981 alden lane, livermore, ca • • (925) 447 … · july 2009 serving you since 1955 981 alden...

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JULY 2009 Serving You Since 1955 981 Alden Lane, Livermore, CA www.aldenlane.com (925) 447-0280 Announcements Watch the Valley Gardener on CTV30 for great gardening tips with host Jacquie Williams-Courtright at 7:30 am and 1:30 pm, Monday- Friday and repeated on Saturday at 7:30 am, 11:00 am & 4:00 pm; Sunday at 7:30 am, 11 am, 1 pm, & 4 pm. Don’t Miss the Fair Plant Sale. On Sunday, July 19th many of the plants in the landscape gardens are sold at very reduced prices. The Gates open at 6 p.m. for this very fun, fast paced sales. Yes, you pay for parking and admission but it’s worth it. Make sure to bring your wagon, cart, dollie or even baby strollers to help cart your purchase to the parking lot. Bonsai Club meetings on the 3rd Saturday of each month – 1 p.m. at Alden Lane Nursery. Come one, come all Composting Information. Call the Rotline at 510-444-SOIL for informa- tion on starting your own composting pile or visit the website at www.stopwaste.org. We have the all new Tumble- weed composter. No Heavy lifting just spin the tumble- weed for perfect home made compost. Fresh Fruit Tasting at Art Under the Oaks Now is the time to enjoy all the flavors of summer tree-ripened fruit and nothing beats the taste of a fruit freshly picked from your own tree. Next best will be fruit from Ed’s trees in the Dave Wilson orchards! Ed Laivo of Dave Wilson Nursery will be here at Art Under The Oaks on Saturday, July 11th and Sunday, July 12th to offer you tastes of all the succulent peaches, nectarines and plums that ripen in mid July. They will also be available to give advice and consultation on all the different varieties of fruit and nut trees available. So come with all your questions and prepare to have your taste buds tingle. After you sample you can order your favorites. Take advantage of our pre-season pricing on Special Order fruit trees. Our order books open this weekend for the next bare-root season; and you can choose from over 225 varieties on different rootstocks to fit all yards and gardens. Come in and plan to hold a fruit tasting in your backyard! Mark your calendars for Art Under the Oaks July 11th & 12th from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm This is the 23rd Annual Art Under the Oaks, This year promises to continue to delight the art, wine, music and fruit lover! We’ll have local wineries pouring samples, local artists will be on hand demonstrating their craft, music will fill the grounds, and Dave Wilson Nursery will hold their annual summer fruit tasting, so yummy, you won’t want to miss it. There are raffle prizes every hour. If your name is pulled on Sunday at 4 p.m., you win the Grand Prize piece of original art valued at over $200.00. Every hour winners receive a $25.00 gift certificate to the Nursery. Music lovers can enjoy live music both days. Joey Altman and the Back Burner Blues Band will perform on Saturday from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Also playing are The Cool Tones, performing Saturday from 1:30-2:30 p.m. Returning for their annual performance is the Stony Ridge Ramblers, performing on Saturday from 2:30-4 p.m. Sunday performances include Jack Pollard’s Party of Two playing from 11-1 p.m. Sycamore Strings Academy will perform from 1:30-2:30 p.m. To conclude the event on Sunday, one of our favorites, the Pleasanton Community Concert Band will perform from 2:30-4 p.m. Admission is FREE, parking is FREE, additional FREE parking is available at Sunset Office Plaza located at the corner of Concannon and Holmes-FREE SHUTTLES. For more information, contact the nursery at (925) 447-0280 or visit www.aldenlane.com.

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Page 1: 981 Alden Lane, Livermore, CA • • (925) 447 … · JULY 2009 Serving You Since 1955 981 Alden Lane, Livermore, CA • • (925) 447-0280 Announcements • Watch the Valley Gardener

JULY 2009Serving You Since 1955

981 Alden Lane, Livermore, CA • www.aldenlane.com • (925) 447-0280

Announcements• Watch the Valley Gardener

onCTV30forgreatgardeningtipswithhostJacquieWilliams-Courtrightat7:30amand1:30pm,Monday-FridayandrepeatedonSaturdayat7:30am,11:00am&4:00pm;Sundayat7:30am,11am,1pm,&4pm.

