2010: A New Year with New Ambitions I admit
it. I have garden lovers attention deficit disorder; I refer to it as
GLADD. I can’t help but want new and exciting material for my
garden and yours. Long ago my vacations became adventures for new and
exciting plant material and not the relaxing trips my wife had hoped
for. If it has great color and big bloom, bring it! But
this year something kind of clicked in me, maybe it’s my age, but I
started comparing some of the newer and fancier varieties to my favorite
staple plants and many of them came up short. Sweet Box, Coral Bark
Maples, and Mr. Lincoln Rose are all tried and true
winners. I’m not saying I’m giving up on the new stuff, I
just think some of the best plants often get over looked. This year
I’m going to try to achieve a more balanced approach to my
garden. This New Year it’s in with the new and in with the old.
What resolutions are you making for your garden
this year? Is it time to remove that old hedge? Are you going to
try to eat more out of your own garden? Do you want to create a place
where you can literally sit back and smell the roses? Well if
it’s roses you want, roses we have...over 120 different varieties
and many different types. To learn more about the types of roses
available read A Rose, is a Rose, is a Rose...Or Is
it?
Roses are one of many ways you can let your nose
enjoy your garden. There are many plants I like to call
Little Stinkers that can fill your garden with a
sweet perfume.
If your resolution is to use your landscape to
help feed your household, now is the time to pick from the best selection
of fruit trees and small fruiting plants, like berries. Plums are one
of my favorite additions. They’re not only delicious fruit to
eat, but their spring blossoms are beautiful. Plus, you can dry some
plums to make prunes, or is it the other way around? My son, Mark,
gets it straight in You Say
Plum, I Say Prune.
Maybe your ambition this year is to get into
shape. You might not need to look any further than your own
garden. Sarah Fronza, MS, RD, manager of WellspringHeart in Woodburn
shares the heart-health benefits of being a gardener.
I always feel a new year is a time to try
something new. I know for many orchids have been a
challenge. They are truly beautiful, but many people struggle to keep
them blooming. Judy Allerruzzo and her team of outstanding houseplant
experts want to change all of that. They are on a mission to take the
fear out of growing orchids. She has many easy to do suggestions for
growing great orchids.
At this time of year we just can’t wait to
get back into our garden, and there is no reason we should
wait. Living in the NW temperatures are so mild, we really have five
seasons. That’s why this year we’ve decided to add a 5th
Al’s Bloom magazine. We just have so much to share.
If you can’t wait for spring to start -
DON’T. Our garden centers are ready, and gardening time is a
wasting. Come out and join us this month for our annual
Escape to Spring, February 5th -
14th. We’re kicking off the event Friday,
February 5th with a special “Happy Hour” for
Al’s Garden Rewards Members.
It’s the year of the Tiger
which is a year of adventure. So wherever your ambitions take you
this year, we hope you’ll visit and let us help you with all of your
gardening adventures
Happy Gardening, Jack Bigej Owner of Al's Garden Centers and Greenhouse |
 |
|
|
 |
 |