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Portland Nursery Christmas

A lot of people are out battling the masses for a few great shopping deals at some stores, but you can find great ideas for the gardener at all of your local independent garden centers, without all the crowds. We found one of the best places to shop at Portland Nursery.  Both stores, Stark (503-231-5050) and Division (503-788-9000), have tons of great gifts and plants for the gardener.  We visited Stark and found some wonderful garden gifts including calendars, books, tools and toys.  Then we visited with Michael at the Division Street store and saw some of the great indoor plants that they have for sale.  There were succulents, orchids and bonsai to choose from.  Plus they also had some really unusual plants like pineapples!  Stop by either Portland Nursery location to find that one of a kind gift for your favorite gardener. 
(Original air date: 11/24/07) 

Bauman Holidays

You don’t have to just keep your poinsettia in the foil wrapper during the holidays.  Brian Bauman from Bauman’s Farm and Garden (503-792-3524) showed us how to use a pot of ‘Diamond Frost’ Euphorbia to dress up this holiday favorite.  Then we also saw how you can trade out the center plant and replace it with other flowering plants to keep fresh for the whole winter.  We also saw some of the great gift baskets that include some of the delicious jams, jellies and syrups from the fields of Bauman farms.  If you want to send someone the taste of Oregon you can buy one or they can build one for you.  Stop by this Saturday, the 24th, and you can enjoy their holiday open house with tons of holiday festivities to enjoy. 
(Original air date: 11/24/07) 

Christmas Tree Care

Thanksgiving weekend is the first big weekend for people to start getting their Christmas trees.  Before you decorate your tree there are a few rules you need to follow to make sure it lasts through the season and into the New Year.  Craig Lee from Lee Farms (503-638-1869, ) told us to always make a fresh cut on any tree you purchase from a tree lot.  If you cut your own tree make sure you get it into some water as quickly as possible.  Some other tips; use luke warm water the first time you water your tree, and add an aspirin and a couple drops of bleach to the water.  Remember, if it runs out of water once, it will seal up and then it doesn’t matter how much water you add.  Don’t let the tree run out of water and you will have a longer lasting green tree for your holidays.

We also saw the best Christmas tree stand ever built.  The Davis stand has lots of features.  It installs easily in less than a minute, fits any tree and makes straightening your tree a breeze.  They will even apply yours when you buy your tree.  (Original air date: 11/24/07) 

Cold Frames

Your tender plants can make it through the winter with a little help.  We caught up with Michelle Moore from Solexx Greenhouses (800-825-1925) to see some of the items they have that will keep your plants happy and your wallet full.  First, we saw a simple cold frame.  Cold frames are un-heated structures that will keep the really cold air out and the frost off your plants.  You can also add a heating coil to keep the roots warm and even start your seeds early next spring.  They also have fabric plant covers, called ‘frost shield covers’ for your potted plants.  Finally we saw a bell-shaped Garden Cloche.  These are plastic covers that you can place over your plants and anchor down.  Glass ones have helped gardeners extend their annual growing season for centuries and recently have been made out of plastic to make them more durable and affordable.  (Original air date: 11/24/07) 

Fall and Winter Succulents

Most plants love the northwest and that includes some of the desert succulents.  You may think they like the drier and warmer conditions of the desert but Burl Mostel of Rare Plant Research showed us a bunch of plants that can handle the cold and wet of our area.  Some of the plants that he liked were agaves, aeoniums and echeverias.  The types and varieties that he included were some Agaves (parryii, variegata, filifera, and geminiflora), a couple aeoniums (Salad Bowl and Swartkopt) and an echeveria hybrid.  Some of these take a little protection and most like quick drainage, which means they want the water to drain fairly quickly.  If you are interested in trying some of these plants you can check at your garden center or you can drop Burl an e-mail to get one or two.  (Original air date: 11/24/07) 

Kindergarden – Birdseed Wreaths

Creating a decorative feeder for your feathered friends is not hard to do.  We went to talk to Myra Lukens from the Backyard Bird Shop (503-635-2044) to see how easy it is to make a Birdseed Wreath (attach link here).  She picked up a wreath, some wire and a ribbon at a local craft store.  Then bought some all-organic peanut butter at the grocery store, and added some NW mix seed from the Bird Shop.  First she attached a piece of wire to hang the wreath from the tree and the decorative ribbon.  She spread the peanut butter on the wreath and dipped it into the seed until the entire wreath was covered.  Then you hang it outside.  Make sure to place it close to your house so you can enjoy the birds when they come to feed!  (Original air date: 11/24/07) 

Tsugawa Annual Christmas Open House

We got to kick off our holidays at Tsugawa Nursery (360-225-8750) in Woodland, Washington.  Brian Tsugawa and his crew have dressed up the nursery in greens, ribbons and bows to kick off the holiday season.  This weekend they have a huge party to help get you in the mood.  The holiday open house features all kinds of Christmas decorations.  They have decorated Christmas trees, poinsettias, refreshments and great gifts.  On Saturday and Sunday you can learn how to make your own wreath or learn how to make a Bonsai gift.  You can also pick up a ‘live’ Christmas tree.  Live trees are a great tradition for some families.  They are a reminder of the holiday that you can have in your garden year-round.  The key is knowing how to treat them during the holiday season so they survive and thrive.  Brian recommends only having them inside for 5-7 days. Tsugawa’s has a huge variety of trees and all the instructions on keeping them healthy and happy.  (Original air date: 11/17/07) 

Gifts for the Gardener

If you are having a hard time buying gifts for the gardener in your life, we found some great gifts at some of the local garden centers.  First, we found a digital picture frame from Smartparts.  This frame will load all your favorite still pictures and some will even play videos, so you can enjoy the sights and sounds of your garden all year long. Getting a plant is also a great idea.  Any gardener will love getting one.  You can spice things up by getting one that is new and unusual too like a bonsai, or an orchid.  Some of the smaller, inexpensive gifts include a garden themed ornament or bauble.  Almost all of the garden centers now carry these cute little knick-knacks.  For people who enjoy the taste of gardening you can get them an AeroGarden Pro.  This is a mini hydroponic system that allows you to grow herbs, peppers or tomatoes on your kitchen countertop.  We found them at Portland Nursery on Division (503-788-9000) or the Greenhouse Catalog (800-825-1925).

You can never go wrong with tools.  Judy had some to share, including the latest from Leatherman.  The experts in multi-purpose tools now have pruners!  The ones we looked at were called the Hybrid and they fold up so they can stay in your pocket until you need them.  They also have knives, saws and other accessories right in the handle!  You can find them at Cornell Farm (503-292-9895), Leatherman Company or other independent garden centers. And don’t forget gloves.   We found some great ones at Al’s Garden Center (503-726-1162) in Sherwood.  These were West County gloves and they had some that were insulated and waterproof.  Perfect for the Northwest!  After you get through using those gloves don’t forget to pamper your hands.  We found some great hand lotions and crèmes at Drake's 7 Dees (503-256-2223) that will help your hands heal after a long day in the soil.  If it is a rainy day you can reward your gardener with a great read!  Timber Press (1-800-327-5680) is a local company that specializes in garden books and they have some wonderful how-to books, including the ones we have featured recently from Tracy DiSabato-Aust on pruning and garden design.

Finally, we featured memberships in some of our local gardens.  The Oregon Garden (1-877-674-2733) not only has memberships, but also features a gift shop that has pre-made gift baskets.  They also offer engraved bricks at the garden and other garden treats.  If you are looking for a garden closer to home, check out the Portland Classical Chinese Garden (503-228-8131).  The PCCG offers membership that will also get you discounts in their gift shop, the tea house, and their plant sales. Plus, during the holidays, you can buy 15 tickets for stocking stuffers and the price is only $5 a ticket!  (Original air date: 11/17/07)

Fall and Winter Garden Design

Fall and winter are a great time to work on the design of your garden.  It is good to look at your garden with a fresh eye while the blooms of summer are still in your mind.  We talked with Tracy DiSabato-Aust, the author of ‘The Well Designed Mixed Garden’ from Timber Press (1-800-327-5680) and got her thoughts and tips on garden design.  First, determine the maintenance needs of the type of garden you want.  This will help you select plants and may determine the type of garden you can have.  Next is color.  Are you looking for a single color or complimentary/contrasting colors, cool or warm colors?  Then we move to style.  What type of garden are you interested in?  Are you a ‘formal’ garden type of person or do you like something a little more laid back?  Remember it should reflect who you are and be a reflection of yourself.  The fourth tip deals with the long term view of your garden.  Remember that things change.  Plants grow, tastes change, so don’t be in a hurry to be ‘finished’.  Take your time and grow with your garden!  Finally, consider scale and proportion.  The small plants of today may become the large plants of tomorrow.  Consider the size of a plant in 2-5 years.  Does it still work in the area you planted it?  Do you want, or need to move it after a year or two?  If so it may not be the right plant in the right place.  If you are looking for more tips on design you can pick up Tracy’s book at your local bookstore and create your own garden masterpiece.  (Original air date: 11/17/07)

Wrapping your Hardy Banana

One of the hottest garden plants of the past few years is the Hardy Banana (Musa basjoo) and some of the nicest specimens of this plant are found at the Portland Classical Chinese Garden (503-228-8131).  Their plants always seem to be the biggest and they all seem to produce fruit!  We stopped by to find out why.  Bill and Glin, the horticultural specialists at the garden told us how they did it.  They don’t cut their plants to the ground at the end of the season.  They wrap their plants to a height of 5 to 6 feet.  This means the plant has a head start on growth for the new season.  They also mulch the base of the plant to keep the roots warm.  They wrap their plants with a combination of insulation and burlap, but you can use bubble wrap at home.  If a leaf gets frost bitten they cut it off.  When spring comes around, they unwrap them and the plants are on their way.  This means that most of them will produce the showy (but non-edible) fruits towards the end of summer.   Well worth the effort!  If you would like more information you can give them a call and they will walk you through the process.  (Original air date: 11/17/07)

Jan’s November Tips

Fall and winter is recharge time for the gardener.  It is the time you can pull back, clean up and prepare for the promise of spring.  We visited Jan McNeilan, retired OSU extension agent to learn about some of the things you can do to keep your green thumb going during the cold months of winter.  Jan showed us how she was taking cutting of her geraniums and Christmas cactus to propagate and make more plants for her garden next year.   Geraniums are easy to grow.  You can just cut off a stem.  Peel off some of the leaves at the base of the plant and stick it in water.  After a couple of weeks you will start seeing roots growing out of the areas where you had leaves.  You can then transfer it into a pot with soil and you are on your way.  Next we saw how to check the viability of your old garden seeds.  Place 10 seeds in a moist paper towel and then place them in a sealed plastic bag.  In a week pull them out and count the number that have sprouted.  If you had 8 out of ten sprout, then about 80% of those seeds are probably good.  It is a good way to tell if you need fresh seeds this spring.  Finally we talked about mulching and covering your plants for the winter.  Jan and Ray just rake the leaves from their lawn on to their garden beds to protect their perennial plants.  They also make use of the south side of their house for storing containers. The south side is where the plants will get the most sun and warmth.  They also use leaves here and sometimes a tarp to hold them in place.  For more tips check out the OSU Extension website.  (Original air date: 11/17/07)

Gartner Thanksgiving Turkey

The one thing we have learned is to be helpful in the kitchen during the holidays.  So last year we took some of the pressure off the kitchen by grilling a ham outdoors.  This year Jerry Yost from Gartner’s Meats (503-252-7801) showed us how to do the same thing with a pre-cooked smoked turkey!  This bird comes fully prepared from Gartner’s and only takes a couple of hours to heat up on the grill.  Jerry uses a Traeger grill so he can maintain the heat needed to warm the turkey.  If you have a charcoal grill you may need to preheat it in the oven for a little bit.  If you are not a turkey kind of person Gartner’s has a huge selection of other kinds of meats and treats for your holiday table.  (Original air date: 11/17/07)

Drake's Holiday Wreath

The holidays are upon us and that means we need to get started on prepping our homes.  Lynn Snodgrass at Drake's 7 Dees (503-256-2223) showed us how to make a wreath and then how to decorate it with other stuff from our garden to personalize it.  By using beautyberry, ornamental grasses, laurel and other decorative plants she was able to change the appearance and tie it into the up coming Thanksgiving holiday and then, by changing a couple of things, make it ready for the Christmas holiday.  If you would like some ideas on creating your own masterpiece check out the wreath making classes coming up next weekend during the ‘Holiday Happenings’ at Drakes.  During the 17th and 18th you will be able to learn how to decorate your tree, make and decorate a centerpiece, make a bow and, for the kids, dress up some cookies during a cookie decorating class.  Give them a call to sign up and for class times.  
(Original air date: 11/10/07)

Winter Containers

Nothing makes a better impression on your holiday guests than a beautiful entryway to your home!  Deby Barnhart from Cornell Farm (503-292-9895) designs some of the best decorative pots and containers in the state.  Deby uses some great combinations of plants in her designs and some even include bulbs to carry the color into spring.  We also talked to her about different structure plants in her containers.  A lot of people over look some of the flowering shrubs and conifers that you can use in your plantings.  She really liked some of the winter camellias that are just coming into bloom.  If you would like more ideas, check out Cornell Farm or your local independent garden center.  (Original air date: 11/10/07)

Winter Berry Plants

The leaves are falling off your garden trees and shrubs, and you are thinking that there isn’t much of interest in the garden, right?  Well we found some great plants with winter berries at Larsen Farm Nursery (503-638-8600) that serve two functions, they help feed our local wildlife and they look great in your garden.  Ryan from Larsen Farm showed us a huge variety of plants that you can find at your local garden center. Some of the plants we saw included the Porcelain Vine ‘Elegans’, Snowberry ‘Scarlet Pearl’, Pyracantha ‘Victory’ and ‘Yukon Belle’, Arbutus also called Strawberry Tree, Beautyberry ‘Profusion’, Holly ‘Ebony Magic’ and Holly Veriegata.   If you are looking for more winter interest in your garden or a plant that will help feed the local wildlife then check out the selection of winter berry plants at Larsen Farm. 
(Original air date: 11/10/07)

Winter Tree Care

The wind, rain and possible snow of the coming winter can mean trouble for your large landscape trees.  How can you tell is your trees are healthy enough for all that mother natural has to offer?  We sought out our favorite ‘Certified Arborist’ Terrill Collier from Collier Arbor Care (503-72ARBOR) and asked him for some signs we can look for.  Terrill took us to a park in Vancouver Washington to show us a multiple trunked tree that had lost one of its trunks due to rot and decay at its base.  That is just one of the 8 signs that you should look for in a dangerous tree.  Other signs included weakly attached branches, cracks in the branches of the trunk, pealing bark and signs of decay or rot.  These are the most obvious of signs, but if you are unsure of the safety of your trees you can contact Collier Arbor care or a certified arborist.  Collier’s even has a brochure that can tell you what else to look for.  Terrill emphasizes that you insist on a certified arborist.  They are trained to look for the damaged spots and are trained (insured and bonded) to remove the weak tree safely.   (Original air date: 11/10/07) 

Tracy’s Pruning Tips #2

We were joined once again by Tracy DiSabato-Aust, to chat a little bit more on pruning techniques and what pruning you should do for the coming winter.  Tracy who is known as the ‘Queen of Deadheading’ has written a couple of great Timber Press (1-800-327-5680, ) books on perennial gardening, pruning and design.  This week we talked about the different tools you will need to prune correctly.  Then we talked about how and when to prune.  First, remove all your diseased garden plants.  Some of your favorite plants will start showing signs of powdery mildew or gray mold.  Cut down those plants and get rid of the diseased foliage.  Then you can be selective about your pruning.  Enjoy some of the seed heads and flower stalks of your favorite plants.  Grasses are great at providing winter interest too.  (Original air date: 11/10/07)

Al’s Poinsettias

Your local garden centers are getting into the holiday mood!  Al’s Garden Center (503-726-1162) is one of the best at sharing that cheer with the gardener.  We paid a visit to Al’s in Sherwood to see some of the 50 different varieties that they grow.  Mark Bigej shared a couple of his favorites with us including ‘Cinnamon Star’, Trial 1180 which we named ‘Back to Back’ in honor of the Oregon State baseball team.  We also saw ‘Shimmering Surprise’, ‘da Vinci’, ‘Holly Tone’, ‘Pinot Noir’ and ‘Carousel Deep Red’.  He also showed us some plants that are great accent plants including Euphorbia ‘Diamond Frost’, Hydrangea ‘Shooting Star’ and some different ivies.  Here are some tips you should remember about poinsettia care: give them lots of light, keep them out of drafts, keep them watered (but not over-watered), don’t fertilize them.  You can get more care tips at your local Al’s location.  If you are looking to decorate for the holidays or are trying to find a great gift for a gardener, check out Al’s.  (Original air date: 11/3/07)

Fall Mums

A lot of gardeners have the common chrysanthemums in their garden, but one of the overlooked types of mum is the show mum.  We visited the garden of Clair Kidd who grows lots of these huge varieties and is part of the Portland Chrysanthemum Society (503-255-6119).  The show mum is grown for contests and also for the stunning display they put on in your garden.  These mums are protected from the sun, pinched back to just a few blooms and cultivated carefully.   Clair explained that these are classified by bloom type into categories like ‘Reflex’ and ‘Irregular Incurve’.  We also saw the varieties, ‘White City’ and ‘Xena’.  If you are interested in seeing these blooms up close you can check out the 68th Annual Flower Show "Kaleidoscope of Mums” this weekend, November 3 - 4, Saturday and Sunday at Portland Nursery, 90th and Division.  Hours are 9:00am to 6pm.  You can also get information on joining the society at this event.  (Original air date: 11/3/07)

