SHOW ARCHIVE

Episode 361 • June 20, 2015

VIDEO ARCHIVE

Summer; the calendar says it will start on the 21st of June around 9:38 in the morning. Can you believe it will also be Father’s Day? What a gift for dad! But it seems like it has been summer for a month or more. The seasons are moving fast this year. We just did a story with Brian Bauman (see him on today’s show) and he said that the berries are ripening faster that he can remember. His message, if you are waiting for your ‘normal’ time to get berries, you might be too late. How about getting dad some of those fresh Oregon berries? Saturday is a perfect time to do it and then serve it to him over pancakes on Sunday!

Another great gift for Dad is a bus trip with the Garden Time crew. We now have a price for the tour. It is only $75 for a full day with everything covered, except for the plants you end up buying! Check out the Tours page  on the Garden Time website
(www.gardentime.tv/tours) for more info.

This week we featured...

11th Annual ANLD Designers Tour

11th Annual ANLD Designers Tour

There is nothing like a great garden but most of us are stuck either overwhelmed by the project or not knowing where to start. We have the perfect place for you if you are one of those people. It is the ANLD 11th Annual Designers Garden Tour. ANLD stands for the Association of Northwest Landscape Designers. The tour takes place on the 20th of June and this year they will have 8 gardens on the tour. We stopped by one of the featured gardens built by Phil Thornburg. Phil is the owner of Winterbloom Inc. a local residential landscape design and maintenance company. He calls his garden ‘Thornhurst’. This garden was not built overnight. Phil stressed that, sometimes, a garden takes a while to get its legs. He and his wife Barbara have been working on their garden for over a decade! They pretty much stripped the property of everything except a few trees. Then they went about building a new garden. They had to deal with some water issues though. They used to have rain water coming down their driveway but now it is diverted into a dry well with a beautiful art piece over it. Then there is the gate! This custom gate looks almost medieval, but is stunning and even incorporates their business logo, a cyclamen, in it. The backyard was incredible. Even though it is in the middle of neighborhood it was like an oasis. There is an elevated deck but with the trees pruned to expose the trunks it opens up the view of the garden from the deck. There you will see the beautiful water feature which attracts a host of wildlife to play in the waters, including grandchildren! Phil has added something special for them. Instead of having them throw rocks into the water he has an urn full of colorful balls which they can toss in the water and retrieve with a net. A whimsical part of the garden includes pink flamingos. This is a tribute to Dulcy Mahar, the longtime writer for the Oregonian. Finally, we couldn’t help but notice the colors. Bright oranges, vibrant pinks and subtle blues combine to make a wonderfully soothing garden! If you would like to see this garden, or any of the other 7 on the tour, you can go the ANLD website for locations where you can buy a ticket. They are $25 each but well worth it just for all the beauty you will see.

Bauman’s Father’s Day

Bauman’s Father’s Day

Father’s Day is almost here and you may be wondering what to get dad. We stopped by Fir Point Farms and met with Brian Bauman to get some ideas. Now, you may be wondering why we are meeting Brian at Fir Point and not in Woodburn at his store. Well, during the spring, until July 3rd, Bauman’s Farm and Garden (503-792-3524) is selling plants at Fir Point. You can find a huge selection of plants at the Aurora location and this weekend you will find a whole lot more. First of all, what dad doesn’t like berries? Brian told us that the strawberry season is over due to the warm spring, but the benefit to this is that you can now get a full complement of blackberries! Brian brought out a new variety called ‘obsidian’. This one was developed at OSU and they are in full swing. You can stop by and get an entire flat for less than $20. If your dad is a gardener they will have pepper plants (some with peppers), 5 for $5. They will also have the new ‘Ketchup and Fries’ plant, which combines tomatoes and potatoes for less than $20 also. Finally, even though the Woodburn location will be closed on Father’s Day, the Aurora location will have a tasty treat. Country Grains, which owns Fir Point Farms will have a rib dinner going on. So whatever you dad is into, Fir Point, Country Grains and Bauman’s have him covered.

TOW – Pinching Basil

Pinching Basil

For our tip of the week we had a simple one for you. This one is all about extending your harvest of your basil well into the season. If your basil is starting to get a flower stem you need to pinch it off. This will promote new leaf growth which is what you use for your pestos and salads. It will also give you a stronger and healthier plant and extend your harvest season.