• Don’t Miss the Fair Plant Sale.OnSunday,July19thmanyoftheplantsinthelandscapegardensaresoldatveryreducedprices.TheGatesopenat6p.m.forthisveryfun,fastpacedsales.Yes,youpayforparkingandadmissionbutit’sworthit.Makesuretobringyourwagon,cart,dollieorevenbabystrollerstohelpcartyourpurchasetotheparkinglot.

• Bonsai Clubmeetingsonthe3rdSaturdayofeachmonth–1p.m.atAldenLaneNursery.Comeone,comeall

• Composting Information.CalltheRotlineat510-444-SOILforinforma-tiononstartingyourowncompostingpileorvisitthewebsiteatwww.stopwaste.org.WehavetheallnewTumble-weedcomposter.NoHeavyliftingjustspinthetumble-weedforperfecthomemadecompost.

Fresh Fruit Tasting at Art Under the Oaks

Nowisthetimetoenjoyalltheflavorsofsummertree-ripenedfruitandnothingbeatsthetasteofafruitfreshlypickedfromyourowntree.NextbestwillbefruitfromEd’streesintheDaveWilsonorchards!Ed Laivo of Dave Wilson NurserywillbehereatArtUnderTheOaksonSaturday,July11thandSunday,July12thtoofferyoutastesofallthesucculentpeaches,nectarinesandplumsthatripeninmidJuly.Theywillalsobeavailabletogiveadviceandconsultationonallthedifferentvarietiesoffruitandnuttreesavailable.Socomewithallyourquestionsandpreparetohaveyourtastebudstingle.

Afteryousampleyoucanorderyourfavorites.Takeadvantageofourpre-seasonpricingonSpecialOrderfruittrees.Ourorderbooksopenthisweekendforthenextbare-rootseason;andyoucanchoosefromover225varietiesondifferentrootstockstofitallyardsandgardens.

Come in and plan to hold a fruit tasting in your backyard!

Mark your calendars for

Art Under the OaksJuly 11th & 12th from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm

Thisisthe23rd Annual Art Under the Oaks,Thisyearpromisestocontinuetodelighttheart,wine,

musicandfruitlover!We’llhavelocalwineriespouringsamples,localartistswillbeonhand

demonstratingtheircraft,musicwillfillthegrounds,andDaveWilsonNurserywillholdtheirannualsummerfruittasting,soyummy,youwon’twanttomissit.

Thereareraffleprizeseveryhour.IfyournameispulledonSundayat4p.m.,

youwintheGrandPrizepieceoforiginalartvaluedatover$200.00.Everyhourwinners

receivea$25.00giftcertificatetotheNursery.Musicloverscanenjoylivemusicbothdays.

Joey Altman and the Back Burner Blues BandwillperformonSaturdayfrom11a.m.-1p.m.AlsoplayingareThe Cool Tones,performingSaturdayfrom1:30-2:30p.m.

ReturningfortheirannualperformanceistheStony Ridge Ramblers,performingonSaturdayfrom2:30-4p.m.SundayperformancesincludeJack Pollard’s

Party of Twoplayingfrom11-1p.m.Sycamore Strings Academywillperformfrom1:30-2:30p.m.ToconcludetheeventonSunday,oneofourfavorites,thePleasanton Community Concert Bandwillperformfrom2:30-4p.m.

AdmissionisFREE,parkingisFREE,additionalFREEparkingisavailableatSunsetOfficePlazalocatedatthecornerofConcannonandHolmes-FREE SHUTTLES.Formoreinformation,contactthenurseryat(925)447-0280orvisitwww.aldenlane.com.

Page 2: 981 Alden Lane, Livermore, CA • • (925) 447 … · JULY 2009 Serving You Since 1955 981 Alden Lane, Livermore, CA • • (925) 447-0280 Announcements • Watch the Valley Gardener

Don’t miss the opportunity to sign up for

Concrete Leaf Making Class!

