We’ve come to the end of another season.  When Garden Time started four years ago we didn’t know that we would make it to this point.  We have a lot of fun working together and we try to bring that fun to the show.  We have also had a great group of sponsors over the past 4 years.  We are a small company and this show would not be here without the great sponsors and viewers alike. 

We will be returning in March of 2010 with our sister show, Fusion.  We look forward to bringing you more wonderful home and garden stories.  We will see you soon.

Thanks!

PS. Don’t forget to keep checking out the GardenTime.tv website for updated information each week until we return.

This week we featured...

Christmas Trees

Thanksgiving has passed and now it is time to start thinking about Christmas and Christmas trees.  We stopped by Lee Farms (503-638-1869) in Tualatin to visit with Craig Lee about the most popular types of cut Christmas trees this season.  The varieties that Oregonians are buying include Douglas fir, Grand fir, Noble fir and the Frasier fir.  The most popular tree is the Noble fir, but the Frasier fir is gaining ground, because it is very fragrant.  The newest variety of tree that is also gaining in popularity is the Nordmann fir.  Lee’s also carries the wonderful Davis Tree Stand.  Pick one up and you will never need another stand again! 

Now that you have your tree and your new stand, how can you make sure that it will last through the season and stay fresh?  You could get a flocked tree.  The flocking on a tree helps to seal in the moisture and that means little or no water is needed.  If you have a green tree there are a few rules you need to follow before you decorate to make sure it lasts through the season and into the New Year.   Craig 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.  Don’t use any soda in your water.  Some people think the sugar in the soda will help the tree last longer, but it really just promotes the growth of bacteria and that is not good for your tree.  Remember, if it runs out of water once, it will seal up and then it doesn’t matter how much water you add, so make sure you have a large reservoir of water under your tree.  Don’t let the tree run out of water and you will have a longer lasting green tree for your holidays.

Bauman Holiday Celebration

The tastes of the holiday sometimes create the best memories.  We found a potpourri of tastes at Bauman’s Farm and Gardens (503-792-3524).   Brian filled us in on all the great events they have planned for the up-coming holidays.  First we started in the bakery.  There we saw all the great fresh-baked treats you can get for your home.  We saw fresh bread, rolls, donuts and pies; including the delicious Bauman’s pumpkin pie.  Call Bauman’s now to order yours for the holidays.  We also found a huge selection of jams and syrups in the gift section of Bauman’s.  In the gift area you can design your own gift basket to include many of the local products that Bauman’s offers or you can get one that is pre-made.  Just bring your shopping list to take care of your holiday shopping.  Stop by the farm on December 5th and you can pick out your Christmas tree, build your own wreath and listen to a local school choir singing carols during their annual Holiday Celebration.  If you are a member of their rewards club you can enjoy a 20% discount on everything in the store on the 5th. If you bring a friend and sign them up you can get a 25% discount on that day.  Stop by and take care of all your Christmas shopping.  

Kindergarden – Dried Fruit Ornament

It is the holiday time and why not share the spirit with your local bird population.  Myra Lukens from the Backyard Bird Shop (503-635-2044) brought some of her friends to the store and gave us a quick lesson on building dried fruit ornaments.  These decorations can be used indoors, but they are really designed to feed those flyers that are trying to survive the cold.  All you need is a weather resistant yarn or string, a needle (embroidery needles works great) and a variety of dried fruits and unsalted peanuts.  We used cranberries, raisins, prunes, and apricots.  String them together and place them on your trees outside.  Hang them close to your house so you can watch the birds feed and enjoy sharing the holiday spirit.

Grow 4 It

A couple of months ago we stopped by the Greenhouse Catalog to get a preview of the ‘Grow 4 It’ system from Michelle.   They had built a system that could feed a family of four all year long out of an 8x8 greenhouse and were testing it at that time.  Now the system is up and running and we were able to check it out.  Even on this extremely windy and cold day the greenhouse was very warm and comfortable.  Michelle showed us how they use tubs of water that are warmed to heat the greenhouse.  They are cheaper to heat than blowing warm air around the greenhouse.  This allows them to use a system of aero-ponics to start and feed seedlings.  Then she showed us how you can move them into bigger containers and eventually move them outside or keep them inside to harvest the vegetables.  It works so well this summer that in just one week they harvested 15 pounds of tomatoes alone!  To learn more about this system and how to build one of your own give them a call at the Greenhouse Catalog (800-825-1925) or check out their website.

Hardy Ferns

The winter garden can be a depressing place.  Most of the color is gone and there is not much to look at on those drab days.  We found a variety of plant that changes that outlook, hardy ferns.  We stopped by Sebright Gardens (503-463-9615) to visit with Thomas and learn more about these great winter plants.  These hardy ferns can take pretty much anything that nature can dish out.  Thomas showed us some of his favorite ones in their display garden including; Polystichum setiferum plumoso multilobum, the Lace Fern ‘Microlepia strigosa’, the Mexican Male Fern ‘Dryopteris pseudo Filix-mas’, Polystrichum setiferum ‘Congestum Christa’, and the Beaded Wood Fern ‘Dryopteris bissetiana.  Tough names to pronounce that fit the tough plants they describe.  These plants like dappled shade, light fertilization and well drained soil.  For more information on these plants feel free to contact Sebright Gardens.

Gartner’s Goodbye

 

We finish this season as we have the previous three, at Jerry and Deb Yost’s house.  Jerry is from Gartner’s Meats (503-252-7801) and he has opened his house every year to host our wrap-up party and also to show us how to grill some great meals out in the garden.  We would like to thank them both for all the great times we have had and the great eats!  Remember to call Gartner’s early to order your favorite holiday meats!

Googly Eyes

OK, one more thing before we go…  William and Judy reminded everyone that they can follow us during the off season by subscribing to the Garden Time On-line Magazine.  We started this ‘free’ monthly magazine to give everyone more gardening information between our shows and seasons.  This week’s reminder is a spoof/tribute to a Saturday Night Live ‘Googly Eyes’ skit featuring Christopher Walken.  Don’t forget to sign up for your free subscription and check out the original skit here.