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Tsugawa Annual Christmas Open House

We got to jump start 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 refresh your containers 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: 11/22/08)

Bauman Holidays

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 new Bauman’s Berry Blast.   This pie is a combination of 3 different berries, it is fantastic.  Call Bauman’s now to order yours for the holidays.  We also found some Berry Blast jam 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 the weekend of December 5th and 6th and you can pick out your Christmas tree and listen to local school choirs during their annual Holiday Open House.  (Original air date: 11/22/08)

Grilling Prime Rib

Every year we end our season by stopping by the home of Deb and Jerry Yost.  Jerry works at Gartner’s Meats (503-252-7801) and he loves to show us how easy it is to grill different cuts of meat.  This year he raised it up a notch by grilling a prime rib on his Traeger grill.  It was very easy to do.  First he picked up a prime rib at Gartner’s.  They cut the bone off the meat and then re-tie it on the meat for cooking.  The night before, jerry applied a meat rub on the prime rib.  Then he put the meat on the grill and seared it for a half-hour at 450 degrees.  Then he turned the heat down to 350 and left it on for another 4 hours.  For a rare/medium piece the internal temperature has to reach 125-130 degrees, for a medium piece it has to be 150 degrees.  After it reaches the right temperature you take it off the grill and let it set under a piece of foil for 20 minutes (the meat is still cooking from the heat of the bone).  Then you slice and serve.  It was fantastic.  If you are looking for help you can contact the experts at Gartner’s!  (Original air date: 11/22/08)

Jan’s November Tips

Everyone wants to go green, but what does that mean?  We met up with retired OSU extension agent, Jan McNeilan to learn about how you can take little steps the will make your garden healthier and more organic.  First Jan recommended looking at your soil.  A good soil creates a good base for the overall health of your garden.  Next she talked about plants and their care.  Knowing where to place plants and how to diagnose problems goes a long way to helping them grow and thrive.  There are lots of resources for helping you make the most out of your garden.  OSU Extension, Master Gardeners, and your local garden center can help you determine problems and how to address them in a safe and effective manner.  If you want to learn more, check out this list of tips that Jan put together.  (Original air date: 11/22/08)

Gifts for the Gardener

If you have a gardener in your family it may be hard to find the right gift for them. If you are having troubles check out this list of suggestions we put together.  We also brought out a bunch of different gift ideas to show you on camera.  You can always pick out a big gift like a fountain or fire pit, which will last for years, or you can focus on a favorite interest for your friend.  If they love birds you can pick up some bird watching/feeding items.  There are also tools, books, seeds, gloves and garden accents.  The main thing is to not stress out about gifts for your gardener friends.  As a gardener, they love things of beauty and the fact that you are thinking of them will make them enjoy you and your gift.  (Original air date: 11/22/08)

Smith Wreaths

Nothing welcomes people to your home during the holidays like a wreath on your front door.  We stopped by Smith Berry Barn (503-628-2172) to learn how you can add some special touches to your own wreath to make it something special.  Joelle started with a basic wreath and then added a bow.  The choice of the bow helps you determine the color and design you want to pursue.  Next she worked in a systematic pattern around the wreath to create a special design.  You can use different things on your wreath, from pinecones to small fruits to seed pods.  If you need help you can stop by Smith Berry Barn for wreaths and materials.  You can also get one that is already made.  You can even have them shipped to your friends and family.  Stop by check out their gift shop and pick out a wreath for yourself during their holiday open house on the 6th of December.
(Original air date: 11/22/08)

Timber Press Fall Books

The colder weather is driving everyone indoors, but you don’t have to give up on your love of gardening.  You can always read some great gardening books.  We stopped by Timber Press (1-800-327-5680) to check out four of the newest books they have to offer for the coming spring.  Tom, the editor, started with the book ‘Plant Driven Design’.  Normally designers will tell you to start with the hardscaping in your design and then add plants.  This book tells you how to start with the plants you love, make your landscape beautiful, and then fill in around those plants.  The next book is from local author, Sean Hogan, and is called ‘Trees for All Seasons’.  This book focuses on broadleaf trees and picks ones that will work well in our climate.  Sean has picked out a huge selection of trees and covers them in detail.  The third book is for the garden photographer and is called ‘Macro Photography for Garden and Nature Lovers’.  This book gets down and dirty with tips and techniques for getting some really great close-ups in your garden.  Plus it isn’t just about plants, it has some great tight shots of insects too.  The final book is the best of the bunch.  It is the latest great reference book for the Northwest Gardener.  It is the ‘Timber Press guide to Gardening in the Pacific Northwest’.  This is the complete guide for being a successful gardener here.  It has great micro-climate maps, growing guides and lists to help you be a great gardener!  You can get Timber Press books at local bookstores or you can buy them on-line at Timber Press.  (Original air date: 11/22/08)