Pruning Tips Part #1

Fall is a great time to cut back your garden perennials.  The ‘Queen of Deadheading’, Tracy DiSabato-Aust, joined us to give us some tips for doing it correctly.  Tracy is an internationally known garden author who has written a couple of books on perennial care.  She has researched pruning techniques and has some great information that she is always willing to share.  She walked through William’s garden and chatted with Judy.  First she talked about bloom time and how you can regulate it by how you prune early in the season.  Cutting back or pinching off blooms can delay some flowering perennials for a couple of weeks during the blooming season.  She also showed us how to cut back to a lateral branch and how to clean-up your perennials without damaging the new growth for next year.  Her two books, ‘The Well Tended Perennial Garden’ and ‘The Well Designed Mixed Garden,’ are available through Timber Press (1-800-327-5680).  (Original air date: 11/3/07)

Adaptive Tools

It is never too early to start thinking about injuries in the garden.  We are talking about the aches and pains of the average gardener.  William and Judy shared some tips and some of the newest tools on the market.  First the tools:  Fiskars shared some of their newest tools that have been recognized by the Arthritis Foundation for their ease of use and design.  They are designed with power gears and are lighter in weight to relieve stress and strain on your hands and body.  We also saw tools with extending handles and benches to make it easier to get work done around the garden.  Tips to help your body included working later in the day once your muscles warmed up and working with containers and raised beds to relieve stress on your back.  For other labor (and body saving devices) check out your local garden center.  (Original air date: 11/3/07)

Pond Winterizing

It is getting colder and it’s about time to get your pond ready for winter.  We met up with Brian Tsugawa at Tsugawa Nursery  (360-225-8750) in Woodland, Washington to see how to prepare our ponds and pond animals for the cold.  John talked about the importance of feeding your fish the correct foods to prevent them from dying.  Once the pond temperature drops below 50 degrees you should stop feeding your fish.  They can’t process the food in the colder water.  You will also want to keep your pond running.  The water movement will prevent freezing and damage to your pond liner and pumps.  If you have to shut off the pump, you will need to drain all the water out of the water feature to prevent long-term damage.  You should also take care of your pond plants by either lowering them deeper into the water or moving them to protected areas.  To get answers to all your pond questions, contact the experts at Tsugawa’s. 
(Original air date: 11/3/07)

Fall Rose Care

Now that the cold winds are blowing, your roses may be in need of some fall and winter care.  Chris Williams of Heirloom Roses ( 503-538-1576) showed us how to clean up your roses now to keep them healthy through the winter.  She recommended that you cut your plants down to waist high AFTER the first frost.  You avoid making your cuts until then to prevent the plant from adding new growth. You also cut them back to avoid wind damage to the canes and to keep them from being blown over in the wind.  It is also recommended that you remove the leaves and throw them away (don’t compost them) to prevent disease next spring.  (Original air date: 11/3/07)

Oregon Garden Fall Festival

The Oregon Garden is not usually a scary place!  The Garden is putting on a frightening mask for the coming weekend.  We visited with Jessica Waters to find out what frightening events you will encounter at the garden this weekend.  Some of the fun activities for the whole family include pumpkin seed toss, pumpkin sling-shot, hay maze, haunted rediscovery forest, fall floral arranging demonstration and more—prizes for children and animals in costume. Animals from Wildlife Safari on display Saturday & Sunday.  Don’t forget the big costume contest for kids and pets.  On Sunday kids can also enjoy crafts by the Craft Warehouse of Salem.  With all this fun, don’t be scared, just come to the Oregon Garden!
(Original air date: 10/27/07)

Winter Bird Care

If you are looking to attract birds to your yard or garden you have to provide them the right reasons.  We stopped by Drakes 7 Dees (503-256-2223) to find out from Lynn Snodgrass about what you need to have in your garden to be successful.  We started with feeders.  Picking the right food for the birds you want to attract is very important.  Then you have to select the right feeder for that food.  Fresh water is a major ingredient.  Flowing water features are the best since they don’t freeze when the weather gets cold, but if you don’t have one of those pick a deeper bird bath or check the water frequently to make sure it doesn’t freeze.  There are also a lot of winter berry plants that will keep your bird visitors well fed.  Lynn featured snowberry and cotoneaster.  Shelter is also something you should consider and the best are natural shelters like conifers and other taller bushes.  They are looking for a place to visit.  Make sure they visit your garden this winter.  If you are looking for supplies stop by Drakes or your local independent garden center.  (Original air date: 10/27/07)

Forcing Bulbs

Looking to add some color to the upcoming holidays.  Donna Wright from Black Gold showed us how to force your favorite bulbs into spectacular beauty for the winter months ahead!  She demonstrated how easy it is to force Paper Whites and Amaryllis.  You can use any pot or decorative container and you can use a variety of different soils and stones to do it.  Now is the time to do this as the selection of bulbs in the garden centers is at its best right now.
(Original air date: 10/27/07)

Greenhouse Accessories

A couple of weeks ago we showed you how easy and affordable it was to build a Solexx Greenhouse (800-825-1925).  Now we returned to see what you can add to your greenhouse to make your gardening experience more successful.  Michelle Moore took Judy inside a Solexx house to show off some of the neat tools you can get.  First we talked about lights.  If you want to extend the growing season, a lot of plants require additional light.  You can find a wide variety of lights to fit any budget, you really need to figure out what your needs are.  Next were options for heating your greenhouse and plants.  Of course, you can also get fans, thermometers, and watering systems.  To find the right gear for your greenhouse check out their on-line catalog.  (Original air date: 10/27/07)

Evergreen Shade Perennials

With most of your garden plants losing their leaves you may be itching for plants that will stay green through the winter months.  We paid a visit with Ken of Extra Perennial Nursery (503-628-1492) to see some of the wonderful plants that will thrive in those shady areas.  Ken started with a couple of gingers, the Chinese Wild Ginger and one named ‘Callaway’.  Then he showed us a couple of hellebores including ‘Mrs. Betty Ranicar’ and ‘Ivory Prince’.  He finished the ‘show and tell’ with Black Mondo Grass (which is really a member of the lily family) and a Plumed Soft Shield Fern.  William liked the fern so much; he bought one to take home!  We also found out that Extra Perennial Nursery is a chemically non-dependant nursery.  That means the plants are thriving without the use of chemical fertilizers and that makes them acclimate better to your garden when you get them home!  If you want to see a really cool nursery, check them out in the Scholls area.  (Original air date: 10/27/07)

Bauman’s Autumn Harvest Festival

The fall festivals are in full swing and one of the best in the state is the Autumn Harvest Festival at Bauman’s Farm and Garden (503-792-3524) near Woodburn. Fall is also the time for a bounty of fresh produce and Bauman’s is full of stuff. Brian Bauman joined us to tell us about all the wonderful squashes they have at the store including varieties like the delicata, the hubbard and the spaghetti squash. They are easy to prepare and great tasting. Then we ventured outside to see all the great activities including the zip line, 3 different mazes, the frontier fort, the animal barn, the obstacle course and the big Jumping Haystack, where you can have a ball and raise funds for the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Oregon. While you are there don’t forget to visit the red barn where they have plants, a gift shop and delicious baked goods!
(Original air date: 10/20/07)

Fall Lawn Fertilizers

We had told you that fall is the time for planting, but Norm McCreight from Lilly Miller also tells us that fall is also the time for fertilizing! To really keep your lawn healthy in the winter and give it a boost for the spring, now is the time to apply a good fall and winter fertilizer. The numbers on the bag can be confusing, but what you are looking for is a well balanced slow release fertilizer. Your lawn is slowly fed all through the winter and then gets a jump start when the temperatures warm up in the spring. Keeping your lawn well maintained in the winter helps to prevent problems later.  (Original air date: 10/20/07)

Stihl Fall Tools

Fall is the time to clean up for the winter months ahead. If your lawn and garden needs a big time clean-up, you need to find a tool that will do the job right, the first time. We paid a visit to Wayne Sutton of Stihl to learn about the different Stihl products that will help you to get the job done. First, Wayne displayed a couple of leaf blowers. Blowers have become the #1 nuisance machine in the garden. Wayne talked about using them safely and considerately. The first model was a blower that also became a vacuum/shredder. This will let you suck up the leaves, shred them and then dump them into your compost bin. The second model was a super quiet one that is so quiet you can talk on the phone while you use it. We then moved to chainsaws. Wayne had one that was one of the simplest to use. This one was loaded with features that included an easy start and a quick way to tighten the chain. We also saw all the safety equipment you should be using when you operate this machinery.  (Original air date: 10/20/07)

Dividing and Planting Peonies

Fall is the time for planting. It is also the time to dig and divide your favorite perennials. This week Judy visited the experts at Adelman Peony Gardens (503-393-6185) to learn how to dig and divide peonies. Carol Adelman showed us how easy it is to do. The keys to success are to make sure you dig a large root, make sure your divisions include an ‘eye’ and to build a good planting area for your new root with a quality bulb fertilizer. If you have questions about peonies or you are interested in purchasing one, you can contact them at the gardens.
(Original air date: 10/20/07)

Portland Nursery 20th Annual Apple Tasting

A is for apple and you will find a ton of apples at Portland Nursery’s (503-231-5050) 20th Annual Apple tasting at the Stark Street location.  Over 40 different varieties of apples and pears are available to taste.  Many varieties are available for purchase with a percentage of the sales going to Elders in Action.  There is a kid’s area with face painting and balloon creations.  Cooking demonstrations, an apple press and live music are also on the list of activities. Another reason for stopping by is to get a chance to vote for the best scarecrow.  Fellow shoppers have entered their best scarecrows for the chance to win prizes.  You can also shop from a variety of local vendors that will be offering local honey, mustard, jam and a whole lot more.  Now is the time to also take advantage of all the wonderful fall perennials available at both locations of Portland Nursery.  (Original air date: 10/13/07)

Fall Indoor Plant Care

A lot of people take their indoor plants outside during the summer months.  It is good to get them some sun and fresh air, but now is the time to bring them indoors for the coming winter.  We had some tips that will help keep them healthy and happy.  First, start adjusting them for the reduced light and watering they may encounter indoors.  Next, prune off the old, dead or diseased leaves and limbs.  Finally, get those bugs!  Hit your plants with a stream of water from the hose.  This will clean them up and get rid of most of your bad bugs that are on the plant.  Next you will want to spray your plant with an insecticide.  You can use one of the commercially available products out there.  If you are concerned about chemicals or you have a citrus (or other edible plant) you can choose an insecticidal soap or Neem Oil product.   The insecticides will kill the sucking insects, the natural products smother them.  Check with your local independent garden centers for more tips.  (Original air date: 10/13/07)

Red Pig Small Tools

Small tools help the gardener get the job done quicker and easier.  But there are some small tools that defy description and whose tasks are interesting.  Bob Denman from Red Pig Tools (503-663-9404) is a tool genius and he pulled out some of the more interesting tools he makes.  The first one was a girdling tool.  This tool cuts a small piece of bark off a fruit tree and shocks the tree into producing more fruit.  He then brought out a bench scoop that is designed to pick-up more stuff from your potting bench.  He also had a weeding tool, a bulb lifter, a root hook and a ball weeder.  These are all made by Bob and will last for generations to come.  If you are interested in more tools you can check out their website for the full list of tools they make.  (Original air date: 10/13/07)

Dundee Wine Garden

Some of the most beautiful public gardens are in the strangest places.  You would think that a small space of land between a highway and a production facility would not be anything to look at.  We found a special garden at Argyle Winery (888-4-Argyle) in Dundee.  Jim McDaniel is the man responsible for this amazing garden.  Jim used to work in the tasting room and took on the task of building a display garden around the tasting room.  He has picked a huge assortment of perennials that are tasty to the eyes (almost as tasty as their wines).  His favorites include the Peruvian Verbena, Rudbeckia ‘Indian Summer’ and the grass Miscanthus sinensis.  He has also modified tools to help him keep a handle on the garden.  If you are heading through Dundee, stop by the Argyle Winery, have sip of some excellent wines and stroll through the garden.  (Original air date: 10/13/07)

Hughes Lily Bloom

This past summer we visited the Victorian Waterlilies at Hughes Water Gardens (503-638-1709) during their Waterlily Festival.  We marveled at the huge leaves and saw a couple of the day-old blooms.  It is hard to see the lilies bloom since they are a night blooming plant and each bloom only lasts 2 nights.  Well, we got permission and set up a camera to capture the night bloom of one of the plants.  The results were spectacular especially right now.  The plants are producing few leaves and more blooms.  We got a first night bloom, which is white.  The second night blooms are pink and then they are done!   Stop by Hughes and see if you can catch the bloom before it is gone for this year!  (Original air date: 10/13/07)

Grimm’s Lawn Seeding

Fall is a great time to plant or over-seed your lawn.  Jeff Grimm took us to a home to walk us through the steps for success.  First, you have to remove the old lawn either with a turf cutter or by spraying it with a broad herbicide (like a Round-up), then you add a couple of inches of garden mulch or compost and roto-till that in.  You then roll it to remove the bumps and lumps. Next you call Grimm’s Fuel (503-636-3623)!  They will come out and apply another layer of mulch, and then a layer of a mulch and grass seed mixture.   They can apply your new yard in a matter of minutes.  Remember to act quickly, once the soil temperatures drop you will have to wait until spring for good seed germination.
(Original air date: 10/13/07)   

Kindergarden – Leaf Cards

Falling leaves are a sign of fall and a reminder of a great craft for your kids.  Amy Bigej from Al’s Garden Center (503-981-1245) showed us how to use those readily-available leaves to create cute note cards and greeting cards from nature’s bounty.  The kids first picked fresh leaves off the trees (older ones are too dry to use) and then used paint to create a copy of the leaf on the paper.  It is a wonderful way to get your kids ready, and excited, for the holidays.
(Original air date: 10/13/07)

Fir Point Farm Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off

We found our way to Fir Point Farms (503-678-2455) for their Giant Pumpkin Weigh Off.  Fir Point is one of the locations where they weigh giant pumpkins to determine who has the largest in the country!  The last few years we have witnessed some of the biggest pumpkins in the nation.  We talked with Jim Sherwood, a giant pumpkin grower, about how they grow these massive giants!  Then Kathy Jacoby talked to us about all the events going on out there.  The Giant Pumpkin Festival kicks off the month-long Fall Festival at Fir Point Farms, which is now in its 25th season. Every weekend in October, Fir Point offers the full compliment of pumpkin patch activities, including hayrides, a corn cannon, a hay maze, pony rides, a hay-slide, delicious food, pumpkin carvers, live entertainment, and pumpkin arcade games for small children ... plus various farm animals featuring a whole bunch of new animals that were born on the farm this past year.  (Original air date: 10/6/07)

Stepables Lawn Makeover

Lawns can be a pain to maintain.  They need lots of water, constant mowing and lots of edging to keep them in their borders.  We found a way you can control your lawn. Remove it!  Fran from Stepables (503-581-8915) replaced her grass and did a total yard make-over featuring ground covers and other perennials.  ‘Elfin thyme’ has now become her ‘grass’ because it is always green, needs little water (once established) and will even reward you with tiny purple blooms.  Other areas of her garden include steps made out of ‘blue star creeper’ and colorful accents made out of ‘Aceana purpurea’.  We also noticed that certain plants change color depending on the amount of sun exposure they get.  If you need more ideas on replacing your lawn, check out the Stepables website.  (Original air date: 10/6/07)

Cement Leaves

Before the leaves start to fall, harvest them for some quick garden art.  We met with a local artist, Ann Kenkel, to learn the steps for creating cute cement leaves for your landscape.  Ann has worked out the kinks and made all the mistakes so you don’t have to.  Just follow her ‘Cement Leaf’ recipe.  She recommends you start with smaller leaves and ones that are non-fuzzy.  Put your cement mixture on thick and then make sure you let it cure for quite a while.  Ann recommends at least 2 days before you remove the leaf.  You can do this with any leaf and now is the perfect time to do it.  (Original air date: 10/6/07)

Solexx Greenhouses

Having a ‘green’ house in your backyard shouldn’t send you to the ‘poor’ house.   We found one by Solexx that is easy to assemble and really inexpensive too.  A greenhouse will help to extend your gardening season and it will give you a head start on next year.  Michelle Moore from Solexx Greenhouses (800-825-1925) and William assembled one in just a few hours.  When you order the kit it arrives in just a couple of boxes.  The kit is so well organized, and color coded, that it is really simple to assemble with just a couple of tools.  A couple other benefits… it can be sited anywhere and there is no need for expensive site preparation, you can place it directly on your lawn.  Plus it is lightweight.  You can assemble it in one area and move it to another area with just 2 people.  This is great if you want to place it over an existing garden area.   Check out their website to see all the different types of greenhouses available and all the tools to extend your growing season.  (Original air date: 10/6/07)

Grimm’s Compost

Your yard debris of today is becoming the rich garden compost of tomorrow.  Since it is fall and everyone is cleaning up their yard we decided to check out where that yard debris ends up.  Jeff Grimm walked us through the composting facility at Grimm’s Fuel (www.grimmsfuel.com, 503-636-3623).  This facility in Tigard is where a lot of your lawn clippings end up.  At the Grimm’s facility they cut up the garden waste, pile it, turn it (to keep it hot) and let nature take it’s course.  Most of this will become ‘Metro certified’ garden mulch.  What that means is it is clean of residual herbicides and meets ‘Earthwise’ standards. Grimm’s has a complete selection of different types of soils and amendments for your lawn or garden.  It is also a great time to mulch your plants to protect them from the coming cold.  Give them a call for delivery rates and availability.  (Original air date: 10/6/07)

