Fresh from the fields!

Almaden Valley Nursery has aquired locally grown pumpkins and harvest goods from Spina Farms--a family-owned and operated farm in South Santa Clara County. The family has been farming in the South County since 1946.

The following pictures were taken at our nursery, so you can see for yourself how beautiful these unusual heirloom varieties are. Below are photos and a description of each variety. Supplies of some of the varieties are very limited, so come in today before they disappear.

Long Island Cheese--Originally grown by many generations of farmers and gardeners in the New York area, 'Long Island Cheese' has the size, shape, and appearance of a wheel of cheese. The buff-colored pumpkins are 6-10 lbs. and make great autumnal displays.

Jarrahdale--'Jarrahdale' is a noteworthy variety of New Zealand pumpkin. The skin is a dramatic blue/green color and the pumpkins weigh about 8-10 lbs. The flesh is similar to that of Waltham Butternut (yellow-orange). The unusually-colored fruits also make an eye catching fall display. Long lasting heirloom variety.

Lumina--Brilliant white and normally smoothed skin. Bright yellow flesh. Highly valued for its flavor; it is especially good for cooking. Can be carved or painted. Brightens up your fall display.

Red Warty Thing--A cross between an unknown pumpkin and a Red Hubbard, this pumpkin is perhaps more squash-like than pumpkin-like. Richly warted red skin, sweet string-less flesh - great for eating! Very decorative and sure to get attention.

Rouge Vif d'Etampes (in foreground) and Oz (in bin)--The Rouge pumpkin is the famed Cinderella pumpkin from France. It forms a beautiful orange-red, flattened oval fruit with deep orange flesh. Its color gives great contrast for your fall display and also makes a killer pie!

The Oz pumpkins are a light orange with a nice long stem. They average 3-5 pounds with a smooth, hard shell. Great to use around your larger specimen pumpkins.

Howden--If you're looking for a classic Jack O'Lantern pumpkin, Howden is the best. It was developed to have a large, flat surface for carving. Howden pumpkins boast sturdy handles, dark orange flesh, and ribbed exteriors.

Jack-Be-Little (mini)--The smallest of the miniature pumpkins; very charming. Children love them. Jack-Be-Little pumpkins are ideal for decorations on windowsills, table tops, mantles, etc. And if you want to cook some, the flesh is deliciously sweet.

Autumn Wing Gourds--The Autumn Wing Gourds come in many unique colors and shapes. They are about 2 1/2" to 3" at the bulb with a neck up to 6" long. On the bulb they have little wings. These are a great fall and Halloween decoration for indoors and outdoors. Their shape will remind you of a swan.

Indian Corn--Great fall table decorations.

Almaden Valley Nursery is also selling large corn stalks, hay bales and wooden display containers. In addition, we have quite a few fall indoor decorations available in the gift shop. Come in soon for the best selection!

Is your garden a visual eyesore? Is it filled with hot, glaring colors that don't really complement each other? Perhaps it's time to add a little blue to your garden. Blue flowering plants add serenity to a garden and can even make a hot garden feel a bit cooler. The relaxing shades of blue flowering plants can be enjoyed throughout the season and blend well with other cool colors such as purples, pinks and white.

For starters create a backdrop of taller shrubs such as blue hibiscus, caryopteris, plumbago or perhaps a blue clematis vine against a fence. Now layer in some perennials such as agapanthus, agastache, aster, delphinium, blue geranium, platycodon or rosemary. Finally, add some low growing growing spreaders such as lithodora, phlox, or isotoma.

Do you have shaded areas? No problem. You can create the same effect with a background of hydrangea (feed them with aluminum sulfate each year to keep them blue). Then layer in liatris, ligularia, or polemonium and add some ajuga or isotoma (which tolerates sun or shade) for a groundcover.

Don't just limit your planting in the ground. Many blue-flowering plants look great in containers for patios and decks, or in hanging baskets. You can even create a blend of annuals, perennials, and ornamental grasses to make any pot, urn, window box or decorative planter look fantastic all season long.

Many blue flowering perennials such as caryopteris, delphinium, penstemon, salvia, scabiosa and veronica are also wonderful at attracting butterflies and birds, particularly hummingbirds. But most of all they will provide a wonderful relaxing contrast to a brightly-colored garden. So what are you waiting for? Come on down and pick up some blue flowering plants for your garden today!

Jim was born in Santa Clara, California. He was raised on a small farm where is family grew apricots, cherries, almonds, and prunes. He majored in English and Political Science in college but eventually went to work in the photography field. After fourteen years at Eastman Kodak, Jim took a chance and quit to begin a long-term career in the nursery business.

Jim is a passionate environmentalist and vegetarian. He regularly participates in volunteer projects in his spare time, building fences, repairing trails and ridding parks and preserves of non-native invasive plant species. His long-term goals are to become a published author while continuing his work and passion for the environment.

This week's featured recipe comes from Jeni's step-mom, Joan Ryan. It's the perfect pumpkin pie - firm texture and not too sweet!

What You'll Need:

• 2 cups fresh or canned pumpkin
• 1 cup sugar
• ½ tsp salt
• 2 ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• 2 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1 tsp ground cloves
• 3 eggs, slightly beaten
• 12 oz can evaporated milk
• 9” pie shell, unbaked

Step by Step:

1. Preheat oven to 400.

2. Combine first 7 items. Blend in next 2 items. Pour into pie shell with edges crimped high. Bake at 400 degrees 60-75 minutes--until inserted knife comes out clean. Cool completely and serve with whipped cream.