THE MARSHALL
IS IN TOWN

Bainbridge Island has a strong connection to strawberries. In the past, hundreds of acres of strawberries covered the island. For decades strawberries were a major revenue source for farmers on the island.

And what was the variety of strawberry that powered this success? The Marshall Strawberry.

The Marshall was so coveted that hundreds of crates of Marshalls were sent to Vancouver BC when King George VI and Queen Elizabeth visited in 1939.

Old timers and foodies remember this berry. It was sweet and rich, with a strong "strawberry" note. Sorry, not the best description, but consider what most packs of berries in the grocery store taste like...well, they kind of taste like nothing. But they sure look good!

And that is one of the reasons that the Marshall just about fully disappeared from the Island. They did not store well. In fact, they practically became jam as soon as you transported them any reasonable distance. But fruit afficionados know that when you prioritize looks and storage over flavor, you are losing something very important in the process.

Another reason that Marshalls disapppeared was they had a very short season, maybe a just a few weeks.

So it sounds like we're talking you out of getting Marshall strawberries, but in fact, we're telling you to pick up a start or two and try them. If the weather is good, you'll be in for treat.

And get a few other strawberry varieties as well. Some of the newer ones have good production and flavor, and while not quite as good as a Marshall, they'll kick the pants off of anything in the store for sure. Try an Albion or Shuksan. You'll thank us later.

POLLINATOR-FRIENDLY
GARDENING

Did you know that one out of every three foods we eat rely on pollinators? Pollinators fertilize flowers, which then produce seeds, which you can find buried in that apple you eat or on the outside of the strawberry that you pick. In the non-edible world, pollinators help maintain a thriving ecosystem by continuing plant species and adding biodiversity.

As you garden, think about what you are doing in your garden to encourage bees, birds, and butterflies. And also to ensure that we aren't doing to anything detrimental to our flying and buzzing friends.

• Create a pollinator-friendly environment in your backyard. Plant flowers that encourage bees and birds, like asters, coneflowers, lavender, sunflowers, yarrow, etc. Have water dishes in a safe place for pollinators to get a drink.
• Check the labels of any insecticide, herbicide, or fungicide that you use. Be aware of spraying where the bees are and minimizing spray drift.
• Take care of the environment. Climate change not only affects humans.
• Come on in to pick up our list of pollinator friendly plants.

THANK YOU MOM!
 

Mother's Day is Sunday, May 11th. Are you stuck for ideas for your mom? Here is a short of list that might help you decide what to do. And, by the way, these are also ideas for your home and garden.

Oh and by the way, we are doing free deliveries on Bainbridge Island from May 7-11, so pick a gift and we'll get it to your mom!

• Gift a basket of color. (Yes, grocery stores have hanging baskets, but not as many or as beautiful as the ones we have! ☺ Or create your own basket, we have lots of flowers to compose a basket or planter in your mom's favorite colors! Create your own or ask to create one for you.
• Gift a basket of tomatoes, herbs, or veggies. For the practical mom, a collection of tomatoes and herbs is both pretty and delicious.
• Many of the rhododendrons on the property are in bloom right now! Also Lilacs are starting to show and emit their perfume. Wisteria are popping.

• Indoors, there's a large selection of houseplants as well as a large selection of pots. We have the lovely heart-shaped Hoya, popular African violets, and maybe for your mother-in-law, Mother in Law Tongue (Dracaena trifasciata).
• Donna, of course, has great selection of unique Mother's Day cards.
• Candles always make a good gift. There's a nice selection of funky and fun candles!
• Entertaining outdoors? There's outdoor furniture, rain chains (because they're practical and look cool), and nice garden art.
• And take your mom out to dinner. We can't help with that, but just sayin'.

To make shopping even more fun, we're doing a May raffle. No purchase necessary. Just come in and fill out a raffle ticket.