MAY 2011Serving You Since 1955

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

Announcements• Watch the Valley GardeneronTV30forgreatgardeningtipswithhostJacquieWilliams-Courtrightat7:30amand1:30p.m.Monday-FridayandrepeatedonSaturdayat7:30&11:00am,and1:30pm&Sundayat7:30&11:00am,and1:00pm,orcatchheronTV30.org.

• TheLivermore Amador Valley Garden ClubwillmeetThursday,May5th,attheAlisalElementarySchool'smultipurposeroom,1454SantaRitaRd.,Pleasanton,at7pm.LindaChalkerScottfromWashingtonStateUniversity,authorofThe Informed Gardener andco-authorofThe Garden Professors’ Blog,willspeakabout“Garden Myths.”Visitorswelcome.Formoreinfovisitwww.lavgc.org.

• PlantoattendtheAlameda County Fair–June22toJuly10(theFairisclosedonTuesdays).AdvancedSaleFairticketswillbeavailableherebymidmonth.Logontowww.alamedacountyfair.comformoreinformation.

•Soroptimist’s “Livermore In Bloom” Garden TourisSaturday,May7th,from11:00-3:00.$20.00ticketsmaybepurchasedatAldenLaneoryoumaycallCharlotte,925-449-4079orDenise,443-5897.You’llpickupmapsonSaturdaymorningatAldenLanewhereyou’llentertowinalovely“GrandGardening”Prize.

•Bonsai Clubmeetingsarethe3rdSaturdayofeachmonth,2p.m.atAldenLaneNursery.Comeone–comeall!

•Hidden Gardens of the Valley Garden Tour(benefitingtheValleyHumaneSociety),Sunday,May15from10a.m.–4p.m.Ticketsare$35andcanbepurchasedfromAldenLaneNurseryoronlineatwww.valleyhumane.org.Formoreinformationcall925-918-0799.

Peonies in the Garden Make for a Beautiful Spring!

Everygardendeservesapeony;whetherinbushortreeformorthehybridItohpeonies.Therangeofcolorsandhuesisstaggeringandwilllightupyourgardenlikenothingelse!Mother’sDayisnearlyuponusandtheywouldmakeafabulousgiftfortheladiesinyourlife!TreePeoniesmakegreatcompanionsof

camellias,azaleas,andJapanesemaples.Typicallytheflowersareusedforcuttingandbringingindoorswheretheycanbeviewedupclosetoexperiencethefragranceanddetailedcolors;oryoucansimplyenjoytheminthegarden.Theyareexquisiteeitherway.

• Don’t forget Mother’s Day is May 8th.WehavewonderfulgiftsuggestionsforMom.DropbyandletushelpyouselectjusttheperfectgiftforMom.

• Wewillbeopen Memorial Day,May30,2011until5:00p.m.forallyourgardeningneeds.

• Composting Information.CalltheRotline,510-444-SOILforinformationonstartingyourowncompostingpileorvisitthewebsiteatwww.stopwaste.org.

• MarkyourcalendarsforArt Under the Oaks, July 23rd and 24th.

Grow Your Own Salsa & More! Thissummer’ssalsaisatAldenLaneNurserytoday!It’stimethismonthto

plantyourvegetablegardensohurrydownandletushelpyouchoosetherightvarietiesoftomatoes,peppers,squashes,cucumbers,beans,cornandeggplantsforyoursummercooking.Wehavealargeselectionofvarietiesavailableuntiltheendofthemonth.Start growing for our Salsa Contest on September 17th & 18th!

Tomato TipOftenthefirsttomatoesto

ripenaresmittenwiththeleatherybrownpatchofrotknownasblossomendrot,generallycausedfromacalciumdeficiency.GetaheadofthegamebysprayingtheleavesnowwithMonterey’s Foli-cal.Applyat14dayintervalsthroughoutthegrowingseason.