WeonlyhaveTwoclassesleftandtheenrollmentislimitedinthisVERY

popularworkshop!Ifyousaidyou’vealwayswantedtotryit,now

isthetimetoscheduleitbeforeitisfinishedforthesummer.OurJulyclassisSaturday,July 18from11amto1pm,andourlastclassoftheyearisscheduledforSaturday,August 15thfrom11amto1pm.Thecostis$75.00,andweprovide all you need to complete a beautiful12"+leaf.Thecostincludesaleafmakingclass,followedatleast2weekslater(theyneedtodryinbetween)byapaintingworkshop.(Ourlastpainting classes are scheduled for Saturday,Aug. 1stat10amandWednesday,Sept 2ndat6:30pm.)

Joinusinlearningthisbeautifulleafartforyourowngarden–anddon’tforget–theymakefabulousgifts!!

Kidz Club NewsWednesday, July 8

Time: 2 pm to 3 pm • Cost: $10.00Instructors: HeatherSchamber&SueFordyce

It’sbigfunintheAldenLaneFarmasweexplorethecrops,doalittlewatering,huntingforthebugbattalionsanddoalittleharvesting.Thenitisofftotheclubhousetomakeaminiature jungle in a pop bottle terrarium for every junior farmer to create and take home.

Wednesday, July 22Time: 2 pm to 3 pm • Cost: $10.00

Instructor:HeatherSchamberTopic:Let’sexploretheAldenLaneFarm

–seewhat’sripe(YUM),whatneedswater,andIthinkthechickensmightneedalittleattention...thenitisofftothepondtodiscoverwhatcreatureslurkinthedepths–perhapsIvytheTurtlewillshowupforsomemunchies.Wewilllearnaboutwhatlivesinourlittlewaterworldandhowtomaintainitsecobalance.Everyone will take home a pond plant of their very own!

PLAnT nAnnies FOr VACATiOn PLAnT CAre!

Thesecleverandattractiveself-wateringsystemsrelyonarecycledcontainerandtheslowreleaseactionofterracottaclay.Theyareavail-ableinthreestyles.“Plant”thesewateringNanniesintoyourinteriorplants,attachtheappropriate-sizebottlefullofwaterbeforeyouleaveonanextendedtripandrelyontheplantnannytotendtoyourwaterneedswhileyou’reaway.

Uniquesiphonprocessreleaseswateronlywhentheplantbeginstodrysoyouusejusttherightamountofwaterforplantsastheyrequestit.Youcanleaveforvacationandnotworryaboutthewatering.

STEP 1: Insert theceramicstake intoaplant.Theuniqueshape(patentpending)preventsrootdamageduringinsertion.Slowrotationofthestakemovessoilandrootsasideeasily.

STEP 2:FillandattachaplasticsodaorwaterbottletothePlantNannyinsert.Placeyourfingerovertheuniquereleaseport (patentpending)andinvertthebottle.Removeyourfingerfromtheportasyousettheadaptorintothestakefordripfreeandeasyrefilling.

Also available as a decorative watering globe!Beautifullyfluted

glasswateringglobesextendthetime

betweenwatering.Excellentforusein

indoorplantsandcontainergardens.Canbeusedinthe

gardenwhentrans-plantingseedlings.AllPlantNannyWateringGlobesetsareboxedinunique“see-through”displaypackagingthat

attractsattention.

Attention All Backyard Fruit Enthusiasts…

Bumpercropsandheavyharvestsawaitthosewhoattendourmonthlyfruitgrowingseminars.Getindepthinstructiononadifferentfruiteachmonth,aswellastechniquesinpruning,diseasecontrol,andmuchmore!Wewillcovertheentire“backyardorchard”overtheyearincludinggrapes,berries,andcitrusfruits.

Wewantyoutobethemostsuccessfulyoucanbeinachievingyourgoalsofafruitful,nutritiouslifestyle.Attendmultipleclassestoearnyourselfatickettothe2009 Fall Harvest Recipe Party,andget“Alden Lane Certified”asanofficialBackyardOrchardSpecialist!Giveawayitems,informationhandouts,andraffleprizeswillbeavailableateveryclass.Allclassesaretorunfrom11-12o’clockwithextratimeforQ&Aandwillcost$5–bring a friend for FREE! Callaheadtoprepayandreserveaseat.