Shriner’s Children’s Garden

A couple of months ago we toured the play area atop the Shriner’s Hospital for Children.  It is a wonderful area for kids to get outdoor exercise while they recover from medical procedures at the hospital.  The problem, it is a little bare.  There were a couple of planters with a few plants, but the hospital wanted more for the kids, and frankly so did we!  So we organized a couple of our friends at Al’s Garden Center (503-726-1162) and Black Gold to get the 7th floor deck a little more color!  We had a planting day recently and we taped it for the show!  Jacque … joined us to chat about how this planting will help make the area a little more welcoming for the patients and their families.  It was a great day for us all and showed us the power of friendship!  Thank you to Al’s, Black Gold and to the Shriner’s family for all that they do in the community.  If you are interested in volunteering at the hospital you can contact them at (503) 221-3426.  (Original air date: 9/29/07)

Front Porch Makeover

Fall is here and it is time to start decorating.  Welcoming people (or ‘trick or treaters’) to your home during the fall is a great way to signal the change of the season.  We dropped by Bauman’s Farm and Garden (503-792-3524) to get some ideas on how to do that.  Brian Bauman showed us two different types of decorations for our front porch.  The first was a new modern design that had a soft blue color that included white pumpkins and colorful mums.  The second porch idea had more of a traditional look to it.  It had the beautiful golden pumpkins along with corn stalks, hay bales and scarecrows.  This weekend is also the kick off for the Bauman’s harvest festival.  You can enjoy fresh apple cider, the old fort, kid’s events, and a brand new attraction: the Jumping pillow.  This  40 by 70 foot pillow is a huge hay pile for kids and it is there for a good cause.  One dollar from every admission will go to the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Oregon.  What a great way to have the kids burn off some energy and help families in need at the same time!  (Original air date: 9/29/07)

Garden Lights

Extending your outdoor entertaining in the fall is easy.  All you need to do is add a little light!  We found a great assortment of solar and passive lights at the Greenhouse Catalog (800-825-1925).  These lights need no plugs or power; they get their energy from the sun.  There are also a bunch that are powered by batteries for those typical northwest cloudy days.  We saw all-weather Chinese lanterns, garden stakes and even one that floats in a bowl!  If you are looking for some colorful night time accents for your garden, check out their website or give them a call.  (Original air date: 9/29/07)

Bulb Layering

As we enter fall we are reminded to plant our spring blooming bulbs.  Donna Wright from Black Gold reminded us that bulbs are great in pots too!  You can create waves of color by layering your spring blooming bulbs.  She demonstrated that by using different layers of bulbs in a pot you can have color that lasts all spring!  She used daffodils, tulips and crocus in three different layers.  When the warm days of spring arrive she will have these bulbs blooming at different times and will have waves of color for months.  But always remember to start with a quality potting soil, like Black Gold!  (Original air date: 9/29/07)

Blackberry Removal

How do you get rid of those pesky Himalayan blackberries!  If you have ever had them in your garden you know that they can take over a yard.  We caught up with Norm McCreight from Lilly Miller to see how he deals with them.  He told us about Lilly Miller's Blackberry and Brush killer.  A lot of gardeners in the northwest have problems with blackberries and other woody invasive plants like scotch broom and poison oak.  This product will take care of the problem and now is a perfect time to apply it.  In the late summer and early fall the plant will draw energy to its roots.  When you apply this product the plant will carry the spray to the roots and get rid of your problem for good!  Norm also showed us how to apply it by paint brush so you can use it in your established gardens as well.  (Original air date: 9/29/07)

Le Tour des Plants

As we said last week, fall is the best time to plant.  The plants you put in the ground now will have all fall and winter to get established for the coming growing season.  We finish our tour of garden centers by traveling down the valley to see what they have to offer!  (Original air date: 9/22/07)


 

Jan’s September Tips

It is the beginning of fall and that means your garden could be showing signs of wear and tear from the long hot summer.  We found Jan McNeilan from OSU extension in her garden with a note pad.  She is busy writing notes about what changes she wants in her garden before next year.  She also showed us how to check your tomatoes before the frost to see how to save some for ripening indoors.  If they have a translucent light green skin they will ripen on your kitchen counter.  You also want to check for late season diseases in your garden, like powdery mildew, but be aware that most of them are normal for this time of year and you won’t need to treat them.  We also talked about spiders.  They seem to be everywhere, but that is normal.  They are looking to catch prey for their egg sacks for the coming winter.  Most of them are the ordinary Orb-weaver or garden spider and they are helping to control your insect population.  If you have any questions you can always contact your local OSU extension office.  (Original air date: 9/22/07)

 

Dividing Perennials

With fall here it is a good time to put new plants in the ground.  It is also a good time to dig and divide some of your over-grown garden perennials.  Judy had some simple tips for dividing just a few plants.  She started with an astilbe.  You want to dig around the whole plant so you get as much of the root ball as possible.  When you pull the plant up you can cut off all the dying foliage, then take an old knife and cut the plant in half.  You want to keep your divisions on the large side so you don’t have a skimpy plant next year.  The same rules hold true for hostas and grasses.  Look for a large, strong plant that you can divide easily and then spread them around your garden, or share them with a friend.  (Original air date: 9/22/07)

Wine Harvest

With the cooler nights we noticed that our grapes are getting pretty tasty.  It is also a reminder that it is time to harvest the wine grapes for future vintages.  We visited the award-winning Willamette Valley Vineyards (800-344-9463) to see the steps for making an excellent Pinot noir.  Jim Bernau, the owner and founder, took us out in the vineyards to explain the conditions for growing a good wine grape.  We also got to use a refractometer to check the Brix level (sugar level) of the grapes.  They have to be just the right level of sugar to age and ferment properly.  We then traveled to the bottling area to see where the grapes are de-stemmed, crushed and stored during the fermentation process.  Of course all of that is done by machine, but this weekend you can travel back in time when Willamette Valley Vineyards celebrates their 16th annual Grape Stomping Championship.  One lucky two-person team will earn an all-expense paid trip to the World Grape Stomping Championship in Santa Rosa, California.  Stop by this weekend, enjoy a glass of fine wine and see if you can score a free trip.  All you need is two feet and a willingness to get them purple!
(Original air date: 9/22/07)

Le Tour des Plants

Fall is the best time to plant.  The plants you put in the ground now will have all fall and winter to get established for the coming growing season.  The best places to get your fall plants are at the participating garden centers of Le Tour des Plants.  Here are a few of the garden centers we visited and the specials they have to offer.  (Original air date: 9/15/07)

 

Under the Autumn Moon Festival

We dropped by the Portland Classical Chinese Garden (503-228-8131) because we heard there was a festival going on and we found a huge neighborhood celebration.  The Under the Autumn Moon Festival will take place at the newly designed festival streets on NW Davis and Flanders between the renovated NW 3rd and 4th Avenues. The festival will open with a spectacular Mid-Autumn parade, and continue throughout the two days with multi-cultural music and dance, a global marketplace, fireworks, an international food area with cooking demonstrations, and arts and craft activities.  We met with Gloria Lee at the garden and learned that they will be open for FREE on Sunday.  If you are looking to get out and have some fun in the sun, check out this wonderful multi-cultural event!  (Original air date: 9/15/07)

Chinese Garden Reflexology

The poor foot… it takes a beating and just keeps going.  It is the foundation for all two-legged creatures and yet we treat it terribly.  How can we give it the treatment it deserves?  How about reflexology?  Reflexology is the study of the feet and the practice of using your feet to treat other parts of your body.  We met with Rebecca Hurwood at the Portland Classical Chinese Garden (503-228-8131) to learn about this fascinating process.  We were at the garden because of the pathways.  If you have ever been to the garden you have noticed the varied paths and different patterns in the stonework.  Rebecca told us that these rough surfaces can be used to stimulate the pressure points on our feet to help our overall health, and she was right.  The surface of the garden paths actually felt great!  If you would like to find out for yourself you can contact Rebecca at All Ways Well (503-267-5570) or you can sign up for a class through the Classical Chinese Garden.  She will be teaching a class on September 22nd at noon.  Call the garden to register.  (Original air date: 9/15/07)

Fall Clematis

One of the most beautiful plants in the northwest garden is the clematis.  Unfortunately, some people are intimidated with it because they are in the dark about its care.  We found a local expert that walked us through some tips for fall clematis care.   Linda Beutler is an expert in clematis.  In fact, she is the curator of the Rogerson Clematis Collection at Luscher Farm in West Linn, so she knows her stuff.  She told us that some spring blooming varieties can be repeat bloomers if you give them a hard pruning in the spring after their first bloom.  She also fertilizes her plants once a month to keep them happy.  Clematis is a heavy feeder (they like fertilizer).  We also saw some of the plants in bloom, including ‘Caroline’, ‘Roko Kolla’, and ‘Alan Bloom’.  If you have questions about clematis care you can pick up Linda’s book ‘Gardening with Clematis’ from Timber Press
(1-800-327-5680, ) or you can catch Linda at a book reading at Powell’s Books at Cedar Hill Crossing, on Tuesday the 18th at 7:00pm, where she will also be talking about her new book ‘Garden to Vase’.
(Original air date: 9/15/07)

Unusual Tree Fruits

The fall is the time to harvest the bounty of your garden and for some that means picking the fruits off of your trees and bushes.  We travel to One Green World (1-877-353-4028), a nursery in Molalla that specializes in unique fruits and ornamentals from around the world.  Jim Gilbert took us out into the fields to graze in his fields.  First we saw the Sea Berry, which is a berry that is packed full of healthy oils and vitamins.  It is a native to Asia and is just catching on here in the states.  Next we talked about the Cornelian Cherry.  This is not a cherry at all, but the fruit from a dogwood tree.  Some varieties can look and taste like cherries, but they are also packed with vitamins.  Pawpaw was next.  It is a native to the Americas, but people are unaware of it.  It tastes fruity or banana-like and is loaded with protein.  Finally we found an old favorite with a twist, the apple.  This apple, however, is a columnar variety.  It fruits on the main trunk and remains relatively small so it can be quite at home on a deck in a container, the perfect tree for the small garden.  If you would like to see these plants or taste the fruits you can check out the Harvest Festival at One Green World on the 15th of September.  (Original air date: 9/8/07)

Medicinal Plants

Did you know that some of your favorite garden plants can be good for you?  Medicinal plants have a long history and some are proven to help you stay healthy and happy.  We found some interesting plants at Portland Nursery on Division (503-788-9000) and Bebhimn to tell us about them.  Some of the ones we saw were Lemon Balm, which makes you calm and happy, Echinacea, which boosts your immune system, Arinca, which helps heal skin abrasions and bruises, and Valerian, which helps with sleep and insomnia.  You can check out more of these plants at Portland Nursery on Stark or Division.  Remember, before you try any herbs or home grown remedy, you should check with your doctor or herbalist.
(Original air date: 9/8/07)

Preserving Hydrangea Blooms

Saving the color of summer is easy if you are growing hydrangeas.  Kristin from Hydrangeas Plus (866-433-7896) told us how easy it can be to preserve your blooms by following a few simple steps.  First, don’t do it too early, unless you have a preservative handy.  The early blooms have more color, but they are also touchy and need TLC and a professional preservative to keep that fresh color.  Most varieties will dry on the vine to a nice chartreuse color that can last all winter long.  Check the Hydrangeas Plus website for more tips.
(Original air date: 9/8/07)

Aquarium Natives

The Oregon Coast Aquarium (541-867-FISH) has more than just sharks and jelly fish.  The mission of the aquarium is to educate people about the Oregon coast and the plants and animals that inhabit it.   We met with Bob Llewellyn, the head groundskeeper, who told us that the aquarium is also planted with 98% native species.  These plants are the food, homes and support system for all the native birds and animals that live in and around the aquarium.  He also shared some of the interesting facts about the plants.  Take Chittam for example, it is a sacred tree with Native American people because it was a powerful laxative.  You certainly don’t want this one for your marshmallow stick!  We also saw salal, the wild huckleberry, Clarkia and the red monkey flower.  Next time you are at the aquarium, pull your eyes away from the fish and crustaceans and check out the ‘other’ Oregon Natives that are around!  (Original air date: 9/8/07)

Parr Small Planter

As we roll into fall we look at creating colorful planters or making more gardening space closer to your doorstep.  Chris Erskine and our friends at Parr Lumber (503-644-1178) have come up with a simple plan for a small cedar planter that uses only 2 boards.  With a couple of minutes, a hammer, some 5d galvanized nails and a miter saw we were able to construct a planter that will last for years.  The best part?  It cost less than 10 bucks to build.  Chris also recommended that we seal the cedar so it lasts longer and that we drill a couple of drainage holes too.  Still, not bad for a simple, quick to assemble planter!
(Original air date: 9/8/07)

Red Pig Tools

A couple of months ago we visited with Bob Denman at Red Pig Tools (503-663-9404) to watch him make a garden trowel.  Bob’s tools are well made and built to last and sometimes they are designed from tools that have been used in the past.  Bob brought out a few of his unusual long handled tools to show us. The first one was a mangle cutter.  This tool was used by pig farmers to cut up corn pieces into smaller chunks so the pigs wouldn’t choke.  It is great for local gardeners that want to cut their compost into smaller bits for quicker composting.  Bob also makes a weed fork for those tough to get weeds, a ridger that helps in planting seed crops, and a half-moon weeder/cultivator.  Our favorite was the blackberry hoe.  This tool, which Bob designed himself, has edges that let you easily get the small plants with one side and the large tap roots of the old plants with the other side.  If you are interested in unique tools for tough jobs, check them out when you are in the Boring Oregon area.  (Original air date: 9/1/07)

Nature Journaling

Enjoyment of your garden can manifest itself in many ways.  Recently, we talked about garden photography as a way to capture the beauty of your garden.  This week we found a Timber Press (1-800-327-5680) book that took our creativity to another level.  Author, Jude Seigel, gave us some instruction in Nature/Garden Journaling.  With garden journaling you can put your thoughts and impressions of your garden down on paper with pen and paint.  The best thing about journaling is that it takes you out into your garden and you have to slow down and observe your garden to capture your thoughts and feelings.  To get started all you need is a pen, paper and a small paint set.  Write your own thoughts about what you see and feel and then illustrate those thoughts.  Try your hand at journaling and if you need a little help, check out the book! 
(Original air date: 9/1/07)

Aquarium Butterfly Garden

What kind of plants can you use in your garden to attract native butterflies?  That is a question that the Oregon Coast Aquarium (541-867-FISH) had to answer when they decided to build a new butterfly garden a few years ago.  There are more than 22 species of butterflies and moths listed as threatened or endangered, so the aquarium decided to do something about it.  Our guest, Bob Llewellyn, the head groundskeeper, told us about how they picked plants that would not only attract adults, but also feed and protect the larva also.  Some of those plants included; Blackeyed Susans, Various Daisies, Indian Blanket Flower, Golden Rod, Wild Milkweed, Monkey flower, and Coast Penstemon.  After a couple of years they have found that the butterfly garden has become a pollinator garden!  Not only does it attract butterflies, it also is home to bees, flies and birds.  It trying to help butterflies, they have created a home for many species.  If you visit the garden, don’t forget to check out this ‘multi-use’ garden.  (Original air date: 9/1/07)

Hop Harvest

It is time to crack open a cold one as we showed you how a perennial vine gives your beer its bite.  We went to the Goschie family farm to check out the annual hop harvest.  This is a family farm that has been in business for over 100 years.  Gayle Goschie took us from the field to the baling room to show us the process of getting hops from the field to the brewer.  In the case of the Goschie family that brewer is Budweiser.   She showed us how this prolific vine is cut in the fields, how the cone is separated from the vines and leaves and then dried to be used by the brew-master.  Hops are used to flavor beer and also as a preservative.  So the next time you left your glass in a toast, you could be toasting with an Oregon grown product.  (Original air date: 9/1/07)

Gartner's Labor Day Grilling

The best part of a big holiday weekend is the food.  We all look forward to that unique ‘taste of summer’ that we get when we fire up the grill.  To get another grilling idea on what to prepare we dropped by to visit Jerry Yost from Gartner’s Meats (503-252-7801).  Jerry pulled out a flat-iron griller.   This is a great piece of meat.  We heard how easy it is to grill.  Jerry put it on the grill and turned it every 5-7 minutes.  In 20 minutes it was done.  What made this taste so good was the marinade.  Gartner’s makes their own special sauce that just knocked our socks off.  If you get a chance, stop by and see them at 7450 N.E. Killingsworth and make a huge impression at your next barbeque.  (Original air date: 9/2/06)

Swan Island Dahlia Festival

WOW!  If you have never been to the dahlia festival you have missed one of the most spectacular shows of the summer.  40 acres of blooms greet you as you drive up.  But that is only part of it…  Nick Gitts from Swan Island Dahlias (800-410-6540) told us about summer dahlia care and some care tips for beautiful (future) blooms.  He also filled us in the special events that they have planned for the 2 weekends of the festival.  If you stop by on August 25, 26, & 27 and September 1, 2, & 3 (Saturday, Sunday, and Monday) you will also get a chance to see 15,000 blooms in 400 different cut flower arraignments.  You can also enjoy food, cut flowers and informational talks to help you grow dahlias like the experts.  And it is all free.  Take some time to head down to Canby (not Swan Island) for the annual dahlia festival. 
(Original air date: 8/25/07)

