Alfalfa. Isn't that the stuff that gets made into hay and is fed to livestock?

Turns out that's only part of the story. Alfalfa can also be a big boon to gardeners - by making their roses happier and healthier.

It's a crop with a long history. Because of acid soils and high humidity along the Atlantic seaboard, early colonists couldn't grow alfalfa well and nearly abandoned it. But it came west with the Gold Rush and flourished, and today the crop has become so popular in California that it is known in many agricultural circles as the "Queen of the Forages."

Besides being praised in agriculture, alfalfa has become a hit in horticulture, too, particularly in rosedom. As a mulch for garden roses, it does far more than retard weeds.

As it disintegrates, alfalfa yields an alcohol, triacontanol, to which roses take a particular shine. When it reaches their roots, roses act as though they've been aching for a stiff drink and manifest their appreciation with basal breaks, rosarian lingo for new growth emanating from the bud union (the landmark created by budding hybrid roses onto rootstock).

Rosarians live for basal breaks; they're the ticket for increased vigor and better production. An annual mulching with alfalfa nearly guarantees such spirited developments.

Blooms — Choosing a plant with flowers on it will give you an idea what season it blooms in and lets you know the plant is mature. Look for uniform color and shape. Splotches and streaks may be indications of a virus that you shouldn't take home.

Even if a plant is blooming when you buy it, be patient with it. The shock of going from a garden center to the typical home may cause an orchid to skip a season before it performs again. Don't get frustrated and throw it out, and don't take it personally. It's worth the wait.

Leaves — The same principles apply as when buying any plant. Look for medium-green, uniformly shaped and colored leaves with no black spots or streaks.

Insects — Greenhouse-grown plants are more susceptible to insects than home-grown ones. Don't buy infested plants — why take home trouble?

Roots — Look for white, fat roots with healthy green tips poking through the potting medium.

Potting medium — Some discount stores sell orchids planted in potting soil covered with a layer of bark. Soil will smother and eventually kill roots. So don't be fooled. Stick your finger in the mix to test it. It should be all bark and not soggy, but firm and damp or dry.

We say farewell and best wishes to two of our family members. Chris Brookmeyer and John Pfeiffer are Matt's cousins and have worked for us for several years. They are both heading off to college and we will miss them.

Chris joined our team over 3 years ago while attending Pioneer High School. Chris will be attending Cal Poly San Luis Obispo studying Industrial Technology (and possibly with a minor in horticulture - we hope!). Chris will be missed by staff and customers for his witty sense of humor - he always put a smile on everyone's face. Chris promised to come back and work during his breaks so we hope to see him soon.

John Pfeiffer worked for us for 2 years while attending Leland High School. John left us earlier this summer. He will be attending Sonoma State University pursuing his career in business and baseball. John always had a way of making customers feel at home in our nursery and received many customers' compliments.

Good luck, Chris and John - from all of us at Almaden Valley Nursery!

Matt Lepow - President