APRIL 2007 Serving You Since 1955 981 Alden Lane, Livermore, CA • www.aldenlane.com • (925) 447-0280 Tasty Tomatoes For Your Summer Salads! Announcements Vegetable Gardens Start This Month! • Watch the Valley Gardener Feeling adventurous? Ready to try some new varieties this for great gardening tips with host year? We have them! Check out this list of varieties and sizes. Jacquie Williams-Courtright at 7:30 am every day, repeated on We know there’s something to Saturday & Sunday at 11 am. fit your taste and gardening needs. Prepare your soil with • The Livermore-Amador Valley our Recipe for Good Garden Garden Club Annual Plant Sale Soil. If you want to plant your will be Saturday, April 14th from 9 a.m. to noon in the parking lot tomatoes in containers we’ll help of Amador Valley High School, you select just the right varieties. 1155 Santa Rita Rd, Pleasanton. April is also the month to plant The April 3rd speaker will be everything in the vegetable Kate Frey, manager of the Fetzer ­garden. We have seeds, seedlings Winery gardens. The topic will and four inch plants to help jump be Sustainable Gardening for the start your garden. Once the danger home gardener. of frost has passed you can set out Mark your calendars to hear ­tomatoes, eggplant and pepper starts, Bill Grant speaking on roses, plant watermelon, cucumbers, pumpkins, beans, peas and more. We have a great ­Tuesday, May 1. Both are at 7 p.m. at the Alisal School in selection of tomato cages, snail and bug baits, vegetable fertilizer along with tips Pleasanton. For more information for good growing. Stop by and see us soon! contact Sally at 925-417-8809. Tomato Varieties • Mt. Diablo Rose Society meets • Cherry Size: Currant, Green Grape, Isis Candy, Red Grape, Red Pear, Snow the second Wednesday of the White, Suncherry, Sun Gold, Sweet Olive, Thai Pink month, 7:30 p.m. at the Dublin Civic Center, 100 Civic Plaza, • Small to Medium: , Black Prince, Dona, Garden Peach, Green ­Dublin. Call for details 829-4929. Zebra, Heatwave, Italian Gold, Juliet, Mt. Gold, Pink Ping Pong, Speckled Roman, Yellow Stuffer • Valley Humane Benefit Garden • Large: Abraham Lincoln, Big Pick, , , Delicious Tour, “Hidden Gardens of the Tri Golden, Granny Smith, Great White, Jumbo, Mr. Stripey, Sausage Valley” will be held on Sunday, • Extra Large: , , Yellow Brandywine, Dinner Plate, May 7th from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Rain or Shine! The $35.00 tickets are Prudens Purple, Watermelon, Hillbilly available at Alden Lane Nursery. • May Rose Shows: See inside this Recipe for Good Garden Soil! Newsletter for all the details. Good Garden Soil Starts Here!! If you are preparing • Alden Lane Nursery Hours a vegetable or flower Daily from For each 100 square feet add: garden bed here’s a 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. tried and true soil  5 to 8– 2 cubic ft. bags or Closed Easter Sunday Master Gold Rush preparation recipe Bumper Crop ® April 8th that works wonders.  5 lbs. Iron Sulfate to acidify and add iron. It lightens our heavy  10 lbs. Master Vegetable Food or Master Flower Food, soil, nourishes it and Master Formula 49 can be used for ground covers. buffers the pH to  50 lbs. Gypsum. It loosens hard soils as it adds calcium. make it ‘just right’ for (An excellent addition in our heavy soil.) the success of your Mix well with your soil to an 8" depth and water well. vegetable and flower seeds or transplants. It’s Time For Bonus Alden Lane Workshops & Educational Dollars Opportunities

Again! Don’t Forget! Our traditional springtime event - Bonus Dollars are back! Bonus Dollars are distributed April 1 through Moss Basket Workshop, Saturday, April May 31. You earn 10% of your total purchases and are paid 14th, 10 a.m. in Alden Lane Nursery Bonus Dollars. These Bonus Dollars are Brian & Jacquie will team up to teach this fun redeemable August 1-31. They are to be used for up to 50% of your class. Come and join in. purchases in August. For example: if you have 10 Bonus Dollars you Create a beautiful 14” moss basket brimming may use all 10 on a purchase of $20 or more. (Bonus Dollars are not valid with gorgeous annuals for sun and shade. Cost with other discounts or coupons. Bonus Dollars are not valid on sod, sale items or other is $45 per participant. This class will fill up special orders. Sales limited to stock on hand. Not redeemable for cash.) fast, so call today to prepay and reserve your spot – (925) 447-0280.

