SURPRISE!!!!!

The plant world is so stinking fascinating to me. Some plants pop out of the ground for a shot period and hide most of the year, yet others stay green January to December. There are creeping and climbing plants and 60’ tall plants. The majority of them have green foliage, but they also come in yellow, red, purple, blue and variegated. They range in scent from decaying flesh to the sweetest smelling thing this side of heaven.  Many display elaborate flowers (Passion Flower is my favorite) while a lot of them have tiny inconspicuous blooms.  Plants that only like the cold, and ones that thrive in heat. Aquatic and drought tolerant; fibrous, tap, rhizomes, and storage structures root systems.  Do I need to continue? You know I can…but I really want to blog about bulbs. NO, not light bulbs, but the storage structures that produce lovely flowers! Such delightful subjects.

I am a cold natured creature by design, making me dread October through April, however; February is an exception. The long dreary cold days of February lose their sting when I see the first Crocus popping up, as if they are saying SURPRISE, SURPRISE, SURPRISE!!! Spring is just around the corner! Somehow I forget about my bulbs until they reveal themselves every spring. It’s either because they are extremely low maintenance or old age forgetfulness, screaming is way towards me!

Now is the best time to plant spring bulbs. We current have yellow Daffodils, red Tulips, purple Hyacinths and mixed crocus, for sale at the nursery.  Bulbs, unlike onions, need to be planted 3 times as deep as the size of the bulb. Bone meal needs to be added to the hole at planting time. The deep planting will allow you to plant annuals on top of them after they are spent. Don’t cut the foliage off until it has withered and dried on its own. This process stores nutrients in the bulb for the next blooming cycle. It’s a good idea to incorporate blood meal in the soil as your bulbs are playing out. Don’t forget, your landscape needs watering during the winter month.

If you’re looking for a little spring excitement, plant some bulbs now!

Tom’s Horticulturist, Vronka

“I think that I shall never see a poem as lovely as a tree”

OK, I probably am a plant nerd when the only poem I know is about trees, written by Joyce Kilmer.  Joyce was actually a man, who was killed in World War 1, in 1918 at only 31 years of age.  (Interesting story when you have time).  However; If you take a minute to absorb the beauty of the changing fall colors and the strength in the structure of the ever greens, Mr. Kilmer poem comes to life. When I take in the grandeur of a tree, it makes me thankful just realizing that the majesty of a 40ft tree started from a seed provides shelter, shade, oxygen and purifys the air. Trees are intricately designed and a magnificent gift from GOD.

 Since this is about trees, and it’s time to decorate for the holidays; what type of tree does your family prefer? Well hope you know that it is darn close to a serious sin to cut down a healthy tree in West Texas!  We have the answer if you want an ‘alive’ live Christmas tree. Tom’s has stunning bright green Mondale and yummy Pinyon Pines or if you aren’t a pine tree fan we have Holly’s and spiral Junipers.  Our trees have not been raped and pillaged of their root system, so they are viable trees and can be planted in your yard. You can really recycle this type of Christmas tree!

 When your tree is finished with holiday duty, move it to a cooler, well lit room for several days, then move it to the front porch or patio to a protected area for a few days, then plant the tree in your landscape.  This slowly acclimate the tree to cooler temperatures and will make the transition healthier for transplanting. For an additional fee, we delivery and set up in your home and Tom’s can plant it for you after the holidays.  Call the nursery to get on the planting list when you are ready. 806-799-3677

Don’t forget to take a deep breath, count your blessings and admire a tree. You will have a better day if you do!! Until next time, I’m Tom’s Horticulturist, Vronka.

GOBBLE GOBBLE

I can’t believe what I got to see this week!  I have worked for Tom’s  over 4 ½ years and I have NEVER seen the incredible event I got to witness Tuesday. A majestic piece of equipment plucked a mature, triple trunk, live oak out of the ground like it was a tiny weed.  

Robert Moreno is a tree moving expert. He has been with the company 15 years and started moving trees 13 years ago. Not sure if he has a dog, but he has a son going to Tech that also works for Tom’s and amazingly so (coming from Robert!), he has the most adorable daughter in pre-school. She takes mostly after her sweet Mom, but I suppose we have to give a tiny amount of credit to Robert.  

Robert and his crew were most efficient in positioning the spade truck.  It truly was a work of art. You can see from the attached photo, the truck is huge, yet Robert operated as if it were a Tonka toy in a sand box. The blades took turns puncturing the ground until they were inserted to the final depth. Then Robert lifted the entire tree and the root system from the earth; laid it down and the crew secured the branches so it would fit under overpasses.  The tree has a new home at our growing grounds at Spur 327.

