MARCH 2009Serving You Since 1955

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

Announcements• Watch the Valley Gardener

onCTV30forgreatgardeningtipswithhostJacquieWilliams-Courtrightat7:30amand1:30p.m.Monday-Friday;repeatedonSaturdayat7:30a.m.,11a.m.and4p.m.&Sundayat7:30a.m.,11a.m.,1p.m.and4p.m.

• TheLivermore-Amador Valley Garden ClubwillmeetonTuesday,March12that7p.m.attheAlisalSchoolmultipurposeroom,1454SantaRitaRoad,Pleasanton.OurspeakerisBill Grant,agardenwriter,photographerandfounderoftheCAGardenLandscapeHistoricalSociety.Billwillbespeakingabouttearoses.FormoreinformationpleasecontactSallyat417-8809.

• Bonsai Clubmeetingsonthe3rdSaturdayofeachmonthfrom10a.m.to1p.m.atAldenLaneNursery.Comeone,comeall!

• Mt. Diablo Rose SocietymeetsthesecondWednesdayofthemonth,7:30p.m.attheDublinLibrary,200CivicPlaza,Dublin.Callfordetails829-4929.

• Win a ‘Front Yard’ Edible Landscape Make Over!

IfyouliveinLivermoreorPleasantonyouhaveachancetowinafrontyard“EdibleLandscape”makeover!Tolearnaboutthecontestdetailspleasevisitourwebsiteatwww.aldenlane.com.ThisofferisacollaborativeeffortbetweenAldenLaneandmembersofour‘green’industrytoraiseawarenessofthebenefitsofgrowingyourownnutritiousproducebyrefocusingyourwateruseona‘give back garden plot’.

Celebrating Spring at Alden Lane is Sure to Put

A Hop in Your StepCometoourGarden

StoretoseelotsandlotsofBunnies—grassbunnies,vintage-styleglitteredbunnies,fuzzybunnies,sugaredbunniesplusmanymore.Allofthesecharmingbunniesgatheredover100eggstohelpaddhappyaccentstoyourEastertable.BeonthelookoutforAndrea’s Favorite Funny Bunny.

OurGardenStorebuyershavejustreturnedfromabuyingextravaganza.VisitustoseethelatestandhottestHomeandGardentrendsfor2009.

Grow Your Own Easter Grass!Wehavewheatgrassandannualryegrassseed,perfecttogrowaninstant

Eastereggnestinpots,bowls,vasesandbaskets.Simplyfillthecontainerwithsoil,sprinklewithseed,waterandwatchitgrow!Wheatgrassseedgerminatesin3-4daysandtheannualryein7-10days.

The 2009 Daffodil Show co-sponsoredbythe

Northern California Daffodil Society & Alden Lane NurseryMARCH 7th & 8th

Publicentriesarewelcome...sogroomthosebloomstoenteronSaturdaymorning,March7thfrom8:30-10:00a.m.Bringaddresslabelstospeedtheprocess.Comeenjoytheshow: March7th,1-5p.m.•March8th,9a.m-4p.m.

Daffodil Lecture: Saturday, March 7th at 2 p.m. Plantoattendafreespecialguestlectureon“Greet Spring in your Garden with New Daffodils”byBobSpotts.

Manygardenershaveatleastonetreethatisparticularlysusceptibletoinsectinfestationsofonekindoranother.Sometimesaninsectdropsastickysubstancethatmakesamessofthepatioorwhateverisparkedbelowit.Aninsectcanweakenthetree,orinthecaseofborers,eventuallykillthetree.Usuallywhenacustomerbringsinsamplestothenurseryandwonderswhatcanbedone,theinfesta-tionisfarenoughalongthatanytreatmentisexpensiveandtoolate.Bonide Tree and Shrub Insect Controliseffectiveandisveryeasytouse.Applyitnowtopreventthisyear’sinfestationsbeforetheybegin.Thisproductcanbeusedonornamentalsforcontrolofborers,aphidsandscale,aswellasmanyotherinsects.(Theproductmayalsobeusedonafewapple-pearrelatives,butisgenerallynotforedibles).Bonide Tree and Shrub Insect Controlisveryeasytouse.Itisnotsprayedon,butisdilutedwithwaterandpouredaroundthebaseofthetree.Oneapplicationprovidesawholeyearofprotection.Getaheadstartandprotectyourtreesnow.

