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