| September - October 2008 |
John Christianson, Editor
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| Click Here to download a copy of our September - October 2008 Garden Gazette in pdf format |
Hearing Voices
There is a new voice at our house. It tells me what to cook for dinner. And, no, it is not my husband John. He actually has a very good appetite and will eat anything edible as long as he does not have to fix it. If worse comes to worse he can fill a bowl with cold cereal and pour milk over it. However, he really does enjoy food, as do the rest of us, so I have always tried to have balanced meals with appetizing and colorful presentations. That does sound so unbelievably old-fashioned, but up until now I have not been able to get away from my Mom’s early training. She was a home economics teacher and had very definite ideas about what tastes went together and what looked best on a dinner plate. And nutrition was number one. We always had a protein, two vegetables, a starch and a salad. Even in the depths of winter she would purchase lettuce at winter’s high prices and say “it is less expensive than going to the doctor”. No, the new voice dictating what we eat is our vegetable garden. At its insistence we are having some dinners my mother would hardly approve of with her eye for appetizing combinations. I know she would approve of the fresh produce from our garden, but she would have gone to the grocery store to pick up the last few items to make the dinner presentable rather than mix foods that do not traditionally go together. Last night we had hot dogs (from the Skagit Valley Food Coop…without nitrites or nitrates), steamed Swiss chard, zucchini sautéed in garlic butter with salt and pepper and sliced plums. Mom would have had hot dogs, potato salad, baked beans, green salad, potato chips and watermelon…our traditional summer picnic fare. I know, that does sound way better but I would have had to run out and buy the baked beans, potato chips and watermelon while the zucchini would have grown bigger and the Swiss chard would continue toward bolting and become bitter in the process. The night before last was a better example of a good dinner. We had roasted chicken, creamed peas and new potatoes, sliced tomatoes, steamed artichokes and strawberries...all fresh from our garden and a wonderful mix of appetizing colors. That is, all from our garden except the chicken, but that is a whole different story. I just walk in the garden each day and harvest what is ready and that is what we have. Sometimes we have the same vegetable for three to four days in a row but they are so delicious right from the garden I never hear any complaints. As I walk, however, I also trip over our chickens who love to eat from our garden. We clip their wings, hoping they will not fly over the pasture fence and we feed them well in their chicken coop every morning. Nevertheless, they still fly over the fence to forage in our garden. They eat all the green lettuces and leave the red lettuces alone. That is fine with me and actually the best case since the red lettuce is better for us. Problems do occur, however, when they eat the strawberries. We love strawberries warmed by the sun and at their peak of perfection and eat them while standing out in the garden. And, so do the chickens. They have also eaten the foliage on 2 rows of potatoes and dug up half the squash seeds. Each morning they provide us with fresh organic eggs and comic relief with their antics but we have way too many chickens for one family and with chicken prices going up and their constant raids of the garden, I am looking at them with a quick, secretive glance, sizing them up and wondering just how good a complete meal from our garden would taste. I think I may be hearing another voice.
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A Skagit Symphony Garden Tour Thank You
John and I would like to thank our customers who withstood 92 degree temperatures to visit our home garden during the Skagit Symphony's 'Gardens of Note' Tour. We would especially like to thank visitors who sent us thank-yous and wonderful photographs they had taken of our garden that day. The Tour organizers were very happy with the $12,000.00 they raised during the tour and we are very happy to have our garden finished....well almost finished.
