JUNE 2009Serving You Since 1955

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

Announcements• Watch the Valley Gardener

onCTV30forgreatgardeningtipswithhostJacquieWilliams-Courtrightat7:30amand1:30pm,MondaythroughFridayandrepeatedonSaturdayat7:30am,11:00amand4:00pm&Sundayat7:30am,11am,1pm,and4pm.

• Livermore-Amador Valley Garden ClubmeetsthefirstTuesdayofthemonthat7p.m.atAlisalSchool,1464SantaRitaRoad,Pleasanton.FormoreinformationcallSallyat925-417-8809.

• Bonsai Clubmeetingsonthe3rdSaturdayofeachmonth–1p.m.atAldenLaneNursery.Comeone,comeall!

• Orchids 101. Need a refresher course on refreshing your orchids? JoinuseverysecondSaturdayofthemonthat11:00amforOrchids101.Thecostis$10andbringafriendforfree!Suewillcoverallthebasicsatthisoneandahalfhour“BootCamp”toOrchidSuccess.OurnextclassisscheduledforJune11that11:00am.Signupwithourcashierstoday!925-447-0280.

• PlantoattendtheAlameda County Fair–July1toJuly19(fairisclosedonMondays).BuyAdvancedSaleFairTicketshere!

• Composting Information:CalltheRotline,510-444-SOILforinformationonstartingyourowncompostingpileorvisitthewebsiteatwww.stopwaste.org.WehavetheallnewTumbleweedcomposter.Noheavylifting,justspinthetumbleweedforperfecthomemadecompost.

Discovering Succulents

Joinour“DiscoveringSucculents”classandcreateyourowncupof“green”teatakehome.Makethisadorableplantertosavorandenjoyallsummerlong!Costis$34.00plustax,callaheadandreserveyourspacetoday.ClassofferedonSaturday, June 6thandagainonSunday, June 7th at 1:30pm.

The Plant Collectors Show At Alden Lane

Saturday, June 6th & Sunday, June 7th

10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.Ifyoulovepokingaround

lookingfornewplants,wanttolearnmoreaboutcertainplants,oryoujusthaveapassionforallthingsgreen,thisshowisforYOU!

Come out and join us for our first ever plant collectors extravaganza featuring:

• Bonsai• CarnivorousPlants• CactusandSucculents• Orchids• KoiFishandMORE!ThisFREEeventincludes

demonstrations,vendors,kids’activities,seminars,exhibits—andmostofallFUN!

Checkoutourwebsiteformoredetailsaboutthisexcitingnewshowandputitonyourcalendartoday.

ALdEn LAnE nuRSERy HOuRS:

8:30amto6:00pmeachday

Quilting In the Garden 2009 – 12th Anniversary QuiltingintheGardenisheldeachSeptemberatAldenLaneNursery.Thisyearwearepleasedto

beshowcasingtheworkofLauraWosolowskiandlocalartists,allhangingfromthemajesticoaksatAldenLane.Thequiltshowinthenurseryisfreeandthelectureserieswillhaveanominalcharge.TheshowwillbeheldonSeptember 26th and 27th from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.andwill includea lectureandclassseriesstartingonThursday, September 24th.

FormoreinformationonQuilting in the Garden 2009pleasevisitourwebsitewww.aldenlane.com.

Keeping Them Healthy in the Heat

Ifyourmaplesareincontainers,orinthelandscape,youwillneedtokeeptheirsoilmoist,butnotsoggy.Theydonotliketohavetheir“feet”soaked,somakesurethatthesoildrainsquickly.Inacontaineritmeansthatthecontaineritselfisnotinapoolofwater.Setyourcontaineronceramicfeetthatwillallowthewatertodrainaway.Inthelandscape,makesurethatthereisnostandingwaterafterthemapleiswa-tered.Ifthereiswater,amendyoursoil.MapleexpertBarryHofferrecommendsthefollowingsoilmix:

Containers: Soilformula-mixthethreeitemsinawheelbarrel/largecon-tainersothatitisreadytouse.

4 75%SmallBark,1/4size(WesternBarkMiniNuggets)

4 25%AcidSoil(MasterNurseryAcidPlantingSoilMix)4 2cupsPerlite

Landscape:Soilformula-mixthefouritemsinawheelbarrel/largecontainersothatitisreadytouse.

4 1/3SmallBark,1/4size(WesternBarkMiniNuggets)4 1/3AcidSoil(MasterNurseryAcidPlantingSoilMix)4 1/3NativeSoil4 2cupsPerlite

Morningsunisokay,butmakesurethatyourmapleonlygetsfilteredsunlightorshadeafter1pm.Maplesalsolikeacidsoilandthisisthetimetomakesurethatyoucontinuetotreatyourhardwater.Comeinandpickupahandout.Finallydonotfertilizethismonth.

