SHOW ARCHIVE

Episode 423 • November 26, 2016

VIDEO ARCHIVE

Well, here we are, at the end of another season of Garden Time. We are so happy to have such a loyal group of viewers. You guys make doing this program a joy! We will now take our annual break and start plans for the 2017 season, our 12th! People are always wondering why we go away each season, but it is simple economics. There just isn’t enough advertising dollars for us to put on a show. The winter is a slow time in the industry and we all need a break. Our advertisers are excited for the new season and they promise to be back in the spring, we hope you are too!

It is not a complete blackout though. You can still follow us a couple of different ways. First of all the Garden Time website will be loaded with lots of information and it is available 24/7 while we are gone. We also have the monthly Garden Time magazine, which comes to your e-mail once a month with tons of great gardening information. Finally, we have our Garden Time Facebook page. This is the most up to date way of keeping in touch. We post stuff to our page every day or so, so you can hear about the latest from the Garden Time crew on there.

We’ll see you all around the metro area during these winter months so keep an eye out for the Garden Time Subaru, or in the spring when we return on March 4th, 2017.

This week we featured...

Lee's Christmas Trees

Lee's Christmas Trees

Thanksgiving has past 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 Noah about the most popular types of cut Christmas trees this season. The varieties that Oregonians are buying include Douglas fir, Grand fir, Nobel fir and the Nordmann fir. 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. Noah 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 lukewarm 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.

Then we took a trip inside and talked with Annie about all the great stuff they have in the gift shop. Lee’s has a wonderful bakery where they make pies, fudge, donuts and lots of other goodies! We all took home pies, but they also have Chicken Pot Pies and gluten free options as well. Plus they have a nice selection of gifts and ornaments for your holiday decorating! Stop by, pick up a wreath or a tree, and something tasty for a happy holiday season!

Oregon Garden – Christmas in the Garden

Oregon Garden – Christmas in the Garden

One of the newest events in our area for the holidays, and one of the most fun is the Christmas in the Garden at the Oregon Garden (1-877-674-2733). This is an outdoor event that is patterned after a traditional German Christmas Market. The Discovery Forest at the garden is decorated with over 500,000 lights. There are lots of things to do with the family when you get there. Last year they added an ice rink and this year it is a snowless tubing area! You can enjoy ice skating and tubing with your family every day of the month! For the adults there are 22 different vendors offering holiday gifts and crafts. Adults can also enjoy gluhwein, a mulled wine and other adult beverages while listening to live music and carolers. While you are enjoying the scene you can sit by one of the many fire pits and enjoy the warmth. Kids can see Santa every weekend too. It promises to be one of the best holiday events in the state. Plus, the Oregon Garden Resort is offering a special package where you can stay at the resort and enjoy the event as well. Packages start at $120. The Christmas in the Garden event continues through December (except Christmas Eve and Christmas day) until the 1st of January. For more information you can call the Oregon Garden or check out their website. They even have a great color-coded schedule of events at http://www.oregongarden.org/christmas-schedule-of-activities.

Now since it is the holiday season, we decided to give away a few gifts… We have some passes for the Christmas in the Garden event. All you have to do for your chance to win is to go to the Oregon Garden website and find out how many lights they used in their displays this year. Send your answer to us at GardenTime@comcast.net to be entered for a chance to win 2 passes to the event. One entry per e-mail, please. Good Luck!

Portland Nursery – Gift for the Gardener

Portland Nursery – Gift for the Gardener

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. This weekend both stores will be celebrating their holiday open house on Saturday from 9 to 6. Stop by and check out some great gifts. This year Portland Nursery is also participating in the Little Boxes campaign in Portland. This event promotes the small, locally owned shops in our area. You can shop at these places, pick up a code, then enter that code to win prizes from participating vendors. The grand prizes includes dream vacations, shopping sprees and even an Apple I-pad Air! You can also get an additional 10% off at some stores. Also, they have a great program for after the holidays. You can bring in your poinsettia, dead or alive, and you will receive a $5 credit to use at their annual indoor plant sale in January. Finally, they have some great classes in making wreaths or center pieces that you can sign up for. Plus if you get a group of friends together you can have a class all to yourselves! Just contact either store for details. The gardener doesn’t have to be left out in the cold this holiday season. Stop by Portland Nursery and let them help you get just the right gift for everyone on your list.

