Local Highlight & Giveaway! The Gardens at Cal Turf {Nursery, Classes, & Shop}

Recently Steph and I enjoyed a cool fall morning at The Gardens, a new local nursery that has quickly become a favorite. Unique heirloom pumpkins created a festive welcome, and the Anthropologie-like giftshop grabbed our hearts instantly. (You all know that we are suckers for sweet-smelling candles and lotions!) Once we pried ourselves away from the shop (which had a number of locally-made items), we meandered through the lovely nursery. It was calming and inspiring...which is exactly what the goal of The Gardens is: provide a place that is inspirational, beautiful, and relaxing.

Today Devon, the manager and part-owner of The Gardens, is sharing about this gem.

Pink Cyclamen, Succulents, and Pansies

How did The Gardens begin?
The Gardens has been a dream of my husbands' parents for many years now. They wanted a place that would be inspirational, beautiful, and relaxing. A nursery works with people on creating spaces that are beautiful and relaxing. We thought, our nursery should be the the inspirational starting place for peoples' visions. My husband and I graduated from Cal Poly's Landscape Architecture program. After working for a few years, we began collaborating with his parents on the design of this space.

What is your role?
I am the manager and part owner of The Gardens. I began working with his parents almost two years ago designing it. As it became more clear that this would come to fruition, I began working with his mom buying for the gift store. Soon after, they offered me the opportunity to come on board and manage the business.

What makes The Gardens unique from other nurseries?
The Gardens is set up in five demonstration gardens, with a children's garden on the way. Our grounds are designed in a way that you can meander through the paths with the soothing sound of the waterfall in the background and be able to think creatively about your project. We put an emphasis on shopping local, bringing in unique plant material, sourcing quality plants, and having a good selection of natives, succulents, and airplants. We pride ourselves on providing these things to people. We also put a high emphasis on education. Since we have been open we have had classes every weekend, and we are now collaborating with a Visalia chef on doing gourmet cooking demonstrations monthly. (This past weekend was the first demonstration, a fall-inspired four course meal!) Groups will participate in making each course and all will leave full and with the recipes in hand.

Hanging Bauble Vases, Organic Canned Tomatoes, Candle, Succulents in Glass Cloches

We love the shop! What can you share about the items you sell?
We sell anything home and garden related. We love decorating, entertaining, and cooking. For the gardener we supply an array of garden tools including pottery, hand tools, twines, seeds, watering cans, notebooks, row markers, and so many other things to make life easier. For the cook we have our own label of olive oils and balsamics that are amazing. We also have Balakian Farms Heirloom Tomato Sauce. This a a four generation owned and operated organic farming company that cans their heirloom tomatoes. Each jar is a different variety. For the home we have a beautiful array of decor including topiaries, lamps, furniture (locally-made), vases, baskets, wall art, and so much more. We also have a fragrance line called Library of Flowers from the makers of Lolia and Tokyo Milk. All their lotions, perfumes, and bubble baths smell so good.

Airplants (Tillandsia), Hand-Drawn Cards, Plant/Row Markers, Library of Flowers Lotion

What are your favorite plants right now?
I love succulents. That's my favorite always. Aside from that, right now we have some Lion's Tail about to bloom that is gorgeous, as well as our Ruby Grass. Our Pink Muhly Grass is still blooming. This has been a favorite of mine for awhile. It has pink plumes that rise above its foliage and just sway in the breeze. It looks so great in a landscape.

We believe your emphasis on education and classes is fantastic. What do you offer?
We have been addressing topics that are pertinent to the season. So far we have had fall lawn care and weed control, fall doorstep design, square foot gardening, hummingbird gardens, and native plants classes. This coming winter we will have wreath-making classes and and other Christmas related classes. (And FYI, they'll be selling cut Christmas trees!) For a class schedule and information, sign up for the weekly email list: devon@thegardensatcalturf.com. You can also find the events on Facebook.

Rose, Pumpkins, Mums

What are your five faves these days?
1. Airplants––these are too cool for school. Who doesn't want a plant they can just hang off of things?
2. Fig Balsamic––the most delicious balsamic. Love the fig flavor. Very savory.
3. Little Gem Magnolia––just like the big one, but mini. Same gorgeous leaves and flowers.
4. Kids On Roof Puzzles––3D puzzles of trees, birds, butterflies, and animals.
5. Bringing plants indoors. Keeping plants potted and rotating them in your house makes if feel fresh and clean. In addition to topiaries, I like to bring other trees and shrubs for a week or two at a time and then rotate them back outdoors. Great tip, Devon! We'll be doing this, as well as checking out your favorites in your shop! Thanks for the great information :)

How can we stay connected with The Gardens? Like their Facebook page, follow them on Pinterest, sign up for weekly e-mails, and (of course) visit the nursery!

The Gardens at Cal Turf

950 N. J Street

Tulare, CA 93274

The Gardens is already a favorite of ours, and we know it will be one of yours, too. We want to give lots of love, so in addition to visiting the nursery, please like their Facebook page! By doing so, you can enter the fantastic giveaway and win a $50.00 giftcard to the nursery! Christmas has come early, friends.
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