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

For each 100 square feet add: 10 cubic ft. of soil conditioner: Master Gold Rush or Bum-per Crop® (5-8 bags) 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.

Ifyouarepreparingavegetablegardennoworjustdreamingaboutit,it’sstillagreattimetoimprovethesoil.Followour “Recipe” toimprovethetextureandfertilityofyourlittlepieceofearth.

Thisshouldbeapartofyourvegetablegardenroutine1to2timesayear.Amendthevalleysoilstogiveyourplantstheirbestopportunityforgrowth.Keepthisrecipehandyforyourplantingneeds.

Vegetable Gardening Soil Preparation

ClassWith Greg

Saturday,March14th11:00am-12noonSunday,March15th

1:00-2:00p.m.Youwillreceivegreatinformationanda

$5.00Couponforastorepurchase.The cost is $5. BRING A FRIEND

FOR FREE!

Visitourwebsite,www.aldenlane.comtopreviewmanyofthewarmseason

vegetableswe’llbecarrying.Justclickon“SummerVegetables”.You’ll

findgreatphotosanddescriptionsof‘deliciousproduce’youcangrowinyourgarden.Prepareyoursoilin

MarchandplantinApril!

Bonide Tree and Shrub Insect Control

One application provides a whole year of protection

Notes for March Gardeninge

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Hailey's CommentsSustainable salutations to the resourceful members of the gardening community. I’m

Hailey, the conservation canine at Alden Lane Nursery. We gardeners of the Livermore Valley are the original partners of an eco-friendly community. Our endeavor of planting gardens has lead our Livermore pack to naturally reclaimed nutrition.

To the dog, a bone is a keepsake, received as a gift, and beautiful to the eye of the beholder. We canines bury our mementos while humans publicly display their keepsakes. Knodt’s, the local Pure Bred Florist of Livermore since 1947 has a business tradition of creating unique floral treasures for the human race to take notice of. The creative and sentimental gardener can have their homegrown hydrangeas or roses carefully dehydrated and nuzzled into an original wreath or bouquet, showing off their trophy blooms for years to come. The practical young tail waggers can invest in a Re-memorable wrist corsage that serves near and long term purposes. The flowers are

attached to a jeweled or beaded bracelet that remains as a lasting memory of the event long after the flowers are removed.Mid March marks the last day of frost for gardeners as well as furry pooches. As the fur bodied creatures around your

abode begin to shed their winter coats, so the gardener can shed the frost fabric that has protected their sensitive plants from the vermin frost. The placement of new vegetables can be safely planted out doors as we welcome the warmth of Spring 2009.

PawsforReflection:My dog is worried about the economy because Alpo is increased to $1.00 per can. That’s almost

$7.00 in dog money. —JoeWeinstein

Feed! Feed! Feed!Fertilizeallofyourplantstosupportspringgrowth.ForlandscapeshrubsandtreesfeedwithMaster’s Formula 49 All Purpose Plant Food.Ifyouhaveacitrusoravocadotrees,useMaster’s Citrus Food.Thisisagoodtimetostartfeedingfruittrees,grapesandberries. We recommend Master’s Fruit Tree & Vine Food forthenutritionyourplantsneedtoproducethebestcropever!Wehaveafulllineoforganicfertilizers.

Prune azaleas and camellias into shape after theirbloomshavefaded.FeedthemwithMaster’s Camellia, Azalea and Gardenia Food and Iron PlusmonthlythroughOctober.

PlaceYellow Jacket trapsoutearlythismonthtocatchthequeenbeforeshestartsherfamily.Preventionisthebestcure!

Nowisthetimetoset out snail bait. We carry Mas-ter’sSnailcontrolproductsin a variety of forms. UseSluggo if you want a nontoxicalternative.

