our 7th year, we want to once again thank you for all your support and to wish you and yours the most lovely Holiday season.  Don't forget to escape the madness and find time for your garden...besides the wonderful food it provides, greater still is the oasis of calm and mindfulness that it constantly is. Wishing us all Peace and Plenty in the New Year!!   With gratitude,   Jo Anne, Alex, Jake, Lalo & Charlie, and our great teammates Annie & Charles!

TDN Newsletter: 11-5-15

Dear Gardening Friends,   How wonderful to finally have Fall weather!  We're sure you are enjoying it, too! Our Fall garden is thriving, even though it had to endure what seemed like endless heat waves.  Here’s one of our 42 EarthBoxes planted with beautiful Swiss Chard enjoying the sun. We've also got several varieties of Peas, Broccoli, Kale, Cauliflower, Spinach, Lettuce and many others going full steam.  Don’t delay any longer if you’ve been procrastinating…the longer, cooler nights and shorter days are just what the Fall /Winter veggies LOVE!     You're All Invited!!   Please join us for our   Annual "Green Friday" Sale!! Friday, November 27th  10am - 3pm   at the Two Dog Home Nursery 914 S. Cloverdale Ave. Los Angeles  90036   CLICK for more details! Our Annual Tomato Survey! For several reasons, it just wasn't possible to get the Survey sent out this year; I'm bummed because your feedback means so much to me!! So... For anyone who will take the time to email their comments, we will still thank you with a Coupon for a Free Organic Heirloom Tomato seedling next Spring, AND enter your name into the Free EarthBox Kit Drawing! Here's what to do: 1.  Click on this link to review the 2015 Tomato Line-Up 2.  Type: twodognursery@gmail.com to email your comments. Just list the varieties you grew and let us know whether you "LOVED IT!" or "COULD LIVE WITHOUT IT".   We also cherish your detailed comments, if you care to elaborate, and suggestions for any other varieties you'd like us to grow for 2016!       You have no idea how important your opinions are! I've always taken them very close to heart and am already working on the 2016 Tomato line-up.    This year, I will email the FREE HEIRLOOM TOMATO COUPON directly to your inbox…just print it out and bring it to the Spring Sale or to one of our Markets once Tomatoes debut in mid-March!  Also, one lucky Participant will win a complete EarthBox Kit to plant their Free Tomato in!!  THANKS SO MUCH!

The Fall Potatoes Have Arrived!!   This year's varieties are tried and true:   -Burbank Russet -Colorado Rose -Purple Majesty -Russian Banana Fingerling -Yukon Gold     CLICK HERE TO GO TO OUR POTATO SELECTION            A Quick Update:  We've already Sold Out of Onion & Leek Seedlings for the Season, but we do still have Garlic and Shallots!   Check out our "Helpful Guides" for simple growing tips!   For GARLIC For SHALLOTS   In our garden, I typically grow them in Smart Pots. Last year, I experimented with growing some of our garlic in EarthBoxes but found they didn't do well with that much moisture; and in fact, some of them rotted at the soil line, so we're back to growing them in all Smart Pots again!     Well, that’s it for the moment, Friends, except to say that we wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving, and we hope to see you here the day after for our Green Friday Sale!   We’re truly Thankful for all of you!   ~Jo Anne, Alex, Jake, Lalo and Charlie P.S. Here's Charles showing off our nice harvest of All Purple Sweet Potatoes last week!  Don't forget to "cure" yours; if not, they will not "sweeten up"!   Check out our "Helpful Guide" here!!