What a great way to start the month of August. Even though the temperatures are slightly on the high side of the thermometer during mid-day, the mornings are so beautifully cool. The winds aren't bad, the skies are starting to clear of smoke and the garden is overflowing with goodness. By now you should be starting to fully enjoy the fruits of your labor in the garden. The zucchinis that rival a battleship, the tomatoes fresh from the vine, the sunflowers gently swaying in the breeze and the coolness of water, if not at the lake, at least in the sprinkler. Take the opportunity to cut flowers and bring them inside. Just a small stem in a glass on the counter can fill your room with perfume and beauty.

The big event for our mid-summer here at the nursery is our 5th Annual BLUES, BREWS & BBQ. Coming up quickly this Saturday, the 2nd, it is sure to be a great time. Check out all the info below, and we hope to see you out in the grass dancing, or sitting in a chair by the pond just tapping your toe. Our other event for the month is the annual Fall is for Planting, Pre-Order Sale. I will be leaving for Chicago at the middle of the month to one of our large trade shows, put on by the Independent Garden Centers of America, and then it is on to Portland for the FarWest Trade show. While I will be taking part in classes, touring garden centers and attending hands-on learning sessions at the Chicago show, the Portland area is where we purchase most of our evergreen and specimen trees. Plan now with your wish list, and I will do my best to fill it on the trip. I may not be able to post our "This Week @ The Flower Tree" sales by direct email to you during this time, but I will mention them on our blog, On The Garden Path , as well as keep you posted on my travels.

As always we look forward to seeing you soon. I know with the hot, dry days we have been having lately it takes a little extra effort to stop out and see us. Just always know that we do appreciate it. During the heat of summer I follow the birds signals and try to find a little shade and drink lots water as often as I can. I also like to take advantage of having The Carson River Cafe so close, and have myself one of my new favorites, an Iced WhiteChocoLatte'. Stay cool, It may not seem like it when the temps never fall below 95 during the day, but fall is just around the corner and I know, I for one, will be wishing to have these warm days back.

5th Annual
Blues, Brews & BBQ
Saturday, August 2ndFeaturing
Terrapin Road & Blue Haven

"You love to boogie. We love to play. So we can take it from acoustic country blues or turn it up for styles from Chicago to New Orleans and from west coast jump blues to the British invasion. All of us are avid listeners of live music. There is something pure about seeing and hearing a few blokes lay it down live with all of the sweat and surprises. We will supply you with boogie so hot it makes you wanna jump for more and blues so fine it makes you wanna find the closest BBQ."

"They're all just laid-back, cool cats who love to play boogie and the blues ... lamenting, swinging, and jazzy tunes to form a living history of the blues." ~ Reno News & Review.

"Blue Haven is a four piece boogie blues band based out of Reno, Nevada. We specialize in playing up-beat danceable blues music with soul and attitude. Our unique brand of music has a dynamic mixture of styles ranging from West Coast jump to slow Chicago grind, Texas shuffle to flat out Rock & Roll. Our goal as a band is to have a positive interaction with our audience at every show and to get everyone up and out of their seats dancing."

"The whole band is great and tight. World-Class Blues - definitely Reno's best Party band!" - Linda Maria Entertainment.

Terrapin Road & Blue Haven will each be doing individual sets, and then return to play a set together. Don't miss the electric energy as they fill the stage with their magical music!

Jaime's been working hard to put together an awesome selection for you beer connoisseurs, including.........

Birra Moretti Italian Pilsner "the most desired beer in Italy" ABV 4.6%

Michelob "Pale Ale" new! ABV 5.2% "The dry hopping that goes into Michelob Pale Ale produces spicy tones and a slightly bitter profile for a clean, light taste."

Budweiser "American Ale" ABV 5.3% (beer not out yet, sneak a peak!)
"the darker, more craftlike Bud offering that’ll hit your corner bar this fall. Billed by brewmaster Eric Beck to be a “more robust” Budweiser."