Lawn Grub Control

Blueberries and Pomegranates – Growing Superfoods in Your BackyardGrowingfruitsandveggiesinthebackyardhasbecomealltherageinrecentyears.BlueberriesandPomegranatescanbeworkedintotheediblegardentoprovideantioxi-dantrichfreshfruitforyourfamily.Theyarebothloadedwithantioxidants,vitamins,

potassium,andfolicacid.Includingoneoranotherofthesesuperfruitsinyourdailydietwillsignificantlyincreaseyourantioxidantintake,allgoodwhenitcomestoyourhealth.

Pomegranatesaresmalltreesorlargeshrubsthatenjoyourwarmsunnyclimate.Theyhaveshowyorange-redbloomsinsummerfollowedbybeautifulbrightredfruitsthatripeninlatefall.ThereareseveralvarietiesofPomegranatestochoosefromincludingWonderful, Pink Satin,andEversweet.

Blueberriesarebushesthatbloomaprettywhiteandpinkflowerinspringfollowedbydeliciousfruitinsummer.Pickthemfreshforeating,bakingpies,orpancakes!Planttwoblueberrybushesperfamilymemberandchoosevarietiesthatripenatdifferenttimesforanamplesupplyoffreshberriesthroughoutsummer.Thesesuperfruitsgrowbestinafternoonshadewithanacidicsoilinthegroundorinpots.TryplantingBountiful Blue,anewsouthernhighbushvarietywithacompacthabitthatbearsheavycropsoftastyberriesalongwithSunshine Blueanothersmallergrowingvarietyperfectforpots!TherearemanyvarietiesofBlueberrieswithvaryingfruitsizesandsubtleflavordifferencestoextendtheripeningseasonfromlatespringintolatesummer.

Beneficial NematodesBeneficialNematodesaremicroscopicwormsthatlookrathereel-likeinappearance.Mostnematodesarebadin

thegarden(attackingroots)butacouplespeciesareprizedfortheirpredatorycharacteristics.Theyparasitizesoilborngrubsandinsectlarva.Weorderfreshnematodesinpackagesof1,000,000!Eachpackagewilltreatupto3000squarefeetofgardenarea.SinceNematodesarelivingorganisms.Iorder24atatime;theyshipovernight,packedinice.Werefrigeratethem

immediatelyandprefertohaveyoupurchasethemassoonaspossible.Soratherthanorderthemandwaitforcustomerstobuythem,Ihavebeencollectingnamesandonlyplacean

orderwhenmosthavebeenspokenfor.Thiswillassurethatthenematodesarefreshwhenyougetthem,andI'llhavejustafewonhandforthosecominginlooking.Pleasecallintoreserveapackage,orbetteryet,visithttp://aldenlane.com/nematoderequest.htmltosimplifytheprocess.

Lawngrubsappearmostofteninsummerwhenlawndamagebeginstoappearaftergrubschewawayattherootsjustbelowthesod.Theyalsocometogardener’sattentioninautumnwhenraccoonsteartheturftopieceslookingforgrubstoeat.Thebesttimetocontrolthegrubshoweverisnow.Thelifecycleofthegrubincludes

abeetle(Junebugorsimilar)whichmorphstoflyinthesummereveningsafterspendingwinterundergrounds.Thebeetlelayseggs;inmoistsoil(lawnsareperfect).Theseeggshatchtobecomegrubswhichchewawayonlawnsandvegetablegardensinsummerandearlyspring,finallytoemergeagaininearlysummerasbeetlestorepeattheprocess.Thevulnerabletimeforcontrolis

whenthelarvaaresmallhatchlingsinlatespring/earlysummer.

Ifyouhaveaproblemwithgrubs,stopchasingthem,stayinoneplace,andwaitforthemtoreturntoyouinMay.Applyingnematodesnowwilldeal

withcurrentandfutureinfestation.Callin

toplaceyournameonthelistforournextship-mentoffreshnematodes.Wewillorderwhenwehaveenoughtakerssothenematodesaredistributedasfreshaspossible.

YoumayalsowanttoskiptheorganicnematodeoptionandapplyBonide Grub Beatertoyourlawnnow.(Notokayforvegetables.)Thetimingforbestcontrolisnow

throughearlysummer.

Notes for May GardeningProtect your cherry crop!Preventwormyfruit.Startsprayingweeklywhenfruitbeginstochangefromgreentostrawberrycolor.SpinosadandMalathionarespraystoconsider.

