Gardens Alive Design

Welcome to gardening in March . . .     

In the March edition of the Gardens Alive Design newsletter you will find;

• Closing Commentary about the NW Flower & Garden Show

• HOT Erica 'Winter Fire'

• Spring Frenzy of Lectures & Tours

• Gardening To Do's

• Daring Irish Food to Make You as Lucky as a Leprechaun

• Services Offered by Gardens Alive Design

• Humble Thank You to my Gardening Comrades

Happy Gardening During March ~~~ Kirsten

Garden Design:

KIRSTEN'S RECAP OF THE NW FLOWER & GARDEN SHOW

If you've been interested in Gardens Alive Design & Kirsten's involvement assisting the Washington State Nursery and Landscape Association, read the following excerpts to learn the answers to her most commonly asked questions.

1.  How long did it take you to make this garden? 

Planning began in early September with email discussions about building a tea house and a path between 'plant hunter' communities.  The theme of "Plant Discovery" stuck and became the story we told; Stowaway by Karen Hesse.  So the garden took 6 months of planning, 1400 miles of my travel to procure 1500 plants and 124 different species to fit in our 800 square foot garden.  To actually build the garden, 35 fabulous volunteers worked with us 4 designers for a total of about 300 hours in 2 1/2 days.  Take down was even more incredible; all small plants taken out of the garden within 1 1/2 hours and the wall taken off and restacked in about 1 hour!  Thank you to our incredible volunteers.  If you like numbers like I do, then you'll appreciate the effort spent!!!

2.  What did you learn while involved with the WSNLA garden?

Besides plant species from the southern hemisphere (of which some still baffle me), I learned how much I miss working cooperatively with others.  Being a complete novice at the entire process had its advantages, for which I completely exploited the novice roll.  I felt compelled to throw out crazy suggestions because I really did not understand what wasn't possible.  But I felt, if I could dream a little about new possibilities, then so could our team members.  I learned that having 4 team members that have incredibly high standards of performance thrills me & evokes creativity, drive & humor.  Megan, Kate & Lloyd . . . I think so highly of you all & cherish our time spent together. 

3.  What is the plant that had the coral colored flowers?

You all know that I'm a kind and helpful person . . . but after getting asked this question 50,000 times I did want to yank it out with my bare hands and whack it against the next person that asked me.  (deep breath . . . )  It was an amazingly, beautiful Erica 'Winter Fire' and tell me, how is your Aunt Debby doing?

4.  Will you do another garden for the NW Flower & Garden Show?

 My answer completely depends on the time of day that you ask me!

But please do mark your calendar for next year's NW Flower & Garden Show; February 8-12th.

The entire experience was Gold Medal worthy.  It was a pleasure to volunteer my time assisting the Washington State Nursery and Landscape Association and have always strongly believed in giving back to organizations I am affiliated with.  Thank you to my husband, family, friends and mom for supporting our garden, "Cook's Endeavor Returns with Treasure".

For more about the Garden Show Story . . . follow my posts on Facebook.

Garden Plant:

ERICA 'WINTER FIRE'

See question #3 above . . . and learn more (on your own) about Erica 'Winter Fire'.

"This beautiful South African Cape heath is hardy to 28 degrees Fahrenheit.  It makes for an easy potted plant.  Keep outside until threat of frost below 30 degrees F.  We recommend putting it in a greenhouse, garage or up against the house for protection until weather moderates.  Indoors is too dry.  If you rarely freeze, put it in the ground.  It can take heat and sun. 

It likes acid soil so any soil suitable for rhododendrons i fine.  It will grow to about 3' high by 2' wide with time.  Its new growth is golden on the tips.  It blooms during spring and sometime again in summer.  Trim when finished blooming if needed to keep bushy.  do not let it dry out while getting established.  Fertilize regularly if kept in a pot.  Hummingbirds love the nectar filled flowers."  from Heaths & Heathers Nursery.

Garden Tours, Sales & Lectures:

LEARN, GROW, PLANT

Warming spring weather creates a frenzy of new growth within the garden and gardeners respond with rakes, shovels & notebooks in hand.  Learn more about gardening,

• March 12; 10am - Grafting New Fruit onto Existing Fruit Trees via cityfruit.org

• March 13; 1pm - Richard Harlage speaking on "The Fusion Between Great Plantsmanship & Great Landscape Architecture" via N.P.A.

• March 19; 10am - Permaculture and Orchards via Master Gardeners

• March 20; 10am - March Mania Plant Sale vai N.P.A.

• March 26; 8:30am - Inspired Gardening Within the Environment via N.H.S.

• March 26; 10am - Spring Propagation via Master Gardeners

• March 30; 8am - Western WA Wine Grape Growers Workshop via Master Gardeners

Find more information here for local plant sales, lectures & garden tours.

DURING MARCH   

From indoor projects such as creating your own "Bloom Calendar" to starting seeds under grow lights and outside projects like pruning, lawn care and seed starting in your garden soil; Kirsten at Gardens Alive Design wants your spring to be filled with attainable gardening goals, ambition & energy!

Find beautiful photos, a weekly chart of "Gardening To Do's" , inspiring ideas to meet your landscaping goals and gardening tasks during the month of March at the Gardens Alive Design website.

Garden Recipe: 

ALL IRISH FOOD BEGINS WITH A DARE

To celebrate St. Patty's Day on the 17th, why not dare yourself to try something new? 

The following meal will certainly ring true with the following Irish saying; "There are only two kinds of people in the world, the Irish and those who wish they were."

• Beef in Guinness

• Dublin Coddle

• Boxty

• Irish Coffee

• Porter Cake

Find more information on traditional Irish food here.