Eclectic Thoughts

February - The short month

2011-02-26T13:27:00.000-08:00

OK, so another month has gone by and this writing thing hasn't been to regular. Looking forward to March at his point since February tricked us by not having any real "false"spring. Seems to me that we usually get a nice couple of weeks of warm weather, bees come out, trees bloom, and there is an air of optimism about us.

Not this year. joblessness, foreclosures, budget deficits, inflation, snow at 300 feet in California! Give us a break!

Get out and get physical in the garden - build up those cheerful endorphins.

Weather nasty? Curl up and look at the catalogs (again).
Inflation looming, short on money? Grow your own vegetables this year or start flower plants from seed and hardwood cuttings for nursery stock instead of buying everything.
Out of work? Volunteer for something that you really enjoy(e.g. gardening). Maybe it will lead to a job or career change.

Maybe the people that thrive and strive to be better in these tough times will bring about real changes that benefit the world to come.

New Year News

2011-01-07T20:14:00.000-08:00

As mentioned previously The Eclectic Gardener is now on Facebook but it may take a little effort to find until more people "like" us. http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Eclectic-Gardener-Store-TEGS/159382317440649?v=wall

Let me take this opportunity to point out that I am not The Eclectic Gardener. The Eclectic Gardener is not a single person, it is a "state of mind" for gardeners. You are The eclectic Gardener.

Not only is it cold out but foggy too. We have been getting the thick, low fog known as "tule" fog. Generally burns off by 9:00 or 10:00 am but the last few days the fog has just been hanging higher in the sky and blocking the sun.

Received news yesterday that one of my oldest suppliers have new owners. I wish Patty the best as she moves on to other interests and prosperity to the new owners Tim and Greg.

Happy New Year!

2010-12-30T11:42:00.000-08:00

Can't believe that another year is quickly coming to a close. Still haven't gotten the hang of this bloggin' stuff!

The weather been too wet to get much done in the garden/yard. I started a complete remodel of my personal space so I now have a muddy mess. At least the stacked rock retaining wall looks nice.

Today is clear and sunny but really cold 41-degrees for us.

Began setting up a Facebook page today for The Eclectic Gardener.

Don't forget the garden this time of year. Prep when you can and daydream about the coming spring.

Springtime is here

2010-03-28T10:59:00.000-07:00

Well I mentioned that I needed to get into this blog thing. I didn't expect it to be this far between postings but life's distractions and priorities have a way of keeping me from doing it. Here's hoping that these are more frequent.

It is spring here in Northern California. The daffodils are just about done blooming, the tulips are not far behind. We have pollen dust on everything and when it rains there is a yellow "slick" when the waters recede.

We lost our Briard-mix dog Lucky to old age at the age of 15 about two years ago. Six months ago we adopted 3-year old Lhasa apso Princeton. He can't wait to get out and look for squirrels or see his friends on walks. The male wild turkeys are "Putting on the Ritz" with their colorful plumage in the open space and yards in the neighborhood.

Here is to a great gardening season and better year ahead. Don't forget to get out in the garden for your physical and mental heath! If you don't garden seek out the efforts of someone elses efforts.

Regards,
Jim

Farewell and Memories

2009-07-16T08:13:00.000-07:00

Just found out that Smith and Hawkins, the firm that inspired The Eclectic Gardener will be no more.

Check out this web blog for detailed information. http://www.gardenrant.com/my_weblog/2009/07/xxa-loving-homage-to-the-beauty-of-functional-well-made--garden-tools-the-smith-hawken-catalog-came-into-my-hands-some.html

Scotts, the current owner of the company has announced their "Going Out of Business" sale.

Sorry to say I agtree that they had lost their roots long ago when Paul Hawkin sold-out.

The Eclectic Gardener -still plugging along after 21-years.

2009-03-15T17:36:00.000-07:00

Well spring has sprung here in northern California. Daffodils are blooming, trees have already leafed out, and the hills are green. Still not very warm but it will soon be over 80 degrees I'm sure. Our local weather people always say it will be "comfortable" when it in the high 80's and 90's. It's not warm to them unless it is 90+. Hot is over 100 degree weather.

Me, I'll take 75-78 as comfortable. Anything over 80 is hot to me.

No matter what the temperature outside the rejuvenating spirit of spring can't come soon enough with all the doom and gloom of our economy.

I hope that you and yours are getting by okay. Keep gardening or start one if you haven't. It makes for great excercise and to be productive.

The Eclectic Gardener

2008-12-25T12:56:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

I wish you, your family, and friends the best for this seaon and the coming year.

Thank you all for yor support and business. I look forward to providing you with more many enjoyable garden experiences in the coming seasons.

The Eclectic Gardener

So what's the big deal?

2008-11-23T20:54:00.000-08:00

I mention in my background that Paul Hawkin of Smith and Hawkin (S&H) fame was an inspiration for my starting The Eclectic Gardener (TEG). I recently visited the newly opened Smith and Hawkin store in Roseville, California about six miles from Orangevale. Now I haven't been to one of the stores in years and I know they are owned by a huge conglomerate. The "folksy" cottage like feel is a whole bunch of marketing savvy but it does make me envious. :)

One of the sales clerks mentioned that she just loved the store and had a hard time convincing her husband that she didn't spend in the store more than she was paid. A truly happy employee!

Anyway, I always have to compare TEG products and prices when I am in a store selling similar products. So the first thing I notice are the forged digging tools. Different to say the least. They were S&H branded (made in England) and like nothing I've ever seen. Carbon steel w/ hardwood handles for about $49.00. Now I sell the Spear and Jackson Stainless Steel tools (made in England) for $46.95 (border size) and $49.95 (Digging size). They didn't have any stainless steel versions but if they did I am certain they would have been priced at about $100+.

I also looked at the hand tools and found many unique items. The closest I could find to the Nejiri Gama Hoe was nothing like my original one (from S&H) or the one that TEG sells which is made in Japan. The S&H one was priced at $19. The Eclectic Gardener's is $9.75 and much better balanced.

So the point is? Smith and Hawkin is a great store. I saw many, many items I'd like to buy. Some of them were even reasonably priced and good values. As stated earlier, I'm envious. The big deal is that in times of frugality and personal fiscal responsibility people need to research, shop, and spend their dollars wisely.

Happy Gardening!
The Eclectic Gardener

2008-10-23T18:10:00.000-07:00

Still haven't gotten the hang of blogging.

Anyway with the state of the economy I find it hard to remain optimistic but I do have faith in people and America. I just read an interesting article that you might want to check out. It is along the lines of "Paying it Forward". At least that's how I interpret it.

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/given-current-financial-turmoil-nows/story.aspx?guid={D9FE4DD8-E921-474E-A6D3-A1E387429AF1}&siteid=yahoomy

Garden-wise we are having a beautiful autumn in northern California. High 70 to mid-80 degrees. Unfortunately we do need the rain, but the cool nights and stressed trees are resulting in good leaf color.

Stress relief through gardening!
The Eclectic Gardener

Welcome!

2008-08-02T22:07:00.000-07:00

OK. This is the start of what I hope will be a grand adventure. Well, maybe just an adventure. Let's wait and see if it becomes grand. I hope to make this opportunity wide ranging, not too serious and preachy, not too sloppy and mundane. Lofty goals - perhaps, but hey, this is America after all!

The Eclectic Gardener