Japanese MaplesSpray On Sunscreen for your Japanese Maples

JapaneseMaplesareperfectlycomfortableinPortland,Oregonwherethesummerskyissoftenedwithbillowycloudsandanoccasionalshower.Thevalley’sdrysummerclimateontheotherhandcallsforabitofspecialprotec-tion.Ourhot,dry,andsometimeswindysummerscanturntheleafedgesofJapaneseMaplescrispy.SpraytheleaveswithCloud CoverbeforetheendofJuneandthenmonthlythereaftertoprotecttheleavesfrommoistureloss.Onecreativecustomerthreadeddripirrigationtubingtoppedwithamistheadupintothemaple’scanopy,andonhotdaysitprovideswelcomecooling.

We are extending our springtime tradition!Youearn10%ofyourtotalpurchasesandarepaidinAldenLaneNurseryBonusDollars.

TheseBonusDollarsareredeemableAugust1-31.Theyaretobeusedforupto50%ofyourpurchasesinAugust.Forexample:ifyouhave10BonusDollars

youmayuseall10onapurchaseof$20ormore.

$ $ $ $ $ $

CONTINUE TO EARN BONUS DOLLARS IN JUNE!

Notes for June Gardeninge

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Hailey's Comments

Protect Japanese Maples; apply Cloud Cover to thefoliagebeforetheendofJuneandthenmonthlythereaftertoprotecttheleavesfrommoistureloss.

Graduations and weddingsarecomingupthismonth!Stopbythenurseryforgreatgiftideasoragiftcard.

And don’t forget dad!AldenLanehasmanywonderfulgiftsforhim.ChoosefromfragrantCitrustrees,ahandygardener’stoolbeltwithpocketsforhistoolsandgloves.Rosestoperfumethegardenandremindhimofyourloveandsomuchmore!

Plant 4-inch & gallon can vegetable plants and saveseveralweeksofgrowingtime.Remembertoprotectthemfromhungrysnails,bugs,andslugswithpetsafeSluggo Plus.

Beforeyourcherriesandothersummerfruitbegintoripenprotect them from hungry birds with bird scare tape(shinytapethatmovesinthewind),plastic netting,andplastic owls.

Plant summer Sunflowers now through August. Enjoyarmloadsofbloomsforsunnybouquets!Favoritesinclude:Autumn Beauty: 5'-7'tall,Flash Blend Organic: 4'-7'tall,Mammoth Grey Stripe: 6'-10'tall,Sunspot: 18"-24"tall,Evening Sun: 6'-8'tall.

The Alameda County FairopensWed.,July1stmakeplanstoenteryourprize-winningflowersandvegetables.

Hungrytomatohornwormsaswellasgeraniumbudwormsandothercaterpillarsarereadytomunchonyourgarden.ControlthemwithearthfriendlySafer’s B.t. Caterpillar Killer.

Before you have trouble with blossom end rot in yourtomatoesuseFoli-cal.Blossomendrotcreatesaleatherybrownpatchatthebottomendofatomatoandiscausedbyinsufficientcalcium

Mulching makes the summer easier on your garden. Itretainsmoistureandhelpsminimizeweeds.Usea3to4inch layerofMaster nursery Gold Rush forthebestresults.

Rememberto water plantsundereavesand inhiddencorners.Soakhangingbasketsandcontainerplantsduringthesummerheat.

Spruceupthegardenwithpotsofred, white and blue flowers!Wehavelotsofcolorfulbloomingplantstomakeholidaypartiesandbarbequesallthemoreenjoyable.ShopearlybecausethenurserywillbeclosedonJuly4th.

“Edibles on my mind.” Garden greetings, I’m Hailey, the resident canine of Alden Lane. In all my barking memories, I don’t recall seeing the human folk burying their food, scratching in the dirt nor nosing around in the compost. I love to bury food for a future treat or meal. My natural, organic treats are usually a

bone but a sow’s ear is worth hiding underground and becoming the reward of my garden dig.

The recession has inspired the humans to paw the ground as they go in pursuit of the healthiest environment to grow their own food. A good recession like this only comes along once in a lifetime. Jump in, learn to dig in the dirt and put a little something away for another day (have a recession every spring . . . I lose lots of hair).

Our human folk customers have been buying vegetables for their homestead, first tomatoes then squash plants. As a blue blooded dog buries for the future, so the bipeds (human walking upright) are burying the roots of their edibles in the garden with anticipation for harvesting later this summer.