Drake's Holiday

The holidays are here.  Believe it or not Thanksgiving is sneaking up on us, but you don’t have to be caught by surprise.  We stopped by Drake's 7 Dees (503-256-2223) and talked to Lynn about some decorating ideas for the thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.  First we looked at some of the potpourri of ideas from Lynn that included ornament hangers, multiple wreaths, and a new type of easy-to-use Christmas tree stand.  We then moved over to another area in her nursery to see how she used pumpkins to create a display to light up her garden path in the dark evenings.  She used a cheap pumpkin, a string of lights and some spray paint to make interesting luminaries.  We also saw how she flocked a dead tree to create a wonderful display for the upcoming holiday.  For more information on creating these projects or other holiday themed classes, check out the Drake's 7 Dees website or stop by their nursery on Stark Street. 
(Original air date: 11/15/08)

Garden Path

Even though the rains have returned you can still get some project done in your garden.  We met with Ron from Mutual Materials (888-688-8250) to see how to install a garden path with bricks and pavers.  Hardscaping has become one of the new trends in gardening.  People are adding garden paths, walls and permanent art to their landscape for the long term enjoyment of their garden.  Ron showed us how easy it is to use the Mutual Material pavers to create a path.  Earlier we had built a retaining wall and this path was going to add the finishing touches to this garden.  First we figured out our pattern and the area where we wanted the path.  Next we dug the path out to create a bed for the base of our path.  We then lined the path area with edging to keep the stones straight and tight.  Next we put down a few inches of crushed gravel (3/4 minus), leveled and tamped it down.  Then we added about an inch of washed sand over the gravel.  This was leveled and tamped as well.  Then we started to place in the stones, starting from the low end of the path.  We did end up cutting some of the stones to fit and create the pattern we wanted.  The finished project looks great and it only took a couple of days to do.  If you are interested in this project you can check the Mutual Material website for tips, ideas and locations where you can buy stones and pavers. 
(Original air date: 11/15/08)

Bird Camera

If you are a bird lover, you probably have feeders in your garden and enjoy watching the birds feed.  That might be a problem if you can’t get close to the feeder.  During the winter it is too cold to go outside and in the summer they might be too skittish to let you come near.  We found a great product that will allow you to capture the beauty of your feathered friends as they visit your feeder.  The Bird Camera from Wingscapes (888-811-WING) is easy to put together and get started.  You can also modify it to do custom recording of the birds.  To get started you just put in the batteries, set the distance, turn it on and point it toward the feeder…and you are done.  It comes with an internal memory but you can also get an optional SD card for more memory.  You can set it to record stills or even movies of the birds feeding.  It has a photoelectric eye so it can activate when a bird is at the feeder, or you can use the remote to activate it when you see a bird at the feeder.  For you flower lovers it can capture time-lapse of your favorite flowers blooming.  You can find it locally at the Backyard Bird Shop (503-635-2044, ) or you can order it on-line at Wingscapes.  (Original air date: 11/15/08)

Pruning Tips

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 2 books ‘The Well Tended Perennial Garden’ and ‘The Well Designed Mixed Garden’ are available through Timber Press (1-800-327-5680).  (Original air date: 11/15/08)

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 2 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: 11/15/08)

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: 11/15/08)

