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William McClenathan

 Episode 18 - August 5, 2006

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Judy Alleruzzo

The lazy days of summer!  Welcome to August.  The ‘back to school’ sales are starting but there is plenty of summer left for you to enjoy your gardens.  Fresh fruits from the fields and fresh cut flowers from the garden prove that this is one of the months gardeners love!

This week we featured...

Japanese Gardens

During these hot summer months it is nice to find an oasis in the city.  We escaped to the Japanese Garden (503-223-1321) in the West Hills of Portland.  This garden, which is over 40 years old, has been called one of the most authentic Japanese gardens outside of Japan.  We got a quick tour from Sarah Fawcett of the garden.  She told us about a couple of the 5 gardens that fill 5½ acres.  We heard about the Sand and Stone Garden, the Flat Garden and even heard how you can ward off evil spirits on the Zigzag Bridge!  In addition, now through the 3rd of September, you can see the exhibit ‘Behind the Shoji’, where local artists have created works of art that have a Japanese flair.  This exhibit has an added benefit.  You can buy these works of art to take home if you want!  If the city is too busy, stop by the garden and take a stroll. 

Zoo Grass

If you have kids or pets you may think your lawn is getting a workout. Imagine the Oregon Zoo (503-226-1561).  Their exhibits and lawns have to deal with wear and tear from hooves to strollers.  We talked with Rick Hanes from the zoo to learn what he does to keep the grass in shape for an entire summer.  The rules he follows are the same for him as they are for the home gardener.  The main rules include, testing the soil, choosing the right seed for the right location, aerating compacted soils, over-seeding when necessary and applying water and fertilizer as needed.  By following these basic rules he is able to provide a comfortable atmosphere for the ‘animals’ on both sides of the fence!

Hot Weather Stepables

The weather is hot and most of your bedding plants are taking a beating.  We were looking for an alternative that can take the heat and found some great ground covers that really stand up to the summer weather!  Fran Hopkins from Stepables (503-581-8915), a company that markets groundcovers, showed us some that love the hot weather and even a little trampling.  There are lots of ground covers out there and her company has tested these and found them to be great for the home gardener.  The varieties she recommends include Raoulia australis, Sedum ‘Baby Tears’, Sedum hispanicum ‘Purple Form’, and Sedum ‘Lydium’.  These varieties are known for the great job they do in the garden and some feature other benefits as well, including  flowers or seasonal color changes.  Look for them at your local garden center.

Adaptive Tools

Getting around in the garden shouldn’t be a chore.  Gardening can relieve your emotional stress and using the right tools can relieve your physical stress as well.  Teresia Hazen from the Legacy Hospital system demonstrated some of the tools you can use to make your gardening a little easier.  Teresia stressed light weight and long handled tools to start with.  You can also extend your enjoyment in the garden by using the correct posture and limiting the time you spend doing a single chore.  If you take a break every 20 minutes or so, you will find the ‘work’ of gardening to be less taxing.  Also, look at hand tools that are comfortable to hold, not just what is on-sale at the discount store.  Container gardening is also a way to take some of the work out of gardening.  With containers you can garden from a chair or bench and it also makes harvesting easier as well!  For more information on finding the right tool, check at the help desk of your local independent garden center.

Heirloom Roses

A lot of people think that you can’t plant roses in the summer.  Louise Clements from Heirloom Roses (503-538-1576) helped put that myth to rest.  Roses love the heat, but to be successful you need to follow a couple of simple rules.  First, a 2 foot by 2 foot hole will help give the roots room to grow.  Add some compost or manure to the bottom of the hole so the plant has something to help it grow once it is established.  The next rule is watering!  Give them a good drink everyday until the fall rains come.  Transplant shock is a big issue and that can be alleviated by tender loving care when you plant them.  If you want to add roses to your garden, this weekend is made for you.  Heirloom is having their big annual sale.  Over 250 varieties are on sale at 50% off.  You can add color and fragrance to your garden and get all your rose questions answered at the same time.
 

 
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