Prevent whiteflies bymulchingwithwormcastings.

Thin apple and peach cropsiftoomuchfruithasset.You’llgetfewerbutlarger,juicierfruit.

Ladybugstotherescue!Controlaphids,whiteflies,andleafhoppersnaturally.

Do you have bugs on your vegetables?UsevegetablesafePest Fighter Spray Oil.

Plant4-inchvegetableplantsandsaveseveralweeksofgrowingtime.RemembertoprotectthemfromhungrysnailsandslugswithMaster Snail, Slug and Insect ControlorpetsafeSluggo Plus.Itcontrolsslugs,snailsandinsects.

UseMaster Green Weed & Feed.Takeadvantageofourwarm-nothot-Maytemperaturestoridyourlawnofbroadleafedweeds,andfeedatthesametime.

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Scale insectsaffectcitrusaswellasaslewofornamentals.Adultsarelittlestationarybumpsonstemsandleaves.Off-springhidebeneathmother’sprotectiveshell,venturingoutastheweatherwarmssearchingforanewplacetocolonize.ControlbysprayingwithMaster Nursery Pest Fighter Oil.Or for toughcaseson ornamentalplantsapplyVolck Oil mixed with Malathion,orCaptain Jack’s All Organic Spray.

Prevent olive fruit setwithFlorel Fruit Eliminator.Spray the olivewhen the tree has just reached fullbloom.Olive flowers are very small, sowatch closely.FullbloomusuallyoccursinearlyMay.Spraythewholetreethoroughly.Wehavethenamesofcommercialspraycompaniesthatcanhelptoo.

Feed roses nowandeverytwoweeksformaximumroseproduction.AlternatebetweenMaxSea plus Kelp Sea LifeandMaster’s Rose & Flower Food.

Regular feeding for Citrus.CitrusperformwellwithregularlightfeedingsoffertilizerspecificallyformulatedforCitrus.WerecommendMaster Nursery Citrus Food,or for a completely organic approach,useE.B. Stone Citrus and Fruit Tree Fertilizer.Make quarterlyapplications of IronSulfate for optimum feeding andgreening.

$ $ $ $ It’s Time $ $ $ $for Bonus Dollars Again!

Ourtraditionalspringtimeevent-Bonus Dollars are back!

BonusDollarsaredistributedApril 1 through May 31.Youearn10%of your total purchases and arepaid inAldenLaneNurseryBonusDollars.TheseBonusDollarsareredeemableAugust1-31.Theyaretobeusedforupto50% of your purchases in August.Forexample:ifyouhave10BonusDollarsyoumayuseall10onapurchaseof$20ormore.(BonusDollarsarenotvalidwithotherdiscountsorcoupons.BonusDollarsarenotvalidonsod,saleitemsorotherspecialorders.Saleslimitedto

stockonhand.Notredeemableforcash.)

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WhatcouldbemorebeautifulthanaJapaneseMapleunfurlingitsdelicateleavesinthespring?JapaneseMapleshaveenjoyedmanyyearsofpopularityinourgardensduetothevarietiesavailableforourmanyvarieddesignsandlocations.AtAldenLanewecarryawiderangeofJapaneseMaplesthat

toleratethehotinteriorvalleysummers.Theythriveinmorningsunwithsomeprotectionfromhotdrywinds.Maplesarenearlytrouble-free.Occasionalaphidswillattackinearlyspring,ablastfromahoseisallthatisneededtodislodgetheseunwantedguests.ComewalkthroughourJapaneseMapleGrove.You’resure

tofindonetoaddtoyourgarden.AskforourFREECare and Planting Guide.

Japanese Maples

From the Gift Shop!

Petals On ParadeJohnny Fedora and Alice Bluebonnet

cordially invite you to join “Petals on Parade” . . . our first floral hat contest!

Soguysandgalsshouldgrabahatandstartdecoratingwithanypetalsorflowersyoucanthinkof!!We’llholdourcontestonMothers’Dayweekend,Saturday,

May 7th at 1:00 p.m.Behereby12:30p.m.forthefestivi-ties.Ourjudgesforthehatcontestare:localLivermoreartist,Angela Johal,andownerofDana’sBridal,Dana Bates.