Kona "Longboard Lager" ABV 5.5%"Longboard Lager is aged for a full month at cool temperatures to create a very refreshing and smooth beer. Its malty sweetness balances beautifully with the hop aroma, which evokes a slightly spicy note, making this the perfect thirst quencher."

Paulaner Hefeweizen- "a classic Bavarian wheat beer." ABV 5.5%"When the server sets down the glass, you may think the bartender forgot to wash it.
Hefeweizen ranges from cloudy to almost muddy in appearance. But take a sip and the murky brew becomes light and refreshing, a silky swallow of citrus or clove."

Firestone Walker " Double Barrel Pale Ale" ABV 5.0 %
"What separates Firestone's Double Barrel Ale from a huge pack of American amber ales is their use of an oak barrel fermentation system that is loosely based on the largely abandoned Union Burton system -- a method of re circulating yeast from fermenters into wooden barrels or troughs, and then back into the fermenter."

Samuel Adams "Black Lager" A schwarzbier sytle beer ABV 4.9%
'A medium bodied beer brewed using several different roasts of malt to give the end product a smooth body and a depth of malt character that has to be tasted to be believed.'

"Wild Blue Blueberry Lager" ABV 8.0%
Yes it's a beer! Don't let that blue-purple color fool you, because at 8.0 % ABV that big blue dog on the label might be there for a reason.

Plus: A Special Beer Tasting Event (6 tastes / and entry for special Raffle Prizes) $5.00
Fabulous Wine Selection & Non-alcoholic drinks.
Smoked Pulled Pork Sandwiches with all the fixin's will be available for purchase.

Gates open @ 6pm Music 7pm - till ??
Tickets are only $10.00 in advance / $15.00 @ the gate
Available at The Flower Tree & Jive-n-Java

This event sold out last year. If you would like to reserve tickets, and have them on will-call for you at the gate / at the advance purchase price, please just give us a call or email here.
I want to hear some BLUES!!!

This Month's Wine Tasting @
The Carson River Cafe'
Saturday, August 9
1 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Whether you're starting to learn about wine or you've been collecting for years, bring a friend and enjoy a complimentary afternoon of tasting at The Carson River Cafe' with our guest Sommelier, Bill Mewaldt. This month's selections are:

Que Syrah, Syrah
Whatever will be, will be............
and today it will be a head to head competition taste test of Syrahs!!
(and of course we threw a white in just for fun.)

Ventana Riesling 06
Ventana's Riesling has a tart/sweet composition on the palate. The nose is explosive with apricot, orange peel and flowers. Green apple, honey, fig and apricot mingle on the palate. The residual sugar is offset with sufficient acidity to display a fine balance. This is not a typically sweet California style Riesling.

Shooting Star Syrah 03
This is a very robust and intense style of Syrah. The tannins are firm and chalky, the flavor is of crushed black fruits, and the aroma has the dusty character, which is a classic Terrior for Syrah.

Ventana Syrah 05
The Ventana Syrah shows a bright ruby-purple color. The bouquet is lively with fresh cracked black pepper and black cherry. On the palate, the wine is lush and full with flavors of black cherry, blackberry, and spice. This wine is well balanced having vanilla and cedar tones from American Oak barrel aging as an accompaniment to the fruit components.

Yellowtail Reserve Shiraz 05
An intensely concentrated wine, the [yellow tail] Shiraz initially reveals aromas of ripe cherries, blackberries, chocolate and mocha. Delving deeper into this complex wine, cracked pepper and spice fragrance are apparent with sweet French oak aromas always present. The vanilla softness on the nose takes you into a full palate crammed with ripe fruits reminiscent of a basket of sweet summer berries. Seamless and well structured tannins complete this full bodied red wine

Runquist Syrah 05
The vintage has the traditional deep purple color and an aroma of dense highly concentrated ripe boysenberries. Aging in barrels toasted over a hickory fire adds a unique smoky mocha dimension to the bouquet. On the palate flavors of blackberry and plum mingle with a bit of black pepper spice. The texture is round and soft and the tannins are well integrated and provide a rich texture without adding astringency.