Berries & Summer Pruning Saturday, July 18th, 11:00 - Noon

Page 3: 981 Alden Lane, Livermore, CA • • (925) 447 … · JULY 2009 Serving You Since 1955 981 Alden Lane, Livermore, CA • • (925) 447-0280 Announcements • Watch the Valley Gardener

Notes for July Gardeninge

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Mulchingmakesthesummereasieronyourgarden.Itretainsmoistureandhelpsminimizeweeds.Useafour-inch layerofmicro,blackorshreddedbarkforthebestresults.

Spruce up the garden with pots ofred-white-blue petuniasfortheholiday.Wehavelotsofinstantcolorflowerstomakeholidaypartiesandbarbequesallthemore enjoyable.Shop early because the nursery will be closed on July 4th.

Ifyou’relookingforsomethingtodoonawarmsum-mernight–visit the fair.TheAlamedaCountyFairhousessomebeautifullandscapeexhibits.ItrunsJuly1stthroughJuly19th.Ifyou’relookingforbargainsonplantsattendtheclosingdaygardenexhibitsalefrom6p.m.to9p.m.

AnnualArt Under the Oaks Fruit Tasting–JoinusonJuly11th&12thfrom11a.m.to4p.m.atafruittasting.Tastenewvarietiesavailablethisyearandvarietiesyouneverfind instoresaswellasoldtimefavorites.

Tasty,crunchyvegetables,juicytomatoes,crisppeppersandtenderbeansallbenefitfromregularfertilizingduringtheirgrowingseason.WerecommendMaster Nursery’s Vegetable Food.Itisorganicbasedandeasytouse.

Plant Crape Myrtles now. These sun and heatloving summer bloomers come in shrub and treeform. Choose from white, red, lavender and manyshadesofpink.

Payalittleextraattentiontoyourrosesthismonth,waterdeeplyandmulcharoundtherootzone.

Thisisagreattimetoenjoywater gardening.Itcanbeassmallasalargepotorasgrandasaningroundpond.Wehavethesupplies!

Lookoutforcucumber beetles!Theyareactiveandhungryduringthelatesummer.Thesegreenladybuglookalikeseatallbuttheveinsofleavesandflowers,leavinglacelikeskeletonsanddevouringwholeplantsinnotime.UseMaster Nursery’s SevinorCaptain Jack’s Spinosad forthebestresults.

To prevent and cure your lawns of the fungus,BrownPatch,werecommendyouwaterthelawninthemorningtoallowthegrassbladestodrybeforenight.Deepthoroughwateringisveryimportant.UseBayer Lawn Fungicide.It’seasytoapplyandanexcellentcontrol.BrownPatchcanalsobecausedbylawnmothlarvae.TopreventorcontrolthisproblemapplyBayer Insect and Grub Controlnow.

Hot Weather Lovers!Bring on the Dazzle - Well into Fall!Hot temperatures bring out the best in these hot

weather annuals. Try some today in your garden.

SUNNy SITUATIONS • Alyssum:Lookingforsomethingwithaheavenlyscent?Thisistheplantforyou.Ithasasweet,freshscent.Itdoeswellasaborderedgingorbasketsandcontainers.Itisavailableinwhite,roseorpurple.Attractsbeneficialinsects,too.• Cosmos:White,rose,yelloworred‘daisy’styleflowers.Itisavail-ableinavarietyofsizesfromcompacttonearlyfourfoottall.Cosmoshasfinelytexturedfoliageandiscappedbythecolorfulbloomseachwithasunnycolored‘eye’.Hardythroughthefirstfrosts.• Portulaca:Ahardysummerannual,portulacamadeitswaytotheshoresofMexicoasanedibletuber.Todayportulacamakesacolorfulandtoughbeddingplant.Theleavesareshortandnarrowbutthick.Itiscoveredinflowersthroughoutthesummerandintothefall.Itflowersinamyriadofcolors–white,pink,rose,red,yellowandmore,lookinglikeapatchworkofcolors.Commonlyknownasmossrose.Massitinaflowerbed,anaccentincontainersanddazzlingateyelevelinahangingbasket.• Vinca Rosea: Best known as Periwinkle these long bloomingannualscomeinanattractiverangeofcolors–white,pink,rose,red,purplewithabrighteyeinthecenterofeachbloom.Vincalovestheheat!Theyarespectacularplantedinaflowerbedespeciallyifplantedinblocksofcolor.Vincawillbloomwellintothefallandrequireverylittleattentiononceestablished.