SO! If you have a tree that needs to be gobbled up and removed or moved, we have your man! Just be aware of the massive truck and what kind of room we need to back that big boy up and let it rip!

 Call for an estimate, 806-799-3677.

Happy Thanksgiving!!! Vronka

Let There Be Light

Have you ever walked up a dark, scary, potentially dangerous pathway to a house and worried you might not make it to the front door without breaking an ankle?  Is your home like this! I know a solution for that problem.  Tom’s has our very own extraordinary Lighting Expect, Mr. Jason Seward!  Jason has been with Tom’s a little over 8 years. He does not own a lab, but does have 2 kitties, a saltwater aquarium + 2 most adorable boys and the sweetest wife ever, none of which ride from job to job in the back of his work truck!  Good to know!

Tom’s has a failsafe trial offer.  Jason will go to your home and install demo lighting so you can see the effects and decide if it is right for your house hold before you make a final commitment. Jason is very experienced in lighting walls, pathways, trees, houses, water features and statuary’s and recently performed some awesome work with recessing lights in a pergola. Not only is Jason the best lighting expert around, but ask him a question about any subject and he seems to know a little about it! Ask him about the doldrums…   He is the preverbal student and has taken every math course Texas Tech has to offer, seriously, he is probably qualified to teach at Tech and hasn’t obtained his undergraduate degree yet. Give him time. I will put money on it, he will graduate by the time he is 42! That is his numerical answer to everything.  Jason is a hoot to be around and performs expert craftsmanship. Tom’s is very fortunate to have Mr. Seward on staff.

Call the nursery at 799-3677 or Jason personally 777-7059, and let Tom’s ‘Light You Up’.  

Things you could know or not know about Tom's

Our regular customers know we always have a Lab or two running around the property.  The big white Lab, Luke, belongs to Jack, retired this spring. He was my buddy and I miss him! He stayed up front in the retail area with me a lot. I am still mad at Jack because we did not get to give him a retirement party! Luke is special. Jack would page him on the intercom to a particular location in the nursery, and he would go! Jack has been with Tom’s 20+ years, and manages the nursery grounds and plant material. He has seen it all and is very knowledgeable, and he will sing if you hum a few bars!

Brass is the spirited, spunky black Lab that belongs to Karen. He is very very excited to see customers. Do not be alarmed when he comes romping up to you. He will at best, nose and nudge you to death. Oh, don’t stand too close to him with a donut! His nick name is ‘Land shark’! Karen has been with Tom’s 8 years and is one of our very talented landscape designers.  Karen is a world traveler and an excellent amateur photographer. She incorporates vision and balance from her experiences, bringing a delightful look for your design.  No job is too big or too small for Karen!

Scout is the chocolate Lab and the proud owner of 2 boys a girl and another on the way! He belongs to Toby. Being at home with little people, Scout is extremely docile. He will catch a bird, take it to the landscape office and keep it between his paws for hours. I suppose he is letting it ‘season’ before he partakes or he has a serious load of patience!  Toby has been with Tom’s since birth! He is a grandson to our founder Tom himself! Toby is a certified Landscape architect, and been involved in many local and surrounding city and school projects. Toby has an excellent eye and a good ear for what you want and he will get any job done!

Five, also white is the newest edition. He is very verbal and LOVES his Dad, Scott! Five runs around the nursery in a panic if he thinks he has been left behind. He loves coming to work. I have heard him joyfully barking from his truck bed as Scott is getting closer to the nursery. Scott is also a certified landscape architect, and like Toby, been with Tom’s since birth. He is the son of our founder. Scott has been at this for so many years that he specializes in too many areas to list, but if you have issues with grading and drainage or tree moving, he’s your man…not to mention Scott thinks outside the box and is very creative.

And then there’s Alex, our ‘oldest’ landscape architect; son to the founder and big brother to Scott…but he is currently dogless! (Almost a sin!) But in a nut shell, he has all the qualities of the fore mentioned; people that is and possibly the dogs also! I listed this by dog age, oldest to youngest, but just realized it is the opposite for the Lab owners!

So, you probably knew we had Labs, or you may have known that we have a fantastic team of architects and designers of which can design and install patterned concrete, landscape lighting, pergolas, water features, sprinkler system and whatever else your heart desires   but now you know we have both!

This is a photo of my Labs, Opie and Roy…only they are much smaller, have a higher pitch bark and look more like house shoes! They don’t get to come to work with me, but I’m entertaining the thought if they get a little more meat on them! Until next time, this is Tom’s according to Vronka, The Horticulturist.