Plan Ahead! Your Email Address Orchid University is coming in June & July Can Save You Time & Money This is your opportunity to learn the basics and beyond about the intricate world of At Alden Lane Nursery!! ORCHIDS. Sue Fordyce will “de-mystify the mystical” and teach you what you need to Special Contests, Special Coupons, Special Savings and know to grow-and BLOOM fabulous orchids. Special Drawings for Email Registered people only! You may choose one class, or sign up for all three. Sign up for a chance to win a Please call Alden Lane for details and to sign Mexican Cruise!! up for the workshops, (925)447-0280) which Join many of your neighbors who are have limited registration. Classes will be held already part of the Alden Lane Email in the Alden Lane Event Center. The cost is Registered Family. All you have to do $10.00 per class, or sign up for all 3 for $25.00. is go to: http://www.aldenlane.com/reg- Prepayment is suggested to hold your space. ister.htm and register your Email ad- dress. Naturally, your PRIVACY will be respected and your Email Address will NOT be given to anyone else. AND, if Join us for these short for any reason you want to discontinue, courses at 10 a.m. on EVERY email we send you will have a simple “please no more” link that you only need to click and we will Saturdays for 30 minutes STOP sending you Emails immediately – NO questions asked. April 3rd at 10:00 am Plant selection for fabulous containers. Come discover what plants to grow for a ­fantastic show of color this spring/summer. Rose Spray Program Learn how to plant how to plant and care for a The program, combines diseases and pest control with fertilizer. patio planter. The following are the ingredients to make up the basic spray and the amount of each to be combined and added to one gallon of water. April 28th at 10:00 am Ortho RosePride Disease Control (Funginex) 1 tablespoon Top trees for small spaces. We see and love Ortho Systemic Insect Killer (Isotox) 2 tablespoons them every day. Let us share our experience MAXSEA 16-16-16 1 tablespoon and knowledge with you. See a variety of Kelp Sea Life 4 tablespoons ­options among smaller trees that will grow Vinegar 1 tablespoon well in our area. The first spray should be made at the moment disease is first notice- May 19th at 10:00 am able, then as needed thereafter. For maximum protection and feeding, Pruning Citrus trees. Learn how; and you can spray every 10 days through the spring growing season. Read most importantly when, to prune these for and follow Pesticide labels. ­Thinning and shaping and for improved Remember never spray or feed a thirsty plant. Always water your ­production. Learn what a citrus requires in plants well the day before. It’s important to avoid the heat of the day terms of water and nutrients. when treating and take care with your dilutions (don’t overdose)!. Notes for April Gardening

Now is the time to hang Yellow Jacket Traps. Early Alden Lane Nursery has a wide selection of bedding spring is the time to capture the colony’s queens thus plants for summer color. Choose favorites like exponentially reducing the yellow jackets in the area cosmos, impatiens, petunias, marigolds, and zinnias. later in the year. You can also plant tomatoes, eggplant, peppers and e e zucchini this month. Plant this month and reap the Make sure to fertilize all your plants to support reward of bountiful produce through the summer and nurture all the beautiful spring growth. and lots of fresh flowers for your home. e Protect new plantings from slugs and snails with Oxalis (yellow flowered clover look alike) can now be pet safe Sluggo or Master Snail, Slug & Insect controlled (amazingly) in most lawns with Monterey Control. Turflon Ester.

