Flower Farm and Nursery News

After some frustrating newsletter wranglin'...we've decided to try out a new newsletter program this month. Hopefully you'll all find it in your inboxes and not your spam filters! To receive e-mails from Amador Flower Farm in your inbox (not bulk or junk folders) add daylilies@daylilyfarm.com to your address book or safe sender list. We do not buy lists nor do we sell or trade your addresses. This one feels like the right fit. Hope you're happy too.

A big thank you to all of you who participated in our short survey last month! We got some great suggestions and other than the things that are beyond our control (move the farm to your neighborhood?) we’ve already started working on some of them. We’ve ordered a new, larger selection of glazed pots, we’re posting our weekly sale items on a sign right behind our register and we will continue to hold daylily dividing and care seminars at our 3 big events each year so be sure to join us! (Event dates are posted on our website HERE) Many other ideas are still in the hopper. Our crew appreciated hearing all the wonderful comments about their customer service- we think they’re pretty great too.

If you didn’t get a chance to take the survey and would like to, it’s still available. Click HERE

Valentines Day is on a Sunday this year- perfect for a day in the Shenandoah Valley! Come by the farm and see what’s new in the gift shop, take a lovers’ stroll through the gardens and then head over to our family’s tasting room (Deaver Vineyards) for some of the best wines and ports available in Amador County! We’ve got a great selection of goodies in the gift shop including a nice group of indoor houseplants HERE. We offer free gift wrapping so stop in! If the weather cooperates, have a picnic at the farm or the winery; both are beautiful picnic spots!

We are pleased to offer a wonderful line of unique heirloom seeds in packets from Baker Creek. We are the only retailer within a 4 county region representing this company!

As you may know heirloom seed varieties reflect the original qualities of plants before hybrids came on the scene. Many varieties date back to the 1800’s and are prized for their rich old time flavor. These seeds are pure, natural, not genetically modified and you can save seeds from these plants to plant the following season.

If you’d like more information about these varieties you’re welcome to phone us and we’ll read the descriptions to you! (209 245-6660) We’d be happy to send you your seed selections via mail. Cost per packet is $2.50 (no tax). Minimum order is five packets and there is no shipping charge.

Fragrance, ruffles, doubles, bright eyes, warm colors, romantic names…this package has it all! Treat yourself or your sweetheart to 10 gorgeous daylilies (double fans) for just $40 plus shipping. The daylilies included in this package are: Brand New Lover, Coming Up Roses, Flasher, Lipstick Traces, Lucky Me, Promise Keeper, Polynesian Love Song, Ruffled Buds, Siloam Valentine, and Wistful Moment. Take a look! HERE

We are continuing to stock our special selection of bare root fruit trees. These varieties were recommended by our wholesale growers as the best performing, and most sought after unique varieties that perform best in our foothill climate.

These varieties are prized for their distinctive flavor characteristics and vigorous growth. You’ll be hard pressed to find them at any of the big box stores. Come in now for the best selection as they are sure to sell out soon.

We have apples, plums, nectarines, pluots, apricots, peaches, pears and cherries!

What plant first comes to mind when you think of fragrance in the garden? Gardenias? Roses? Honeysuckle? Jasmine? Well, around here we vote for the venerable Daphne. I would dare anyone who has walked by a Daphne in bloom to disagree. The fragrance is intense but not overpowering. Plant by a walkway, entry door, or window where its perfume can be appreciated.

Second is a newer introduction named Eternal Fragrance Daphne. This variety grows in a compact ball shape, has dark green glossy foliage with fragrant blush pink flowers. Its best attribute is that after it blooms in early spring it will rebloom from summer into fall.

While Daphne is not the easiest plant to grow it’s more than worth the effort. The following guidelines will help you be successful in growing a happy plant.

Use a slightly acidic mix rich in organic matter that is porous and drains well. If your soil is heavy and poorly drained, plant in a container or raised bed.

Daphne needs protection from hot mid-day sun so plant in a partial to full shade location. An eastern exposure with morning sun or an area with filtered or dappled shade is best. In mild coastal areas they can take more sun exposure. Protect from temperatures below 25 degrees.

Water as needed during dry periods. Infrequent watering during the summer will help increase blooms for the following spring. Never let the plant languish in soggy conditions.

The surface roots of Daphne need to breathe so never cover the surface with a heavy mulch. When planting it is best to set the plants about an inch higher that the surrounding soil. Plants do not like to be moved once established. Keep pruning to a minimum. Another plus is that Daphne is a deer resistant plant.

Both varieties are available in 2 gallon pots for $29.99 or 1 gallon pots for $14.99. Feel free to give us a call if you want us to hold one (or more) for you! 209 245-6660. What a great Valentines Day gift- your sweetheart will remember this gift every winter when it blooms!

It's very important to remember NOT to till wet soil. Soil texture should be crumbly and not sticky before you dig. Tilling wet soil destroys its structure.

Now is the time to prune dormant, deciduous plants such as flowering shrubs, vines and shade trees. DO NOT prune spring flowering plants such as lilac or viburnum (Japanese snowball bush), because you will be cutting off the spring-flowering wood (prune these after they finish their spring flowering). Roses in warmer areas can be pruned now, followed by dormant oil spraying. If you're in a colder area you should wait until at least March to prune, again followed by dormant oil spray. Dormant sprays for roses help combat black spot and smother overwintered insect pests.

You can see what this week’s “Manager’s Special” is HERE. The specials begin Monday mornings and last through Sunday.

Become a Facebook fan of Amador Flower Farm HERE , where you can get quick updates more regularly.

The 2010 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition results are in and our Old Vine Zin has won a Double Gold! We submitted 5 wines and we won 5 medals! Come do some tasting soon so you don’t miss out on these wonderful wines.

Visit Deaver Vineyards Saturday February 13 and experience four fabulous Deaver Ports that are rarely poured behind the bar. In honor of Valentine's Day - Deaver will offer the following ports for tasting: Angelica, Golden Nectar, Petite Sirah, and Zinfandel
Hope to see you here!

Don't miss any of the exciting events and special offers at Deaver Vineyards & Winery- sign up here for our winery newsletter.

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