Summer Coast Plants

The beauty of Oregon is the rich diversity of plants we can grow here.  But if you have lived at the coast or east of the cascades you know that some plants don’t like the change in conditions that can happen on either side of the mountains.  We visited the Oregon Coast Garden Center (541-563-6001) in Waldport and Mary Eriksen to learn about some plants that perform well in the winds and sea air of the central Oregon coast.  Mary brought out 5 that really do well.  She featured Clusterberry ‘Parney’s Red’, Escallonia ‘Pink Princess’, Mirror Plant ‘Rainbow Surprise’, Hebe ‘Tricolor’, and Ceonothus ‘Silver Surprise’.  These are also great for the Willamette Valley gardener too.  If you are on the central coast check out the Oregon Coast Garden Center for more ideas.  (Original air date: 8/25/07)

BBQ Rum Peaches

A couple of weeks ago we featured a recipe on grilling peaches from Olson Peaches (503-362-5942) east of Salem.  They are growers of lots of local, fresh produce.  We were joined by Christina who showed us another of their great grilling recipes.  This one is a bit on the wild side, it uses a little bit of rum to add a great flavor to the peaches.  She mixed the rum with some interesting ingredients including mint leaves and almond extract.  If you are looking for an interesting dessert that you can prepare quickly on your grill try this recipe out! 
(Original air date: 8/25/07)

Connie Hansen Garden

We visited the Connie Hansen Garden located at 1931 NW 33rd Street in Lincoln City.  The garden was a labor of love of Connie’s for over 20 years until she passed away. The Garden has been featured in the Fine Gardening Magazine, Sunset, Better Homes and Gardens Quarterly, and is open daily from dawn to dusk. There is no charge for admission, but donations are always accepted.  We took our tour of the garden with garden volunteer Sue Bride.  The garden is a great place to take out of town visitors if you are at the coast.  It is also a great place to see which plants do well at the coast with the different weather conditions.  You can get more information at www.conniehansengarden.com or by calling 541-994-6338.  (Original air date: 8/25/07)

Garden Photography

We visited with Allan Mandel, an award winning garden photographer to get some tips on taking your own award-winning photos.  Everyone can take great garden pictures, if they follow some simple rules.  The basics… watch the lighting; don’t look for a bright sunny day, overcast days will eliminate the hard shadows and provide a more even light.  Wait for a calm wind; this will give you a crisp, clear picture and not a blurry one.  Use a tripod and take your time; stability and patience are the most important items for the garden photographer.  You will be rewarded with some great shots if you follow these simple tips.  You can catch his latest work in the new Timber Press book ‘Garden to Vase’ with author Linda Beutler. 
(Original air date: 8/25/07)

Kindergarden – Sun Paper

This is a perfect kid’s project for those sunny summer days.  Amy Bigej from Al’s Garden Center (503-981-1245) found some sun sensitive paper from Steve Spangler Science, where they have it listed as "Sun Print Paper".  This paper changes color when it is exposed to sunlight.  Have your kids pick flowers, collect leaves or other interesting things from the garden and then place those things on the paper.  Leave the paper out for 2 minutes and then immerse the paper in water.  Whatever you had on the paper will now leave its ‘shadow’ on the paper.  You can frame the image, make note cards or give them as gifts.  It is a great way to get outdoors and save a part of your garden to enjoy year-round.  (Original air date: 8/25/07)

Silver Falls Seed

If you have been driving through the countryside in the valley, you may have seen fields full of flowers.  This is not the work of a flower fanatic; they are flowers that are grown for their seed.  Angela Rose from Silver Falls Seed Company (503-874-8221) showed us some of the varieties that they grow.   In the field where she took us we found poppies and godetia.  Then we went to the cleaning operation where we saw how they clean, sort and package the seeds they grow.  We also learned that since the seeds are grown locally, they are acclimated to the area and you have a better chance for success.  You can find Silver Falls Seed at most of the local garden centers in the area, or you can buy them on-line through the Silver Falls website.  (Original air date: 8/25/07)

Deer Solutions

Bambi is cute, except when he is munching on your tasty garden treats.  Judy and William have some tips from Gray’s Garden Center (541-345-1569) to help you avoid more damage from deer.  First, Judy talked about some deer resistant plants you can try.  Most plants are listed as ‘deer resistant’ because they will eat just about anything when they are hungry.  Ones that we found in the nursery included Japanese Maples, rhododendrons, spurge, impatiens and lavender.  Then William told us how to pick an effective deer spray.  You should look for ‘putrescent (rotten) eggs’ or wolf urine on the label.  Both of those odors are known to chase the deer away.  You can also try the Scarecrow sprinkler.  This is a sprinkler that turns on when it senses something in your garden and gives it a squirt of water to scare it away.  You can find a list of deer resistant plants and other tips at your local garden center.  (Original air date: 8/18/07)

Larsen Summer Herb Pots

Are your summer pots looking a little tired?  Annuals can start to lose some of their ‘pop’ as the weather gets hotter.  Now is a good time to freshen up your containers with some late season herbs and cole crops.  We saw some great combinations that were put together at Larsen Farm Nursery (503-640-5599) in Hillsboro by Michele and Kathy.  These pots featured themes including jewel tone colors, Tuscany, herbs, fragrance and vegetables.  The vegetable pots included cole crops.  These are vegetable crops that can thrive in the cooler weather of fall.  They include lettuce, kale, cabbage carrots and radishes.  They really take off during these warm days and then slow down their growth during late fall so you can enjoy the harvest through the early winter.  If you are looking for ideas for your containers you can stop by either location of Larsen Farm in Wilsonville or Hillsboro.  (Original air date: 8/18/07)

Seed Ballz

We found a great new product that is a variation on an old idea.  Stories about seeds being placed in clay for transportation and storage have been around for years, but now the history has taken the shape of Seed Ballz (800-398-0539).  These are little balls of clay and soil that contain different types and varieties of seeds.  We met with Alice, who has taken this concept to the next level.  Her company packages the different combinations of seeds.  They include combinations of wildflowers, sun flowers, cosmos, poppies, black-eyed susans and others as well.  All you do is toss them in a pot and keep them watered for a burst of great color.  Another interesting side note the Seed Ballz product is hand rolled by people with disabilities in the US.  So you can have great flowers and feel good about helping others!
(Original air date: 8/18/07)

Summer Asian Vegetables

It is the time of the year to harvest the home garden.  Most of us usually plant the same vegetables year after year, but we found a couple of Asian varieties that we are going to try.  Sue Berg from New Dimension Seed gave us a tour of her garden, where we saw asparagus beans that were over a foot long and a variety of green peppers that mature very quickly,  Then, we got to head up to her patio to taste test a few more varieties and learned how to prepare them.  Sue also told us how to start our fall and winter garden.  If you would like to start a winter garden follow this link to get her tips.  You will also find her recipes for the Boiled Soybeans and the marinated Zucchinis.  Try a different variety in your garden this fall or next spring.
(Original air date: 8/18/07)

Re-blooming Iris

Irises are known for their great blooms and sweet smells.  They are also one of the first plants in the spring garden.  Steve Schreiner from Schreiner’s Iris Gardens (1-800-525-2367) told us about some varieties that re-bloom, bringing you color 2 times a year!  These varieties are consistent, but not guaranteed to re-bloom, though some varieties are close to 100% re-bloomers for our area.  Re-blooming depends on different variables including weather, soil type and watering.  Varieties that were featured included Buckwheat, Total Recall, Immortality, Cantina, Rosalie Figgy, Invitation, and Sugar Blues.   If you are interested in these varieties or if you have any questions, give Schreiner’s a call. 
(Original air date: 8/18/07)

Jan’s August Tips

The summer is in full swing and it is time to start harvesting your vegetables.  Jan’s OSU Extension tips for August took us to her garden.  This month she is harvesting her crop of potatoes that she planted in hay bales.  These potatoes were easy to harvest and they were incredibly clean!  She also told us about fertilizing your rhubarb and strawberries, and about trimming back your old fruiting raspberries.  If you ever have any gardening questions you can contact your local OSU Extension office.  (Original air date: 8/18/07)

Al’s Garden Plant Trials

Want to know what the hot plant for 2008 will be?  Actually, you can help make the choice.  We paid a visit to the plant trials that are happening at Al’s Garden Center ( 503-726-1162) in Sherwood.  The plant trials are where growers are trying out new and different varieties of plants.  This is where they determine what will be grown for sale for the coming year.  Now through the end of the month you can check out the newest of plants and vote for your favorites.  Paul Fukasawa told William about the trials and the hundreds of varieties on display.  This year's trials, “Paradise in Bloom”, have a very tropical feel to it.  The garden is free and open to the public during store hours beginning Thursday August 9th and runs until August 25th.  On August 26th the display plants will be available for purchase The trials display fills a half-acre greenhouse area at the Sherwood garden center.   Take some time to check out this huge display and vote for your favorite.  Who knows?  You may pick the hot plant for 2008!  (Original air date: 8/11/07)

Elephant Garlic Festival

Something stinks west of Portland, but it is soooo delicious!  We made a quick trip to North Plains to check out the set-up for the 10th annual Elephant Garlic Festival (877-E-Garlic, 877-342-7542).  This festival is a real family friendly affair.  They have a parade, live music, a car show, a festival run and a huge arts and crafts area.  But the real star of the show is the Elephant Garlic.  Every food vendor has to have at least one product with garlic in it.  The will have garlic burgers, garlic ice cream, garlic milkshakes and even a garlic beer for you to taste!  Take the family out and enjoy the stink!  (Original air date: 8/11/07)

Scree Garden

What is a scree garden?  To find out we traveled to Fresh to You Produce and Garden Center ( 503-769-9682).  Jack Richards told us that a scree is very close to a rock slide.  It is the pile of rocks and debris that occur on mountains where plants grow.  These areas are known for the quick drainage.  This is the one important thing to remember when you build a scree garden in your yard.   Jack built one in a small demonstration garden in front of the nursery.  He built up an area with cinder blocks and rocks that he collected.  Then he used layers of rock, pumice and soil to recreate the sharp drainage he needed.  This garden is allowing him to try some of those rock-garden plants that can be very touchy about their location.  It looks great and it really gives the display garden an interesting look!  Stop by the nursery and check it out.  (Original air date: 8/11/07)

Heirloom Summer Roses

We have heard that you can’t plant roses in the summer.  We have also heard that some people can’t get a second flush of blooms on their roses.  We stopped by Heirloom Roses (503-538-1576) to get some pointers from Louise Clements about having successful summer roses.  First she told us that you can plant roses anytime during the summer.  They follow the 2 foot rule!  The hole should be 2 feet wide and 2 feet deep with some compost in the bottom.  This allows the plant to thrive in the first year when it is under the most stress.  Second you can do mid-summer pruning on most of your roses and they will send out a new flush of buds and blooms.  Cut the dead flower off down to the 5-leaf cluster and let the new growth take over.  Be careful not to prune plants after the 1st of September.  That is too late in the season and it may make the plant susceptible to freezing and disease.  If you have any more questions now is a great time to ask them.  Heirloom is having their annual sale where over 350 varieties of roses are on sale, with some varieties up to 75% off.  Stop by and check them out.  (Original air date: 8/11/07)

Bloomer's Summer Perennials

Sometimes the home garden can get a little tired looking.  The fresh blooms of spring are gone and the other plants can be looking old and faded.  To solve that problem we traveled to Eugene and stopped by Bloomer's Nursery (541-687-5919) to check out some of the hot summer perennials you can use in your garden.  Jackie Chama, the nursery manager, pulled a truckload of color for us to look at.  These perennials are great performers and will give months of blooms with out a lot of work!  She featured Echinacea (coneflower), Rudbeckia (Black-eyed Susans), Platycodon (Balloon Flower), Pinks ‘Firewitch’, Penstemon (Beard Tongue), Perovskia (Russian Sage), and the ever popular Shasta Daisy.  Most of these will also make great cut flowers so you can enjoy the colors of summer indoors and out!  (Original air date: 8/11/07)

Mini-Hydroponics

The tastes of summer can be at your fingertips all year long.  We found a counter top mini-hydroponic system that is incredible.  The Aero-garden is a small self contained system that allows you to grow vegetables on your kitchen counter.  It can be purchased with different types of seeds or you can use your own.  It also has watering and fertilizer reminders that take the guesswork out of the maintenance of the system.  Michelle of the Greenhouse Catalog (800-825-1925) then showed us another little gadget that will let you make your own salad dressing with the fresh herbs you’ve grown.  You simply cut them back and drop the pieces in this mini-blender and you have fresh dressing for your greens!  Very tasty. 
(Original air date: 8/11/07)

Fresh Marionberries

It is berry time and it is also a ‘berry’ wonderful time to live in the Northwest.  Cane berries, named for the trellised shape they take in the field, are in full swing and one of the best berries around is the Marionberry.  We visited with Nancy Hendricks at Fresh to You (503-769-9682) in Silverton to see how they grow this great plant.  The Marionberry is Oregon born and bred.  Developed at OSU, it is named for Marion County.  It is a great producer on the farm and will be for the home gardener as well.  As far as raising them, you need to remember to save the new canes.  These are the fruiting canes for the second year.  After they fruit in the second year you can cut them down and then in the early fall train the new canes up on a wire for a great crop in year 2.  (Original air date: 8/4/07)

Patio Misters

The hot days of summer are coming again and the heat can really sap your energy, robbing you of enjoying your garden or patio.  We found a couple of neat systems that can cool you down quick!  Michelle from the Greenhouse Catalog (800-825-1925) demonstrated some patio misters that produce a fine spray that can cool the temperature by 30 degrees or more.  She also had a portable pump mister that is perfect for hiking, picnicking or any other outdoor adventure!  (Original air date: 8/4/07)

Marietta’s Summer Garden

A lot of people have problems creating a border garden that will provide color and interest for the whole summer.  We visited with one of the experts in the state to get some tips for the home gardener.  Marietta O’Byrne of Northwest Garden Nursery (541-935-3915) in Eugene took us on a tour of 2 of her display gardens at the nursery, one sunny and one with a little more shade.  Her garden was packed and she told us that home gardeners can expect to have a couple of year’s growth before they can enjoy the same fullness.  Perennials follow a general rule of ‘Sleep, Creep and Leap’.  This means that they will stay in a small spot the first year, slowly grow during the second season and really burst out on the third season of growth.  She recommends that you plant annuals in your garden until your other plants take off.  Some of the annuals she planted years ago have seeded and she lets them enjoy space in her garden even now.  If they get too frisky, she pulls them out.  We saw so many plants we couldn’t name them all so we suggest you call the nursery or drop by and see these borders for yourself.  (Original air date: 8/4/07)

Stihl – KombiSystem

We are always on the look out for new tools on the market that will make gardening easier.  We found a great new system from Stihl called the KombiSystem.  The Stihl KombiSystem is a complete family of multi-task tools comprised of different power heads and numerous attachments. The split shaft design lets you quickly change attachments.  It also comes with the new Easy2Start engine which takes no effort to start!  Wayne Sutton from Stihl demonstrated how easy it is to operate.  Check out the Stihl website to find a dealer near you.  (Original air date: 8/4/07)

Hypertufa Pots

Hypertufa is the art of making lightweight cement pots.  Donna Wright from Black Gold/Sungro gave us the step by step instructions for making these wonderful pots.  Hypertufa means ‘light weight cement pots’ and she walked William through the process of making them.  The 3 ingredients to remember are ‘Peat, Perlite, and Portland Cement’.  You can customize them by adding moss, creating patterns and changing the color when you make them.  It is a great project for families and will last for years!  Check out the recipe if you missed it on the air.  CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE.  (Original air date: 8/4/07)

Hughes Waterlily Festival and Invitational Art Show

It is time for the 5th annual Waterlily Festival and Invitational Art Show at Hughes Water Gardens (503-638-1709). Eamonn joined us to tell us about the festival that is happening from today until the 5th of August. If you drop by you will see a huge assortment of waterlilies and other aquatic plants, seminars, tropical treat and guided tours. On August 2nd you can enjoy Bloom night and see the largest collection of the spectacular night-blooming Victoria Lilies. Also at the nursery, over 30 regional artists will be exhibiting their art in the garden. It is a great way to see how art can enhance your garden or water feature. We had a chance to visit with Wendy Thompson, a colored pencil artist, whose artwork is featured on this year poster. Stop by and check out the festivities!  (Original air date: 7/28/07)

Stepables Carpet

If you are tired of the same old bark dust look in your garden, try changing the carpet! Fran from Stepables (503-581-8915) calls the surface of the planting bed a ‘carpet’. She showed us some ground covers that will really help the look of your garden beds and help bring out the colors and textures of your other garden plants. There are some questions you have to ask yourself before you get going. First, how much foot traffic does the area receive? Second, how much sun does it get? And third, what are the watering conditions? By asking yourself these 3 questions you can pick out a groundcover that will survive and thrive in your garden. Fran showed us a bunch of different plants that will make your garden pop! She had White Star Creeper, ‘Elfin’ Thyme, Creeping Wire Vine, Blue Star Creeper, Leptinella ‘Platt’s Black, Leptinella ‘Verdigris Brass Buttons’, Bronze Dutch Clover, Veronica ‘Sunshine’, and Aceana purpurea. Take your garden down to the next level by changing your carpet with a new ground cover.  (Original air date: 7/28/07)