Terrariums

Terrariums used to be BIG in the 70’s. I remember having a big acrylic ball with one in our living room. It was cool; it even had a little scene in it with a gnome skiing down some white rocks in the center. Well, terrariums have come a long way and to see the latest in designs we went to Cornell Farm (503-292-9895). Terrariums are basically small self contained gardens. They usually contain smaller varieties of plants and create their own atmosphere. Deby showed us how easy it is to build one. She started with a layer of decorative rocks on the bottom of the container. You can also use marble, glass beads, etc. anything to allow for good drainage. Then you need to add a layer of charcoal. This will help absorb and filter the fumes and smells from the decomposing plant material. Next we added a cactus mix for our potting soil. It is a quick draining soil that will keep the plants from sitting in water. Then we looked for small, slow growing plants to include in the scene. These plants included a couple of polk-a-dot plants and some mosses. Remember; do not fertilize these plants because you don’t want them to grow fast. You can check out a great selection of pre-built terrariums at Cornell, or stop by your local independent garden center for more information.  (Original air date: 11/8/08)

Winter Bird Care

The change of the seasons signals a change for your local bird populations. Some of the non-migratory birds will be hanging around and may need a little help from you to survive the cold and wet of winter. We visited with Stuart of Gray’s Garden Center (541-345-1569) in Eugene to learn more. We started with hummingbirds. They need to have a good clean feeder. The mixture in the feeder needs to be changed every couple of weeks to keep the bacteria down. For seed eating birds you can use a black oil sunflower seed. This is a good basic seed that provides calories for high energy birds. For insect feeders you can set out a suet cake. Use different types of suet to attract different types of insect feeders. You can also welcome birds to your garden by incorporating different types of shrubs and trees. We saw some that work well in the landscape including ‘Cranberry’ Cotoneaster, Crabapple ‘Strawberry Parfait’, Pyracantha ‘Mohave’, and the ‘Profusion’ Beautyberry. To learn more about attracting birds to your garden during the winter you can check with Gray’s, your local independent garden center or The Audubon Society of Portland. 
(Original air date: 11/8/08)

Fall Slug Care

Slugs are not just a spring time problem. Fall, with its increasing rains, can bring them back into your garden when you thought they were under control. Remember to bait now so they don’t destroy your beautiful fall flowers. We recommend a quality bait like Corry’s, but if you have pets or small children you can use a product like Worry Free from Lilly Miller. It is an organic product that is safe to use in any garden setting. You can also use some of the all natural traps and baits using safe products like beer. Remember those traps need to be checked and refilled often due to the frequent rains. Some people say that if you bait now you will reduce the amount of slugs you get next spring because they are not around to lay eggs. Always remember to read and follow the label directions with any garden product. 
(Original air date: 11/8/08)

Albany School Garden

We stopped by a great little garden at Memorial Middle School in Albany. They created a peace garden in one of the open spaces at the school. A special part of the garden is the paperclip in the middle of the garden. This ‘paperclip’ made from bricks, shows the kids solidarity with concentration camp survivors from World War II. Paperclips were worn on lapels during WWII to show solidarity with those who were persecuted during the war. This project started out as a class assignment and has grown to become one of many gardening and community projects that the school and the city of Albany have worked together on. In fact, the school just recently won a Citizenship Award from SOLV. Check out their video here. This is an excellent example of how to bring gardening into the classroom.  (Original air date: 11/8/08)

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: 11/8/08)

Call Before You Dig

In the fall there is no better feeling than turning some soil in your garden. That feeling will disappear quickly if you dig into a utility line. We found out that there is a new, easy way to avoid this problem. Steven and Jenna from NW Natural Gas told us about the new 811 number. This number is a nationwide number to help homeowners and businesses locate buried utility lines so you can stay out of trouble. The ‘Call Before You Dig’ program is not new, but the way of contacting them is! One call will help you locate any line. If you don’t call you can be held liable for the damages of cutting a line. Just call 811 two business days before you dig!  (Original air date: 11/8/08)

Al’s Poinsettias

Your local garden centers are getting into the holiday mood!  Al’s Garden Center (503-981-1245) is one of the best at sharing that cheer with the gardener.  We paid a visit to the Al’s growing facility in Woodburn to see some of the 50 different varieties that they grow.  Paul the Al’s Grower showed us how they use light or the lack of it to get the poinsettias to color up at the right time.  Black plastic will help them control the light and the resulting brilliant color is hard to argue with!  He showed us a couple of his favorites that were just starting to turn color.   We saw Jester Dark Red, Cortez Electric Red, White Glitter, Orange Spice and Ann’s Christmas Star.  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.  Better yet, check out their annual Evening of Lights happening at the Sherwood location on Thursday, and the Woodburn location on Friday, from 4-9pm.  (Original air date: 11/1/08)

