A pair of Felco pruning shears will guarantee that you will be remembered kindly for the many years they are in use. Felcos are available for all hand sizes and for lefties! (Mr. Ed has been using a pair for 14 years). Felco folding saws are ideal for fruit tree and rose pruning.

Or maybe a new pair of wonderfully soft deer skin or goat skin gardening gloves for the love of your life. For the heavy duty gardener, there are gloves with puncture proof gauntlets. Try Bionic gardening gloves, recommended by the Arthritis Foundation (our elves have these on sale!).

A jar of time release Osmocote fertilizer is a great stocking stuffer.

And if you really can't make up your mind, we have Gift Cards. Finally, instead of a lump of coal this year, how about a sack of steer manure?

Two of the New Year highlights at Wegman’s are the seminars our Mr. Ed gives on Rose Pruning and Fruit Tree Pruning.

Mark your calendars now for January 4, 2009 from 1 pm to 3 pm, Mr. Ed and Matt Leddy, Professor of Horticulture at CSM, will conduct their annual Fruit Tree Care and Pruning Seminar at the Nursery. The how, why and when to prune deciduous fruit trees and citrus will be discussed. Spraying and fertilizing schedules will be outlined. We also will have instructional handouts available for you to take with you. All of our bare root stock will have arrived so you can pick up the new additions to your garden after the demonstration.

The next Sunday, January 11, 2008, we will host the Rose Care and Pruning Seminar from 1 pm to 3 pm. Mr. Ed will conduct our annual “hands-on” rose pruning seminar at Red Morton Community Park, 1400 Roosevelt Ave., Redwood City. Come prepared to prune roses. Bring your pruning shears and gloves because you will practice what you learn! If it rains, wear rain gear and water-resistant shoes. Mr. Ed will demonstrate pruning Hybrid Tea, Floribunda, Miniature and Tree roses. He will also outline fertilizing and spray schedules. There will be instructional handouts to take with you.

Dress weather appropriately for both events as they are outdoors. We will serve light refreshments at both events and there is, of course, no cost.

Plan to attend both of these informative seminars!

YULETIDE CAMELLIA--Camellia sasanqua `Yuletide`

Sasanqua camellias are hardy and long lived, and they make wonderful hedges. They grow reasonably fast, but not so fast that you have to continually clip them when they reach full size. They come in a wide range of flower colors from white, through pinks to deep red.

Care: Camellias prefer a slightly acid, humus rich soil with good drainage. Sasanquas will grow in either full sun or partial shade but do best with protection from hot sun. Fertilize in spring with Master Nursery Azalea and Camellia Food. Mulch with compost (such as composted autumn leaves) or milled cow manure. Keep well watered, particularly when it is hot and dry.

Now is the perfect time to plant red and white cyclamen to carry your holiday theme from outside into your home. These festive plants have vibrant colors and will continue to bloom throughout the late fall and winter. They are easy to grow and maintain and will provide a dramatic color spot against all evergreen.