SHADy SPOTS• Impatiens:Anabsolutenecessityforthesummershadegarden.Availableinariotofcolorsandhues,thesebeautiesrequireshadeinmostinlandvalleyplantings but are tolerant of morning sun untilabout10a.m.Theyarethestarinashadeflowerbedorcontainerandmostcertainlywilldrawyoureyeifplantedinahangingbasket.Inaprotectedareaimpatiens continue well in November. Impatiensreachaheightofapproximately18to24inches.• Fibrous Begonia:Anotherbloomingbeautyfortheshade.Alongwithcolorsofwhite,red,rose,andpinktheyofferupbronzeorfreshgreenfoliageasanaccent.FibrousBegoniamakeanexcellentborderbutrequireafternoonshade.

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Page 4: 981 Alden Lane, Livermore, CA • • (925) 447 … · JULY 2009 Serving You Since 1955 981 Alden Lane, Livermore, CA • • (925) 447-0280 Announcements • Watch the Valley Gardener

From The Garden Store

Andrea’s FavesAllsop Home & Garden

Solar Technology“Beautiful, Affordable, Sustainable!”

AllsopHome&Gardenisasmallfamilybusiness,startedbyafatheranddaughterwhowereinspiredtocreatethebest,mostinnovativeandconsci-entiousproductspossiblefromoriginalgardentoolstosolarlighting.Asthefoundersoftheconcept“solargardenart,”AllsopHome&Gardenisknownforuniquecombinationsofgreensolartechnology,efficientLEDlighting,artisanhand-blownglassanduseofothercreativematerialswithsolarpower.

Quilting in the Garden 2009 – 12th Anniversaryseptember 26th & 27th

QuiltingintheGardenisheldeachSeptemberatAldenLaneNursery.ThisyearwearepleasedtobeshowcasingtheworkofLauraWasilowski,JoannaFigueroa,thePixeladies,andlocalartists,allhangingfromthemajesticoaksatAldenLane.Thequiltshowinthenurseryisfreeandthelectureserieswillhaveanominalcharge.TheshowandworkshopwillbeheldonSeptember 26th and 27th from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.andwillincludealectureandclassseriesstartingonThursday, September 24th.

FormoreinformationonQuilting in the Garden 2009pleasevisitourwebsitewww.aldenlane.com.

Soji Solar PodSolarpowerednylonlanterns

collectlightduringdayandglowbynightwithoutthehassleofelectricalcords.Placelanternsindirectsunlightduringthedayandenjoyabeautifulambientglowbynight.EquippedwithtwohighpoweredLEDlights,solarpanel,AAArechargeablebatteryandstainlesssteelhardware.ThePod'soblongshapecomplimentsthenaturalenvironment.

Soji Solar originalEastmeetsWestwithbright

festivallanterns.Constructedofdurablefadeandweatherresistantnylon,10"roundsolarlanternsaccordionopenandglowinajiff.

Soji Solar Silk EffectsShimmering,sheerpearlsilkfabric

insophisticatedearthycolorswithatraditionalAsianlanternshape.Atdusk,theselanternscastbeautifuliridescentsilhouettes—makeeveryeveninginyourgardenfestivewithanelegantshimmeringglow.

Botanical & Herbal write & Erase Plant Tags

Newandtotallyunique!Markyourfavoriteherb,plantorflowerwithre-usablewriteanderaseplanttags.SoftrubbertagsaredurableUVtreatedforyearrounduseoutdoorsandpadprintedwithartistdesignedherbalandbotanicaldrawings.UseaGELballpointpentomarkplantsandflowersanderasewithsoapandwaterafteruse.

Moon Drops outdoor Votives with Photo Light Sensor

Neverthrowthesevotivesaway,totallyre-usableandsustainable.Nomaintenance,nowiresrequired.PlaceyourMoonDropsanywhereforanenchantingmoon-likeglow.Poweredbyrenewable,recharge-ableAAAbatteries,MoonDropswillglowbynightforover150hourswithoutneedingtoberecharged.After150hoursof“glowtime”justrechargethe2AAAbatteriesinastandardbatterychargerandMoonDropswillglowlikenewagain.