First Place Winner: $100.00 GIFT CARD toAldenLaneNursery Second Place Winner: $50.00 GIFT CARD toAldenLaneNursery

InkeepingwithourMother’sDayevent“Petals on Parade”wehavesomebeautifulRibbon & Braid Hats incolorsofRose,Ivory,SageGreen,andSeaFoamBlue.Momwouldloveone!Notonlyisitagreatlookinghatitisalsofunctional,carryinganSPF50+ratingforsunprotection.Ifyouarelookingforsomethingwithmorecolorwehave

aCotton Floppy Hat withaninnerdrawstringinWine,Coral,Fuchsia,Rose,Turquoise,Mint,SeaGlass,Lime,andmore.Thesefunhatsalsocomewitha50+SPFrating.Wehave

manygreatgiftsforMother’sDay.Wonder-fulscentsoflavenderandroseincolorful sachets and soaps.Colorful tea lightstobrightenaroomor

thepatio.Forthemotherwhoisagardenerwehavemanygarden stakesinfunwhimsicalanimalshapesandflowers,kineticgardenstakeswithmove-ment,andalsogardenbells.Foramoretraditionalgardenaccentwehaveagreatselectionofwind chimes.Anothernewitem

forMother’sDayisourmusic box collection.TheyhaveawonderfulsentimentforMom,GrandmaorSister.Itwillbea

remembranceforyearstocome.Madefromwoodwithabeautifulmelodyandaplacetoeitherkeepthesentimentorreplacewithafavoritephoto.Comeintothegiftshop

forallyourMother’sDayneeds.Wewillhelpyoutopickjusttherightgiftandwrapitforeasygiftgiving.

Kidz Club NewsKidzClubisanhourlongexperiencepackedwithgardeningfunatourAldenLaneFarm.Welearnallaboutwhatittakes

togrowourownfoodby“handson”practice,andtakeaspecialtreathomeeachweek.Welovetoenergizeyourkidsaboutnature!KidzClubisdesignedforKids5to10yearsold.Pleasepre-reserve5daysinadvanceofeachclass.Thechargeis$10.00perchild,andisnon-refundableunlessyouwanttoapplythefeetoafutureclass.

• June 22 from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. Sunny DayS ahEaD - SunfloWEr GarDEnVisitthefarmtocheckthechickensandplantsomeseeds,Thenwe’llhave

somegreatfunplantingyourOWNseedsinyourtakehomeSunflowerGardeninyourdecoratedseedstarterbox.

•  July 13 from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m.  JunGlE StartErS!WeareofftotheAldenLaneFarmtocheckonthecrops,doalittlewatering

andharvesting,thenitisbacktotheclubhousetodecorateyourjunglepotforyourroomandplantitupwithahealthyhouseplanttostartyourownpersonaljungle.

•  August 17 from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. DESErt DiGSLet’sgetourhandsdirtyandseewhatwecanharvestintheAldenLane

Farm,checkoutthehenhouseforanyeggsandfeedthe“girls”Wewillgoontoexploresomeinterestingfactsaboutwhatkindsofplantsandanimalsliveinthedesert,andthenwewillgettoplantupourowndesertlandscapeusingsucculents,coolrocksandcoloredsand!

Black & Blueberry FestivalJune 18th & 19th - 11:00-3:00

Come out and JAM with toe tappin’ music and lots of tasty fun! Grab Dad and celebrate with us! Music will be provided by Jack Pollard’s Party of

Two from 12:30-2:30 p.m. both days!OurSecondAnnualBlackandBlueberryfestivalgetsunderway

onSaturday,June18thandSunday,June19thfrom11a.m.-3p.m.We’llhaveFREEberrytastingforthefamily,andfresh pies fromGizditch Ranch.Youcanpreorderyourpieandwe’llholditforyou.ChoosefromStrawberryRhubarb,VeryBerry,Boysenberry,DutchAppleandalimitednumberofOlallieberry.WeneedyourorderbyJune10th,andallordersmustbeprepaid.