It's that time of year again, but this year instead of traveling to the California growing grounds, I will be heading for Oregon. Traveling up and down the hundreds & hundreds of acres of plants that are available to us, I am hoping to find that special plant or tree that you have been searching for. These growers specialize in hardy landscape plants that are acclimated for the hot & cold area that we live in. Their product lines include trees, shrubs, perennial flowering plants, ornamental grasses, roses & ground covers.

What does all this mean for you? Pick of the crop!

By pre-ordering your selections from your wish list, I will be able to search for exactly what variety you are looking for. Nothing ships until Mid-September, to ensure that you will be planting during the best time of year, early fall. We are available at the nursery every day up until this time to assist you with your plans for your fall planting. Stop by and let us help you determine what the perfect tree for your location would be.

Not only will you get the "pick of the crop" but all
pre-orders receive 20% OFF !!!!

Small print stuff: All pre-orders must be called in and/or emailed to the store by Monday, August 18th, to allow us time to compile our computer list. While there are no guarantees we will find exactly what you are looking for, we will give it 120% effort! No payments are due until the trees arrive in mid September on normal orders. Large specimen trees, or large orders (over 20 trees may require a deposit)
email us your wish list : flrtree@cccomm.net

Need help with your landscape design?

A beautiful landscape always starts with a beautiful plan. Whether you are starting from scratch with a new yard or wanting to change a dull yard into a backyard paradise...it's always good idea to have a plan. If you need help in coming up with your design plan, let The Flower Tree assist you. Whether you choose our free "at the store" assistance, or you would prefer to have our landscape designer, Michelle Nelsen visit your home and draw up a plan, we have the experience and knowledge to assist you in selecting plants that will thrive in our area. Michelle has years of experience designing stunning yards and gardens. Putting the right plant in the right place is her specialty! Now is a great time to schedule your design work.Call Michelle today at 423-1113 / Hm 423-7669

New Class:
Sat., Aug. 9th, 1-2 PM
“Fall Planting--What Plants to Choose and Where to Put Them”
Michele Nelsen, Landscape Designer, will assist you with choosing the right plant, right place tips to get you moving for fall plantings.

Coming up in September:

Winterizing your Pond with George Bowman, Laguna Ponds
Turning Trash into Compost, Worms in the Garden, with Darren Murphey, Sierra Worm Solutions
Watch for details and dates in upcoming e-news.

Things to do: August
Some annuals, such as petunias, coleus and verbena, look great through the beginning of August, but then can look tired and leggy later in the summer. Now is the time to cut back these annuals - even if they look terrific. Cut the branches back by at least 1/3. Fertilize with a water soluble fertilizer such as Sea Grow, an organic sea kelp

fertilizer. The plants will come back full and bushy and will last much longer into the fall. A perfect time to do this is right before you leave for vacation. Your plants will look great when you return!

Speaking of vacation, if you are going away for more than a few days, make sure you have someone that will check to make sure your sprinklers are running, and that the drip system is on. During the heat of August, even a few days without water can put your plants into shock and it takes a long time for them to recover.

Container plantings can start to look tired this time of year. Give yours a good grooming. Be sure you are watering regularly. Fertilize every two weeks with Sea Grow. Remove any spent flowers and yellow or brown leaves. If there is a plant that is not performing well, remove it as well. The other plants will quickly grow and fill in its place. Fresh annuals are still available if you need to remove more than one plant.

The most frequently asked questions we are receiving at the nursery this month have to do with lawns. Most problems with brown spots, and die - back are usually contributed to a few things. 1. Fungus, 2. Grubs, 3. Animal damage. To make sure you are treating the right problem, please bring by a sample of your problem lawn area. While pictures do help us in identification, an actual small area (2" x 2", including 1" of roots if possible) of the affected lawn is much easier for us to help you with a proper diagnosis. Treatments can be expensive, and we want to help you to use the correct one. (See below for more information on lawn grubs, and lawn fungus)

Perennial

maintenance

Baskets, window boxes, and containers

In addition to making sure they are kept evenly moist, fertilize container plantings to keep them attractive every couple weeks. We recommend Gro More Organic Sea Kelp for all your containers and baskets. A water soluble fertilizer, it is easy to use, has not lingering scent, and the colors and new growth practically explode on the plant after using it.

