Debbie,
We are new to gardening and I don't think we're ready for growing herbs yet. We did try it once when we lived in Somerville and the darn grasshoppers ate every last bit just when it was perfect to harvest!!!!!!!!!! Wahhh. Never heard of that herb farm, but I'm new to the area still.
Wow, you can drive all this way and get away with an hour visit!? I didn't realize how far Houston was from here til we drove it. We sometimes visit fam along the gulf around Lake Jackson (4.5 hr ride one way) and it about kills me but we drive it, visit as short as we dare (usually about 3 hours already) and then drive home same day.
I travel a lot with work though so I haven't done a long drive just for leisure in a loooong time. I just love to be working on the house or yard when I can.
Aimee
San Antonio hoopla
I try to combine as many tasks at once as I can--nurseries being tops on my list. Usually I'll come see someone else while I'm there too...go over to the river walk..detour over to Kerrville...I can meander through a day and waste more time than anyone I know---probably why I never get anything done. lol
Linda, where is Old Talley Rd? I might be interested in going there. Htop might know something about that place too. She lives in SA.
Does anybody know anything about a nursery on 1623 between Hwy290 and Blanco? Somebody told me about one there on that road and they said it was retail, but I have my doubts. Maybe one that's mostly wholesale, but they will sell retail if somebody shows up.?
silverfluter
I have not heard of a wholesaler on old talley rd. I will look into it though. I do know of milbergers nursery on 1604 off of bulverde rd. exit (exit is east of 280 hwy). Probably not the same place. I will look for it.
calvin
Old Talley Road is on the far western side of Bexar Co., running south of Culebra Rd. (Hwy. 471). Out in the country, really. Maybe it's not all that well-known, I guess, probably does a lot of its business wholesale. There's an event called the Festival of Flowers in S.A. this weekend and they are always there selling herbs and other plants at that event. Calvin, you'd enjoy this if could come out there:
http://www.safestivalofflowers.com/
Debbie, I live just outside of Bexar Co., NW of S.A. in the NE corner of Medina Co. We go into San Antonio pretty often.
This message was edited May 9, 2006 10:13 AM
We must remember to mention Rainbow Gardens. Just about every visitor is impressed - especially with the location on Bandera Road.
Just strolling through the grounds is a special treat. Even if not looking for anything specific, leaving without a purchase is almost impossible. Another special place is Shades of Green, 334 W. Sunset (just off Broadway). Stop in whenever you are near the Witte or the zoo. It's very small, but restful with great design ideas. I hope more people will
seek out and patronize the specialty places. The big box stores often. have some very good buys, and the commercial growers such as Monrovia do a great job, but the small place doesn't have the budget to do much advertising. I was distressed when Vernon's went out of business - I really miss that place!
wow!!!!!
I went to gardenville and antique rose emporium yesterday for my first time (wish a DGer was with me to share ) and WOW.
I must say that I am most impressed with Gardenville's soil and additives. Even with all the storms, they kept the area clean looking and healthy.
AND-- hey, let me share, Antique Rose Emporium was in full bloom and stupendous. It looked as if they had brought a florist shop in for a wedding). I really enjoyed it. would have picked up truck loads of plants if I could have, :( But I couldn't so I did get 3 Plecthranthus- Mona Lavender in 4" pots(2.29 ea.) They had a bunch of 1 gallons that were in full bloom, but I felt that if I got them then I had lost 1 bloom cycle and really Wanted to enjoy watching plants from the first bloom to the last. Two of them Bloomed this morning for the first time and the other one looks like it will bloom in about two days. I AM Happy.
Hello to everyone
calvin
The Antique Rose Emp is one of my favorite places to go for inspiration. Plants too of course. And their staff is unbelievable
I do want to check out the San Antonio ARE someday. Because I have family in Brenham I stop at the one in Independence about 5 times a year, no matter what the season. There is always something to inspire!
The one in Independence has more gardens to explore or atleast they did. The SA location has been adding on to their gardens though. I need to get back over there and see their progress. I'm not absolutely certain, but I think the SA location is organic and the Independence location uses Osmocote.
The one in Independence is an old stomping grounds of mine...used to go see Michael when he had pots lined up and irrigation from the stock pond...long before the "house from oz" was done. Used to be nothing else but the historical kitchen--I used to date one of his first tissue culturists--he still is a very good friend of mine...when I get the time. I was thinking of making an ARE run before the end of the month.
Debbie, My best friends bought his house by the nursery. So you can bet when I go visit, and the growing field roses are blooming, I love sitting on the back deck and smelling the great scent of roses . With only a short walk to the ARE , we always make a visit there. It is wonderful that a well run family busniss is a success. I always try to support them with my purchases. SEEYA, Margie
I haven't been too impressed with the ARE myself. Did go there first as a newbie to SA. Bought a rose based on their suggestion, was looking for something yellow. They always trim their roses back so much you rarely see them in bloom. So I bought this small rose, FJ Lindheimer. It is more an apricot color.
Went back to them to ask if they had some skypencil and the staff looked at me crazy! They asked me what that was and when I described it said no one in town probably has that! Funny that I'd just seen it at Milberger's (my FAVORITE place in SA for plants) but they are pricey there....$20 each. I just wanted to comparison shop.
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/53332/
At Milberger's I bought 5 other roses, they have something on sale every week and one week was the roses at 1/2 off! So it was like 8 bucks and it had blooms on it!
Never been to the one in SA--but they really only carry mostly antiques and heirlooms. I don't even grow roses anymore (refuse to garden with anything that bites back..lol) but they have an excellent selection of natives and hard to find plants in Independence....actually the only source within a few hundred miles for some things...I hate to do mail order, I just like to se the shape, etc. when I buy. But you can gaurantee your money is going to a Texas family.
I like Milbergers too. And I have to agree that they are pricey. They do have a lot of favorites but I have noticed that their stock in plants is mostly hybrid's. Though I search for what I feel will look best in the garden (Hybrid or heirloom or antique), I really was amazed at ARE's selection and they were in bloom. And still I found the prices a little high. I guess I enjoy it most when I plant it, labor over it, nurse it to the plant it becomes i.e. seeds and cuttings.
There is an enjoyment and appreciation far more rewarding when you raise the little sucker than when relying on others and then adopting it (unless it was raised by a friend for example another DGer ,lol).
Got to go to work now,
Take care everyone
calvin
The Festival of Flowers turned out good. As usual, it got crowded, but we enjoyed it in spite of the crowds. BTW, Nature's Herb Farm was there with tons of plants and I couldn't resist getting just a few plants from them. Blackfoot Daisy, Rock Penstemon and Orange Mint...just $2 for the 4-inch pots, so cheap! I wanted to talk to the lady in charge of it, but geez, she was really busy!
AAAAYYYYYY..........................
I missed it. Got caught up aith work and family cleaning day. darn, darn, darn. How often do Festival of flowers occur, once a year?
Just my luck.... well maybe next time
calvin
Thanks Linda...synchronicity....another nursery to visit for my list this summer.
Debbie
Well got some seeds to sprout. Moonflower moon vine two types. They are starting to come up. Will have extras if some one wants some.
calvin