Piesare$14.95,socallaheadtoreserveyours!Iftheberriesareinseason

we’llhaveemfreshfromlocalgrowersfortasting.We’replanningtohavestrawberries,blueberries,blackberries,olallieberries.Don’tmisstheGrowing Berries SeminarwithJoshonSaturdayat11am,costis

$5.00andbringafriendforfree.WearealsofeaturingaBlackberry Jam Making SessionwithDonnaonSaturdayfrom1-3p.m.She’llshareherexpertise,andallthosepresentwillgohomewithajarofjamandthefreshknowledgeofoldfashionedkitchen

artthatcanbepassedonfromgenerationtogeneration.Thecostfortheclassis$15.00plustaxandtheenrollmentislimitedsosignupbycallingintoday.OnSundayHeatherwillofferaStrawberry Jar Planting Classfrom1-2p.m.Comeinandplanta6pocket

strawberryjarwithdeliciousstrawberryplantsandtakeithometoenjoy!Thecostfortheclassis$45.00andincludesmaterialsandinstruction.Pleasecallaheadtoreserveyourspaceinthisclass.

Take Care of Your Soil & Your Soil Will Take Care of

Your PlantsGardeningisnotasmuch

abouttakingcareofplantsasitisabouttakingcareofsoil.Ifyoursoilisamendedforimprovedtexture,containsabalancedsupplyofnutrientsandmineralsandisteamingwithmicroscopiclife,yourplantswillprobablythrivewithoutmuchadditionaleffortfromyou.Threetofourinchesof

organicmaterialsuchasyardcompost,Gold RushorBumper Cropworkedintothetop8"ofsoilwillyielda12"deeplayerofsuitablegardensoilthatdrainswell,nurtureslifeandproducesarespectablegardenharvest.Ongoingcareofthissoilwillresultinagardenthatproducesbetterandbetterastheyearspass.

Recipe for Good Garden Soil!Good Garden Soil Starts Here!!

For each 100 square feet add: 5 to 8– 2 cubic ft. bags Master Gold Rush or Bumper Crop ® 5 lbs. Iron Sulfate to acidify and add iron. 10 lbs. Master Vegetable Food or Master Flower Food, Master Formula 49 can be used for ground covers. 50 lbs. Gypsum. It loosens hard soils as it adds sulfur & calcium. (An excellent addition in our heavy soil.)

Mix well with your soil to an 8" depth and water well.

Ifyouarepreparingavegetableorflowergardenbedhere’satriedandtruesoilpreparationrecipethatworkswonders.Itlightensourheavysoil,nourishesitandbuffersthepHtomakeit‘justright’forthesuccessofyourvegetableandflowerseedsortransplants.

Orchids 101- May 14thorchid issues got you blue? Do your “Moth

orchids” look “moth-eaten”?Ourorchidguru,Sue,hassomegreat,practical

advicetogetyourbloomersbloomin’andtoputyouonthepathtoperkyplantsandnice,strongnewgrowthspurts.JoinusSaturday, May 14th at 11 amforan

hourandahalfsessiontogetallyourquestionsanswered,andthensome!Youarealsowelcometobringaplantortwoforsometimelyadvice.Thecostis$10.00,andyoucanbringafriendforfree.CallourAldenLanecashiersat925-447-0280toreserveyourspacetoday.

Let Your Creativity Shine . . . Join Our June

Concrete Leaf Class!JoinusSaturday, June 11thforleafmaking

from10amto12pm,andthefollowuppaintingclassonSaturday, June 25th at10am.Getreadytobeamazedatyourhiddentalents

asSueinstructsyouinthemakingofyourgardenleaf(moldsmadefromrealleavesthatweprovide,approx.12"),andafterithascuredacoupleofweeks,returntobeinstructedinpaintingit.You’llhaveagreattime,anditisafunclasstotakewithfriendsorfamilyasagroup.Theseleavesmakeextraordinarygardenartorlovelycustomwater-fallscreatedbyYOU!Thetwoclasses,materialsandinstructionare$75.00plustax.Thisworkshophasgotten“ravereviews”,sosignupearlywithourAldenLanecashiers.

