[Watchdogs] PJ: The Natural Gardener...Being the Best You Can Be

[joesummy at moment.net]

PAPA JOE...TELL ME IF IT IS SO!

THE NATURAL GARDENER
 Being the Best You Can Be

If you have not been to the The Natural Gardener in Austin (Oak Hill
area), add it as a must on your to see and do list in the Central Texas
area. Actually, it should be a state and national tourist destination. It
is that unique. And, it is a place for your children and grandchildren!

PJ can't explain all the wonderful things you will see. But just to tease
you a bit, besides the excellent gardening center there are several display
gardens (each is unique, so I won't spoil your fun), a materials yard, an
orchard, animals, a compost tea brewery, functioning water collections
systems, functioning Purple Martin Houses, water features, a general store
(which reminds me of the old-time general stores), tables for a picnic,
feature speakers and gardening demonstrations on the weekends, special
events....

Have I got your attention yet? If you go there depressed I guarantee you
will not leave there that way. The positive atmosphere hits you as soon as
you arrive. Spend a couple of hours just exploring and you will "feel"
what I mean. If nothing else listening to the beautiful wind chimes will
change a sourpuss into a lovable Teddie Bear.

Most importantly, you will find the friendliest staff who are eager to
answer your questions and to help you. I don't know what management
principles, John Dromgoole, the owner and radio host of his own gardening
show uses but it should be emulated by more businesses, not just garden
centers. I would love to work there.

The Natural Gardener is not just another garden center; it is an event. A
place to take the family and spend sometime exploring and learning about
the many exciting things we can do in the garden with our children...and
grandchildren.

My granddaughters love it. They have been coming since they were babies.
And, for the most part it is all free...except, I bet you can't leave
there without buying something. When we travel to Austin, going to the
Natural Garden is a must on our list of things to do.

Below is the newsletter I receive every week from the Natural Gardener.
You can sign up for it also. Notice the special upcoming events. PJ might
see you there. Tell them I recommended them...or, maybe I'll be working
there.

*GREETINGS FROM THE NATURAL GARDENER
LOCAL AND NATIONAL AWARD WINNING NURSERY

It's the season of giving thanks, so The Natural Gardener wants to thank
you, our loyal customers for the support you give us every day of the year.
Please join us this Saturday, Nov. 21st, for our Amazingly Awesome Customer
Appreciation Day. There will be all-natural beef and veggie hotdogs
(starting at 11 a.m. until we run out) and door prize give-aways including
an assortment of Lady Bug Natural Brand products, a beautiful signed Carruth
plaque, a Tumbleweed Composter (the grand prize) and other goodies. We're
also giving away gift bags of samples and a store coupon to the first 100
families to bring in 2 or more non-perishable food items for the Capital
Area Food Bank. Come in and let us show you some love!

HOLIDAY CLOSINGS: We will be closed for Thanksgiving all day Thursday,
November 26th as well as Friday the 27th. We'll reopen at 8:00 a.m. on
Saturday the 28th.  Happy Thanksgiving!


WE'RE HIRING
We're accepting applications for spring, so if you like plants-- and
people!-- please come fill out an application. (No phone calls or emails,
please.) These positions require weekend work. Organic gardening experience
is a big plus, but not required. We have various seasonal positions
available with paid training scheduled to begin January 4, 2010.


ON SALE THIS WEEK
20% OFF ALL BULBS: Come and get 'em while they last! Beautiful spring
flowers such as Amaryllis, Grape Hyacinth, Spider Lilies, Iris, Freesia,
Narcissus, Anemones and more. (Many varieties will naturalize in Central
Texas.)


IN THE NURSERY
JUST ARRIVED- BARE ROOT EDIBLES: We've just received bare root Strawberries,
Raspberries, Blackberries, Asparagus, and Artichokes! Come in and get some
for your garden. Be sure to ask for your free how-to handouts; we have an
information sheet available for most every type of bare root plant we sell.
(Bare root fruit trees have not arrived yet; we expect them in early
January.)

HOLIDAY TREES: The Natural Gardener has a beautiful assortment of living
Holiday trees and Rosemary topiaries, so come get yours soon while our
selection is at its best. We've specifically chosen varieties that are best
adapted to Central Texas, and they're deer and drought resistant, too. We
have Leyland Cypress, Aleppo Pine, Stone Pine, and Deodar Cedar. If you'd
rather have an unconventional Hill Country holiday look, consider some of
our other native and well adapted shrubs or small trees.  Plant them after
New Years and deck them with lights again next year. Try Arizona Cypress,
Italian Cypress, Will Fleming Yaupon, Mountain Laurel, Hollywood Juniper,
Grey's Little Leaf Yaupon, Cherry Laurel, Southern Wax Myrtle, or Weeping
Deodar Cedar.

