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| Click Here to download a copy of our June - August 2009 Garden Gazette in pdf format | ||||||||||
Life will Find a WayIt was the most beautiful day of this new Spring when our back garden was suddenly filled with shouts of glee and great surprise! Emma had walked into the sheep barn to gather eggs when she discovered a lamb had just been born to Buttercup, one of our Shetland sheep. Our extended family was gathered for an impromptu picnic and everyone rushed to the barn to see this entirely unexpected baby as he was nuzzling his mother and struggling to find his balance. My mind was racing with two questions and very few answers. How did this happen? And, if one lamb, why not six? or ten? or twelve? This could happen if all the other ewes were pregnant with twins or triplets. But, for the last two years there had been no potential suitors within a few miles of our small flock of six ewes. While everyone else was rejoicing and trying to come up with answers, I was rushing to find antiseptic to treat the lamb’s umbilical cord, molasses for Buttercup’s drinking water, fresh straw to bed down the floor of the pen and separate buckets for Buttercup’s personal supply of water and grain. We were totally unprepared for this birth. Speculation ran wild. One theory was that I had mistaken a ram for a ewe…I don’t think so. One was that there was a wild ram living in the woods across the road…possible but not probable. One irreverent theory was that it was an immaculate conception and we should name the newborn lamb "Jesús"… which would explain the fact that there would be only one, right? In the end the only plausible explanation was that we waited too long to move Willy, last year’s lamb, out of the pasture. He was barely three months old and still very small when we moved him to the Nursery. The men were dubious but clearly impressed by Willie’s potency and vigor at such a young age. I, on the other hand, was mildly distressed over not being able to control what goes on at our small farm. The pasture is not big enough for more sheep, and we have not used the fleeces we already have in our basement. Our grandson Ian, who at four- years- old is already picking up on the nuances of conversations, must have noticed the men’s veiled admiration for something about Willy that he did not quite understand, contrasted with my bewilderment and dismay over the whole situation. He decided to take my side and was trying to make me feel better when he declared Willy “a naughty little rascal.” Or maybe he decided to come down on the side of the person who lets him raid the refrigerator whenever he wants and often gives him a cookie for the ride home. I thought of the naughty little rascal the next day when Blossom had a lamb and the next week when Lucy had twins. We are fortunate there were only four and not twelve. And they are healthy, adorable and very entertaining to watch. Their games of chase and leap frog were, however, interrupted for a few days last week when our veterinarian came out and banded the ram lambs. After hearing the story she knowingly smiled and said “life will always find a way.” I guess it helps to be philosophical about matters beyond our control. But for now, I think there is no doubt that we are back in control! Toni Christianson |
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Gardens of Note
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Sixth Annual Rose FestivalKeynote Speaker: Ciscoe MorrisSaturday, June 20, 2009 9 am - 6 pm
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A Taste of SeattleJust in time for Father’s Day, Primrose is hosting a tasting of its newest line of gourmet foods prepared by the Boat Street Café & Deli located near Pike Place Market. Chef and owner Renee Erickson, responding to the gentle and unyielding prodding of both staff and clientele to make her unique pickles available beyond the doors of her French-influenced restaurant, now offers four products that are appearing in many a gourmand’s pantry. Boat Street’s pickled prunes pair well with roast chicken; the figs are a must for vanilla ice cream; the red onion is an excellent accompaniment with grilled fish and the golden raisins take roast pork to a new level. The fresh ingredients combine with arbol chile, mustard, coriander, rosemary, orange peel and red wine. Erickson at present is doing all the pickling herself in Boat Street’s kitchen and often enlists the aid of her mother who lives on Camano Island. To complement these new additions to Primroses pantry, Craig Himes of Amadeus Distributors will be on hand to let you sample their handcrafted wines. Plan to stop by Primrose between 1 and 3 pm on Saturday, June 13, and sample these taste-tempting delights that would make a savory gift for every Dad! |
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A Deer-Resistant GardenA deer- resistant garden…some may ask if any such thing really exists and with the frequent inquiries posed by our customers, many of whom live on neighboring islands, we would not dare offer any suggestions without the familiar disclaimer: Deer-Resistant Gardens—not Deer Proof! We realize the challenges that many gardeners face, and while they enjoy wildlife and the pleasure they bring, the feeling sours ever so slightly when hundreds of dollars of foliage become the banquet for ravenous deer that have selected their backyard for its smorgasbord. The following is a suggested planting for a small garden that thrives in sun or part shade and could act as a buffer for the scouring herd. While we often hear “they will eat anything when push comes to shove” this selection attempts to dampen rather than whet their appetites. For a list of deer-resistant plants for our area and the layout of the plants listed below, please come in for your copy at our Garden Store and be sure to ask for Kathryn Poole, our resident perennial expert! |
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Water Gardens
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The Elegant White Garden
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Spotlight on David Austin Roses
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Sixth Annual Rose Festival
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Vertical Gardening
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Cooking with Herbs: Picnic Fare
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The Exotic World of Bamboo
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Winning the Weed Battle
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Living Sedum Wreaths
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Luring the Hummingbird
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A Tropical Invasion
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Hypertufa Troughs
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World of Grasses
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Miniature Gardens
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Children in the Garden, Nature Crafts Series ages 5 – 10
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Christianson's Summer Calendar 2009
(back to index ) If you wish to attend any of the following classes or events, please call our Mount Vernon Nursery at (360) 466-3821. Preregistration is required for all of our classes, unless stated otherwise. |
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CLASSES & EVENTS
(back to index) See details above this list.
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Click Here to download our June - August 2009 Garden Gazette in pdf format
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