The Lazy K has always been a part of the celebration we call Mother's Day. This year think of us as you decide just what you can do to bring a smile to her face, a tear to her eye or even that old expression, "Oh no, you shouldn't have." We promise we will help you find that perfect gift that has her name written all over it. Whether she is your mother, grandmother, wife or a mother-to-be we will do our best to help you delight her.

Maybe it is...
A special picture frame that speaks to her of family... A pampering gift of fragrant lotion and soaps in an initialed bag...A nosegay of silk roses in a mint julep cup or an extravagant pillow...An enameled jewel trinket from Jay Stongwater...A hat and gloves to keep her protected in the garden...She is worth it!

Stop by the Flower Shop. We have a room devoted to just orchids this holiday. Orchids make wonderful gifts. Some can last as long as 2 months in bloom.

Select from varieties such as Miltonia, Phalaenopsis, Cymbidiums, Odontoglossum, and Reed Stem Epidendrons.

We have lots of great gift ideas for gardening moms. Here’s just a few:

• A rose bush so Mom can have fresh cut flowers often
• Tinted reading glasses in funky or classic frames for reading in the garden
• Wind chimes
• Women's work gloves in vibrant colors like purple and saffron
• An apron for the garden, or work belt that will hold her pruners and cell phone
• A gift basket you create with an assortment of Mom's favorite things

If you’re just not sure, get Mom a gift certificate to Orchard. Our gift certificates are redeemable in the Nursery, Garden Shop, Flower Shop and Lazy K Gift House- and available in any denomination. Stop by and let us help you pick out the perfect gift for Mother’s Day.

The pear-shaped or sometimes almost cylindrical, dark-purple-skinned eggplant is the most common variety found in supermarkets. But a staggering number of other varieties exist. Eggplant can be egg-size to football-size, covered in skin that is creamy white, apple green, or all shades of purple; shape, size, texture, and color can greatly differ.

Commonly thought of as a vegetable, this member of the nightshade family (along with tomatoes) is really a fruit.

Here are some types you will see in the vegetable section at Orchard Nursery at some time throughout the season.

Baby purple:
Egg-shaped and egg-sized with dark purple skin. Heavily to moderately seeded, but seeds are tiny. Sweet and tender.

Common: (purple, globe, Italian, American)

Either an elongated pear-shaped or almost cylindrical, these medium to large eggplants have glossy, deep purple skin. Can be moderately seeded. Flavor profile varies from mild to moderately bitter and can be slightly astringent. Skin can be tough and is often peeled.

Graffiti:
Classic shape of common purple eggplant, but skin is either ivory with purple streaks or purple with ivory streaks. Moderately seeded. Skin can be tough and is often peeled. Taste is similar to common purple varieties.

Japanese:
Long and thin with light purple or dark purple skin and bright clean calyx. Very lightly seeded. Firm, mild, and slightly sweet. Skin is very thin and generally left unpeeled. Holds shape well when cooked.

White:
Looks like common purple eggplant, but with ivory skin. Moderately to heavily seeded. Firm and moist with mild taste, but can sometimes have very light bitter edge. Generally peeled because skin is very tough.

Eggplants need the sun and heat to grow and set fruit. Soil should be fertile and well drained. Apply a 5-10-10 fertilizer 2 -3 times during the growing season. Uniform deep moisture for watering. Eggplants can grow well in containers and can be very ornamental

Resources used for introduction and descriptions:

Melissa's Great Book of Produce, Everything You Need to Know About Fresh Fruits and Vegetables, by Cathy Thomas.