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Yellow means ‘Stop’
The fact that the color yellow is employed for hazard signs, school buses and, yes, those ubiquitous insect traps is no mere coincidence. Yellow is the color known for its visibility. Its cheerful hue is like a signal attracting our attention, defying us to ignore its presence. How often are our eyes drawn to the yellow umbrels of the humble yarrow that sprouts in vacant lots and dots roadside meadows partnered with buttercups, lupine and dandelions? It is the tiny yellow flower of dusty miller tucked in beside the gaura, penstemon and veronica that captures one’s attention and beckons the butterflies. It is for this very reason that gardeners should develop a palette of yellow whether to complete a container or hanging basket or to add tonality to the perennial border. On a larger scale don’t forget yellow when planting trees and shrubs. Incorporate trees such as the gingko that waves its fan-shaped leaves in the summer sky or the ‘Golden Spirit’ smoke tree (Cotinus coggygria). For a spectacular burst of color try the golden black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia ‘Frisia’) which stands tall like a beacon behind our schoolhouse garden bringing life to the August landscape or the new Norway maple ‘Princeton Gold’ (Acer platenoides). A recent tour of local nurseries brought the starring role yellow plays to my attention. While I had appreciated all the varied plant materials that were showcased at each stop along the day’s journey it was one particular planting that made me halt and turn around. I made a mental note of how I could reconstruct it on a smaller scale in my own garden. A rectangular bed of softly hued yarrow (dare I say mellow yellow?), not the color of the aforementioned roadside denizen, stood erect alongside lance-leaf coreopsis with rudbeckia nudging its feet. The palette of yellow hues was striking and brushed ever so slightly against the gray statuary that stood in its midst. I could imagine how delighted the butterflies must have been earlier that day as they paid a visit to this inviting oasis of color that offered them drink and offered the sunshine that was lacking on that gray afternoon.
Joanne Romann
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Festival of Family Farms
Plan to visit La Conner Flats and the other 13 farms open October 4th & 5th from 10 am – 5pm. After visiting our neighbors plan to stop by the Nursery for freshly squeezed apple cider (Saturday only) from apples locally grown by Gordon Skagit Farms. Bring the kids to enjoy our first annual Scarecrow Contest and meet members of the Skagit Valley Beekeepers Association. They will be at the Nursery on Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm with live bees and fresh honey to sell!
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A Tradition Revived
Anyone familiar with the former Tillinghast Seed Store in La Conner will remember the Scarecrow Contest they sponsored each fall. To honor this tradition Christianson’s Nursery is planning its first Scarecrow Contest open to all artists and novices alike who wish to display their flights of fancy at the Nursery. All entries must be submitted to the Nursery by Friday, October 3rd in time for the Festival of Family Farms October 4th and 5th. Your renditions of the classic scarecrow will be placed along the esplanade at the Nursery for all to view. The Grand Prize ( a $100 Gift Certificate) will be awarded October 30th. Let your imagination and creative juices flow and make this the beginning of an annual event to showcase the artistic talents of our gardening community and to welcome the season!
Note: Posts will be provided for displaying your scarecrow. Scarecrows may be picked up on October 30th in time for Halloween!
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Willow Basketry Class
September 6 & 7 9:30 am – 5:00 pm
$150 (all materials included)
Skagit County basketmaker and willow grower Katherine Lewis with present this two-day class on weaving a gathering basket with handle. Katherine, who conducts workshops in the area and has traveled abroad to learn this timeless craft, will instruct you on how to make a round gathering basket from locally grown and English willows. You will learn the basics of basketry including how to twine, English randing for the side weave and how to finish off with a sturdy handle to complete your basket (it’s great for your knitting projects as well)! Willow Basketmaking Tools will be available for use during class and a limited supply will be available for purchase. Visit Katherine’s webs
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Ornamental Grasses
September 13 10:00 11:00 am
Frequenters to Christianson’s Nursery no doubt have met Eric Andrews called “the Grass Man” by his loyal following and co-workers. Eric’s expertise is duly noted by anyone seeking his advice and you are forewarned that his enthusiasm for ornamental grasses is highly contagious! Join us for this informative program where Eric will share with you the grasses that have proven themselves worthy to make it to his Top 10 list and guide you in their uses in the landscape.
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The Challenges of
Landscape Design
September 20 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Ani Gurnee owner of Morning Light Design in Skagit Valley will walk you through the challenges of gardening in this informative class. As always Ani will help you with your landscape dilemmas and instruct you on how to meet the demands of high winds, hungry deer, salt spray, dense shade and much more. If you have attended any of Ani’s previous classes in pruning you know what a treat you are in for and how much information you will gather. Hurry and reserve your seat for what promises to be a program to which every gardener can relate!