WINTERTIME BEAUTIES: Your garden doesn't have to look bare just because
we're heading into winter. Fill empty containers or blank spots in the
garden with colorful plants that will last all winter long. Our great
selection of cool-season annuals includes Violas, Pansies, Snapdragons,
Calendula, Alyssum, Stock, Cyclamen, Flowering Kale, Flowering Cabbage,
Nasturtiums, Dianthus and more. Edible Chard works great as an accent with
its bright red or yellow stems and colorful leaves. Lettuce works well
tucked-in among other plants, too, and they come in a variety of colors and
textures. Herbs make beautiful cool-weather accents and are a nice way to
add edible color to a winter garden. Winter can be beautiful, colorful- and
tasty!


IN THE STORE
GOOD GOURD ALMIGHTY: Come take a look at our beautiful new holiday
ornaments. They're hand-carved and hand-painted gourds by Lucuma Designs.
These beautiful gourds come in an assortment of shapes, sizes, and colors,
and each has a unique, hand-painted or hand-etched design. We have small
gourds that are perfect for decorating your holiday tree, medium gourds for
decorating around the house, and even larger birdhouse gourds that will make
a lovely home for a Wren.  Lucuma Designs promotes art and design by
Peruvian women, and is a member of the Fair Trade Federation.

BACK IN STOCK- AUSTIN AREA GARDEN GUIDES: The NEW and IMPROVED edition is
finally on our shelves! The Travis County Master Gardeners Association has
done a great job of updating this wonderful book. John says, "The Master
Gardeners 'Garden Guide' is one of Central Texas' best resources for new
gardeners. When, what, where and how to garden is all beautifully laid out
with a month-to-month outline of what to do. Of the different tools one
needs to garden, the 'Garden Guide' is one of the more important ones." Come
get one for yourself, and pick up one for any new gardener or new Austinite
on your holiday list.

LIGHT UP THE GARDEN: Spark up a dreary garden with gorgeous sun catchers,
colorful solar lanterns, and our other fun and vibrant garden decorations.
We have sparkling mirrored sun catchers that send happy rays of light all
over the garden. Our solar lanterns are bright and beautiful, too, and at
night they give off a warm, welcoming glow. They come in many shapes,
colors, and styles.
     We also have an amazing array of wind chimes, including the musically
pure Music of the Spheres chimes, as well as a great assortment of Woodstock
chimes, from simple to ornate. Come see- and hear!


IN THE SOIL YARD
TIME TO MULCH FOR WINTER: Are you thinking about mulching your newly planted
garden or existing flower beds? Great idea! Mulch helps conserve water,
prevents weeds, and insulates your plants' roots. The Natural Gardener
carries several types of mulch in a wide range of looks and prices, from
shredded cedar to Sylvan Formula. Whichever mulch you choose, apply a one to
two-inch layer over your plants' roots, starting an inch or two from trunk
or stem, extending out to the drip line or beyond.

BULK PRODUCTS: We offer all of our mulches, as well as all of our other bulk
products, for delivery or pick up. Call us for delivery times and prices, or
bring your truck or trailer and have us load it. If you don't have a truck,
come bag up what you need. We have the bags, buckets, and shovels- you
provide the muscle to fill 'em. If you're not in the mood to sweat, many of
our bulk products come pre-bagged, too.


GARDENING ON THE AIR
RADIO: "Gardening Naturally" KLBJ 590AM - Saturday 9-11 a.m., Sunday 8-10
a.m. Every Saturday and Sunday, you have a chance to ask your gardening
questions on the air. Call in to the show with your questions at
512-836-0590. This is America's longest running organic gardening radio talk
show.

TELEVISION: Tune into KLRU for "Central Texas Gardener" where John co-hosts
the "Backyard Basics" segment. "Central Texas Gardener" is aired on
Saturdays at noon and 4:00 pm, and repeats at 12:30 pm on Thursdays.

See you in the garden.
The Natural Gardener
8648 Old Bee Caves Road
Austin, Texas 78735
512-288-6113
www.naturalgardeneraustin.com
www.ladybugbrand.com

Store Hours:
Monday through Saturday - 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Sunday - 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
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