Peach Wraps

It is a great time of year to live in the Northwest. All the fresh fruits are ripe and ready for the picking. But that also begs the question, when is something ripe? We found that it is hard to tell with some fruit, like peaches. We traveled to Salem to see the experts at Olson Peaches 503-362-5942). The Olson family has been farming in the Salem area for decades and they open their farm to u-picks the entire summer. Stuart told us to look for a good overall gold color with good blush of red. Plus, you don’t want to twist the fruit to remove it. You want to lift it up to snap the stem from the branch. Then we moved to the grill where Kristina showed us how you can wrap quarter slices of peach with prosciutto and then place them on the grill on medium heat.  Click here for the recipe.  (Original air date: 7/28/07)

Hedge Choices

When people want privacy, they will often use a row of plants to do the job. It creates texture and it is cheap to install. The problem is the same old choices that people use in their plantings, photinia, laurel, and boxwood. Lee Powell from Garland Nursery (1-800-296-6601) found a few other choices that people can consider. He showed us some really different choices for the home gardener which included English boxwood, Cotoneaster ‘Parney’s Red’, Waxleaf Privet, Dwarf Cranberry Bush Viburnum, Ninebark ‘Diablo’, Roundleaf Osmanthus, Holly ‘Blue Princess’ and a couple of roses, ‘Frau Dagmar Hartopp’ and ‘Rabble Rouser’. If you are looking to create a hedge, check out something different before you plant. 
(Original air date: 7/28/07)

Bauman Summer Vegetables

Summer is finally here and that means the fresh vegetables are in your local farmer’s markets and stores, and we found a ton of them at Bauman’s Farm and Gardens (503-792-3524). You may think it is too early for tasty sweet corn, but we found bushels of it at Bauman’s. Brian Bauman took us on a tour of the fields and explained how they start the seed in the green house and then protect it until it starts producing in early July, a month sooner than anyone else. We also visited the store and saw the huge variety of vegetables they grow on the farm. They have 5 or 6 different types of lettuce, spinach, cabbage, onions and 3 types of cauliflower (including a purple type). They are just starting to pick peaches too! Enjoy the best part of living in the Pacific Northwest; pick up some farm fresh produce (or a fresh baked pie!). 
(Original air date: 7/28/07)

Drake’s Miniature Plants

With garden spaces getting smaller you may have tried to plant ‘dwarf’ varieties to save space.  If you have, you may have found out that ‘dwarf’ plants don’t always stay small!  We met up with Lynn from Drake’s 7 Dees (503-256-2223) to learn what the difference is between dwarf and miniature.  A dwarf is a plant that is a shorter version of a full size plant.  That could still mean that the plant could grow to 10-15 feet if the parent plant was a 30 footer.  A ‘miniature’ plant is a small plant that will only grow a few millimeters a year or one that will reach maturity at a foot or less.  Lynn had a couple of planters that featured these mini-wonders.  They were planted with Port Orford Cedar ‘Blue Gem’, Japanese Holly ‘Lemon Gem’, Mondo Grass ‘Nana’, Eleocharis radicans – Miniature Rush, Potentilla ‘Pygmaca’, Juniper ‘Gold Cone’, and one plant that required selective pruning, Korean Hornbeam.  You can find most of these plants at your local independent garden center or at Drakes. Plus, you can attend a seminar Saturday morning at 10:00am to learn more!  (Original air date: 7/21/07)

Stihl Yard Boss

With the smaller size of the gardens that people now have, it is hard to find the right tool for the job.  Most of the garden equipment you find is too big for the smaller areas we are faced with.  Stihl has found a solution for that.  They have designed the Yard Boss rototiller.  This versatile tiller was designed to be used by anyone.  Features include safety guards, a weight kit, ergonomic handles and folding handles for easy storage.  It also comes with a number of attachments that really makes this an all-in-one tool for the gardener. 
(Original air date: 7/21/07)

Maple Accents

A lot of us have plants in our garden that become signature plants.  Because they stand out it is hard to find plants to accent them.  We traveled to Garland Nursery (1-800-296-6601) to check with Lee Powell on his suggestions for one of those common plants, the lace-leaf Japanese Maple.  These plants are planted in a lot of newer homes and they have a wonderful weeping habit, but because they are so low to the ground they can be hard to plant under.  Lee found a few plants including a dwarf azalea called ‘Gumpo Pink’ that has beautiful pink flowers that will accent the red maple color.  He also showed us how grasses, hostas and mosses can create a nice area in your landscape.  (Original air date: 7/21/07)

Garden Molds – Sconce

On an earlier show we saw how to make your own garden step stones using some GardenMolds (1-800-588-7930) forms.  Today we saw how to make a wall sconce using a different form.  Catherine Failor walked William through the steps to create a cute candle holder.  Catherine also showed him how to add a special touch by using a mixed paint applied without a brush!  If you are interested in trying to make your own garden art you can check out GardenMolds on-line or at your local independent garden center.  (Original air date: 7/21/07)

Jan’s July Tips

Wow, what a difference a month makes.  Last month we hardly had anything to chat about in Jan’s garden.  The Master Gardener tips from OSU Extension were few and far between.  This month we found much more to talk about.  First we found a landscape plant that was doing quite poorly.  The lesson we learned here is that, no matter how hard you try, some plants will die.  Don’t consider yourself a failure.  Chalk it up to experience and try another plant!  Then we moved to the vegetable garden to see what is happening there.  We learned about squash blooms.  Some people see the blooms and think that zucchini is on the way.  Be careful to not get your hopes up.  The first bloom is a male bloom and then come the female blooms and the fruit.  We also saw some spinach that had bolted being replaced by bush beans and lettuce.  Finally, we saw how you can mow the tops of your strawberries to get them ready for winter and a better crop next year.   For more tips check out the OSU Extension website!  (Original air date: 7/21/07)

International Rose Test Garden & Rose Garden Store

We couldn’t help but to stop by the Rose Test Gardens at Washington Park.  The roses are taking a beating in the heat, but they still are overwhelming in the amount of color they are showing.  Almost everywhere you turn there is more color!  It is a great place to take a picnic lunch and enjoy the nice weather and the fantastic view!  Penny Cruz also gave us a quick tour of the Rose Garden store (503-227-7033).  The store has everything that has to do with roses.  As Penny says ‘it has to look like a rose, taste like a rose, smell like a rose, have a rose on it, hold a rose in it, or be for or about growing roses’.  Check them out for anything rose themed on your next visit to the garden!  (Original air date: 7/14/07)

Begonias

We found another one of those ‘grandma plants’ this week.  Begonias are one of those plants that everyone has seen before, but we met with Dan Heims at Terra Nova Nurseries to see some types of begonias that would surprise even grandma.  Dan has been working with begonias since the 70’s and he has seen lots of improved varieties since then.  He showed us over a dozen different ones, some that are extremely hardy in our area!  The ones we saw were ‘Madame Queen’, a new variation on the old style, ‘Richarsoniana’, ‘Cracked Ice’, ‘Swirling Fireworks’, ‘Black Taffeta’, ‘River Nile’, ‘Exotica’, with its deep red, waxy leaves, a delicate fuchsia looking one called ‘Fuchsioides’, ‘Mocha’, ‘Bonfire’, with its large fuchsia type orange flowers, ‘Pedatifiida’, ‘Kaylen’, and ‘Metallic Mist’.   These plants vary in the type of care that is needed.  So if you are looking to add one to your collection check with your local garden center to see which ones will work for you.  You can also check out the American Begonia Society for more information.  (Original air date: 7/14/07)

Red Pig Tools

This pig can dig!  After years of constant grumbling about the quality of hand tools available to the gardener, we were eager to meet with Bob Denman of Red Pig Tools (503-663-9404).  Bob and his wife have a long history of developing and building hand tools.  Bob is an expert blacksmith and he gave us a demonstration on how he builds a trowel.  He explained how he reinforces certain parts of the tool so it stays stronger and lasts longer.   He is also an inventor and showed us the different types of trowels he has developed.  If you would like to see some of their tools you can stop by their store near Boring, Oregon off of highway 26, it is a cute old barn that Bob built himself.  Or you can check out their website.  Either way you will be very happy with the garden tools you will find.  (Original air date: 7/14/07)

Austin Daylilies

One of our new favorite plants is the daylily.  The reason for that is because of Gail and Ken Austin (503-246-5747).  They have a passion for daylilies that they love to share.  In the past year they decided to retire, but that didn’t mean that they disappeared!  Gail and Ken may not sell plants anymore but they love to share their knowledge of daylilies and gardening.  We stopped by to look at what they have growing in their garden right now.  The one thing we noticed is the lack of a lawn.  They have planted their entire yard with an assortment of plants that include hostas, clematis, fern, Asiatic lilies, Japanese maples and other companion plants.  The best part, you can take a tour of the garden on Saturday July 14th.  For more information check out the website.  Drop by and say hello and get infected with daylily fever!  (Original air date: 7/14/07)

For a list of Gail’s favorite daylilies check out this link.

Pest Patrol – Bird Deterrents

Your strawberries, blueberries and just about everything else edible is disappearing!  The birds are taking everything in your garden, leaving little or nothing for you to enjoy.  The same thing is happening to us, so we traveled to the garden center to see what they have to scare the flying felons away.  The first thing we found was bird netting.  This provides a barrier so they can’t get to the plants.  Another item was holographic tape.  This is a reflective tape that sparkles when it is hung by your plants to scare them off.  The other product was the fake owl.  Owls are natural predators of most small birds and that presence of an owl is sometimes enough to do the trick.  Finally, we found the Scarecrow sprinkler.  The Scarecrow uses a photoelectric eye to sense when you have an animal in the area, then it sends a blast of water to scare the critter away.  This product works really well, but is also the most expensive deterrent.  There are also some home remedies.  You can hang tin pie plates, or old CD’s in your garden and they sometimes work just as well as the products in the store.  There is one more tip to follow.  Whatever you use, move it around your garden so the birds and other animals don’t get used to it!  (Original air date: 7/14/07)

Tool Shed – Watering Solutions

How many times has this happened… we spend all spring working on your garden to make it beautiful and then you go on vacation and come back to find all your hard work wasted.  All the wonderful plants you have nurtured are dead because they didn’t get watered.  Well, we went to the Greenhouse Catalog Store (800-825-1925) to find a solution to this problem.  Michelle gave us 3 ideas for taking care of the problem.  The first was a special gel called Dri Water, that retains water and is all natural.  You just cut the bottom open and stick in the pot.  The second device was the Oasis Watering system.  This system holds enough water to keep 20 plants wet for up to 40 days.  It is on a timer so they get watered the right amount every time!  The final product was the Aqua Mat.  This mat has a super absorbent liner that retains water and then releases it to the plant through the bottom of the pot.  (Original air date: 7/14/07)

Portland Classical Chinese Garden

Just when it seems too hot to be outside there is a place you can go to relax and stay cool, the Portland Classical Chinese Garden (503-228-8131).  We paid a visit and found a couple of surprises.  First we met with Jodi to see the lotus in bloom.  These plants are great and they are hardy for our area.  They have a major significance in Asian culture and not just for their beauty.  The plant is used in cooking, medicines and even the seeds are used in making candy.  Then we moved out of the water to another part of the garden to see a geranium ‘Kleim’s Hardy’, and another plant, Lysimachia paridiformis var. stenophylla.  It is hard to say but wonderful to look at!  Plus you can purchase it at the garden!  Then Gloria Lee told us about the new canary at the garden and how birds are brought to the gardens in China by visitors.  She invited other garden visitors to bring their birds to the garden as well.  If you don’t have a bird you can still enjoy a song, when the garden starts their Tuesdays by Twilight concert series on the 10th of July.  Check out their website for a complete rundown of the groups that will be appearing.  (Original air date: 7/7/07)

Lily Varieties

What would you say is the easiest plant to grow?  According to Yolanda Wilson it is the Lily.  Yolanda and her husband own VanVeen Bulbs (888-289-2852).  You have seen them at local farmer's markets and also at Gardenpalooza every spring.  When people say they can’t grow anything, Yolanda hands them a lily bulb.  And if you think that lilies are the all white flowered plants you get at Easter, then you haven’t seen some of the wonderful varieties available.  Yolanda showed us some of the different colors you can get by planting different varieties.  Lilies are a part of the same plant family that also contains garlic.  In fact, you can eat a lily bulb, but it is much easier to plant them and enjoy fabulous color that returns year after year.  (Original air date: 7/7/07)

Al’s Sedum Bird Bath

It is a hot summer already and it is time to think of plants that can handle the heat!  Sedums are the perfect plant for heat and drought tolerance.  Plus you can plant them anywhere!  We found a bird bath at Al’s Garden Center (503-981-1245) in Woodburn and decided to plant one up!  The sedums cover all shapes and sizes, from the simple ‘Hens and Chicks’ to the very interesting ‘Pork and Beans’.  We started with a special cactus soil mix from Black Gold.  We then removed most of the soil from the plants because the bath was so shallow, but also because the sedums don’t need a huge amount of soil.  Then all we did was arrange them into a nice pattern and we were done.  Once established they will do well with very little water and provide us with great color and texture all year long!  (Original air date: 7/7/07)

Hydrangea Varieties

William likes to say that every garden needs a hydrangea.  After visiting Hydrangeas Plus (866-433-7896) we can see why.  They not only grow the plants they have a garden full of them.  Kristin showed us some of her favorites.  Actually we have to cut her list down because she has so many favorites!  The first one we saw was the Oakleaf Hydrangea ‘Snowflake’ in her front yard, with it’s bright white flowers and reddish leaves, and then we traveled to the back yard.  There we found hydrangeas ‘Horben’, ‘Heinrich Seidel’, ‘All Summer Beauty’, and ‘Pink Diamond’.  We also covered the rules for changing the color of the bloom on certain varieties.  For blue blooms make your soil acidic,  pink blooms go for an alkaline pH.  If you have any questions, you can call Hydrangeas Plus and they will be very happy to help you.  (Original air date: 7/7/07)

Tool Shed -- Potlifter

We are tired of lugging our potted plants around every time the season changes.  Our problems were solved by a new product we found at The Greenhouse Catalog (800-825-1925).  Michelle told us about the Potlifter.  This product is designed to lift just about anything in the garden.  The buckle was easy to latch and handles were comfortable to use.  They say you can use it to carry pots, stumps, boulders and even sacks of concrete.  As long as it is 72 inches around and less than 200 pounds it can be carried safely and easily.  We even bought one before we left the store!  (Original air date: 7/7/07)

Clackamas County Lavender Festival

Ever wonder where they get the flower scents for your favorite soaps and perfumes?  We visited a flower distillery to see how they steam the essential oils out of flowers to bring fragrance to your favorite toiletries.   Jim Dierking from Liberty Natural Products (800-289-8427) showed us the equipment they use to get oil from the ‘Buena Vista’ variety of lavender.  You can get your chance to see the machinery in action at the 1st annual Clackamas County Lavender Festival at the Oregon Lavender Farm near Oregon City.  They will have demonstrations of the equipment plus a full slate of other events.   You can taste Oregon beers and wine, listen to bluegrass music, and enjoy lavender theme treats (including ice cream).  This is a one day event, happening Saturday only, so don’t miss it.  (Original air date: 6/30/07)

Hughes Water Bowl

Adding a water feature to your garden, deck or patio may not be as expensive or time consuming as you think.  We went to Hughes Water Gardens (503-638-1709) to learn how easy and inexpensive it is to assemble a small water bowl.  Eamonn Hughes showed us how easy it is to create a beautiful water feature with a small list of ingredients including a bowl, pump, rocks and a few plants.  The plants he used included Canna “Watermelon”, Columbia Sedge, water lettuce and fairy moss.  In less than 15 minutes you can create a simple water feature that can live indoors or outdoors and provide unending joy.
(Original air date: 6/30/07)

Garden Molds – Step stones

Adding hardscaping or step stones is not as tough or expensive as you think.  With some concrete and a GardenMolds (1-800-588-7930) form you can make your own garden accents.  We met the creator of GardenMolds, Catherine Failor, to learn how easy it is to do it yourself.  In just a few minutes we had mixed and poured a brand new step stone.  With GardenMolds you can also make other things for your garden including edging stones, totem stakes, planter feet and other plaques and monuments.  You can find the kits at selected garden centers and on the GardenMolds website.  (Original air date: 6/30/07)

Kindergarden – Rainbow Pots

The key to getting kids excited about gardening could be somewhere over the rainbow.  With all the colors available in your garden center, it’s easy for them to create their own rainbow in a planted container.  Amy Bigej, from Al’s Garden Center in Woodburn (503-981-1245) had help from four young volunteers to create a couple of beautiful containers.  We were also joined by ROY G BIV which is actually an acronym for the colors of the rainbow… red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet.  Take your kids to your local garden center and let them create their own container of many colors.  (Original air date: 6/30/07)

Gartner’s 4th of July

It is time to celebrate freedom!  From all the work in the garden and from the kitchen!  Jerry from Gartner’s Meats (503-252-7801) joined us once again to share some grilling tips for the up-coming 4th of July.  This time he brought us chicken breasts for a grilling treat.  The two problems that people have with chicken is having too much pink in the middle or having it turn out too dry.  He solved that by having a small meat thermometer at the grill.  The breasts were marinated in a new vacuum tumbler that forces marinate into the meat, then Jerry first got his grill to around 325-350 degrees, then he cooked the chicken to a temperature of 165-170 degrees.  It was delicious!!  If you are looking for a quick and easy meal to celebrate the holiday, check out all the choices at Gartner’s!  (Original air date: 6/30/07)