e Grub control for lawn. Now is the time to apply e Raise the height of your lawnmower to 2½ - 3 inches Bayer Advance Lawn Grub Control for a full for the summer. Taller grass survives hot tempera- season of protection. Avoid the dead patches typical tures better and helps shade our weed invaders. with grub infestations. Apply this product now. e e The warm weather has also brought out the aphids. Control broadleaf weeds in the lawn with Master Check the tender new growth on roses, ornamen- Green Weed and Feed; it fertilizes while it weeds. tals, fruit trees and vegetables. Hose them off with The toughest broadleaf lawn weeds are easily a stream of water. Control out of hand populations ­controlled at this time by spraying with Monterey e with Ladybugs or Bioganic Spray. e Spurge Power. Upcoming Garden Tours Bay-Friendly Garden Tour – Hidden Gardens of the Valley Bringing Back the Natives Tour Saturday, April 29, 2007 Garden Tour – Sunday, May 6, – Sunday, May 6, 2007, A self guided tour of over 40 public 10 am to 4 pm 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. and private gardens in Alameda This tour benefits the Valley This is a free tour of 60 County. The Bay Friendly Garden Humane Society. Tickets are $35 and ­pesticide-free, water conserving Tour showcases natural gardening can be purchased from Alden Lane ­gardens that provide habitat for techniques in residential and public Nursery and the Valley Humane ­wildlife and contain 30% or more gardens. Registration is required by ­Society (new address: 3670 Nevada ­native plants. Registration is April 19th. On line registration and a St., Pleasanton). For more informa- ­required by April 19. This tour sneak peak of the 2007 gardens will tion call 925-918-0799. expected to fill; early registration is be posted on www.bayfriendly.org. suggested to ensure a place. Visit the website to register for the tour: www.bringingbackthenatives.net. Mark Your Calendar for Upcoming Rose Shows Spring is the time to strut your stuff or at least your roses at upcoming rose shows. They are easy to exhibit in and easier to attend. Plan on attending these two! Mt. Diablo Rose Society Spring Rose Show • Saturday, May 12th, Dublin Senior Center, 7600 Amador Valley Blvd., Dublin. • Novice public entries welcome between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. • Enjoy the show from 1 to 5 p.m. • For more information call 925-829-4929 The 67th Annual Pleasanton Public Rose Show • Sponsored by Alaine Pinel, City of Pleasanton and Alliance Title. • Saturday, May 12th (1 day only!) at The Century House at Bicentenial Park, See You At These 401 Santa Rita Road, Pleasanton, CA 94566. All backyard novice entries Rose Shows! are welcome • You can enter cut flowers from 6:30 – 9:30 a.m. • Show hours: Noon to 5 p.m. • For more information call Deb at 925-251-1111 ex. 307 Mother’s Day . . . Just Around the Corner on Sunday, May 13th !

will turn red in the autumn before ­falling and then clusters of small scarlet fruit is visible. The fruit will Administrative last into winter if the birds don’t eat them. Dogwood are also known Professional Day for their horizontal branching pat- tern. In our warm area they do is Coming! best if planted in high shade (in the shadow of another taller tree) and are Don’t Forget ­protected from western sun. Some of ­Administrative the staff favorites include: Cherokee Chief (rosy red bracts with pale base), ­Professional Day Cornus Kousa with profuse white on April 25th. flowers, and Rubra (long time favorite for its rose or pink bracts). Remember to say thanks to the person who makes you look • Peonies are an excellent good all year round! Check in ­addition to a perennial border or the Greenhouse for containers cottage garden. Many of them have planted with blooming plants a fragrance similar to old-fashioned and fern combinations; there are rose varieties. Peonies are long lived great ideas and are available in a range of colors, for flower- singles, semi-double or double flower ing beauty forms. They make excellent cut for desktops ­flowers. No garden should be without and we with one! a little bit of warning we can do Mom would probably like a gift If you’re still stuck for a great custom ones from you that reminds her of Mother’s Day gift idea we have a as well! The nursery is you every season of the year. lot more to choose from! filled with And one that grows as her love Mpressions Artwork: A great wonderful does for you. With that in mind, collection of framed artwork for gift ideas as take a walk through our garden all the fantastic females in your well as gift ­department! life! The Belle Fleur collection was certificates. ­inspired by rich fabric, French toile • Roses are everywhere and in with beautiful ribbon and hand- every color, flower form and type made ribbon roses which feature – from hybrid tea to floribunda, tree ­sentiments for moms, grandmothers, rose to David Austin roses. We have sisters, daughters and special people just the perfect rose for Mom. in our lives. Sizes range from 7x9 to fill the air, which is one of the many Alden Lane has hundreds of roses 7x13, perfect for tabletops or desks. great scents. including climbers, tree, shrub, hedge, minis, Flower Carpet™ and Harvest House Gift Books: Head 2 Toe Balms: If your more. You can choose a dozen roses Books that could be personalized to mother is a gardener she must have for Mom that will give and give each let someone special know you care, the new balms to soothe sore aching and every year with a larger display mom, grandma, sister or friend. muscles and relieve rough dry hands. of flowering beauty. Included in our Some great