Watering your newly planted trees & shrubs

August is still a really critical time to pay attention to your watering schedule. Newly planted trees & shrubs require an incredible amount of water when faced with the heat that we have been having. When you think of the container they came in, it was probably filled with roots. As we water in the nursery it is easy to fill the bucket 2x or 3x and make sure that all the roots have received moisture. However, when they are planted in the ground this is a tough thing to determine. If you are using a drip system, and you have sandy soil, you could possible only be watering the top inch or two of the roots. Remember how deep the container was, anywhere from 8 - 24" deep. The water MUST reach down through the entire root zone. It is extremely difficult for us at the nursery to determine how much water you need to put on your plants. We can give you a general guideline, but your soil conditions, the high winds, and the temperatures are going to be the unknowns. Stop by, bring us a few leaves if you are concerned. If you have browning around the edges, you probably have what is known as "leaf scorch". This is when the roots can not uptake enough water to make it through all the leaves. It will not kill the tree, but it can be unsightly. The good news is that usually by the second year in the ground they will adapt.

Just a few of the new perennials that arrive the week of August 4th:

Agastache 'Blue Fortune' A hummingbird MAGNET!
Iceplant 'Starburst' & 'Table Mountain'
Euphorbia 'Red Wing' & 'Blackbird'
NEW ** Daylily 'Purple d'Oro' You loved the yellow, now meet the purple!
Athyrium 'Japanese Painted Fern' perfect for our cold climate
Lavandula 'Silver Edge' extremely fragrant, and variegated leaves
Kale , Pink & Tuscan Black, Beautiful in your fall containers
4 varieties of Asters, cracking color and ready to fill your garden with blooms
Plus MORE...MORE...MORE...MORE

Perovskia "Russian Sage" ***** Special 4" size *****
PRICED RIGHT TO START A LARGE AREA ONLY $2.99 ea

Look for Harriet on the red bench in the perennial area. She is just waiting to show you all the newest and prettiest flowers!!!

The lawn grub problem has exploded into a genuine epidemic in the last couple of weeks. If you have dead looking areas in your lawn that appear to be dry but aren't, try pulling the grass up. If it pulls up easily when you tug on clumps of dead grass you very likely have an infestation of billbug grubs. Please stop by the store ASAP and we will help you with the right product to correct the problem before the damage gets any worse.
If it's not the grubs................................

There may be a Fungus Among Us

Lawn and turf fungus are diseases which can affect the grass growing or the soil. There are hundreds of diseases which can take hold of grass during the growing seasonn. The most common two are Dollar Spot and Brown Patch. Both can affect any type of grass though certain grasses are more likely to get one rather than both. Dollar spot appears as small round spots, generally a few at first, which then seemingly multiply to ten, twenty or even more in a matter of a few weeks. The spots are small - about the size of a golf ball up to a basketball - and can overlap. Many people believe this symptom to be the result of some neighborhood dog urinating on their grass. Still others believe the "soil is no good" and can't support the grass. Rarely are these the cause. Since dollar spot can occur on just about any grass it is not unusual to see it appear throughout the neighborhood. This further misleads people of any one community into thinking there is some common culprit (anything but a fungus among us!) other than a lawn disease. The other common disease which affects most any lawn is Brown Patch. It too will turn healthy grass looking dead and sickly virtually overnight. Brown Patch is different from Dollar Spot in several ways. However, the impact it has on any turf grass is to cause it to turn brown, wilt and dry up. The marks are notably larger than Dollar Spot and generally will occur less frequently. When Dollar Spot turf begins to rebound and grow back, it is a uniform growth. Brown Patch has a tendency to grow back from the middle of the spot out leaving a round ring just before it rebounds completely. Here are some other traits of both diseases which may help to explain why you have either of the diseases. 1) Both tend to prosper in warm, humid environments. While we really have had no rain to speak of, it has been more humid this year than in the past. 2) Dollar Spot is most likely to grow on turf which is low in nitrogen or not well fertilized; Brown Patch has a tendency to grow in turf which is high in nitrogen or over fertilized. 3) Large amounts of thatch left on the yard will readily get the attention of fungus. If you do have a fungus, and you are going to treat it, remember to bag your lawn clippings until it is healed, or you will just be spreading it around. Also, spray the wheels of your lawnmower with a clorox/water mix so you don't spread it to other parts of your yard. If you have a lawn maintenance company doing your yard, ask them if they are taking precautions also to not spread it from someone else's yard to yours. 4) Irrigation should be done at daybreak - not in the evening or just after dark. Furthermore, be sure your yard drains and does not hold standing water. Such conditions will allow fungus to grow rapidly.