Start annual morning glories from seed thismonth and establish themin the garden or a pot bysummer! Morning gloriesareoneofthemoststunningoftheoldfashionedgardenflowers. Flowers are huge–threetofiveinchesacross–andbright, colorfulblue,purple or pink. Best of all,morninggloriesareeasy!

Remembertoplant gladiolus bulbs(corms)everytwoweeks and you’ll have armloads of cut flowers throughthesummer.

Giveyourlawn“ameal–notasnack”withMaster Green Lawn Food.

Remember to water plants under eaves and incontainers. It’s important now to deep water trees andshrubs if it isn’t raining on a regular basis. Their rootsystemsarestartingtogrownow.

Prevent Wormy Apples-ControlCodlingMoth.Ifyouhaveappletreesandwanttomonitorcodlingmothactivityto determine the best time to spray: use ourSurefire Fruit Tree Pest Traps.

San Francisco Flower & Garden show will be heldMarch18-22.PurchaseEarlyBirddiscountedticketsfor$16atthenurserythroughMarch17thafterthisdatetheticketsare$20andstillavailablehereatthenursery.Formore information go to www.gardenshow.com for showhours,drivingdirectionsandeducationalopportunities.

The25thannualBouquet’s to ArtsilveranniversaryisatthedeYoungMuseuminSanFrancisco.March17-21.FloraldesignersfillthedeYoungmuseumgallerieswithfloral tributes complementing works of art. Please callforpricesandmoreinformationcall800-777-9996orvisitwww.bouquetstoart.org.

Cometothe64thAnnualNorthern California Camellia Society Show at the First Baptist Church of WalnutCreek,2336BuenaVistaAvenue,WalnutCreek,Saturday,March14thfrom1p.m.to5p.m.Admissionisfree.Ampleparking.FormoreinformationemailGHGoff@aol.com.

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Combining bird and floral motifs with thesoothingcolorpalettesofweatheredwhitesandsky blues, Melody’s simple elegance is on-trendfortoday.

Melody’s table setting finds itself equally athome in a casual dinner setting or at a specialoccasion,creatinganinformalairofcomfortandsimplicity. Colors and textures take their cuefromnature,creatingalluringcharm.Gracefullysculpted details found throughout the entirecollection offer ceramic dinnerware in blue andwhite,withcoordinatingaccentpiecestomakeacompletestatement.

Melodyincludeshomedécorandgardenpieces,bringing the beauty of the songbirds into yourhome or garden. Ceramic planters carry thedistinctivedesign,colorandsculpturaldetailthatblendseamlesslywiththetabletopline.

From The Garden Store

Andrea’s Faves

“Feather Your Nest With the Melody

Collection”

Orchids 101 Stumped or frustrated

with the orchids in your care?

Come Join Us! Concrete Leaf Classes!

Bypopulardemand,SueandHeatherofAldenLanewillpresentconcreteleafclasses.Manyfolkshaveseenthesespectacularlycolorfulleavesupinourgreenhousedisplayandwantedtolearntheprocessto make their very own creations. They make wonderful gardenornaments,birdbaths,andevenfountains.

Theseleavesarenotmadefrommolds,butfromthewonderfulleavesabundantinthegardenthistimeofyear.Itisaveryfunproject,andwewillprovideallthenecessarymaterialsandinstructiontomakeamediumsize10"-12"concreteleaf-justbringyourself,apairofrubberglovesandclothesyoucangetdirty.Youwillleavethefinishedprojectwithusforaweektopartiallycurebeforetakingithome.Onceyoumakeoneleaf,you’llwanttomakemoreandmore-it’sveryaddictingbecause they come out so beautifully. We will equip you with theknowledgeyouneedtocreateagardenfullofexoticleaves.