 

Bug Artist

Bug Artist

I remember catching bugs when I was little. Lady bugs were my specialty. I’m not sure many of them survived, but if I could have drawn them maybe they would have survived and I would have something more permanent to remind me of them. We found someone who excels at capturing them on paper during a recent visit to Leach Botanical Garden. Zebith Thalden is an incredible artist who has pictures and sculptures so incredible that you would think that it was the real thing. She told William about her childhood when she first started to notice how colorful and detailed these creatures were. It was when she was sketching a beetle when she noticed that it was teaching her all about color theory, proportion, the golden mean, and many other concepts. This love of bugs has even led Zebith to becoming a champion for these little creatures. So how do you start to do your own drawing of bugs? First, you can go to her Facebook page, Intersectus Design and get a feel for her drawings. Then get a sketchbook and a HB pencil to start. If you want to start drawing in color you can pick up some Prismacolor pencils. Then head to the garden. Take your time and observe. When you find an insect you want to draw, draw it first. Since they are on the move you will want to make sure you get it first. Then, once you have a good start on drawing the bug, start to fill in around it with the background plants. If you would like a little more information and instruction you can attend an upcoming class with Zebith at Leach Botanical Garden (503-823-9503) on the 27th of this month from 10am to 3pm. Janice Jenkins told us that preregistration for his class is required, but it is only one of many classes and events that happen at the garden throughout the year. Always check the Leach Botanical Garden website for more information on all of their classes.

Weird and Rare Plants

Weird and Rare Plants

If you are a plant nerd you probably already know about Rare Plant Research. Burl Mostul has spent a good portion of his life finding some of the strangest plants from around the world. This Saturday, June 20th, is his last open garden and sale for the year, and your chance to see more of his weird and rare plants. He showed us some of his weirdest plants that you can either see or buy on Saturday. Most of these plants are like living sculptures and not hardy in our climate. The first plant was a cousin of the grape and is from South Africa. It has a weird trunk and even produces a grape-like fruit. There were a couple plants from Madagascar. One that has flowers that you have to squeeze the pollen out of the flower to get it to cross-pollinate with another flower, and the other which has an incredible twisted trunk that almost looks like a large bonsai. Another plant was a Morning Glory relative from Uruguay. With tiny branches attached to a bulbous trunk and covered with tiny purple flowers which only open in the morning, this one may be the most strange. He also had 2 varieties of the Pitcher Plant, which is a carnivorous plants and eats mosquitoes and other flying bugs. One of the plants that you may mistake for a an ordinary palm tree is the Silver European Fan Palm. This one is actually native to Morocco, but it gets some really great slivery palm leaves and fade to yellow as it ages. Stop by and look for these plants this Saturday from 11am to 4pm. There will also be food available for purchase and tastings of their award winning wine at the Villa Catalana Cellars tasting room.

Speaking of the Villa Catalana Cellars. Burl and his wife are hosting a bunch of Dinners in the Garden. We have been able to attend one of these garden parties and it was GREAT! Chef Dave Clark served a 5 course meal on the beautiful grounds, with a new wine offered with each course. The grounds remind a lot of people of a villa in Tuscany. It is truly a magical place! If you would like to learn more, check out the Villa Catalana Cellars website, http://www.villacatalanacellars.com.

Fruiting Hedge

Fruiting Hedge

Looking for some privacy and some dessert for dinner. Think about a hedge made from fruit! We recently visited Sara about another story and while we were there she showed us an area where they had removed 30 feet of old hedges. This gave them lots of room for FRUIT! Sara and her family have planted columnar apple trees in the space and that will soon be joined by blueberries and lots of strawberries. This is a great use of space and will soon truly become a ‘good neighbor’ fence.

Sara is also involved with a couple other things. She is one of the founders of Just Freshy. This is a website dedicated to local. You can buy, sell or trade anything local that you produce, either food, crafts or anything else handcrafted. She is also the blogger behind www.GoGingham.com. This site deals with everything healthy. She has great recipes and healthy living tips. Check out both sites.

Newport Samaritan Garden Tour

Newport Samaritan Garden Tour

If you are looking for an excuse to travel to the coast we have found one for you. Next weekend, the 27th, Samaritan House in Newport is hoisting a Secret Garden Tour of some great gardens. We were able to visit 2 of them while shooting stories at the beach. First we talked to Lola Jones about Samaritan House. Samaritan House is a non-profit organization that helps families become self-sufficient and gets them into stable housing. It is the only family homeless shelter in the mid-coast area of the state. Once families are accepted into the program they can start to build a nest-egg of funds to help them move into a more permanent housing situation. They take classes and learn how to be better renters and homeowners. The garden tour benefits this great organization.

The first home we visited was Ted and Sharon’s. They live a little south of Newport and their home has more of a English-style garden with a large greenhouse housing an eclectic collection of unusual plants. The garden features a mixture of perennial flowers, vegetables, shrubs, hops, small trees, and even a Hawaiian totem. In the greenhouse and on the deck Ted grows a variety of carnivorous plants, primarily pitcher plants, but he also has orchids and an assortment of other plants. Their garden also has a great mix of edibles mixed into the landscape.

Next door is Ray & Mary Jo’s home, another one on the tour. They have a quaint Cape Cod home with a variety of trees, bushes, and flowers intended to attract birds, bees, and butterflies. The side yard contains a fire pit, a fountain, and several raised beds spilling over with flowers, herbs, and vegetables which are interspersed with each other. Ray moved all the stone himself and claims the rocks and stones got heavier because they were absorbing the coastal rains as he went along. In the backyard was another fountain made of an old copper washing machine. They also had a terrace filled with hostas, ferns, rhododendrons, and varied plants and bushes. Both these homes looked incredible. It is amazing what you can grow at the coast.