Ferguson’s Festival of Fragrance

A truly beautiful garden should appeal to all your senses.  We believe fragrance should be near the top of the list.  We paid a visit to Ferguson’s Fragrant Nursery (503-633-4585) for their “Festival of Fragrance” happening this weekend. Danielle Ferguson shared with us some of her favorites including Daphne ‘Eternal Fragrance’, Rose ‘Ronald Reagan’, Hosta ‘Guacamole’, Astilbe ‘Heart and Soul’, Polemonium ‘Bressingham Purple’, Daylily ‘Hyperion’, and Bugbane ‘Hillside Black Beauty’.  These are but just a few of the many fragrant plants that you can add to your garden this summer and this weekend is a great time to check them out.  During the festival you can take classes in growing Daphne, building a culinary container, or a building year-round fragrant garden.  Plus there will be wine and microbrew tasting, live music from Larkspur and you can save an additional 30% off your purchases with a special web coupon.  Take the Donald-Aurora exit off of I-5 (exit 278) and head west.  (Original air date: 6/23/07)

Lavender Wreath

Bringing the smell of lavender into your home is not hard when you can easily build a lavender wreath.  We found out how easy it is when we visited Lavender at Stonegate (503-638-5218).  The owner, Sarah Bader, told us how easy it is to cut and form a wreath from 3 simple materials.  First she purchased a circular metal frame and some fine craft wire from her local craft store.   Then she cut a bunch of lavender stems (about 25-30) to about a 6 inch length and then tied them to the ring.  You continue this around the edge of the ring until you are finished.  You may want to cut your own lavender from the garden or you can pick some up at her field.   Cutting your own is not hard.  She even showed us how to do that!
(Original air date: 6/23/07)

Garden Sketching

You can capture your garden to remember for years and find a new hobby if you learn to sketch or paint scenes from your garden.  René Eisenbart, botanical artist for The Oregonian, teaches a series of botanic drawing classes in the Portland Classical Chinese Garden (503-228-8131) and at her own studio, Rene-Art.   We caught up with her to learn about her art and to get some pointers on how aspiring garden artists can get started.  Using William as a guinea pig she shared some of her tips with us.  Tip one; get the right tools.  She uses an ever sharp pencil and a kneaded eraser. Tip two; keep it simple.  Don’t try to sketch a whole plant.  Work on one leaf and then add more as you feel comfortable.  Tip 3; use your own perspective.  Draw what you see and don’t try to be ‘picture perfect’.  You are capturing how it looks to you!  Tip 4; add shading to create depth.  This can take your drawing to the next level and that leads us to tip 5, adding color.  Colors will make your drawing pop!  Tip 6; practice, practice, practice!  Don’t be disappointed; Rene always sees areas where she can make a drawing better, but she always finds a point where she can call it ‘done’.  Rene’s current classes are all booked but you can contact her to be placed on a waiting list for up-coming classes.  (Original air date: 6/23/07)

Jan’s June Tips

Tips for your garden are few and far between right now.  The weather has been nice and growing conditions perfect for most of your garden plants, but that didn’t stop Jan McNeilan from OSU Extension from taking us on a tour of her garden to see what is happening.  First she showed us a small fuchsia that had seen a little too much sun.  She had cut it back and it was showing signs on new growth.  If you have a plant that is damaged you can try the same thing at home.  Cut off the damaged parts and give it a little tender loving care and see what happens.  We also saw how Jan cut back those hummingbird attracting plants from the ground.  The flowers are then higher up and the birds are not targets for the neighborhood cats.  We also saw how her ‘straw bale’ experiment was working out.  Jan and Ray planted strawberries and potatoes in a couple of straw bales and they were doing fine.  We will check on them again in the next month or so to see how they are performing!  (Original air date: 6/23/07)

Chocolate Plants

We have a guilt free way to enjoy chocolate in your garden this year.  Ryan Seely from Larsen Farm Nursery (503-638-8600) found plants that all revolve around the chocolate theme.  These plants either have a chocolate taste, smell or color.  The four plants he picked out included Mimosa called ‘Summer Chocolate’ that has dark creamy foliage.  The second plant was a Crape Myrtle named ‘White Chocolate’.  This plant has dark leaves and blooms with a white flower later in the summer.  The third plant was chocolate mint.  This mint really doesn’t taste like chocolate, but the mint taste is fantastic.  People crush the leaves and use them on salads and ice cream.  Remember to keep this one in a pot, it can really run!  The fourth plant was the Chocolate Cosmos.  This annual actually smells like chocolate.  It has small dark brown blooms that have a fragrance like a Hershey bar.  It can really get powerful on a hot summer day.  Try some chocolate in your garden this summer!  (Original air date: 6/16/07)

Easy Outdoor Entertaining

Building an area to entertain can be a snap!  Mark Bigej from Al’s Garden Center (503-726-1162) showed us 3 simple steps to creating a welcoming and comfortable space for enjoying your deck or patio.  The first step is to build the backbone.  This means finding some comfortable tables and chairs.  They should be all-weather so they can handle the elements.  Comfort needs to be at the top of the list.  You want to relax and that is hard to do in a terrible chair. Step two involves accessorizing with plants.  You can have a great display with little effort.  Since you are concentrating your entertaining to one area, move all your containers to that area.  You will have a huge splash without buying a bunch of new plants and pots.  Step three involves the finishing touches.  Now you add the plates, cups and saucers.  You can also add garden lighting, torches, and other decoration if you like.  In just a few minutes you can have a great place to entertain.  If you are interested in learning how to get started, contact any of the Al’s Garden Centers.  Plus, starting the 16th of June, Al’s has a special furniture event happening at the Sherwood store. 
(Original air date: 6/16/07)

Knock Out Rose

If you think that you can’t grow a rose or that they are too labor intensive, then we have one you should try.  The Knock-Out series of roses have just been on the market for a short time and they are making a new generation of rose lovers!  The Knock-Out rose was developed in the mid-west with busy gardeners in mind.  It is a plant that is hardy, disease resistant, and a constant bloomer.  Jenni Burkhead from Star Roses told us about a couple of things you have to do.  You have to cut them back once in the late winter (use a hedge trimmer if you want) and you have to fertilize them once or twice a year.  That is pretty much it!  They will stay short for you and they will never need deadheading!  All you do is sit back and enjoy the blooms.  For the location of a local independent garden center check the Novalis website. 
(Original air date: 6/16/07)

Sedum Wreath

A variety of plant that is hard to kill is the sedum.  These little wonders grow in areas that other plants find hard to endure.  Donna Wright from Black Gold shared a way to enjoy your wreath on a garden wall or on your picnic table.  She used a wire wreath frame and then planted 5-6 varieties of sedums in patterns of 3 for a beautiful display of color and texture.  If you would like to build your own wreath, check out these directions (Original air date: 6/16/07)

Drakes Organic Lawn

Your lawn is a junky and you have been a pusher!  For years you have been stuffing your lawn full of chemicals to make it perform better.  Ok, so maybe it isn’t that bad.  But if you are looking to try to be more organic in your approach to lawn care, then we have the program for you.  Drake Snodgrass told us how the Drake's 7 Dees Landscape (503-256-2223) team has come up with a program to get the soil healthy again.  The first thing they do is to test the soil.  This detailed test tells them what the soil needs and what it doesn’t need.  Second, they start to introduce organic amendments to the soil to jump start it and wean it off of the ‘sugar’ that you have been feeding it.  Finally, they continue the work they started by taking a long-term approach.  They set up a schedule of applications of compost tea and other organics to help maintain the health of the soil and actually inoculate the soil to keep it feeling good.  For more details on how to get your sick landscape healthy again, contact Drake's.  (Original air date: 6/16/07)

Tsugawa Strawberry Festival

It is that time of year when the local strawberries are starting to show up in your local market.  That means it is also time to visit Tsugawa Nursery (360-225-8750) for their annual Strawberry Festival.  Tsugawa has a farm that also grows strawberries and raspberries.  This weekend they show their appreciation to their customers by sharing some strawberry shortcake.  Saturday from 11:00am-3:00pm you can get free strawberry shortcake when you stop by.  Another event of interest is the Koi Seminar.  If you have a pond full of fish or looking to add some, this seminar will give you tons of tips for success.  Also, next Saturday you can come and get your CASA rose.  CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocates; they represent children in the legal system so they have someone looking out for their interests.  Tsugawa’s has the special CASA rose and all proceeds with help the Clark and Cowlitz county programs.
(Original air date: 6/9/07)

Patio Clematis

Clematis are known to be big time climbers, in fact some varieties have been known to take over small countries.  Just kidding.  Still, if you have a small garden space you haven’t been able to enjoy a clematis until now.  Pat Hughes from Hines Horticulture (800-877-7823) called us to tell us about a new series of clematis from expert breeder Raymond Evison.  These little beauties are perfect for a patio planter since they stay 6 feet tall or shorter.  They also bloom in a different way then most clematis; they bloom all along the whole stem.  So you get bloom over the whole plant!  The varieties we saw included Parisienne, Angelique, and Cezanne.  Because these plants love to bloom they will need a little more fertilizer than most.  (Original air date: 6/9/07)

Heirloom Miniature Roses

When you think of hardy, beautiful roses you think of Heirloom Roses.  But Heirloom started as a small company, and I mean small like in miniature.  Before there was Heirloom, there was John’s Miniature Roses (800-820-0465).  John Clements was a lover of small roses and that is how it all started.  Louise Clements took us on a tour of the mini and micro rose flower beds.  We saw some plants with flowers as small as your finger nail.  But don’t think that these small plants can’t perform.  They are just as hardy, fragrant and beautiful as their bigger cousins.  The ones that caught our eye were ‘Baby Betsy McCal and Blue Peter.  If you stop by the Heirloom display gardens don’t miss out on touring the small flower bed where there are some big-time winners.  (Original air date: 6/9/07)

Al’s June Perennials

June is Perennial Plant Month and to celebrate we stopped by Al’s Garden Center (503-726-1162) in Sherwood to check in with Mark Bigej to see what plants are looking spectacular right now.  Perennials are those plants that you can plant and forget about for quite a while.  They are the anchor plants in your flower bed that keep looking great year after year.  The ones we featured were Penstemon ‘Minaret Purple’, Coreopsis ‘Jethro Tull’, Verbena ‘Homestead Purple, Gaillardia ‘Fanfare’ and 2 hardy fuchsias (magellanica and Tri-color).  If you plant them now remember to keep them well watered for the first year until they root-out.  Also, remember the rule for perennials.  Sleep, Creep and Leap.  The first year they establish, the second they slowly grow and the third year they really take off.  Celebrate Perennial Plant Month by adding one to your garden.  (Original air date: 6/9/07)

JB Lawn Tips

Growing a lawn or repairing one can be easy if you know what to do.  We went to the experts at JB Instant Lawn (800-527-1439) to learn how to grow an award-winning lawn.  James Schneider walked us through a step-by-step process for doing it right, the first time.  Tip 1: Get a quality grass seed.  Look for 0 weed seed and a good mix that is made for our area.  Tip 2: Check the needs of your turf.  Do you need a new lawn or will an over seeding work better.  Tip 3: Add lime to ‘sweeten’ your soil.  Our soils tend to be acidic and the lime will balance the pH so the seed will perform better.  Tip 4: Fertilize as needed.  Too much fertilizer and you are wasting it, too little and the lawn becomes weak and that opens the door to more weeds and other turf problems.  Tip 5: Pay attention to watering.  Once your lawn is established, deep water once or twice a week to encourage root growth.  And finally, tip 6: Watch your mower height.  Mowing to the correct level and keeping it close to that level will encourage growth and will allow sunlight, water and nutrients to the whole plant.  If you are looking for more tips, contact JB Instant Lawn.  (Original air date: 6/9/07)

Heirloom Rose Days

We paid a visit to Heirloom Roses (503-538-1576) for their Rose Days event.  Heirloom not only grows roses, they also hybridize new varieties and this weekend you can get a sneak peak at some of the 1000’s they have growing for the future.  In addition to the roses, you can catch seminars from local gardening experts, enjoy the gift shop and stroll the huge display gardens.  We walked the gardens and gift shop with Louise Clements and saw some wonderful, fragrant beauties that included ‘Lavender Lassie’, ‘Jude the Obscure’, ‘Eden’, ‘The Impressionist’, ‘Amazing Grace’ and the huge rambler ‘Paul’s Himalayan Musk’, which has taken over a tree in the garden!  (Original air date: 6/2/07)

Amdro Ant Block

Ants are the #1 pest problem in the US.  There are lots of products that can get rid of them once they get inside your home, but we found a new product that will stop them before they invade your home, yard or garden.  Norm from Lilly Miller explained how the Amdro product creates a barrier to your home.  One of the big differences…ants treat this as a food.  The other products only take care of the ants that touch the product.  Amdro is a bait that they take back to the nest.  They take it back to the queen and once she is gone, so is the problem.
(Original air date: 6/2/07)

Pet Friendly Garden

It can be a constant struggle to have a pet and a nice garden.  We found a new demonstration garden at the Oregon Garden (1-877-674-2733) in Silverton.  Jill Martini showed us the new ‘pet friendly’ garden.  It is meant to show people how to build a garden where pets and people can enjoy the outdoors together.  The garden has signs that tell you how to protect delicate plants, create walkways, provide drinking water and places to rest for your pet.  They also have an informational kiosk that has a list of poisonous plant material that can be harmful to your animal.  Check it out the next time you are at the Oregon Garden.  (Original air date: 6/2/07)

Portland Nursery/Ockley Green

Portland Nursery (503-231-5050) has a long history of community involvement and we got to see it first hand when we paid a visit to Ockley Green School in North Portland.  Peggy Acott is the Community Outreach Director for the nursery and she is helping the school by providing plants, tools and materials for the kids to start up a vegetable and flower garden.  Peg Butler is the coordinator of the garden program for the school and she told us how this helps kids get involved and understand how things grow and what it takes to be a successful gardener.  Portland Nursery has helped dozens of causes in the Portland area and you can learn more by going to their website and clicking on the ‘In The Community’ link.  (Original air date: 6/2/07)

Enhanced Shade Woodland Garden

Some gardeners think that you are limited in the amount of materials you can choose from for a shady spot in your garden.  To find out the truth we traveled to Extra Perennial Nursery (503-628-1492) in Scholls to learn more.  Sharon Korpowski talked to William about enhanced shade woodland gardens and what that means.  An enhanced shade garden is one where you combine plant material that has similar growing requirements into a landscape, working with nature instead of against it.  She talked about pulling your eye from the woodland canopy to the forest floor and how you can use plantings to draw the eye around your garden.  You can also use structure in your garden to create small vignettes to look at.  If it sounds confusing, it is really simple.  If you need help for your woodland area, stop by and see Sharon or Ken at Extra Perennial Nursery.  (Original air date: 6/2/07)

Hot Summer Plants

Now that the flush of spring blooms are done you may be looking for a garden that has interest for an entire season.  We dropped by Portland Nursery (503-231-5050) to find some plants that will last through the summer and into the fall. Margie McDonald pulled some of her favorites from the shelves for us to look at.  Some of the plants she was excited about included the Fuchsia ‘Gartenmeister’, Hydrangea ‘Endless Summer’, the huge assortment of Gerbera Daisy’s, the various sun and shade coleus and the Grecian Plant – Acanthus mollus ‘Oak Leaf’.  All of these plants will offer great color, interesting textures and full season interest.  Check out these and all the other full season plants at your local garden centers.  (Original air date: 5/26/07)

Stacked Pots

Are you ‘space challenged’ when it comes to your patio or deck?  Instead of spreading out your planters, consider going up!  Donna Wright of Black Gold showed us how to stack your pots to add height to your plantings.  We used smaller pots on top of larger pots and built layers of 3.  We showed you how to build one with color, but you can also make one filler with herbs to keep outside on your deck to use whenever you are cooking.  We also used the Black Gold Coco Blend potting soil.  The Coco Blend contains coconut fiber that helps retain water so you water less often.  (Original air date: 5/26/07)

AMS – Soil Amendment

Drainage issues seem to be the main trouble with lawns here in the northwest. David Curtis from AMS showed us a new process that gets drainage problems for good.  AMS has a product called Axis that is a dry diatomaceous earth that is injected into your soil to change its structure.  It not only helps with your drainage problems, it can give you a healthier lawn and garden, and save you a bunch of money on watering.  If you are interested to having AMS come to look at your lawn you can contact them on the web or call 866-546-3722.
(Original air date: 5/26/07)

Cat Solutions

We all love our feline friends except when they are in our gardens where they shouldn’t be.  Judy showed you various solutions to the problem including the Scarecrow motion sensitive sprinkler, Cat stop, Repel Dog and Cat repellent, lavender sprigs, plastic forks, pointed stakes or bird netting.  We all love our pets and we want them to enjoy the outdoors with us, but we also have a need to protect the plants we love.  If you are having problems with any of your pets, check with your local garden center for safe ideas to set those boundaries. 
(Original air date: 5/26/07)

Memorial Day Grilling

You have spent all spring getting your garden ready for summer, now it is time to set up the grill, have a cold drink and relax.  Memorial Day is here and to get us ready to grill we dropped by to see Jerry Yost from Gartner’s Meats (503-252-7801).  Everyone seems to grill hamburgers and hotdogs during the summer.  Jerry showed us how easy it is to impress people by trying something different, short-ribs.  These ribs are the most popular item that Gartner’s sells during the summer holidays.  In less than 10 minutes you can have a real mouth-watering treat, and a great start to the summer grilling season!  (Original air date: 5/26/07)

Schreiner Iris Gardens and the Keizer Iris Festival

The irises are blooming and that means it is time for the Keizer Iris festival.  One of the reasons that Keizer has this wonderful festival is because of Schreiner’s Iris Gardens (1-800-525-2367).  This family-owned business has been a leader in growing and propagating new varieties of iris for over 80 years.  If you don’t know the name, you do know the fields.  They are the fields full of color as you approach Brooks, Oregon. We met up with Steve Schreiner to wander in their beautiful display gardens!  What sets the display gardens at Schreiner’s apart is the companion planting that they do.  These beds are not just full of irises they have a fantastic combination of other plants including lupines, poppies and pansies.  It is a great place to get ideas for your own garden.  Steve also told us about all the fun activities that are happening over the next two weekends, so if you miss this weekend, be sure to catch it next weekend!