new titles are: “It’s fun These handmade balms are natural selection this year are the 2007 All to be a mom”, “Take a little time for old fashioned remedies which utilize American Rose winners and the new ­yourself”, and “Man’s best friend”. the healing power of massage to ‘Pope John Paul II’ bush rose. One of my favorite books is titled stimulate circulation. ­“Everything I know I learned from • In late spring there is no my garden”. Give a Natural Life mini ceramic more breath-taking sight than that plate with simple sentiments. “Home of a dogwood tree in its full La Lavende Soaps: For that little is where your mom is”, “Love blooms in ­blooming glory. Four roundish extra something we are now carrying a grandmother”, and “Friends like you bracts surround the flower clusters a new line of French soaps. Fresh are precious and few”. These adorable and the tree with blooms putting scented soaps which last a long time. mini plates will send that warm fuzzy on a spectacular show. The leaves The fresh scent of Lemon Grass will feeling to those you love. Water Gardening: Another Dimension to the Garden The sight and sound of falling water in the heat of a sum- mer can cool your senses and soothe your soul. The fun of plumbing your own fountain, pond, waterfall or stream is hard to beat and the long evenings of spring are perfect for just such a cool home improvements project. Check with us for all the ingredients of water gardening from pond forms & liners to filters and plants. Try some of these water-loving plants in your pond: Umbrella Plant (Cyperus alternifolius) In or out of the water this ancient plant will enhance your garden with its form and silhouette patterns. It is a hardy, clumping ­perennial which grows 4 to 8 feet. It is very effective in containers and pools. Plant in full sun or shade and water regularly to establish. Water Poppy (Hydrocleye nymphoides) This is a ­deciduous perennial, a semi-floater that spreads by stolons to about 3 feet wide. Pull out excessive plants to maintain blooms in June-July on long three foot stems. Colors range from white, rose, purple and many shades in between. Parrot’s Feather (Myriophyllum aquaticum) This plant has feathery foliage. It makes great cover for fish. Pot in rich soil and submerge the edge to soften the lines of a formal pond or water basin. Plant in sun or part shade. Prune regularly. Hardy Water Lilies (Nymphaca hybrids) These are a collection of hardy, winter dormant plants for ponds and pools that are easy to grow. The blooms open during the day from spring through fall. Colors are most often in shades of yellow, pink, red, peach and white. All water lilies need sun and 8-12 inches of water above the soil in the container for the big leaves to float on. Water Canna (Canna hybrid) The dark foliage of this plant makes it an excellent accent plant for bog or water garden planting – showy red flowers add color over a long season. It is a hardy, deciduous perennial with an overall height to 4 feet tall. Excellent for ponds, streams and bog order. It blooms with a deep yellow ‘poppy’ shaped flower plantings. Flowers profusely spring until fall frost. Plant in in summer which appears just above the foliage. Plant in sun or wet soil or water up to 6 inches deep. sun or part shade and a water depth of 2-6 inches above Come see our water garden section. It has been re- the crown. ­organanized and re-oriented for inspiration and simplicity. Japanese Water Iris (Iris ensata) This is a spectacular addition to places in the garden with moist soil. Plant it along streams, in ponds, pools etc. It produces beautiful, large Gardening with Kids in Mind Guess Who’s by Greg Zollars Coming to Kids and gardening seem to go hand Sunflowers are awe in hand. Dirt itself has a natural draw ­inspiring both in the Dinner . . . for children, as does the magic of ­garden or as a cut flower ­planting a seed and discover- on the table. Plant the Snails, Slugs ing its’ power to change and huge “Mamoth gray” & Other morph and grow. If you have but don’t overlook the kids in your life, include smaller branching ones Bugs!!! them in the gardening like Autumn Shades process by planting that can be cut for a Consider earth and with them or at least bouquet. pet friendly Sluggo! with them in mind. Birdhouse Gourds are The base ingredient Here are some plants very large vines that need a of Sluggo is naturally to include in your hefty support. Amazing forts and ­occurring Iron Phosphate garden that can be shade-covered structures can be that does a great job of particular interest ­created with the vine. The fruit of controlling snails for kids. ­follows large white flowers and and slugs in the garden Radishes from ­remains on the vine till frost. It can while not harming other seed are extremely be dried and carved next year. ­creatures including pets and people; and as it quick to germinate Pumpkins: It goes without saying and grow to fruition, breaks down it actually pumpkins have child appeal. The nourishes the plants. With just 3 to 4 weeks value of a pumpkin planted and from seed packet to harvested from one’s own Our Copper Tape is table, radishes are garden is immeasur- a good mechanical bar- the fastest way to ably more memorable rier that can be used to ­illustrate the harvest and valuable than one protect your plants. Use 2 cycle from start to purchased from the widths of it to keep snails finish. supermarket. and slugs from devouring your plants. Marigolds plant- Mint: a little un- ed from seed have derfoot will fill the Old standby favorites child appeal partly due to the bright orange air with the fragrance of so many familiar are Master’s