$48.00 per class, or $75.00 when paired with the Leaf PaintingWorkshopheldatalaterdateaftertheleafhassufficientlydried.15personclasslimit.Pleasepre-registerwithourAldenLanecashiers.Classesarescheduledasfollows:

• Saturday, March 21st, 11:00 - 12 noon

• Sunday, March 29th, 11:00 - 12 noon

Wewillhelpyoucutthroughthemythsandmysteriesoftheorchidworldandsetyouonthepathtohealthyorchidsandbloomingsuccess.JoinuseverysecondSaturdayofthemonthat11a.m.fora1½hoursessionoflearning(andafewlaughs)asSuegivesyouaquickbootcamptoblooms.ThenextclassisSaturday, March 14th.

SignupwithourAldenLaneCashierstosaveyourspot.THE COST IS $10. BRING A FRIEND FOR FREE!

Summer Bouquets Start

TodayAllthebulbsyouplantthisspring

willfillyoursummergardenswitharmloadsofbeautifulcutflowers.Thinkaboutwhatagreatadditionthedahliasandgladioluswillprovidetoasummerbouquet.

Glads–Thetallflowerstalkscoveredwithbeautifulflorets.Ifyouplanttwoweeksapartyouwillhaveplentyofgardencolorandloadsofcutflowerstoarrangeinsummerbouquets.

Dahlias–Takeyourpickofseparatecolorsindinnerplate,decorative,cactus,andpompomflowerforms.Theyareshowstoppers.

Lilies–ChooseJandeGraaffhybridsforthebestflowersizeavailable.Largetrumpetformsontallstemsandmulti-floweredvarietiesareavailableforflowerarrangingincludingStargazer.

Tuberoses–Thesweetfragranceofthisflowerwillperfumearoom.Planttubersinthefullsunorbrightshade;feedmonthlyafterplantsemergefromsoilanduntilbudsshowcolor.

Tuberous Begonias –Beautifulhybridswithruffleddoubleflowersinroseform,uprightandhangingbasketvarieties.Theseareshadelovers.

CheckwithourstafffordetailedplantinginstructionsWehavethebulbs,theknow-howandtheexperiencetogetyougrowing.

Fill Your Garden With Fragrance!

Giveyourselfatreatandfillthegardenwithfragrance.Justafewof

these“oldfashioned”beautiesscentthegardenaswellasaddflowersandform.

Onetinyadditiontothegardenthatcanmakeapowerfulfragrant

impactisBrown Boronia(B. megasti-ga).Ithasapleasantscentthatcombinestheessenceoffreesiaandorangeblos-soms.Thebell-shapedflowersarebrownlinedwithacreamyyellowcenter.ThisAustraliannativehasfinelydividedleaveswithneedlelikeleafletswhichgivestheplantawispylook.BloomsFebruary-March.Plantinfilteredlightorsun.

Lilac(Syringa vulgaris)isoneadditiontothegardenthattranscendsgenerationalpreferenceandisknownforitssweetfragranceaswellasarmloadsofcutflowers.Flowersforminelongatedclustersoftinyflowers.Lilacsareavailableinarangeofcolorsfrompurewhitetoadeepmaroonredaswellasshadesoflavenders,bluesandpurples.FlowersappearinlateAprilandMay.

Althoughnotwellknown,Sweet box (Sarcococca ruscifolia)isapowerhouseoffragrance.Ithaswaxy,glossydeepgreenleavesandacleanlooktothefoli-age.Flowersinearlyspringaresmall,whiteandnearlyhiddeninfoliagebutfragrantenoughtoperfumethearea.Flowersarefollowedbyredfruit.ThisHimalayannativeisveryusefulinshadedgardenareas.

Comecheckouttheotherplantvarietiesthathavefragrancetoperfumeyourspringgarden.We’reheretohelp!

Free Water Wise Gardening & Water Efficiency Workshop

Co-SponsoredbytheZone7WaterAgencyandCityofPleasanton,incooperationwithAldenLaneNursery&Bay-FriendlyLandscape&Gardeningprogram.

WHEN: Saturday,March7th,2:00-3:30p.m. • WHERE: PleasantonPublicLibrary

TOPICS INCLuDE:• Watering101:Howmuchwaterdoyourplantsreallyneed?• Whattypesofplantsarethemostdroughttolerant?