There are many different fungus controls on the market. Including a new organic control by Dr. Earth. It is a hose end sprayer, easy to use and judging by customers comments, we are seeing great results from it. Be sure you are using the CURATIVE rate, not preventative rate if you already have the fungus.

Yoga - In the RiverHouse

Expanded Class Offerings
We are now fortunate to have 3 teachers in the RiverHouse. Please link over to our new page. Updated monthly with class schedules and information on each instructor.

It's Yoga with Julie Jones

Gentle Yoga / Pilates/ Vinyasa Flo II (Power Yoga) / MoTiYoGaChi with Syena

Yin Yoga with Rick Eyester

Cut down on water use in the garden. Reduce weeding to a few minutes a week. Harvest tomatoes and cucumbers weeks before your neighbors. Protect vegetables from disease problems. All this from one amazing product.

Mulch in the garden helps retain soil moisture by cutting down on surface evaporation. It also protects soil structure by decreasing compaction from overhead irrigation. Disease problems often are fewer in mulched gardens because soil that contains disease organisms no longer splashes on plants. sun

It's Still HOT out!!!
We want you to Mulch your plants!
Buy 4 Get 1 Free
Valid August 1st - August 15th ONLY

Gardener & Bloome Soil Building Compost 3 cf or 1.5 cf
Shredded Redwood Bark - by the bag - 2cf
Medium Chunky Redwood Bark - by the bag - 2cf
Cocoa Mulch - 2cf
Mix & Match OK !!!!!!!!!!!- discount will be taken off the lower priced item. Subject to stock on hand.

Saturday, August 9th
11 a.m. - Noon

How I Spent My Summer Vacation
&
My Lucky Day

Join our guest readers Miss Eleanor & Miss Donna as they thrill your children with these delightful stories. For our craft project this month they will have the children do "critter thumbprints" of insects and bugs. Won't you join us for a fun morning.

Please call or email to sign up your child flrtree@cccomm.net for this month's class

Flower Tree Nursery believes through gardening we can teach so much, like responsibility, patience, nurturing, joy and the sweet anticipation of something you cared for, coming to life. Please join us each month as we explore the world of gardening with your child.

Join us on the Blog
Want to know how a certain plant has done for your fellow gardeners in this area? Have a problem and want to see how others solved it? Join the Flower Tree Blog. Similar to a lot of programs that you use on the web you will create a user name to log in the first time. It is easy to use, and if you encounter any problems just give us a call. Click on the link below or from our home page at any time during the month and it will take you right to it. Hope to see you on the path soon.
On the Garden Path

The Flower Tree Nursery
2975 Reno Highway
Fallon, NV 89406
(775)423-1113

If at any time you would like to comment on, suggest ideas or unsubscribe from this newsletter, please use the following link:
flrtree@cccomm.net

*** ***Beautiful swallowtail photo by Rick Stelling in his garden off of Bafford Lane here in Fallon