Page 5: 981 Alden Lane, Livermore, CA • • (925) 447 … · JULY 2009 Serving You Since 1955 981 Alden Lane, Livermore, CA • • (925) 447-0280 Announcements • Watch the Valley Gardener

WhatisanArboretumAll-StarplantandwhyisitanaturalfitforCaliforniagardens?

Here’swhatUCDavissaysabouttheseplants:Each plant must be attractive most of the year • Thrive

in California conditions • Tested in UC Davis Arboretum

Andtheymusthaveoneofthefollowingfeatures:LowMaintenance•DroughtTolerant

OrAttractBeneficialWildlifeAldenLaneNurseryiscarrying

anumberofthese“Especially Green”productsjustforyou.Thisyearlookfor:

P Bulbine frutescens CapeBalsam:Small,evergreenperennialisawonderfuladditiontodryperennialborderswithitslong-bloomingpikesofdelicate,star-shapedyellowflowers;fleshy,brightgreenfoliageaddsasculpturalelementtothegarden;toleratesdroughtandpoorsoils.Waterdeeplyonceortwiceamonthwhenestablished.

P Cersatostigma plumbaginoides DwarfPlumbago:Attractivegroundcoverwithclustersofintenseblueflowersinsummerandcontinuingintofall;leavesturnacolorfulmarooninautumn;tolerantofsunorshade.Waterdeeplyonceortwiceamonthwhenestablished.

P Hardenbergia ‘Happy Wanderer’ LilacVine:Vigorousevergreenvinecanbeusedtocoveranarbor,pergolaorwall;small,purple,pea-likeflowersbloominlatewintertoearlyspring;othercultivarshavewhiteorpinkflowers.Waterdeeplyonceortwiceamonthwhenestablished.

P Rosa Korbin ‘Iceberg’:Toughanddiseaseresistant;toleratessomeshade;canbetrained,withpruning,tobeamediumorlargeshrub.Alsocomesinaclimbingvariety.Waterdeeplyeveryonetotwoweekswhenestablished.

P Lagerstroemia CrapeMyrtle:Providesyear-roundinterestwithsummerflowers,fallleafcolor,andhandsomeornamentalbarkinwinter;comesinpink,white,lavender-purple,orred-floweringvarieties;hybridformsaremoremildewresistant;attractsbeneficialinsects.Waterdeeplyeveryonetotwoweekswhenestablished.

P Salvia greggii AutumnSage:‘DarkDancer’isoneofmanyvarietieswhoseshowyflowersattracthummingbirdsandbeneficialinsects;flowersprofuselyinspringandfall.Waterdeeplyeverytwoweeks.

P Miscanthus sinensis(dwarf varieties) JapaneseSilverGrass:Thisgrassisastrikingadditiontothegarden.‘GoldBar’isoneofseveralvarietiesthatthrivesinclaysoil.Waterdeeplyeverytwoweekswhenestablished.

P Salvia Apiana CaliforniaWhiteSage:CaliforniaNativeplants;springflowersattractpollinatingbees;leavescontainfragrantoils.Waterdeeplyonceortwicepermonthonceestablished.

P Lavandula stoechas ‘Otto Quast’ SpanishLavender:Showiestofallthelavenders;thrivesinsunnydryconditions;attractsbutterfliesandbeneficialinsects.Waterdeeplyeverytwoweeks.

Arboretum All-Stars Are Perfect For California

Gardens

Page 6: 981 Alden Lane, Livermore, CA • • (925) 447 … · JULY 2009 Serving You Since 1955 981 Alden Lane, Livermore, CA • • (925) 447-0280 Announcements • Watch the Valley Gardener

Thisyearwe’veseenmoreandmorepeoplerethinkingwhattodowiththeirfrontlawn.

Gallon-for-gallon,afrontyardwithoutlawncanactuallybemoreinvitingandinterestingthanoneskirtedwiththeturf.Addingmeanderingpathways,carefullyplacedfocalpoints,awideplacetostepoffthepathandlinger,andacollectionofseasonallyinterestingplantsprovidestexture,colorandasoothingwaytounwindasyoutransitionfromthebusystreettothefrontdoor.Thejourneyfromthestreettothedoortocanbeasoothingone,designedwithprogressivelymoreprivatespaces,transitioninggentlytotheserenityofafrontentrygardenandultimatelythesecurityjustinsideyourhome.