Bambu Gifts

Bambu Gifts

Holidays are for entertaining and gift giving and we found a local Portland company that can supply you with both! Bambu is a local Portland company that is all about sustainability and being earth friendly. They use natural hemp, cedar, cork, bamboo and other organic materials in the production of some really great products. Here are just a few of the products that use bamboo, cotton and hemp fibers in a cool and creative way. Their bamboo is harvested sustainably.

Let’s start with the dining room. They have some unique things made from bamboo including candleholders that are reversible with 2 sizes. One side is for tea lights and the other side fits a tapered candle. They also have plates and flatware that are compostable and platters and bowls that are permanent. The plates are USDA food safe and certified organic. They also have neat little stuff, like tiny bamboo sporks!

Now let’s move to the kitchen. Here we found some classic aprons made from organic cotton. They also have dish towels made from hemp and cotton. Did you know that hemp is one of the strongest natural fibers? It is also mildew resistant and anti-microbial. Other items we found were a salad set and some kitchen tongs. These are extremely durable, you just hand wash them and don’t place in the dishwasher or microwave, and they will last a lifetime!

Don’t think that the gardener has been left out. We found some really cool plant stakes. They are re-usable. You can write the plant name on the stake and the next year you can sand-off the old and re-write the new name on your stake. We found a bee logo on the stakes and found out the bee logo means that the sale of these helps bee research at OSU! They also had a garden trowel and fork set. These are very sturdy and light weight and to make them last you just wash them off and let them dry.

These products from Bambu are the perfect gifts for the ecological gardener or holiday entertainer. You can find a lot more of these earth friendly and sustainable products on their website!

Holiday Heritage Plants

Holiday Heritage Plants

Ever wonder why we use holly in our holiday decorating? What is the story behind kissing under the mistletoe? William and Judy covered the reasons why we use specific plants during the holidays. Holly’s origins are based on both Christian and non-Christian traditions. In one tradition, the holly protects the home from evil spirits. In another, the holly represents the crown of thorns of Christ’s passion and its berries represent the drops of blood. Ivy is a very misunderstood plant. We sometimes see it growing all over trees, almost smothering them. In the Middle Ages ivy meant prosperity, and if it died financial hard times were soon to follow. Mistletoe has a longer history. It has various meanings that include fertility, immortality and love. Of course the best meaning involved kissing. In proper English society you could not kiss your spouse-to-be in public. During the holidays you could kiss under the mistletoe, but you had to remove a white berry every time you did. Naturally, twigs with lots of berries were highly prized! So next time you are decorating your home, take some time and learn some of the meanings.

30 Seconds Spray and Walk Away

30 Seconds Spray and Walk Away

We have featured the family of 30 Seconds Cleaners before on the show and have always been impressed with the quality and effectiveness of their products. This week we stopped by to learn about their best kept secret. The fall is for cleaning everything up for the coming season, and the Spray and Walk Away product is great for fall. James, the owner, met with William to explain just how easy it is to use. James explained that this product is one of the easiest to use. You just spray it on and walk away. Over the coming months the product works to break down the lichen, moss and algae on your deck, roof, patio, driveway and concrete. It is safe around your pets and kids too. If you are looking to use the Spray and Walk Away product you can find the closest retailer on the 30 Seconds Cleaners website. You can tackle one of your biggest spring chores this winter while you sit in front of a fireplace and enjoy the winter season.

TOW – Preserving Greens

TOW – Preserving Greens

The smell of fresh greens in the home during the holidays is intoxicating! But after a few days those fresh cut greens can become ‘dried’ cut greens and a fire hazard. We found a product that can help seal in the moisture and prevent those greens from drying out. Wilt Stop from Bonide can be sprayed on your greens to seal in the moisture and help them last longer. It can also be used on your outdoor conifers to seal in the moisture and help prevent winter wind and cold damage. We found this product at a lot of the independent garden centers around the area. If you need to find the location nearest you, check out their ‘Store Locator’ on their website.
 

 
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