Pond Winterizing

It is getting colder and it’s about time to get your pond ready for winter.  We met up with Eamonn Hughes of Hughes Water Gardens (503-638-1709) to see how to prepare our ponds and pond animals for the cold.  Eamonn 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 Hughes.  (Original air date: 11/1/08)

Territorial Seeds

Ever wonder where your garden seeds come from?  To find out we traveled to Cottage Grove to visit with Josh of Territorial Seeds (800-626-0866).   We started our tour at the trial gardens.  Here is where they test the different varieties they sell to see how they perform in the northwest climate.  It isn’t pretty because they don’t use any chemicals or weed killers.  That way they can get an accurate feel for the conditions the seed will perform the best in.  They have hundreds of varieties of tomatoes, beans, corn, peppers and pumpkins.  In fact we even got a preview of one of their new peppers that will be introduced next year, Calico.  Then we moved to the seed packing facility.  Here, they have a machine the can pack just the right amount of seed in a packet.  Of course if it is a large or hard-to-handle seed, those are still packaged by hand.  They even test the germination to make sure they will sprout for you at home.  If you want to pick up some seed, you can stop by their retail store in Cottage Grove or give them a call for a catalogue.  (Original air date: 11/1/08)

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 69th Annual Flower Show "Kaleidoscope of Mums” this weekend, November 1-2, Saturday and Sunday at Portland Nursery, 90th and Division hours, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.  You can also get information on joining the society at this event.  (Original air date: 11/1/08)

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: 11/1/08)

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: 11/1/08)

E.Z. Orchards Harvest Fest

It’s the Great State of Corn Oregon at E.Z. Orchards (503-393-1506) and their annual Harvest Fest.  But before John Zielinski gave us a tour of the farm and some of the events, he took William on a quick tour of some of the great squash and pumpkins they have available at the farm.  Here is a list of the varieties we saw.  After the squash we heard about all the great things that are happening at the farm including the Corn Maze (a map of Oregon) where you can visit some of the major cities of the state and learn some facts about them.  There is a Native American tipi, slides, horse-drawn hayrides and even Mt Hood to climb.  You are also able to pan for gold, hear live music and make a quick stop at the Cider Saloon.  You may even want to try your hand at the pie eating contest!  Of course you can also pick up a pumpkin for the porch and fresh veggies from the market.  You can enjoy all the festivities through Halloween.  (Original air date: 10/25/08)

Grays Winter Interest Trees

For most of the season trees can blend into the background, but for some trees fall is the time to shine.  We stopped by Gray’s Garden Center (541-345-1569) in Eugene to visit with Stuart who is the tree and shrub buyer to see what his favorites were for fall color trees.  He picked out 4 of his favorites to show us.  The first one was the Coral Bark Japanese Maple.  This one has great fall color, but then it has the extra bonus of the deep red branches for great winter color.  Next we saw Parrotia ‘Persian Ironwood’.  This one has incredibly dark fall foliage.  Finally we saw a couple of maples.  The Pacific Sunset maple, ‘Warrenred’ and the Flame Maple.  The Sunset maple turns multiple shades as it drops its leaves. And the Flame is as red as its name as it makes the transition to winter.  As you can see there are lots of good fall color trees for any sized yard.  Stop by your local garden center to see what they have for you.  (Original air date: 10/25/08)

Pumpkin Grasses

This a great project for using the best of the fall season to create a display for the up-coming holidays.  We stopped by Al’s Garden Center (503-981-1245) in Woodburn to see how Amy Bigej used local fresh pumpkins and some ornamental grasses to make some ‘pumpkin people’.  She showed us ones that used fun perennial grasses like ‘Toffee Twist and Black Mondo Grass.  Then we saw a smaller pumpkin that used a small pin-cushion plant.  Amy had cut open the top of the pumpkins but didn’t clean them completely out.  She also had a bag of potting soil. Finally, we saw a couple of pumpkins that were painted black. This may seem like it isn’t a good idea but when you look at them with the selected grasses, they were great!  The best part is that you can take the grasses out when the holidays are over and plant them in your garden.  (Original air date: 10/25/08)