The Ultimate Rose Feeding RecipeThisisamustforthoseprize-winningroses.March and Augustarethetwotimesthisisapplied:

• Master’s16-16-16Fertilizer ½cup 4#bagforabout9roses• BoneMealorSuperphosphate ½cup 4#bagfor18roses• EpsomSalts 2tbs. 5#bagfor70+roses• Sulfur* ½cup 5#bagfor18roses• ChickenFertilizer 1shovelfull 30#bagfor9roses

FeedwithMaster'sRose&FlowerFoodmonthlyApril-JulyandonelastfeedinginSeptember.*Tosupplysulfur,useoneofthefollowing:IronSulfate,IronPlus,orPhAdjuster-plus.Mostironcontainingproductscanstain;sweepoffadjacentpavingafterapplication.IronPlusisnownon-staining!Donotcombinewithrosesystemicproductstoavoidpethealthhazards.

Sprinklethefirstfouringredientsaroundeachroseandmixintosoilifpossible.Addthechicken fertilizerandwater in.Remember never feed a thirsty plant!A1"mulchlayermay be put around your roses to conservewaterandinsulaterootsfromsummerheat.

• Whatirrigationpracticescansaveyouwater?• Whatroledoesmulchplayinwaterconservation?

Arbor Day is March 7th

Celebratebyplantingatreeinyouryardorafavoriteschoolorpark.Inadditiontobabytreeseedlingsgiventoeach2ndgraderintheLivermoreandPleasantonSchooldistrictsAldenLaneisofferingafreetreevaluedat$39.99oracreditof$39.99towardalargertreetobedonatedtoyourschoolorpark(onetreepersiteplease).Contacttherecipienttoaskwhatkindoftreetheywouldlike,thencallustoreserve.Wewillholdyourtreeselec-tionatthenurseryuntilyouortherecipientcanpickupforplanting.Wearehappytohelpinthegreeningofourcommunity.Wewillofferatreestarterkitataspecialpricetohelpensureahealthybeginning.

Start a Family Tradition This Arbor Day

Plantatreeinyourgarden,yourparkorlocalschoolandyouwillbring:

1. Reduced Energy Use.Awellplacedtreewillprovidecoolingshadeinsummerandinsulationinwinter.

2. Cleaner Air.Didyouknowtreesabsorb26lbs.ofcarbondioxideandreplaceitwithpreciousoxygen.

3. Homes for Birds.Treesprovideshelterandhomesforourfeatheredfriends.

4. Cooler Communities.Treesprovideanoasisofshadeduringthesummerandtrapheatfrom

ourconcretestreetsandwalkways.5. Prevent Soil Erosion.

Treerootsholdthesoilinplaceonslopesaswellasflatsurfaces.

Tool Sharpening Service at the

Nursery is Back This Spring!

OnSaturdaysMarch14th&21stfrom2p.m.to5p.m.,comeandmeetAbsolutely Sharp!Youcanbringinyourtools,scissors,chainsaws,andanythingelseyouneedtohavesharpened.Foranominalfee,youcankeepallyourtoolsintiptopcondition.

Spading Forks Make Gardening Easier

Oneofagardener’smostvaluedtoolsiscertainly a spading fork, especially in ourheavyclaysoils.Lookinglikeafour-prongedpitchforkbutwithflattenedtines,aspadingforkallowsonetodigplantingholesandturnoverbeddingsoilswithlesseffortthantheconventional all-American, long-handledshovel.Notoolpenetratesvalleysoilswhenthey are dry, but when soils are softenedby spring rains; a spading fork beats outashovelbecauselesssurfaceareatouchesthesoilsurface.Inotherwords,theweightandeffortofthegardenergoesfarther.Usea spading forkwheneveryouwoulduseaconventionalshovel.