If you would like to see these great homes you can purchase tickets at various locations around Newport and Lincoln City. You can check the Samaritan House website for those locations, or you can buy them on-line at Brown Paper Tickets, http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/1587632. Take a trip to the coast next weekend and see these great homes. You won’t be disappointed!

Bird Baths

Bird Baths

When anyone thinks about birds, they tend to think about feeders, but one thing a lot of people forget is water. All birds need water! To learn more about how to provide that water, we stopped by Back Yard Bird Shop (503-620-7454) to talk with Scott and Angie about bird baths. These are the easiest and most efficient ways to provide water to your neighborhood flock. Scott mentioned that a shallow bowl is the best. If the water level stays around 1-2 inches deep that will work well for most birds, big or small. You will also want a bird bath that is about 3 feet off the ground. This will take away the immediate danger of a cat or other predator catching the birds while they bathe. There are some bird baths that you can place on the ground, and they will attract birds as well, but they are more vulnerable to other animals. Hanging baths will work as well, but birds prefer a solid bath in your garden. Plus, you should try to freshen up the water every day or at least 3 times a week. They like fresh water and will return to the bath more often if you keep the water fresh. Speaking of fresh water, Angie told us that birds equate running water with fresh water. She showed us some of the drippers, fountains and other tools that you can use to keep the water moving. We also looked at misters. These create a fine mist that attracts birds and especially hummingbirds. Another product that she shared with us was ‘bird bath protector’. A few drops of this when you add new water to your bath and you will reduce the amount of algae that grows in your bath, so you have to clean your bath less over time. They also carry items that will keep the water unfrozen in the winter because birds need water all year long, and especially in the winter. If you would like to learn more about being friendly to your feathered friends, stop by any location of Back Yard Bird Shop or check out their website.

Beginning Bonsai Tips

Beginning Bonsai Tips

Bonsai is a wonderful art. Each plant becomes a microcosm of a miniature landscape. It can become a hobby that can consume you if you get bitten by the ‘bonsai’ bug. It can also be very intimidating for the beginner. To help people understand how easy it can be we stopped by Portland Nursery (503-788-9000) to get some tips from George about how to get started and what tools were involved. First he showed us a bunch of different plants that you can bonsai. Most of these were varieties that were bred to be dwarf or miniature plants. There are a wide assortment of evergreen plants or even deciduous varieties. You will want to take your time in choosing the right plant since bonsai is not a short term hobby. George recommends that beginners start with a juniper, pine, hornbeam or a maple. Those are the most common and the easiest to work with. You will then want to choose a pot that is the right size for your plant. Soil is very important and there are special bonsai mixes that provide the right nutrients and drain well so your plant doesn’t end up sitting in too much moisture. Tools come next. You will need a good pruning scissors. Since most of your pruning will be done on small limbs and branches these are very important. Next is a small hand rake. This helps with raking the soil, weeding and straightening the roots when you replant you bonsai. George also recommended a carrying case for these tools so you don’t misplace them. He also discussed the use of wire when training your plants growth. This can help shape your bonsai gain a more statuesque appearance. If this interests you, you should stop by the Portland Nursery location on Division this Saturday for their big bonsai event. On June 20th from 10am to 3pm you can learn about bonsai from the bonsai society and even enter your own bonsai for prizes. There will be lots of bonsai experts there to answer your questions. Then on Sunday, the Portland Iris Society will have their show at the Division location as well! Be sure to check out the Portland Nursery website for more information on both of these events.

Outdoor Watering Tools

Outdoor Watering Tools

Even though the winter and spring have been wet, we still have to think about the coming summer months and keeping everything watered. No one wants to waste water and most garden centers have a bunch of watering tools to help you get the water to where the plant needs it. Our friends from Dramm sent us a bunch of their wonderful products to demonstrate. First of all, you need a good hose. A lot of the hoses you will find on the market are pretty flimsy. This is one place where you get what you pay for. A good hose will not kink or leak and it should last more than one year of normal wear and tear. Next a soaker hose is a good idea. This will get the water to the root zone of your favorite plants and since it slowly drips water you won’t lose much to evaporation. Next we looked at spray nozzles. The one from Dramm had different settings so you could adjust the flow to the type of watering you were doing; a light mist to a ‘jet’ stream, and all you do is twist the knob on the front. Timers are also a good idea; there are battery operated ones and some that work on a spring system. The spring type are good if you are going to be around the house and just want the water to run for a certain time. The battery ones can be set to turn your water on and off for weeks if you plan to be on vacation.

Finally we talked about tools for getting water to those hard to reach places. Dramm had a watering wand with a shutoff valve. This is great for hanging baskets! Remember that hanging baskets can dry out much faster than your other containers so keep an eye on them and when you water them, give them a good soaking! Check your local independent garden center for more tools and ideas. If you would like more tips for watering check with the Regional Water Providers Consortium (www.conserveh2o.org).
 

 
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