Mostfrontlandscapesseemtodecoratethebuildingasthoughthehousewasafocalpointinthecenterofabigbouquetsurroundedbyaskirtoflawn;asifviewedonlyfromacar.Suchaland-scapedhomeisoftenbeautifullypictureperfect,butifyoustopforamoment,onthewayuptheentrypathandturnaround,youcanask,“How is the view of the street or passing cars? Does this feel like a place to linger? Would departing guests enjoy chatting here?”Chancesaretheexperiencecouldbeimprovedwithcarefulandthoughtfulplanningandplantplacement.

Imagineinsteadsteppingoffthecurb,throughaninformalgroupingofplantsthatseemtoformaprotectivebufferandabitofagatewayintoaprivateandpeacefulopenspaceorcourtyard.Thepathwidens,perhapsabenchorbistrosetinvitesonetosit.Thesoundofthecityseemstomeltawayasdothestressesofalongweek.Thesoundsofwater,thesightsandfragranceofcolorfulplantssoothandnurtureatiredsoul.Evenbeforereachingthefrontdoor,thefeelingwellsuptospeak,“I’m home!” Isn’tthatawelcomethought?

Don’tbeafraidtorearrangeyourplantingstocreateamoresoothingentry,don’tbeafraidtoreduceyourlawntoasizeyoucanactuallyuseandlettherestoftheyardembraceyouwithtexturecolorandshrubs.

Withfallbeingtheidealplantingtimefornativesanddroughttolerantlandscapes,summerisagreattimetothinkre-landscaping.Letusoffersomesuggestions.

JUsT Think – Your Own Tree Ripened FruitAdmittedlythegrocerystoreisaconvenience,andforthemoreadventurous,afarmer’smarket

hasmoretasteandunusualvarietiesavailablebutthebestofthebest?well, that’s just plain homegrown! ForyearsAldenLaneNurseryhasworkedwithDaveWilsonNurserytopurchasebestvarietiesoffruittrees,berriesandgrapesforthevalleyarea.ManyofyouhavemetEdLaivoofDaveWilsonNurseryatourmanyfruittastings–he’saguywithapassionforhisjob!Andweconcur!There’snothinglikethetasteoffreshpeachpluckedfromyourowntree–warm,juicyandsweetorawarm,fragrantsliceofapplepiemadewithapplesfromatreeyouplantedandnourishedwhileitgrew.

CheckwithusatAldenLanefortherightvarietiesforyourhomeorchard.We’reallabouthomeorchardculturewhichisdifferentfromcommercialventures.It’sabouthavingfruitinthegardenthroughoutthesummerandfallseasonsbecauseyou’veplantedvarietiesthatproduceonerightafter the other. It’s about taking advantage of the space you have to plant and recommendingespaliers,fourtreesinonehole,hedgerowsorwhateverittakestobringyoutherewardsofthebestexperienceyou’veeveryhadpluckinganapricotfromyourowntreeandmeltingintothesweettaste.Ahhhh, now that’s heaven!!!

Ideasyoucanuse:Spaceplantswithroomtostretchout.Setlargerplants

backfromthewalkwayssothatevenafterseveralyears’growth,theyneedonlylightpruning.

Widenplantingareasfromthetypical,narrow,3-4'toagenerous8-10'.Thiswillallowarelaxedlayeringofsmallershrubsinfrontoftallershrubs,spacedtopreventcrowding.

Placeapathwayofflagstonepaversthroughyourlandscape(perhapsasaperimetertoanow-smallerlawn.)Thiswillallowanotherinterestingwaytoenjoyyourlandscapeandthevarietyoftextureswillbewelcome.

Considerlowgrowing,lowmaintenancelawnalternativesplantedwithinsandstonepaversasalawnalternative.

Placeafew,wellchosenfocalpoints,orperhapsasmallfountaintoaddinterestanddrawyoureyethroughthelandscape.