Tomatoes remind me of the ultimate dog toy, a rubber ball to fetch. Squash are excellent fetching toys as they have the added prestige of a handle. It’s not too late to grow your own vegetable garden. Squash, cukes and melons are particularly fond of this heat.

Paws for Reflection: If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it. Make your own rules. When playing fetch with bipeds take turns retrieving the object.

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Kidz Club NewsKidzClubisourSummerProgramfor

kids5-10yearsoldandmeetseveryotherWednesdayafternoonuntiltheendofAugust.

WemeetattheAldenLaneFarm(attheedgeofthedirtparkinglotinbackofAldenLane).Thecostis$10.00achildperclass,andyoucanpre-registerwithourAldenLanecashiersbycalling925/447-0280.

RegistrationsforthechickenclasswillclosefivedayspriortotheclassonJune19th,sogetyourkidssignedupearly.

CHICKENS! JoinusattheAldenLaneFarm,

Wednesday, June 24 from 3 to 4 p.m.aswevisitwith“thegirls”–our‘eggstra’speciallayinghens.OurfarmhandAnnewillteachuswhythesebirdsaresoproductiveinsomanywaysandhowwecareforthem.AllthekidsatKidzClubwilllearneachweekbydoingalittlegardening–helpingtowater,plantandharvestcropsthatwillhelpoutourcommunity.Our“girls”willbesoappreciativeofthehelp,eachchildwillgohomewithafreshegglaidbyoneourAldenLaneflock.

Attention All Backyard Fruit Enthusiasts…

Bumpercropsandheavyharvestsawaitthosewhoattendourmonthlyfruitgrowingseminars.Getindepthinstructiononadifferentfruiteachmonth,aswellastechniquesinpruning,diseasecontrol,andmuchmore!Wewillcovertheentire“backyardorchard”overtheyearincludinggrapes,berries,andcitrusfruits.

Wewantyoutobethemostsuccessfulyoucanbeinachievingyourgoalsofafruitful,nutritiouslife-style.Attendmultipleclassestoearnyourselfaticket

tothe2009 Fall Harvest Recipe Party,andget“Alden Lane Certified”asanofficialBackyardOrchardSpecialist!Giveawayitems,informationhandouts,andraffleprizeswillbeavailableateveryclass.Allclassesaretorunfrom11-12o’clockwithextratimeforQ&Aandwillcost$5–bring a friend for FREE! Callaheadtoprepayandreserveaset.

Pomegranates / Persimmons Feeding & Soil Conditions

Saturday, June 20, 11 - noon

Edibles in the GardenExpandyourhorizonsbeyondthevegetablegardenandintothelandscapeby

trainingsomeberriesonafenceorwall.OurberrypatchhasavarietyofcaneberriessuchasRaspberriesandBlackberries,aswellasmanyoptions forBlueberries,Strawberries,andofcourseTableandWineGrapes.

Wehavealargeselectionofdwarfcitrusavailableforplantinginthelandscapeor in containers! Meyer Lemon continues to be our gardener’s top choice for

homeplantingwithitsthin skin, juicy fruit,ever-bearing habit,and superior frosttolerance.AlsolookforBearssSeedlessLime,or Washington NavalOrange a tri-valleyfavoritefordecades!

Don’t forget aboutfruittrees!!Therearemany varieties thatdon’t require muchpruning or sprayingand can serve morethanonefunction.

Mulching the Garden

Saves Water!Mulching keeps roots cool,

conserves moisture and nurturesyour soil. You can expect to uselesswater,experiencefewerweedsand see improved plant growth.Mulchingalsohelpsthegardenlookbetter,providingacontrastingback-groundagainstwhichgreenplantsstandoutandlookbrighter.

For best results, apply 3-4" ofmulcharoundplants.Thinlayersofmulchmightlookjustasattractive,but they don’t cool the soil orprevent weeds as well as thickerlayers of mulch. Mulch can becompost or bark. We like Gold Rush Soil Conditioner, Micro Bark and shredded redwood.Allmulchproductscanbepurchasedata discount (save $1.00 per bag)whenyoubuy3ormorebagseach.

• Gold Rush is a mulch thatincludesthenutritionalbenefitsofchickenmanureandisavailablein2cubicft.bags.Itisgoodformulchingaroundfloweringplantsandroses.Itfeedstheplantsaswellasprotectsthemfromtheheatofsummer.

• Black Mulch and Micro Bark are attractive in the land-scapeandhasthebenefitofstayingaround longer than compost. Theparticlesize(1/2"andunder)isnicebecause, unlike barks with largerparticles,itbreaksdowninthesoiltocreateuseablecompost.Bothareavailablein2cubicft.size.