Chinese Edible Plants

We learned something new at the Portland Classical Chinese Garden (503-228-8131) on our last visit.  These types of gardens were not only used as a place of respite, they were also used as gardens to grow edibles including berries and fruit trees.  We visited with Glin to learn about some of the fruits of the garden and see some that they will be adding to the garden in the near future.  Glin showed us some of the most interesting of the plants they have, including the dwarf pomegranate, Goumi berry, the ‘Buddha’s Hand’ dwarf citrus, the tea camellia and the Goji berry.  We also saw some of the fragrant osmanthus varieties they have.  If you would like to see these plants or maybe pick one up for your own garden you can go to the Portland Classical Chinese Garden on the weekend on Oct. 25-26 for their fall plant sale.  (Original air date: 10/25/08)

Grilled Stuffed Peppers

Grilling season is in full swing, really!  We found a recipe that uses fresh fall green bell peppers from the garden.  First we stopped by Bauman’s Farm and Garden (503-792-3524) to pick up the bell peppers.  Brian filled us in on the differences between the different colors.  One thing we found out is that the red bells tend to be a little sweeter than the other and that the more color in the pepper, the higher the anti-oxidants.  With the holidays coming up you should check out the great selection of fresh fall fruits and vegetables at Bauman’s.

Next we took the peppers to Jerry from Gartner’s Meats (503-252-7801).  He had a recipe for grilling peppers on his Traeger grill.  He made an easy stuffed pepper recipe by using the ready-made Gartner’s meatloaf.  This is already seasoned so he just stuffed the peppers and put them on for about an hour until they reached an internal temperature of 160 degrees.  The other trick we learned was that he used a muffin tin to hold the peppers upright.  The tin was also placed in a shallow metal pan with a little water in it.  This kept the peppers nice and moist.  They were delicious!!  If you are really busy you can just buy the peppers already stuffed at Gartner’s.  (Original air date: 10/25/08)

Dyeing Fabric

Pots that break in the winter cold are a myth! Sort of… Wayne from Little Baja (503-432-8959) joined us to tell us how adding drainage will extend the life of our pots and our plants. Wayne has become an expert on pots and container planting and he explained the importance of creating proper drainage for your potted garden. Pots bust when they retain water in their clay. The water expands and when it does it cracks the pot. When you create better drainage you help the pot and it helps your plants as well. Wayne also explained how clay pots can ‘breathe’ and how that helps your plants thrive. Stop by either Little Baja location if you ever have any questions. There is one on Burnside and the new location on Hall in Tigard.  (Original air date: 10/18/08)

"A" is for apple, and you will find a ton of apples at Portland Nursery’s (503-231-5050) 21^st Annual Apple tasting at the Stark Street location.  Over 60 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.  Plus you can stop by on Fridays for ‘kid days’ which are loaded with kids activities.  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.  Special events include a ‘live’ radio broadcast with the ‘Garden Doctor’ show, a special ‘Senior Day’ with 10% off for seniors, and everyday discounts on apple prices. Now is the time to also take advantage of all the wonderful fall perennials available at both locations of Portland Nursery.  (Original air date: 10/11/08)

With all of your perennials starting to lose their leaves you may be looking for some plants to brighten up your garden.  We found some great conifers to spice up your garden.  Conifers are not just those tall giants that you find in the forest.  Lee Powell from Garland Nursery (1-800-296-6601) found some great small varieties that will work great in a smaller garden or even a container.  The first one he started with was not really a very small conifer but one that had a new twist.  The Port Orford Cedar, ‘Blue Surprise’ used to have problems with root rot but now it is grafted on a better root stock and it is becoming a true winner in the fall garden with the blue foliage it has.  We then moved to the smaller varieties which included, Cryptomeria ‘Little Diamond’, Cypress ‘Vintage Gold’, the weird ‘Tasmanian Cedar’ – Microcachrys tetragona, plus Chamaaecyperus ‘True Blue’, ‘Heatherbun’ and ‘Red Star’.   If you are looking for some great fall color that will last through the seasons check out these varieties of conifers at Garland or your local independent garden centers.  (Original air date: 10/11/08)