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Natives in the Garden
Saturday, September 27 10:00 - 11:00 am
Lecturer and landscape designer Kathy Hirdler from Floribunda Designs will lead this discussion on how to incorporate native plants not only in your garden but also in containers. She will discuss the how’s and why’s of using these often overlooked plants and shrubs and share with us her favorite performers. Plan to attend and have your questions ready. For bird and butterfly enthusiasts this is the perfect class for learning how to lure them to your garden.
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Winterize Your Pond
October 4
Part I 10:00 – 11:00 am
How time flies! It was just a few months ago that Kathy and Scott Ramin from Still Waters Aquatic Nursery were at the Nursery discussing aquatic plants and how to establish water gardens. Now they are back by popular demand to assist you in winterizing your pond. Fall is the perfect time to start preparation for putting your pond to bed for the winter. Plan to attend this informative lecture to ensure keeping your fish, plants and water healthy until next spring!
Part II 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Joanne Romann will join Kathy and Scott in designing water gardens for containers that can be used indoors. Even if the weather is cold outside you can enjoy the looks of the tropics with alternanthera, dwarf papyrus, colocasia, houttyunia and more!
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Planting for Fall Color
October 11 10:00 - 11:00 am
Join Annie Reiss from Skagit Gardens, Inc. who will give you the inside track on new annuals and perennials for 2009. As gardeners we are always looking ahead to what the next season offers and this is your chance to hear from one of our growers on the best and latest in hot, new gardening trends.
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Enhancing your Landscape with Miniature
& Dwarf Conifers
October 18 10:00 - 11:00 am
Meet Larry Stanley from Stanley and Sons Nursery in Oregon who will present a slide show on landscaping with miniature and dwarf conifers. These conifers are known for adding architectural dimension to your yard or border and are appreciated for their diversity in color. These downsized versions of their predecessors are a must for any garden and are perfectly suited for that special container to add interest to your deck or patio!
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Fall Garden Tour
October 25 1:00 - 2:00 pm
It’s that time of year when John Christianson will once again lead his popular Fall color tour at La Conner Flats. This is the perfect time to grab your camera, put on your walking shoes and join John as he winds his way among fall shrubs with their jewel-toned berries and view the colorful palette of the many late-blooming flowers and trees donning their fall garb. Call 466-3821 to make reservations for this autumnal walk through the neighboring 11- acre English garden and see what treasures this garden harbors. Afterwards enjoy a relaxing Tea next door at the Granary. (Cost $12.00 per person. Call 466-3190 for prepayment and reservations.)
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Christianson's Summer Calendar 2008
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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
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See details above this list.
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WEEKLY RADIO BROADCAST
The Garden Show Sunday Mornings
With Mike and John
AM 660 KAPS • 9:30 am
Willow Basketry Class
September 6 & 7 9:30 – 5:00 pm
Ornamental Grasses
September 13 10:00 am
The Challenges of Landscape Design
September 20 11:00 am
Natives in the Garden
September 27 10:00 am
Festival of Family Farms
October 4 & 5 9:00 – 6:00
Scarecrow Contest
October 4 - 29 9:00 – 6:00
Winterize Your Pond
October 4 10:00 – noon
Planting for Fall Color
October 11 10:00 - 11:00 am
Enhancing Your Landscape with
Miniature & Dwarf Conifers
October 18 10:00 am
Fall Color Tour & Tea at the Granary
October 25 1:00 pm
Tea at 2:00 pm
Mark your calendar for
Arts Alive and our
Holiday Open House
celebrated November 8th & 9th
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August 29 – September 14
Fall is for Planting
roses, perennials, vines,
hydrangeas and lilacs
25% off
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October 6 - October 26
Conifer Sale
tall and dwarf evergreens including spruce, fir, cypress,
pine, juniper and cedar
25% off
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September 15 – October 5
Fall is for Planting
rhododendrons and azaleas, fruit, flowering and shade trees (7’ to 14’)
25% off
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October 27 – November 16
Hedging Sale
laurel, boxwood, photinia, Japanese holly, Leyland cypress, privet and arborvitae (to 8’)
25% off
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Click Here to download our September - October 2008 Garden Gazette in pdf format
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