Snail, Slug color and also for the distinct odor of the sweets. Tuck some in a shady spot near the and Insect Control crushed leaf. Do you remember your first hose spigot where it will soak up the spills. meal and granules. marigold? I was 3 or 4. Marigolds are also Beware! It travels and spreads if you are These two products do interesting because as the flower fades, not looking. a great job at combating the center can be tugged away to reveal earwigs and pillbugs (rolly Thyme: easy to grow and full of the the seeds forming. These can be dried and pollies) too. familiar scent of pizza. I think is it always planted again (and again), teaching in a good to show kids that their food comes Control Aphids simple way the circle of life. from the earth. Vegetable and herb gardens organically with Lady Cherry Tomatoes: They pop in your drive this point home. Bugs or Bioganics mouth, bite sized, juicy and growing at Spray. There are dozens more options for just the right height to harvest whenever ­growing a kids’ garden. These suggestions a child needs a natural snack. The tomato don’t even need to be placed in a designated called “Sungold” is a good choice; it grows “kids’ garden area”. I’ve enjoyed growing like a vine and can cover a trellis or arbor both pumpkins and tomatoes right in with in a season. the roses and perennials. The basic idea is to Cosmos: Grows to produce enormous enrich the lives of the little set and provide (from a kids’ perspective) flowers with car- some memories with them that will linger toon-like petals, some cosmos can also reach throughout life. Have fun! 6 feet high, which means you can plant a forest of them if given a large plot. Kid’s Club Activities Stepping Stone Class – Saturday, April 28th Cost is: $20. Time: 10:30 a.m. Come decorate a stepping-stone for Mom! It will be something she will cherish for years to come. A stepping stone decorated by a child with little pieces or memorabilia and a hand print will capture a moment in stone to be enjoyed more and more with the passage of time. We make the mess, your kids get to be as creative as they wish, and we clean it up. We will have 9x9 stones poured and ready to decorate. Bring your own decorations, or use our collection of stones, beach glass and pottery for “Kids” of all ages. Call ahead to register and pre-pay. Tips for the Alden Lane Gardener Indoor Tips: Not only is it time to freshen up your outdoor landscape, but the inside houseplants as well! Remove dead leaves, spray for insects, fertilize and revive those tired older plants by repotting them with fresh new soil. Alden Lane now carries KLN – a super product for boosting new roots and growth for repotted plants. Water it in for the first 2 months after repotting. For plants that just need a “pick me up”, we love MAXSEA Bababerries 16-16-16, a gentle but effective natural seaweed Are Back! ­product that has all the right micronutrients. We have managed to Come See Our Orchids: secure a small exclusive Don’t forget – we also have a wonderful selection of shipment from our Orchids to brighten you your home or office. Just ­growers of these excellent see Sue at the Alden Lane Greenhouse to create raspberries. They for you a wonderful basket of orchids for your haven’t been available home, or as a gift. Sue will be pleased to be your for 3 years. Bababerries personal “orchid consultant” whenever you have have a large sweet firm questions or need some help choosing orchids or supplies. berry that thrives in our hot summers. They are Check Out This Fireball! ­vigorous plants growing Yep, Fireball Red Photinia has striking, bright red, new growth on a new, compact variety. to 8 to 10 ft tall and The bright red foliage matures to a glossy green. Maintains a neat, compact habit to 4 feet ­producing large crops of wide. Heat and mildew resistant. It is excellent for foundation plantings and borders. Wants fruit in June and again to be planted in the full sun. Drought tolerant once established. in October. Bababerries have a California ­connection. A southern Japanese Maples In Your Garden: California gardener Looking for a special accent in the garden? Plant a Japanese Maple with its’ colorful bark ­discovered them in her and cut leaves. We have a large selection of both green and red leaved varieties, coral bark raspberry patch. She and cut leaf specimens. observed that they did extremely well in the heat Did You Know?? compared to her other We can help you select color choices for your event? Everything from putting together raspberries. Stop by for blooming centerpieces, small flowering items for favors, or thank you’s, to rental plants. We your plants soon! can special order quantities for weddings, graduations, any event you plan! Ask for Sue in the greenhouse! Come on in and let us help create a beautiful event. Win Free Soil Amendments Good Garden Soil Recipe Kit Great gardening begins with your soil. Win this Good Garden Soil Recipe Kit to start your vegetable garden on the right foot this year.

GOOD GARDEN SOIL 5 Bags of Bumper Crop April 2007 1 – 50 lb. Bag of Gypsum Name:______1 – 5 lb. Bag of Iron Sulfate Address:______1 – 10 lb bag of Masters Tomato City:______Vegetable Food Phone:______A $65.00 Value Email:______No purchase necessary.  Yes, I would like to receive the newsletter online. Drawing to be held April 30, 2007. SPECIAL COUPON HOW TO FIND Present This Coupon & A Canned Food Item ALDEN LANE TO RECEIVE FREE NURSERY A 2" Seedling Tomato Plant!!

Food Donations are Optional. All donations go to local relief agencies. One coupon per family, please! Offer Good April 1-30, 2007.

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