There is a fungus among us and it is homegrown and tasty.  We caught up with a group from the Oregon Mycological Society as they were preparing logs and straw to be the future home for some wonderful mushrooms.  Ed Foy told William about how they make these portable mushroom gardens.  There are a couple of different ways for them to make the mushroom ‘gardens’.  The first way is with straw.  First they chop up some straw and pasteurize it.  Then they place the straw in plastic bags mixed with the spawn of the mushroom spores.  The other ways of growing mushrooms involves logs.  In one version you can place the spawn in cuts on the logs and in another you drill holes in the log and place pegs in the holes.  These pegs have been inoculated with spores.  If you are curious about how to start your own log or you want to learn more about wild mushrooms, you can check out the Oregon Mycological Society’s Mushroom show happening on October 12th from noon-5pm at the World Forestry Center.  (Original air date: 10/11/08)

Harvest time is here and you can buy numerous fruits and vegetables from local farmers.  But what if you want to try growing some fruits of your own?  If you plant fruit trees now you can start to enjoy some of the ‘fruits’ of your labors as early as next season.   Steve, the owner of Livingscape Nursery (503-248-0104), had pulled out some varieties that he really liked.  We started with a couple of apple trees.  The first one, ‘Scarlet Surprise’, has the distinction of looking normal from the outside, but containing a red flesh on the inside.  A very interesting apple!  The other apple was called a columnar apple, ‘Golden Sentinel’.  That type fruits on the main trunk and doesn’t grow on the limbs, in fact, it generally doesn’t have limbs.  We then saw the fig variety, ‘Stella’.  Stella is a wonderful fig for containers and produces great fruit.  We also saw the ‘Arbequina’ olive, which is well suited to our NW climate.  It can produce ripe olives and fruit for oil too.  Finally, we looked at a blue berry.  Livingscape carries about 10 different varieties of Blueberries and Steve recommends that you plant 2 or more varieties that will fruit at different times so you can extent your harvest through the whole summer.  Now is the time to get those plants in the ground and you can be enjoying fresh fruit in your own garden next fall.  (Original air date: 10/11/08)

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 (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: 10/11/08)

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 3 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: 10/4/08)

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 Kathy Jacoby 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 over 25 years old. 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: 10/4/08)

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: 10/4/08)

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. This is a busy time at Willamette Valley Vineyards but you can still stop by the tasting room and sample to fruits of their labors!  (Original air date: 10/4/08)

Pansies, despite the name, are the workhorses of the winter garden. They take a beating and keep on coming back. It is great that Cornell Farm (503-292-9895) has a festival just to celebrate them. We caught up with Corinne at Cornell to hear about all the different events they have going on at the Pansy Fest which ends this weekend. Some of the classes they will be offering include ‘3 season containers’ that include bulbs and perennials for constant color and interest; ‘Orchid care 101’ that will take the fear out of growing orchids and ‘fabric dying’ that will show you how to use leaves and ferns to make great colored fabrics with materials from your own garden. But this is a Pansy Fest and that means you can choose from over 50 varieties of pansies, including Lemon Fizzy Berry. These little flowers really stand up to the cold. Judy even told the story about the ice storm a few years back when the pansies were covered in ice. After the ice melted, the pansies were back into full bloom and looking great! There is also a special offer from Cornell! Stop in this week and see all the great flowers that Cornell Farm has to offer.  (Original air date: 9/27/08)

It is time to start thinking about putting away your garden power tools for the season. Before you stash them in the tool shed we have some tips for protecting them and getting them ready for next season. We stopped at Jay’s Mower and Chainsaw on N. Williams to get some pointers. Jay recommends that you add a fuel stabilizer to the gas tank and fill it to the top. That will keep condensation from forming in the tank and gumming up your engine. Also, by keeping the tank full you will keep the seals from drying out. He also recommends that you wait until spring to do any major maintenance. In spring you can change air and fuel filters and do other basic work. There is one thing you can do right now and that is sharpening. You can sharpen your blades and then apply a thin coat of motor oil to protect the sharpened edge. This is really effective on reel mowers. With all the cutting edges they can really benefit from a protective coating of oil. For more information you can stop by Jay’s shop. You will also find a discount coupon in the new Chinook Book.  (Original air date: 9/27/08)

