I 'm Sheri Burke, plant lover, and let me say that if there is a plant nursery on my daily path of errands, I stop. If there is a nursery on my path to my BFF’s house, I stop. If there is a nursery on my path to visit family, I stop.

This stop-for-every-nursery path of mine led me to the idea of making yearly trips with my Aunt Patti (just as crazy about all things plants as I am) with no objective except to visit nurseries and public gardens. We pick a general destination, let’s say Oregon. We make a list of all the nurseries on our path, depending upon which freeway we decide to travel. And we head out!

We rent a small SUV. I drive, Aunt Patti navigates. And we have a rule: she has her side of the vehicle, I have mine, and the two cannot encroach on the other without paying rent or a free plant. We take food and drink with us because stopping somewhere to eat means less time at a nursery!

Only after we have been thrown out of the last nursery for the day do we start looking for a hotel. Luckily, we have not had to sleep in the car. We love living on the edge. So come along and enjoy with us our journey of plant nursery joy!

First Visit?

JUST A SUGGESTION! Begin with post 01 Dragonfly Farm. Find my archives here.

July 28, 2023

86 Pots for More Summer Beauty

Good gawd almighty it is freakin’ HOT!!! If you live in the Sacramento Valley or other sweaty location you know what I’m talking about! So here’s the hot question of the day: in these sizzling temps, how can anything in the garden be looking pretty right now?! As always (no apologies) I’m here for you with answers!
June 10, 2022

59 Got Pot?

Now that I got your attention… Well do you? Call them what you will, pots or containers, containers or pots, same thing—whatever can hold soil, water and plants. Because throw in little knowhow and you not only Got Pot, you got one of my most favorite things: stand-alone loveliness!
May 13, 2022

57 Plant and Pottery Outlet

While heading from Livermore to Gilroy on our recent trip, AP suddenly says, “Since you have the van now, do you want to stop at a pottery store in Sunol? It’s the Plant and Pottery Outlet.” I tell her I know the place and have passed it many times but never felt inspired to pop in. (Maybe due to that intimidating giant scorpion on the roof?) Then AP says that she has stopped there often, and I’m thinking, what? Why is AP often in Sunol? Does she often go garden shopping without me? Aunt Patti, woman of many mysteries!
February 11, 2022

51 Garden Art Exposed!

During this time of year, the garden is quiet. The leaves are finally raked up and the pruning is done. And before new growth comes to partly cover it, I get to see my garden art exposed in all its glory. Which also means, okay, time to move things around again. Because it's easier now. And because when things are nearly naked you notice what can be improved, right? This is also the time of year I just ignore Mike when he says, "When did you get THAT?"
September 7, 2020

12 Container Gardening, Part 1: Containers

I love love love container gardening. Talk about instant impact with little effort (does not require a digging bar :) I tried to write just one blog post about container gardening but ended up with over 6 pages—and that's before photos! So I chopped it into 3 parts. You're welcome.

Sheri Lynn Burke

My journey began as a small child watching and helping my mom in the garden. Years later, I bought a home, had those kids, had an ugly landscape and thought, "I can do better." So for the next 10 years, thousands (and thousands) of dollars went to plants. But I became a serial killer as 80% of them died. "Screw this!" I said. I had an eye for design but didn't know how to keep the damn plants alive! I procrastinated for 5 years ('cuz I wanted more death) and then became a certified Master Gardener. Four years and three pieces of paper later, I got a Horticulture degree. No longer a serial killer, I'm now a landscape designer and contractor with my own business. I had to train this green thumb that I got from my mother. But, Mom, I owe it all to you!

 
July 28, 2023

86 Pots for More Summer Beauty

Good gawd almighty it is freakin’ HOT!!! If you live in the Sacramento Valley or other sweaty location you know what I’m talking about! So here’s the hot question of the day: in these sizzling temps, how can anything in the garden be looking pretty right now?! As always (no apologies) I’m here for you with answers!
June 10, 2022

59 Got Pot?

Now that I got your attention… Well do you? Call them what you will, pots or containers, containers or pots, same thing—whatever can hold soil, water and plants. Because throw in little knowhow and you not only Got Pot, you got one of my most favorite things: stand-alone loveliness!
May 13, 2022

57 Plant and Pottery Outlet

While heading from Livermore to Gilroy on our recent trip, AP suddenly says, “Since you have the van now, do you want to stop at a pottery store in Sunol? It’s the Plant and Pottery Outlet.” I tell her I know the place and have passed it many times but never felt inspired to pop in. (Maybe due to that intimidating giant scorpion on the roof?) Then AP says that she has stopped there often, and I’m thinking, what? Why is AP often in Sunol? Does she often go garden shopping without me? Aunt Patti, woman of many mysteries!
February 11, 2022

51 Garden Art Exposed!

During this time of year, the garden is quiet. The leaves are finally raked up and the pruning is done. And before new growth comes to partly cover it, I get to see my garden art exposed in all its glory. Which also means, okay, time to move things around again. Because it's easier now. And because when things are nearly naked you notice what can be improved, right? This is also the time of year I just ignore Mike when he says, "When did you get THAT?"
September 7, 2020

12 Container Gardening, Part 1: Containers

I love love love container gardening. Talk about instant impact with little effort (does not require a digging bar :) I tried to write just one blog post about container gardening but ended up with over 6 pages—and that's before photos! So I chopped it into 3 parts. You're welcome.