Give the “Gift of Green” To Celebrate

St. Pat’s DayYoudoknowthateveryoneandev-

erybodyisIrishonSt.Patrick’sDay?Tocelebratethiswonderfuldaystopbythenurseryandchoosesome-thinggreen!Oneoftheday’sspecial-tiesispotofshamrocks.Wecanevenaddagreenbowtomakeitofficial!Sostopbyandcelebratethe‘wearingofthegreen’.

Win A Citrus Tree

A$75.00ValueNopurchasenecessary.Drawingtobeheld3/31/2009.

You’llbeenjoyinghomegrownoranges,lemonsorlimeswhenyouwinyourcitrusinthismonth’scontest.Justdropofftheentryformatthenurserythe

nexttimeyouvisit,andyoumaybethewinner!

YOu’LL WIN:• (1)5 gallon citrusof

yourchoice(truedwarfortreeform)

• 2cubicftofMaster’s Planting Mix

• 4lbs.ofMaster’s Start• 5lbs.ofIron Sulfate

or Iron Plus• 5lbs.ofMaster’s

Citrus Food

CITRUS TREEMarch 2009

Name: _____________________________________________

Address: ___________________________________________

City: _______________________________________________

Phone: _____________________________________________

Email: ______________________________________________

Yes, I would like to receive the newsletter online.

Citrus For Valley GardenersTherearemanyvarietiesofcitrusthatdowellinourarea.Selectalemon,tangerine,orangeorlimetreeforhomegrowncitrus.

Chooseadwarfvarietyforabalconyorpatio;theydoequallywellinplantersorintheground;orchooseastandardsizetreeforlargerspaces.Citruswilladdtothebeautyofyourlandscapeaswellasproducefragrantflowersanddeliciousfruit.

Free Citrus Tasting on March 21st & 22nd!!

Thisisaperfectopportunitytosampleawidevarietyofcitrus.You’llbeabletotasteoranges,mandarins,kumquats,

limes,lemonsandmorewhenyouvisit.Comelearnaboutthiswonderfulgroupofevergreenlandscapeplantsthatarenotonly

beautifultolookat,producesweetlyscentedflowersbutalsogivesyoudelicioushealthyfruit.

ComeandjoinusonSaturday, March 21st & Sunday, March 22nd from 10 a.m to 4 p.m.

OnSundaytherewillbeaspecialappearanceat11a.m.byAaronDillonofFour Winds Citrus Growers.

Bringyourquestionsandasktheexpert.

March Backyard Fruit Enthusiast Class“Citrus & the Home Orchard”

Saturday, March 21st, 11:00 - Noon

JoinJoshandlearnaboutvarietyselection,planting,care,andfeeding.$5.00 and BRING A FRIEND

FOR FREE.Callaheadtoreserveaseat.

Citrus Feeding & Care ScheduleYear around: Feed Master Nursery Citrus Food

monthly.Checkdirectionsforspecifics.March,MayandSeptember:ApplyIron SulfateorIron Plusasdirected.Itacidifiesandaddsneedediron.Forinsulationfromthecold,spraythefoliageofcitrustreeswithCloud CoverinearlyNovember.TentwithplantblanketandaddoutdoorChristmaslightsforextraprotection.Master Snail, Slug and Insect Bait:Applythisbaitasdirectedtocontrolsnails,slugs,andotherhungrybugs.

981 Alden LaneLivermore, CA 94550

(925) 447-0280Change Service Requested

PRSRT STDU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDPERMIT #274Livermore, CA

SPECIAL COUPONPresent This Coupon & A Canned Food Item

TO RECEIVE FREE

IMPORTANT!Time Critical

Please Deliver Promptly

HOW TO FIND ALDEN LANE

NURSERY

Food Donations are Optional. All donations go to Tri Valley Haven. One coupon per family, please!

Offer Good March 1-31, 2009.

($3.99Value)

OneQuartofSaferLiquidPlant

FoodwithFishEmulsion!!

ALDEN LANE NuRSERY HOuRS:March1sttoMarch8th—8:30a.m.to5:00p.m. • BeginningMarch9th—8:30a.m.to6:00p.m.

All your plants will love this “back to basics” fertilizer.