Basic Bonsai ClassSaturday, May 14th 12:30 - 2:00 p.m.

have you ever wanted to get a bonsai, but were afraid that you do not know what to do? have you ever gotten a bonsai as a gift and then not know how to take care of it? have you ever been curious about these little trees? Well,hereisyour

opportunitytolearnthebasictechniquesofstylingandcaringforyourveryownbonsai.Charles Harderwilltakeyouthroughthestepsnecessarytocreateyourownlivingart.Youwilllearnthetechniquesneededforpruning,transplantingandwiringtocreateyourownbonsai.Allmaterialswillbeprovidedsothatattheendoftheclassyouwilltakehomeyourveryownstyledtree.Pleasecallaheadtopurchaseandreserveyourspace.

Charles Harder  •  Saturday, May 1412:30-2:00  •  Cost: 40.00 plus tax

Save the Date! Mosquito Fish Give AwayDropbythenurseryonSaturday, May 7th from 10:00 a.m.

to 2:00 p.m.withapailorbucketandtakeawaysomeFREEmosquitofishforyourpondsorlargefountains.ThesefisharecourtesyoftheMosquitoAbatementDistrict.

Win A Free Pair of Modern Bush Roses

  APairofModernBush Rose  1.5cu.ft.Master’sRose PlantingMix  4lbs.MasterStart

A$85.96Value

Nopurchasenecessary.DrawingtobeheldMay31,2011.Neednotbepresenttowin.

MODERN BUSH ROSESMay 2011

Name: _____________________________________________

Address: ___________________________________________

City: _______________________________________________

Phone: _____________________________________________

Email: ______________________________________________

Yes, I would like to receive the newsletter online.

Plus Planting Supplies

Mt. Diablo Rose Society Spring Rose ShowSunday, May 1st at the

Dublin Senior Center, 7600 Amador Valley Blvd., Dublin

• Publicentriesarewelcomebetween7:00and10:00AM.• Enjoytheshowfrom1:00to4:00PM.• ContactLouEvans at 925-462-7688 formoreinformation.

Spring Rose ShowsMarkyourcalendarforupcomingRoseShowevents.

Theyareeasytoexhibitin,andeveneasiertoattend.Planonattendingthesetwofunevents.

The 71st Annual Pleasanton Public Rose ShowSaturday, May 7th at the

Pleasanton Library, 400 Old Bernal Ave., Pleasanton• Enteryourcutrosesfrom7:30to10:00a.m.• Judgingisfrom10:00AMto12:30p.m.• Enjoytheshowfrom1:00to5:00p.m.• Awardsceremonyisat1:30p.m.

Thisshowisopentoallbackyardnovices.Formoreinformationvisitwww.pleasantonroseshow.com

Roses, Roses, Roses!

Encourage A Succession of Blooms

• Cutspentflowersbacktoapointjustabovethefirstorsecondfiveleafleaflet.(Newfloweringshootswillsoongrowhere.)• FeedtheroseswithMaster Nursery Rose and Flower Foodtospurcontinuedbloom.• Waterandstandback(rosestypicallyrebloom6weeksafterpruningandfeeding.• Foraspecialtreatment,feedroseswithwatersolubleMaxsea.Itcanbewateredinorsprayedontheleavesandgivestheplantadarkglossyappearance.YoucanalternateeverytwoweekswiththeMaster’s Rose & Flower Food.

SPECIAL COUPONPresent This Coupon & A Canned Food Item

TO RECEIVE FREE

HOW TO FIND ALDEN LANE

NURSERY

Food Donations are Optional. All donations go to local relief agencies. One coupon per family, please!

Offer Good May 1-31, 2011.

($1.99Value)

A2"Succulent!!

981 Alden LaneLivermore, CA 94550

(925) 447-0280 aldenlane.com

Nursery Hours8:30 to 6:00 Daily

We close at 5:00 p.m. on May 30th, Memorial Day!

PRSRT STDU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDPERMIT #274Livermore, CA

IMPORTANT!Time Critical

Please Deliver Promptly

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