During the warm summer days, a lot of us took our indoor plants outside to give them a little vacation. But, with the cooler nights upon us you can start to get your indoor plants ready to return to the warmth and protection of your house. Dan from Terra Gardens (503-581-0441) in Salem gave us some tips for making the transition better for you and your plants. You will want to clean your plants up before bringing them in so they don’t bring any bug or disease problems inside with them. First, give them a good wash-down. Then you will want to treat for bugs and diseases. Depending on the plant and where you are planning on keeping it you have a wide selection of organic and chemical solutions. Then, let the plant sit for another day (to let the bugs fall off), wash it down and bring it inside. If you have questions on what product to use, you can check with your local independent garden center or stop by Terra Gardens. 
(Original air date: 9/27/08)

We return to the Village Green Resort (800-343-7666) to learn about more of their wonderful gardens.  Jon, the head gardener, took Judy through 2 of the 14 gardens they have on site.  The first one was the Bird Garden.  This garden is all about our feathered friends.  Feeders are around the area, but the staff also leaves plants to go to seed to feed the birds as well.  There is a thicket of sumacs in the garden that provides cover for the smaller birds too.  While we were there the hummingbirds were in an aerial war over prime feeding areas.  We even had one fly through the interview while we were there!  Next we moved to the Mahogany Garden.  This garden is all about color.  Dark browns and chocolates are the color of choice.  Plants like the canna, chocolate cosmos, dark-leaved heucheras and the chocolate mimosa are all here.  Also, around the grounds you will also find mailboxes.  These contain the ‘mission statement’ for each garden.  It is not a listing plants but a description of the type of a garden and the feeling they were trying to capture.  You can stop by the gardens anytime, but better yet, check into the resort and stay awhile.  The Resort is also the host of the Gathering of Gardeners which takes place the 20th and 21st of September.  William and Judy will be speaking there and joining over 40 other garden vendors and artists.  It is another event that is tied to the Le Tour des Plants!  (Original air date: 9/6/08)

Want to know what the hot plant for 2009 will be? Actually, you can help make the choice. We paid a visit to the plant trials that are happening at the 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 Al’s is celebrating their 60th anniversary as a garden center and have placed a replica of their fruit stand in the middle of the nursery along with a great vegetable garden. The garden is free and open to the public during store hours from today until August 23rd. On August 24th the display plants will be available for purchase. The trials display fills a 1/2 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 2009!  (Original air date: 8/16/08)

There are certain plants that really start to shine in the heat of the late summer. We stopped by Bloomer’s Nursery (541-687-5919) in Eugene to check out the best in the garden center right now. Stephanie pulled 3 different plants for us to look at. First we saw the Anemone, or windflower, ‘September Charm’. It likes good shady spot in the afternoon and really doesn’t need much care. Next we saw 2 types of Clethra (Sweetshrub), one named ‘Rosea’ and one named ‘Hummingbird’. It has a great fragrance and depending on the variety it can be a tall shrub or a short one in your garden. The bees love it! Finally we took a look at a tree, the Sourwood. It is a great tree for a small space. It is covered in long spikes of white flowers right now, but it will exchange that for brilliant red foliage in the fall. For more choices on great summer plants, stop by Bloomer’s in Eugene or your local independent garden center.  (Original air date: 8/16/08)

When you ask people about native trees of the Northwest, a lot of people will come up with the Douglas Fir. There is another one that is native and is slowly disappearing from Oregon gardens. The White Oak is a great tree that is perfectly suited to the Oregon climate. Once planted and established it can handle the cold wet winters and also the hot dry summers with little or no care. One nursery in Salem is making a name for itself by not only growing these giants, but also for salvaging mature trees from being destroyed. Mahonia Vineyards and Nursery (503-585-8789) is working with local developers on removing oaks from developments and finding homes for them in other gardens. Frank told us about the oaks and how they can be a great part of a Northwest garden (if you have the room) and about some of the plants you can use around them. If you would like to learn more about the oaks or would like to add one to your acreage give them a call.  (Original air date: 8/16/08)

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 three for a beautiful display of color and texture. If you would like to build your own wreath, check out these directions.  (Original air date: 8/16/08)

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.  (Original air date: 8/16/08)