• Shredded redwood is afavorite forhillsidesandslopesasitshairytextureclingstoitselfandsurrounding surfaces so it is lesslikelytoslidedownaslope.Wehaveitavailablein3cubicft.bags.

FuyuPersimmonisalowmaintenancefruitingtreethatalsomakesagreatshadetreewithexcellentfallcolor. Pomegranatescan also provide anattractive floweringp r i v a c y h e d g e .Consider plantingan espaliered fruittreeagainstawallorfencetoprovidefruitas well as conversa-tion.

June is a Month of CelebrationsRememberyourfavorite teacherswithabloomingplantorspecialtreasurefromourgiftshop.We’rehappytohelp

selectandwrap.

Remember dad – It’s Father’s day – June 21st FindschoolsofuniquegiftsforDadinourGardenStore!

“Fab Fish”designerandmusician,LorenOlk,hascalledLivermorehishomeforover50years.Whennotplayinghisguitaratthelocalcoffeeshopandwineries,Lorenworksinhisstudiocreatingone-of-a-kindmetalsculpturesfromuniquerecycledmaterials.Bringgoodluck,prosperityandatouchofwhimsytoyourhomeorgardenwithoneofLoren’soriginalFabFish!

Leafmania!It’salltherage!FolksareliningupforourpopularConcrete Leaf Classes!Ifyou’veseenthemthenyou’llwanttogetinonthefunaswellandcreateyourowngardenart.

Comejoinoneofour2partclasses(oneclassinmakingandoneclassinpainting)tomakeyourownleaf(allmaterialsincluded).Thecostis$75.00forbothclasses,andwerunaseriesofclassesthrough-outtheSpringandSummer.

OurnextavailableLeafMakingClassisSaturday,June20from11am-1pm.CalltosignupwithourAldenLaneCashiers(925)447-0280.Theconcretehastodrythoroughly(2-3weeks)beforepainting.OurcashierswillalsohavealistofdatesavailabletotakethePaintingClass.

Mark your calendars for

ART undER THE OAKS July 11th and 12th from 11:00 am to 4:00 pmThisisthe23rd Annual Art Under the Oaks.Thisyearpromisestocontinueto

delighttheart,wine,musicandfruitlover!We’llhavelocalwineriespouringsamples,localartistswillbeonhanddemonstratingandsellingtheircraft,andmusicwillfillthegrounds.DaveWilsonNurserywillholdtheirannualsummer fruit tasting...soyummyyouwon’twanttomissit!Thereareraffleprizeseveryhour,andifyournameispulledonSundayat4p.m.youwillwintheGrandPrize–apieceoforiginalartvaluedatover$200.00.Everyhourwinnersreceivea$25.00GiftCertificatetothenursery.

Music lovers canenjoy livemusicbothdays.JoeyAltmanand theBackBurnerBlues Band will perform on Saturday from 11-1 p.m. Also playing are The CoolTones, performing Saturday from1:30-2:30p.m.Returningfortheirannual performance is the StonyRidge Ramblers, performing onSaturdayfrom2:30-4p.m.

Sunday performances includeJack Pollard’s Party of Twoplayingfrom 11-1 p.m. Sycamore Strings Academy will perform from 1:30-2:30p.m.AndtoconcludetheeventonSunday,oneofourfavorites,thePleasanton Community Concert Band will perform from 2:30-4p.m.

Admission isFREE,Parking isFREE. Additional FREE parkingisavailableatSunsetOfficePlazalocatedatthecornerofConcannonandHolmes-FREESHUTTLES.Formoreinformation,contactthenurseryat(925)447-0280orvisitwww.aldenlane.com

Wanderthroughtherestofthenurseryforothergreatgiftsuggestionsfordad!

• Shinynewtoolsforhisgardeningcollection.• Plantacitrustreefordad.It’sagiftthatgivesmore

eachyear.• Statuarybenches,arbors,gardenartandmoretocreate

thefeelofanoutdoorroomforrelaxing.• Cheerfulcolorbowls.• Lushhouseplantsforhisofficethatwillbeautifyand

cleantheair.• Decorativecontainerstofillwithplantsofhischoicefor

deckandpatio.

• BarmahCanvas“Drover”hatssoDadhasa“coolhead.”

• Hisownorchardoffruitfilledtrees–citrus,cherries,peaches,nectarinesandmoreareavail-ablehereatAldenLaneNursery.