This weekend is also the big weekend for the Keizer Iris Festival.  There is a fun center, parade, a breakfast, a car show and even a karaoke showcase!  Take the family and enjoy a fun weekend touring the fields and enjoying the festival.  (Original air date: 5/19/07)

Mole Solutions

One of the most common pests in the NW garden is the mole.  They can really tear up your flower bed and lawn.  There are lots of products out there to deter them.  Don Sprague of Don Sprague Sales (1-800-423-0158) told us about a couple of them.  The products that don’t seem to work… the vibrators, the home remedies, and the gases and bombs.  Not only are they ineffective, but  the directions are complicated.  You may be doing more harm to your garden than the moles.  The problem with getting rid of moles, if you don’t remove them, they will just leave and will return later.  The best way of getting rid of moles is to trap them.  Don showed us how to use the Cinch Trap.  This product will trap them and remove them forever.  (Original air date: 5/19/07)

Strawberry Choices

Plant your strawberries now for a bountiful harvest this coming summer.  Laura Altvater from Portland Nursery on Stark (503-231-5050) explained the different varieties to Judy.  There are three types of berries you can plant.  ‘June-bearing’ gives you one crop.  ‘Ever-bearing’ gives you two crops, one in the spring and one in the fall.  ‘Day Neutral’ gives you berries through-out the summer if you treat them well.  There are a couple of other things that growers do to get a good crop… plant new berries every three to four years.  Tip back the plant, which means you should cut off the runners. This makes the plant put its energy into the fruit.  One of the hardest things to do… remove the blooms from your first year plants… we think that may be going too far!  Check out your local garden centers for a full range of varieties.  (Original air date: 5/19/07)

Legacy Burn Garden

We visited one of our favorite garden people this week, Teresia Hazen.  She is a Registered Horticultural Therapist and the coordinator of the Legacy Therapeutic Gardens.  Legacy has realized the importance of garden in the rehabilitation of patients at the hospital and Teresia is a recognized leader in the field.  She recently took us on a tour of the burn garden, where people can make use of a special garden in their recovery for traumatic burns .  She also told us how gardens can be used to help stimulate the senses of any child.  Simple things can be done around a garden that will foster a life long love for learning (and Gardening!!!!)  (Original air date: 5/19/07)

Adelman Peony Gardens

Most of us are familiar with peonies.  They are the flowers that were one of the staples in our grandmother’s garden.  These old favorites were popular because they are so reliable.  Carol from Adelman’s Peony Garden (503-393-6185) shows us why they are still a favorite with NW gardeners.  We see the start of the spring color in the fields and even some of the spectacular varieties available like, ‘Sanctus’, Athena’, ‘Vesuvian’, ‘Sugar and Spice’, ‘Merry Mayshine’ and ‘Paeonia Ludlowii’.  The gardens are open for visitors from now until the 17th of June.  Stop by and check out the blooms and take one of these ‘old’ favorites home.
(Original air date: 5/12/07)

Tsugawa Japanese Maples

If you like Japanese maples, then you will LOVE Tsugawa Nursery (360-225-8750) in Woodland, Washington.  Brian and his crew are experts in Japanese Maples and they usually have the biggest selection of maples in the Northwest.  Though they are known for their fall color, this week Brian showed us that they can be very showy in the spring as well.  We saw ‘Kamagata’, ‘Rhode Island Red’, ‘Bonfire’, ‘Samurai’, and ‘Twombly’s Red Sentinel’.  Some of these varieties have light colored foliage and might need a shady spot in the garden, but they are well worth it.  Stop by Tsugawa’s and check out all the different types of Japanese Maples they have on display!  (Original air date: 5/12/07)

Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden

We went to see the Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden for their big Portland Rhododendron Show and Plant Sale that happens every year on Mother's Day weekend.  Dick Cavender talked to William about the events happening at the garden this weekend.  He also covered some care issues dealing with rhodies and walked us through the details on pruning your rhododendrons.  We also saw some great rhododendron varieties like ‘Cynthia’, ‘Dreamland’ and ‘Red Walloper’.  The garden is maintained by volunteers and the plant sale that the Rhododendron Society is conducting helps to raise funds for the garden.  For more information check out the Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden website, or call 503-771-8386.
(Original air date: 5/12/07)

Drake's Sprinkler Care

It is spring and even though the rain showers will be with us for awhile it won’t be too long and we will need to fire up the sprinklers again.  Drake Snodgrass from Drake's 7 Dees (503-256-2223) helped explain some quick fixes to Judy to stop the leaks and help save you some water.  Plus he talked about how to use a timer to help regulate your water usage and help your plants get the right amount of water that they need.  This is the time of year to also assess the plants in your garden and their water needs.  If your plants have grown they may need more water or watering at different times.  Take a look at your garden watering system and if you feel it is too much to handle you can contact Drakes for help.  (Original air date: 5/12/07)

Barbara Blossom Ashmun Book

There is a new book on the shelves of your local bookstore and it is not your typical garden tome.  Barbara Blossom Ashmun has written a book that captures the feelings of the gardener.  From the first flush of falling in love with your garden, to the highs and lows of changing seasons, plants and stations in life, this book is wonderful in how it captures those milestones.  You have a great opportunity to meet Barbara and get a copy of her book.  Her garden is on the Garden Conservancy Open Days tour on Saturday May 12th.  The Garden Conservancy helps protect landmark gardens around the country and they get funding from these Open Days tours.  You can check out their website or Barbara’s site for more information.  (Original air date: 5/12/07)

Drakes Mother’s Day Tropicals

Mother's Day is coming and it is time to start thinking about those gifts for the ‘garden loving’ mom.  We paid a visit to Lynn Snodgrass from Drakes 7 Dees (503-256-2223) on Stark St. in Portland to find out her ideas for gift giving.  She had a few ideas that are a little different this year.  She suggested bringing a tropical look to your mother’s garden.  There are plenty of ‘tropical’ plants that are hardy for this area.  Even the ones that are not hardy can still provide a season full of enjoyment.  The ones she featured included Hibiscus ‘Florida’, Mandarin Honeysuckle, Tropical Agave, Mediterranean Fan Palm, Heliotrope ‘Klehelio’, and the spectacular Sharpton’s Fuchsia.  Other plants that are available include the gerbera daisy and the various hardy bananas that are readily available.   Plus Drakes has other events and classes happening all summer long.  Saturday the 5th they are kicking off ‘Sprouts’, their kids club.  Kids can stop by and build a FREE flower pot for mom.  Check out their website for more information and other specials and classes.  (Original air date: 5/5/07)

Tiarellas

We have found another winner at Terra Nova Nurseries!   Dan Heims took us on a walk through their display gardens to see the best and the brightest of the Tiarellas that they grow.  These plants are real show-offs, first with some wonderful foliage which can vary from variegated colors to lush solid colored greens.  Then there are the flowers.  These spiky flowers, which are in shades of pinks and whites, look soft and delicate, but they can really handle the wind and rain as you could see in the story!  They like shade to part sun and prefer well drained soil.  The ones we saw were very happy under a large fir tree.  They included the varieties, ‘Crow Feather’, ‘Candy Striper’, and ‘Sugar and Spice’.  You can find these and other varieties at your local independent garden center or nursery.  (Original air date: 5/5/07)

Planting Hardy Fuchsias

Fuchsias are not just for your hanging baskets.  You will find that hardy fuchsias can produce wonderful color in your garden year after year.  We visited with Ron Monnier from Monnier’s Country Gardens (503-981-3384), to learn how to plant your hardy fuchsias for great perennial color.  The one tip that surprised us was how deep to plant them.  Hardy fuchsias can be planted DEEP.  Most plants will suffer if you plant the crown too deep, but not fuchsias.  Fuchsias will grow roots along the stems if they are planted deep and that means they will survive the cold better and become bushier over time.  Other tips: you also need to add organic material or compost to the hole when you plant them and a small amount of a balanced fertilizer.  One caution, they love well drained soil, so plant them where they won’t be setting in water!  (Original air date: 5/5/07)

Planting Tomatoes

Now is the time to plant your tomatoes and there are a few things you can do to ensure a bountiful fall crop. One thing you can do is to plant your tomato deep! Tomatoes will grow roots along their main stem as long as you leave a portion of the leaves above ground. Also, by adding a small amount of garden lime to the soil you can avoid ‘blossom end rot’, a condition that causes a brown spot at the end of your tomato.  It is still a little early so you may want to protect your new plants with a cover, like a cloche, or use a product like a Wall-o-Water.  Don’t forget to set your tomato cages up as well.  (Original air date: 5/5/07)

One Weekend Wonder - PVC Trellis

This little structure is one way to bring height to your garden.  William showed us how to build 3 different structures for your climbing plants.  The first one was easy.  He used a tomato cage to help his climbing peas.  The second trellis was a teepee of bamboo sticks.  He tied them at the top and they make a quick and simple structure.  The third structure was a folding trellis made from PVC pipe.  We cut the pipe into various lengths to fit our garden size.  This one had 3, ¾ inch pipes that were 3 feet long.  These are for the two base pieces and the top.  Then we cut 4 longer pieces (6 foot) these are for the sides.  6 elbows create the square and then we also had 2 tees.  The top of the tee was a bigger size than the rest of the pipe.  This will allow the folding of the trellis when the season is done.  The finishing touch was the string.  Last year we used a hemp string for the plants to climb on.  This quickly broke down and that meant it didn’t work as well as we had hoped.  This year we are using a cotton fiber string, which will give our trellis the strength to give our beans and other climbing plants a good strong base to grow on.  (Original air date: 5/5/07)

Tool Shed -- Trugs

Do you know what a trug is?   It is a small basket for carrying produce or cut flowers in your garden.  These baskets are well known in Europe for their looks and versatility.  We found some interesting ones locally at Daisy Fields (800-294-1343) in Lake Oswego.  JoAnn told us about the ones she carries in her store.  These are made near Coos Bay out of myrtle wood from trees that have been blown down during storms.  They are made by hand and are dipped in a mineral oil that gives them a nice natural finish.  You may have heard of them before.  The Wall St. Journal chose them as one of its "Nifty Gifts for Gifted Gardeners" in December, 2006. 
(Original air date: 5/5/07)

Blooms and Brew at the Oregon Garden

We paid our annual visit the Oregon Garden (1-877-674-2733) to see all the spring blooming plants that they have and to hi-light all the events going on in Silverton.  Our timing could not have been better!  This weekend is the 3rd Annual Blooms and Brew festival on Saturday.  April Purdy told us about the 30 local brewers that will be offering samples of their beers, and for a $10 admission you get a commemorative glass and 4 tickets for samples.  Live music will fill the garden with guests like Terry Robb and Blue Light Special.  You can also get a great dinner supplied by Roth’s!   But don’t forget the garden.  The cooler weather has really held up the blooms and they will be busting out for the festival!  Come up, jump on the garden tram and spend a day enjoying the garden!  (Original air date: 4/28/07)

Bird Supplies

With the coming of spring it also signals the return of birds to the garden.  You can make it easier for our feathered friends by equipping your garden with all the right materials they need.  We paid a visit to Gray’s Garden Center (541-345-1569) and met with Donna Fountain to see what they recommend for bird lovers.  The basics that they recommend addressing are shelter, food and water.  Shelter could be a bird house, or even planting the right plants in your garden that can protect them from the weather and predators.  Food needs change depending on the type of bird you want to attract.  For example, you wouldn’t use a hummingbird feeder to attract a chickadee.  So know your bird and use a correct feed.  Also, when choosing a feed, pick a quality one.  Some feeds contain weed seed that is non-native and it is starting to cause problems for gardeners and farmers.  Finally, water, create areas in your garden that have water stops.  Smaller birds prefer shallow pools of water for drinking and bathing.  You can even place them on the ground for those ground feeding birds.  If you have any questions, you can contact you local garden center.  (Original air date: 4/28/07)

Root Stimulator

When you are putting your new plants in the ground it is always a good idea to give them a boost with a shot of fertilizer.  The problem is that most fertilizers are granular and take a while to break down and release their nutrients to the plant.  Fertilome has a liquid product that will do what the dry fertilizers do and a whole lot more, it also contains plant hormones that help reduce transplant shock and stimulates root growth.  You just mix it in with the water you use to transplant and give your plant a good drink when it goes in the ground.   Ryan at Larsen Farm Nursery (503-638-8600) showed us how well it works.  You can find it at Larsen Farm or other independent garden centers.  (Original air date: 4/28/07)

Balled and Burlaped

If you have bought a tree or shrub in the last few years you have noticed that they usually have the roots wrapped in a burlap ball.  These ‘balled and burlaped’ plants easily adapt to most gardens because the roots remain intact and are not damaged when you move them.  We went to Bloomer’s Nursery (541-687-5919) in Eugene where they grow these B&B plants for sale to other nurseries.  Jenny showed us how they use specialized equipment to dig the plants and then how they tie them so the plant retains as much soil as possible.  Next she showed us how to plant a B&B plant.  There are very few steps to follow for success.  First, prepare the hole.  She recommends a good transplant fertilizer and amended soil.  Second, after the plant is in the hole, cut the twine.  The twine that holds the burlap around top of the plant can cut off the circulation to the plant, so remove it.  Next, pull the burlap back.  Pull the burlap back and shove it down into the hole on the sides of the root ball.  You can leave it in the hole because it will break down eventually.  Finally, backfill the soil.  Push the remaining soil in the hole, but keep it from piling up on the trunk.  Keep the trunk flare even with the existing ground level.  Pretty easy!  For more tips you can check out the process again at Bloomers How-to page.  (Original air date: 4/28/07)

Crabapples

If you are looking for a small tree to use in your landscape, check out the newest varieties of crabapples that have been recently introduced.  Brian Tsugawa from Tsugawa’s Nursery (360-225-8750) pulled 4 out of this nursery to show us the new varieties out there.  The ones he hi-lighted included ‘Prairiefire’, ‘Red Barron’, ‘Sargent Tina’ and ‘Louisa’.  The old styles of crabapples were known for getting scab and rust, plus they could get 30 feet tall or bigger!  These newer varieties are more disease resistant and they have been hybridized to stay smaller.  Right now they reward you with beautiful blooms and later they will reward your garden wildlife with small fruits too.  Check out all the varieties at your garden center to find the right one for your yard.  (Original air date: 4/28/07)

Tool Shed – Circle Hoe

We found a tool at the Oregon Garden that they use in their garden with great success.  It is the Circle Hoe (800-735-4815).  This tool is an improvement over the normal hoe you find in your garden center.  This one has a rounded edge so you don’t damage the plants in your garden.  It also has a sharpened edge on the inside of the circle so it only cuts the weeds.  It also breaks up the soil and cultivates it while you are weeding instead of creating piles or mounds of dirt.  If you are looking for a new hoe or you are tired of damaging your plants while weeding,  (Original air date: 4/28/07)

The Hulda Klager Lilac Days

It is that time of year: Lilac time.  We took the short trip up I-5 to Woodland, Washington to check out the lilacs at the Hulda Klager Lilac Days (360-225-8996).  The 2007 Lilac Days will run from this weekend through Mother's Day.  Hulda hybridized many lilacs and became known as the ‘Lilac Lady’ in the Woodland area.  She opened her garden to the public for an open house in the spring during the '20s.  She passed away in 1960.  The Hulda Klager Lilac Society now runs the garden and opens it every year for this festival.  They charge a small fee during the festival.  That, and the proceeds from the gift shop, keeps this garden going all year long.  Take the time and visit it when you get a chance, it is spectacular!  (Original air date: 4/21/07)

Heuchera’s

If you are looking for a plant that can bring year round color and texture to your garden, then the heuchera is for you.  Locally, Terra Nova is the company that has led the way in hybridizing and growing a huge variety of these plants for the gardener.  Heuchera’s used to be called ‘coral bells’ in your grandma's garden, but these are not the same plant.  Dan Heims took us on a tour of their demonstration gardens to show us how they have used them to create a blanket of color.  He showed us a half dozen different varieties including; ‘Peach Flambé’, ‘Sashay’, ‘Ginger Ale’, Geisha’s Fan’, a new variety called ‘Midnight Rose’, plus an old favorite ‘Lime Rickey’.  You can find varieties that like sun and some that prefer shade, but they all prefer well-drained soil.  If you want more information about growing these plants, check with your local garden center or the Terra Nova website.
(Original air date: 4/21/07)