A Pleasing, Eco-Friendly Front Yard Make-Over

Page 7: 981 Alden Lane, Livermore, CA • • (925) 447 … · JULY 2009 Serving You Since 1955 981 Alden Lane, Livermore, CA • • (925) 447-0280 Announcements • Watch the Valley Gardener

Orchid UniversityBASIC oRCHID CARE AnD BEyonD!

Saturday, July 25th • 10:00 am to 1:30 pm Ourin-houseorchidinstructor,SueFordycewilltakeyouthrougharefresherofthebasics,

andcontinuewitha“handson”repottingsession(bringupto3plantsofyourowntorepot),dividingandpropagating,pestsanddiseases,greenhouses,optimumindoorgrowingareas,decipheringlabels,caringfor“sick”orchids,andmuchmore.ThisclassisidealforthoseofyouwhodesiretoknowmorepracticalinformationonraisingandbloomingthisfascinatingfamilyofincredibleplantsoRsignupalovedoneasaspecialgift!Bringasacklunch.YouwillbeprovidedwithanOrchidUbinderwithclassmaterialsandloadsofpracticalinformation.Theclassfeeis$45.00.Call925-447-0280andsignupwithourAldenLanecashiers.

Plantingsuppliesinclude:  1bag(2cu.ft.)PlantingMix  Stakes   MasterStartFertilizer

Nopurchasenecessary.Neednotbepresenttowin.DrawingheldonJuly31,2009.

CRAPE MYRTLEJuly 2009

Name: _____________________________________________

Address: ___________________________________________

City: _______________________________________________

Phone: _____________________________________________

Email: ______________________________________________

Yes, I would like to receive the newsletter online.

Win A 5 Gallon Crape Myrtle Win a Crape Myrtle (tree form) plus Planting supplies

Itistheperfecttreeforasmallgardenorpatio,oraflowerfulaccentinthegarden.CrapeMyrtleisjustthetreefortheLivermoreValley.

Itloveshotsunandbloomsbountifully!A $70.00 Value!!

Bring on the heat – it’s Crape Myrtle Weather

Some plants perform best whentheheatison.Inweatherthatsteamssidewalksthesetreesbloomforthwithcontinuedstrengthrevelinginthesunandheat.Theyaresummershowoffs.

OneoftheshowiestsummerbloomersistheCrapeMyrtle.Infullbloomthisstriking shrub/tree almost radiatescolor,sportingafullheadofcrinkled,“crape”likebloomsinvariousshades,andtherearemoretalentstothistree.EarlierintheyearCrapemyrtlegivesanother show when the new foliagebreakswithacopperyredtone;andastheseasonprogresses, thebarkoftensplitstorevealaspringpinkundercoat.Inautumnitshandsomegreenfoliage

changestoeitherredorangeormaroonbeforedroppingtotheground.

Itishowever,themassofsummer blooms, which makes CrapeMyrtle really worth growing. Theyrangeinavarietyofcolorsfromwhite,pink,andlavendertoalmostbrilliantred. For those who prefer pink trySeminole which is a medium pink orPeppermint Lacewhichispinkwithawhiteedge. If it’swhiteyou like,askforNatchezwhite.Catawabaproducesastrong,deeppurpleandforahotpinkchooseWatermelon Red.

Or choose the brilliant red crapemyrtlecalledDynamite.Itscherryredflowers,crimsonbudsand leaveswillleave no doubt that it will create aneyecatchingdisplayinyourgarden.Astheredflowersagetheywillcreatean

explosionofcolor.If powdery mildew has been a

problem in the past on your CrapeMyrtle fear no longer! These mildewresistantvarietiesareavailablenowingoodsupply.Muskogeehasalavenderpink blossom and produces the mostbrilliant fall colors of scarlet, orangeandyellow.Tuscaroraismoreuprightandproducescoralredblossomswithhuge flower trusses. Zuni has glossygreenfoliagewithdarklavenderpurpleblossoms.

For smaller spaces use the “PetiteSeries”CrapeMyrtlebushesandpatiotrees. Petite Embers, Plum, Orchid, Snow and Pinkie are some of thecolorful possibilities! Any of thesevarietieswilladdanabundanceofcolortoyoursummertimelandscape.

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