SHOW ARCHIVE

Episode 296 • September 7, 2013

VIDEO ARCHIVE

We are getting back into a routine again, are you? The last 2 weeks have been kind of crazy. First the show on the 24th of August disappeared. KOIN-TV in Portland had a few technical glitches and they couldn’t find the show in their computer. They did get it on the air on the 25th at 4:30 in the afternoon. Then last week we were preempted due to the US Open Tennis Tournament. We are hoping that everything will go smoothly this week!

This week we featured...

Containerscaping

Containerscaping

We recently heard a new word, containerscaping. We had to look around to get the definition, but it was pretty self-explanatory. It is landscaping using containers from your garden. We stopped by one place that we know does some great containers and that is Cornell Farm (503-292-9895). Deby Barnhart is known for the great containers that she puts together so we met with her to talk about the concept and how you can use containers to build little spaces, either around your garden or on your patio. Here are a few of the tips we were able to learn. 1) Use containers of the same color, shape or texture for continuity. Or, select one color of flower to use in multiple containers. You can even use a mixture or containers and flowers to please your own tastes. 2) Use containers not just on the porch or patio but in garden beds to add height, color and/or impact. Deby mentioned that anything in a container becomes a focal point in your garden, so use the container to highlight a really nice plant. 3) Less-attractive garden areas can be covered up with the right container and plantings. Small trees and shrubs can shield areas of your garden. Espaliered plants are very good at doing this. 4) Soften or camouflage architectural features by using containers that are strategically placed. 5) Big and bold containers will make more of a sophisticated impact. 6) Small, numerous containers will give more of a cottage-garden feel. Remember though, that numerous containers will take a little more time to care for. 7) Feel free to move containers as needed, to the sun, to the shade, to block a view, etc. 8) Containers can also be used to direct or stop traffic flow, like at the edge of a deck or patio. 9) Even empty containers, if the right size and design, can be used as garden decor. There really is no limit to what you can use in a container or where you can place them. If you are looking for some tips you can stop by any local independent garden center, or drop by Cornell Farm and talk to Deby and her staff.

Hughes Water Plants

Hughes Water Plants

There has been an increased emphasis on water gardening in the past few years and for the home gardener that has opened up a huge palate of plant choices. To see some of the wonderful plants you can choose we stopped by Hughes Water Gardens (503-638-1709) and talked with Eamonn Hughes about some of his favorites. One of the first things that Eamonn talked about was layering your plants with short plants in the front and tall plants in the back. He also recommended that you look for waves of seasonal color or interest, so you don’t have all your blooming happening at one time.

We started with one of the smaller plants he recommends the Ranunculus flammula or Small Creeping Spearwort, which is a small buttercup type of flower which will spread out nicely and soften the edges of your water feature or pond. A little taller of a plant is the Zephyranthes candida or rain lily. This one will bloom throughout the summer and will drop seed and naturalize around your pond. Another one in this middle range was the ‘King Tut’ papyrus. This one is a shorter version of the parent plant and has some great foliage. The next plant was a little taller and takes the next step in your garden. It is Ruellia, also called wild petunia. This one has cute lavender flowers and fine foliage that will give you another reason to add it to your garden. We then moved to one of the tallest plants in the garden, the lobelia. These plants were part of a seed mix called ‘compliment’ and it gives you tons of great color. A couple of other taller plants that we looked at included the Thalia dealbata with its tropical leaves and tiny flowers on long stalks and the family of cannas which have wonderful blooms that keep coming all summer long. If you are looking for a great variety of plants for your pond or water feature, and the knowledge to help them grow, then stop by Hughes Water Gardens and see all the great plants they have to offer.

Bauman Corn and Tomato Recipe

Bauman Corn and Tomato Recipe

Fall is a great time to pick up some fresh local produce from your local farmers market or grocery store. We stopped at Bauman’s Farm and Garden (503-792-3524), one of our favorite markets to get a recipe from Brian using some fresh tomatoes and corn from their farm. We couldn’t help but notice how fresh everything is in the store. Brian told us that was the main difference between his place (and other farm stands) and the big supermarkets. A lot of the big chains are now promoting fresh produce from local farms, and that is great. But even though they are promoted as fresh, they can take a day or more to get from the farm to your local store. At local farmers markets and farm stands you are getting produce that has been picked that very same day! You can’t get any fresher! It also seems to taste better too.
Then we moved on to the recipe. This is one recipe that has been patterned after a couple of different places. The first influence was from Daria a local radio personality and the second influence was from DaVinci’s restaurant in Salem. Brian actually combined both and came up with this wonderful recipe. This is a tomato stacked salad with a corn salsa. The salsa has corn, bacon, onions, basil, plus some jalapeno cheese from Willamette Valley Cheese Company, another local company. That was mixed with a Honey Balsamic Vinegar from Honey Ridge Farms, yet another great local company. If you would like to try this recipe at home, CLICK HERE, and for the freshest vegetables, don’t forget to stop at your local farmers market or farm stand.

Portland Nursery Senior Day

Portland Nursery Senior Day

As we grow older it is important that we stay active remain happy and healthy. For many senior citizens, gardening is a great way to do that. To help celebrate seniors and gardening Home Instead and Portland Nursery on Division (503-788-9000) have joined together to provide a day filled with music, fun activities and good times for any senior that can stop by. Sara Denney told us about some of the activities and explained why this event is so important to our local seniors. It is also a great way to introduce some seniors to the joys of gardening. Visitors can enjoy 8 hands-on stations, where they can get their hands dirty with simple garden activities. There are light snacks, live music and even specials on plants for seniors. If you are a senior citizen, stop on by on Wednesday September 11th from 1-5:00 pm, get a little dirt under your nails and enjoy the benefits of gardening.

We also just found out that the Oregon Zoo is having a free day for seniors 65 and older on the 17th of June. The day will include petting animals, animal talks, and a senior lunch special. Be sure to attend both events!

Terra Casa Candles

Terra Casa Candles

Even though the summer days are fading fast, people are outside trying to enjoy these wonderful evenings while they last. A lot of people try to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere outdoors and one of the best ways that we know of is with the use of candles. One of the best places we know for candles is Terra Casa (503-577-8242) in Damascus. We met with Diana, the owner, to see some of the newest candles on the market. The first ‘candle’ that she had was a gel pot. This is a pottery container with a reservoir for a burning jell. These will burn for 2 hours with the jell filled canister. Normally people think of these as an outdoor type of burner, but since there are no hazardous fumes or smoke, you can use them indoors as well. They are in ceramic pots so they look great even when they are not lit. Next we saw the ‘Lifetime’ candles. These candles are jars filled with preserved fruits, leaves and other design items that will never fade. What makes them lifetime candles are the wicks. These wicks are made of fiberglass and will never need to be replaced. You refill the containers with sootless, odorless lamp oil and you can enjoy these for many years to come. We then looked at the real candles, including the Spicy Apple candle from Rosy Rings. This one has real fruit in it and can be used indoors or out. It is their most popular candle! Finally we looked at the LAFCO candle. Each one of these candles has a scent that is designed for the room that they go in. The living room candle, smells like a very nice living room.

If you are looking for ideas about incorporating candles in your outdoor entertaining, stop by Terra Casa and check them out. They are only 6 minutes away from I-205 and Clackamas Town Center in the town of Damascus. They also wanted us to remind you that you should always be safe with candles and never let them burn unattended.
 

 
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