One Weekend Wonder

We kick off our new segment, "One Weekend Wonders."  These are projects that you can tackle in a weekend and are easily done by the time Monday rolls around.  This week we went to Tsugawa Nursery (360-225-8750) in Woodland, WA. to learn how to build a patio fountain.  Brian Tsugawa walked Judy through the steps and William put in the labor to build this outstanding feature.  The hardest part was waiting for the sealant to dry on the pot.  This project requires a container that holds water, a decorative container, piping, a pump and a couple of bricks.  Check out the instructions here.   (Original air date: 4/21/07)

Tool Shed – Self-watering Containers

We are planting our containers right now, but it won’t be long and we will want to hit the road for the summer and then all the hard work we have done now will be lost if our potted plants get fried in the summer heat.  We found some great self-watering containers at the Greenhouse Catalog (800-825-1925) that will keep our summer plants from getting too thirsty.  One was a group of stacking tubs that had a reservoir in the bottom and came in different sizes that you could stack.  The other container was called the Earth Box.  This is a great container because it allows the plants to self-water.  It came with a trellis kit so the plant can grow on something and it was on wheels so it could be easily moved!  Check out the Greenhouse Catalog for more great container ideas.  (Original air date: 4/21/07)

Jan’s Extension Tips for the Month

The spring brings a bunch of new problems and jobs to the garden and so we visited with Jan McNeilan from OSU Extension to see what we should be looking for in our gardens.  Jan started by telling us to look at the soil temperature.  The weather teased us a couple of weeks ago and some gardeners started to get a little over-anxious about planting. The soil temperature is not as warm as we think.  Wait until the soil reaches 50-55 degrees or you may be replanting some of your garden!  Also, check the dates on your seed packets.  Some seeds remain viable for quite a while, while others will get weak and lose their ability to germinate.  Check the varieties and see if you need to buy new seed.  Also, stretch before you start out in the garden.  It is early in the season and expect to be a little sore after the first day or two gardening.  (Original air date: 4/21/07)

22nd Annual Tulip Fest

William and Judy visited the Woodburn Tulip Festival at the Wooden Shoe Tulip farm for the 22nd annual Woodenshoe Tulip Fest (1-800-711-2006).  This event showcases the fields full of beautiful tulip blooms and runs from mid-March to the 22nd of April.  Patti Iverson showed us over 18 acres of tulips in bloom, and the bloom was incredible!  The fields are at their peak right now and are a must see for anyone, even non-flower lovers.  We even got a chance to see a wooden shoe carver, who will be at the festival on weekends.  In fact, every weekend there are a variety of things to do including pony rides, arts and crafts, steam tractors, wine tasting and other entertainment for a small fee of $5 a car.  The rest of the week it is free!  Even when the weather is a little damp, the fields never disappoint.  Bring a camera; this is a scene you have to capture on film!  (Original air date: 4/14/07)

Marietta’s Spring Garden

We were in Eugene again and paid a visit to Northwest Garden Nursery (541-935-3915) and Marietta O’Byrne’s woodland garden.  Marietta and her husband Ernie not only grow some of the nicest and cleanest plants around, they also use them in some of the best display gardens we have ever found.  Judy got a personal tour and was able to see some of the earliest woodland plants that appear in the garden.  We saw how the spring is greeted by fritillarias, trilliums, anemones, trout lilies and hellebores. Then, later on the pulmonarias, epimediums and the podophyllums take over and create a whole new palette of colors and textures to enjoy.  We will be visiting the garden again in the coming months to check out the garden changes and find new plants.  If you are interested in seeing the garden, call first because garden hours are limited.  (Original air date: 4/14/07)

Container Rejuvenation

If your containers are a little tired we can show you how to give them a fresh start.  William gets some helpful hints from Renate Aebi at Al’s Garden Center (503-726-1162) in Sherwood.  She told us how to use structure and color to build a winning hanging basket, but first she dumped our old baskets in the trash!  She was trying to prove a point.  You may want to start your basket fresh, with new soil, plants and fertilizer.  If you really love an old plant in your basket, put it out it in your garden.  Renata also showed us how to mix perennials and annuals to get great color all season long.  She also rotates her annuals to freshen up her pots every couple of months.  (Original air date: 4/14/07)

Spring Equipment Maintenance

Now is the time to take care of those lawn equipment service problems so you can head into spring with ‘working’ equipment.  Scott from Stark Street Lawn and Garden (503-255-5393) walked us through some of the issues you may be dealing with and how to fix them.  If your mower is acting up you can take care of the problem by changing the fuel and oil filters, changing the oil, spark plug and sharpening the blade.  The same is true for all your lawn and garden equipment.  If you have a job you don’t think you can handle, give the guys at Stark Street a call or find a reputable repair shop.  Always remember to have your model number and brand written down for the technician when you call so they can have the parts you need available.  (Original air date: 4/14/07)

Gardenpalooza

It is the 5th annual Gardenpalooza and time to get out and get your plants for the coming spring and summer.  This one-day event has become one of the biggest garden parties of the spring.  Over 40 vendors are selling plants, garden art, food, and garden tools and supplies.  If you are a gardener then you have to be at Fir Point Farms on Saturday!  Also, this year, many vendors are offering huge discounts of their plants.  There is a coupon sheet available to all who attend.  Check out William and Judy in the Garden Time booth for a bouquet of free cut flowers (from the Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm) and a free packet of seeds (from New Dimension Seed), while supplies last.  The event runs from 8-4.  (Original air date: 4/7/07)

Trilliums

One of the signature woodland plants of the spring is the trillium.  These woodland wonders naturalize well in shady areas under trees and can fill a niche if you need a plant for these hard to grow areas.  We found a huge selection of trilliums at Extra Perennial Nursery in Scholls.  Ken told us about the types of trilliums they have and showed off the newest of the bunch, the Kurabayashii, which is a native to southern Oregon forests.  They have outstanding red flowers that grow upright.  He also had one that he teased us with, a rare yellow form of the Kurabayashii, which will be available next year.  You can add your name to the wish list and be the first on your block to have one these next season.  (Original air date: 4/7/07)

QingMing

Every culture celebrates the rebirth and growth of the spring season with special rites and festivals.  The Chinese do it with their QingMing or ‘Clear Brightness Festival’.   QingMing is a spring holiday, dually celebrating the rebirth of nature and a return to outdoor activity.  The Portland Classical Chinese Garden celebrates the festival by scheduling a family-friendly weekend of events and a month long series of exhibits.  Amy Freyer joined us to fill us in on the big events happening this weekend at the garden.  You can come down and release a new goldfish into Lake Zither or build a special kite to commemorate the change of seasons. 

Then we met up with Jodi Gurtov to see some of the plants that the Chinese Garden will be selling at Gardenpalooza on Saturday.  These are plants that you can find in the garden or at one of the sales.  She featured Rubus irenaeus, Trochodendron aralioides and Helwingia chinensis.  If you are not sure which is which, stop by Gardenpalooza of the PCCG to see them.  (Original air date: 4/7/07)

Portland Nursery Eco-roof

We had heard about a strange re-roofing job that the Portland Nursery on Division did to one of their buildings, so we had to go see it.  Justin met with Judy to show of a ‘eco-roof’ they have installed at the nursery.  An eco-roof is one where you use plant material on the top of a building.  They do this to accomplish a couple of things.  One, it controls rain runoff and cleanses it before it flows into the storm drains.  Two, it helps to maintain a balanced, more energy efficient way of controlling temperature inside the building.  The staff started by checking the weight limit on the roof.  Then they build a ‘raised bed’ on the roof.  Then they used a variety of ‘water efficient’ (drought tolerant) plants to cover the roof.  It was a great way to put words into action and show people how easy it is to be earth-friendly.  Stop by and check it out! 
(Original air date: 4/7/07)

Magnolias

One of the great spring bloomers are the magnolias.  These trees/shrubs are good for a flowery show in the spring.  We went to Gossler Farms Nursery (541-746-3922) to visit with Roger to see some of the hybrid magnolias that will only get between 15-18 feet tall.  The ones we saw were named after ladies and included "Orchid," "Ann" and "Susan."  These magnolias like blazing hot sun, but can also go in semi shade areas as well.  Of course, you will get a bushier plant if it gets more sun.   Roger also answered the question about moss on your magnolias.  He has been told it is a sign of clean air, with little or no pollution.  They don’t spray to get rid of the moss and they have trees that are over 40 years old so it doesn’t adversely affect them.  (Original air date: 3/31/07)

Roof Moss

Last week we talked to Norm McCreight of Lilly Miller about getting rid of moss in your lawn.  Today we chatted about the moss you find on your roof.  Norm told us about a couple of products that Lilly Miller makes to take care of the problem.  We found out that the moss on your roof is different than the stuff in your grass and it might not even be moss.  Norm explained that algae may be your problem.  Also, if you fail to remove the moss from the roof you may be looking at expensive repairs in the long run.  The moss will get underneath the shingles and allow moisture to get into wood supports.  He recommends using the new Moss Out products the have been reformulated to be much safer than the older roof products.  There are also some citrus based products that will be safe for your pets.  Treat the problems now and when the weather warms up it will get rid of your moss and algae for good!  (Original air date: 3/31/07)

Planting Asparagus

Some people have tried asparagus in the past and have not had too much luck.  Jack Bigej from Al’s Garden Center (503-981-1245) loves asparagus and gave us some tips for planting success.  He uses a variety called Jersey Knight which is made up of all male plants that will not go to seed, plus it yields a bigger crop.  First, you dig a well drained hole that is about a foot deep.  That is the key…good drainage!   Asparagus doesn’t like standing water.  Then, lightly cover the root.  When the plants get to be about a foot tall you fill in the rest of the hole.  Don’t harvest the first year.  Lightly harvest the second year and cut all you want the 3rd year.  The plant will produce a good crop for up to 20 years after that.  (Original air date: 3/31/07) 

Spring Mulching

Now is the time to apply a good layer of mulch to your garden.  Jeff Grimm from Grimm’s Fuel (503-636-3623) joined us to talk about the different types of mulches you can get for your garden beds.  In the past people liked the red, fresh color of a new Fir or Hemlock mulch.  This type will age to a grey color and will help keep the weeds in check.  The problem is that they tend to pull nitrogen from your soil as the wood breaks down and that leaves less for your plants.  The other problem this year is availability.  The wood based mulches are harder to come by due to the housing market and timber harvesting.  The new popular mulch is Garden Mulch.  This is a nice dark color and it will help your garden by providing nutrients for your plants.   Grimm’s has all the different types of mulches and can deliver them in bulk or can even blow them in so the work is done and you save your back!  (Original air date: 3/31/07)

Pond Cleaning

The long winter is over and your pond or water feature needs to be whipped into shape for the upcoming summer.  Cleaning it is not as hard as you may think.  Brian Tsugawa from Tsugawa Nursery (360-225-8750) showed us a wide variety of products that are available to the homeowner.  Whether your problem is algae or decomposing leaves there is a product that can solve your problem including a product made out of barley straw!  To find a product best for you, contact Tsugawa Nursery or your local pond supply store.  (Original air date: 3/31/07)

Spring Rose Care

If you follow the traditional rules, your roses should have been pruned many weeks ago, but with roses you can break a few rules.  We went to the experts at Heirloom Roses (503-538-1576) to see how they tackle the chore of pruning.  Christine was out in the fields pruning away some of the old winter canes and prepping the plants for a full season of bloom.  Roses are very forgiving, but we tend to treat them gingerly when it comes time to cut them back.  Chris showed us how to cut them back and even how to remove some of the older canes to promote that new growth.  Of course now is also a good time to get new plants in the ground.  If you have any rose questions you can call Heirloom, or better yet, sign up for one of the Saturday Academies where you can learn in a hands-on setting.  (Original air date: 3/24/07)

Lawn Moss

If you live in the northwest you have moss.  This is one of the biggest problems facing the homeowner and with the warmer weather you may have the urge to renovate your lawn for the summer months ahead.  But first you have to get rid of the moss.  We talked to Norm McCreight of Lilly Miller about moss and why we seem to have so much of it in the Northwest.  It is a condition that we get from a lack of care.  If you take care of your lawn and help the grass grow, then you can help keep the moss from taking over.  Norm gave us some tips on getting rid of the moss and what you should do to keep it from coming back.  We also learned that if your have a moss control that contains iron you should be careful to not let it get on buildings, patio or clothing.  The iron will cause a stain.  (Original air date: 3/24/07)

Starting Seeds Indoors

Now is the time to start some of your seeds indoors in anticipation of the coming spring and summer.  Judy is joined by Sue Berg of New Dimension Seeds to show you how to plant your seeds and what types you can plant now to get a head start on the season.  The basic rules for success include starting with a quality soil and fresh seeds.  Sue also mentioned that you may want to remember the size of the pot that you use.  She moves and thins her small plants seedlings to bigger pots to give them the best start before they go in her garden.  Check out your local garden center for a great selection of seeds.  For some tips on successful seed starting, check out the link on the How-To page.  (Original air date: 3/24/07)

Dividing Hostas

One of the easiest perennials to divide is the hosta.  We paid a visit to Sebright Gardens (503-463-9615) to learn how to do it from Thomas Johnson.   Sebright grows over 300 different varieties of hostas so they know what they are doing.  Thomas told us that you should see the points of the new growth poking out of the ground before you dig them up.  If you are seeing the new leaves starting to unfold you should wait a couple of weeks so you don’t damage the new growth, but that is the only warning he gave.  He washed a clump and then just tore it by hand.  So easy that you can chop up a clump of roots with a shovel and still not kill the plant!  (Original air date: 3/24/07)

Hellebores

These plants are true winter bloomers and were old garden favorites many years ago.  They have become popular again and bring wonderful winter color to the garden.  We visited with Ken Korpowski from Extra Perennial Nursery (503-628-1492) in Scholls.  These plants are true evergreen woodland perennials and Extra Perennial has a wonderful selection of them.  Ken showed us a couple of his favorites.  He had Helleborus ‘Slate Blue’, Mardi Gras ‘Parade Yellow’, Hellebores ‘Party Dress’ and one plant that makes a great companion plant, the Hepatica ‘Blue Jewel’.  The nursery is also offering a special on all trade gallons until the end of the month, 25% off.  (Original air date: 3/17/07)

Seed Starting Supplies

Now is the time to start planting your summer garden, indoors!  You can get a jump on the growing season by starting your plants now and it is easy to do if you have the right supplies!  Michelle Moore from the Greenhouse Catalog (800-825-1925) walked us through the materials you will need to be successful.  First we started with a seed tray.  This one had 72 cells to get your seed going.  Next she added a growing medium.  She recommended a CocoLite Brick. The brick breaks up into a highly water absorbent potting type soil.  Michelle told us to remember to transplant the seedlings or fertilize them once they start growing since the coco contains no nutrients. Next was heat.  A seedling heat mat will help keep them warm and cozy.  Then the final touch, lights.  Some seeds may require additional lighting to be successful; check the variety to see if you are using one that does.  They also have the right materials if you want to try propagating cuttings from your existing plants.  No matter where you live you can get everything you need at GreenHouseCatalog.com.  (Original air date: 3/17/07)

Daffodils

The true sign of spring, daffodils!  We start our new season in the fields of daffodils and visit with Patti Iverson from Wooden Shoe Bulb Company (1-800-711-2006) to talk about how they can add an early touch of color to your garden.  We talked about care and feeding of these early bloomers and how you can use them in your yard or garden.  Wooden Shoe cuts and ships daffodils all over the country so they have to know how to make them last!  Patti also gave us a tip for keeping deer away from your prized tulips; surround them with daffodils.  Deer hate the ‘daffs’ and will ignore your tulips to avoid the daffodils.  They are a great cut flower with one warning.  Don’t place them in a vase with other cut flowers right away.  The sap from the daffodil will cause other flowers to plug up!  The sap doesn’t allow the other flowers to draw water.  If you have any more questions about daffodils or tulips you can contact Wooden Shoe.
(Original air date: 3/17/07)

KinderGarden – Easter Grass

There is nothing like ‘REAL’ grass in your Easter basket.  In this Kindergarden segment we saw how easy it is to grow grass for your Easter (or spring) baskets.  All you need is weed fabric, potting soil, any type of grass seed (rye grass works well), and water.  First you line the basket with the fabric.  Remember the fabric will allow the water to drain so make sure it is a basket that can get wet.  Next put in the potting soil and keep it an inch or so below the edge of the basket.  Then sprinkle grass seed in the soil.  Don’t go too light on the seed; you want it to be really full looking!  Mix the seed into the soil and water lightly.  The seed should start growing in a week to 10 days.  Keep the soil moist until the seed germinates and it will be ready by Easter morning!  (Original air date: 3/17/07)

Cold Frames

With all this cold weather you may have been worried about your garden plants and containers. We found a cold frame at Solexx Greenhouses (800-825-1925) that you can use to protect those tender plants. Michelle Moore showed us how easy it is to build and use. She even added a heating coil to protect those tender shrubs. If you are looking to start your spring gardening sooner you can also use it to get a quicker start on the growing season. The cold days of winter are not gone yet so protect those tender plants for a healthier garden in 2007. 
(Webcast: January 2007)

Plant Pick – Pyracantha

Our plant pick this week is a great plant in any season. The pyracantha is an evergreen shrub that is grown for its foliage and its fruit. During the winter months it is a great natural food source for the local bird population. It has plentiful orange or red fruit. It is also a great plant for culturing, because it can easily be pruned to any shape or espaliered. The 2 varieties we featured were from Drakes 7 Dees (503-256-2223). They were Red Elf and Graber’s pyracantha. One word of caution, it is also known as ‘firethorn’ because of its needlelike thorns. Remember to wear your gloves!  (Webcast: January 2007)

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