Graduations & WeddingsThis June give your favorite bride and groom or

graduateagiftthatwillkeepgivingthroughtheyears.AldenLanehasagreatselectionofgiftgivingideas.

From The Garden Store

Andrea’s Faves“Start with the Seed of a Good Idea!”

Grow It, Cook ItAchildren’scookbookthatstartswiththeseedofagood

idea.Morethanacookbook,thisinnovativebookoffersafreshapproachtohealthyeatingbygettingchildreninvolvedinfoodfromthestart.Childrenwilllearnthatwhentheyeatacarrot,they’rebitingintoaroot;saladsaremadeupofleaves;andberriesarethefruitandseedsofplants,encouraginganearlyappreciationoffoodanditsorigins.Therecipesinthebooktakethehomegrownfruits,vegetables,andherbsanduseavarietyofcookingmethodsandstore-boughtingredientstotransformthemintotrulyhomemademeals.Allthe“crops”canbegrowninpots,soyoungchefsdon’tevenneedalargegardentoenjoyGrow It, Cook It.

Make It!From picture-frame collages to totally unique shadow

boxes,thisbookhaseverythingacreativechildneedstofindfunineverycornerofhisownhome.

Homemade702 Ways to Save Money and the Earth! Learn how

to make hundreds of everyday products fast, fresh, andmore naturally—Simple nontoxic GARDEN SOLUTIONS,EconomicalGreenCleaningProducts,Easy-to-MakeSweetTreats,HealthandBeautySuppliesataFractionoftheCost,WholesomeRecipesforPetFoodsandSupplies.

Family GardenSimpleStepsFamilyGardenwillshowyouhowtoinvolve

yourchildreninyourgardeningandhelpthembeanactiveparticipantratherthan justapassiveuser.Theinnovativemodularapproachtothesubjectwillhelpyourchildunder-standandtakepartintheactivity.Inaddition,thisbookwillhelpyouintegratethatvitalsandboxandswingorwildlifegardenintoyourplans,aswellasservingasavaluableresourceontheplantsthatcansustainyourchild’sactivities.

Super Natural HomeImproveYourHealth,HomeandPlanet—OneRoomata

Time.

Come by and Become a Book Worm!

Enter The County Fair Amateur Gardening Competition EnTRy dATES TIME dELIVER TO

RoseShow PeriodI Wednesday,July1 7a.m.–9a.m. AgriculturalBldg.WestEnd,useValleyAve. Period2 Thursday,July9 7a.m.–9a.m. AgriculturalBldg.WestEnd,useValleyAve.PottedPlants–CutFlowers,FloralDesigns,Arrangements&Produce Period1 Saturday,July4 7a.m.–9a.m. Ag.Bldg.Westend(UseValleyAve) Period2 Wednesday,July15 7a.m.–9a.m. Ag.BldgWestend(UseValleyAve)Bringaddresslabelsforeasyentry.Entryfee$3perexhibitorperdeliveryperiod.Allcarsmustberemovedfromthedeliveryareaafterdropofby9:30a.m.Pick-upbyclaimcheckonly.Formoredetailsgotowww.AlamedaCountyFair.com,clickonExhibitCatalog,lookatExhibitCategoriesandclickonAmateurGardeningorcall(925)426-7600.

Basil, Parsley & Cilantro

The Summer HerbsJune 13th

11 am - 1:00 pmThesethreeherbsgrow

wonderfullyallsummerandleaveusinthewinter.Comeandlearnhowtogrow,harvest,andstorethesegreatsummerherbs.

We’llmakepestoandsalsaandyou’llleavewithrecipesfortheseandmanyotheryummytreatsmadefromsummerherbs.Cost is $20.00;pleasecallaheadtopurchaseandreserveyourspot.

Ourinstructor,KimBillingsleyhasbeengardeningintheTriValleyfor16yearsandhasbeensharingherherbcook-ing/craftknowledgelocallyformostoftheseyears.Shecanbereachedatkimbillingsley@earthlink.net

Victory GardenWith the price of food and fuel

through the roof, my family andI are staying home a bit moreandwithourextratime,growingsomeofourownfood.Originallyconceived as a way to reducepressure on the domestic foodsupplyduringWorldWarII,theidea of a Victory Garden hascontemporaryapplication.

SeveralAldenLanecustomershavementionedpullingbacksomeoftheirlawnorlandscapethisyearandplantingsomevegetables.Whynot grow some tomatoes amongyourornamentals?Myfamilyisstillenjoyingtomatoesgrownanddriedlastyearandthrownintosoupsandstewsthisyear.

It’snottoolateintheseason,wehaveplantsandseedsandideastogetyoustarted.

June is a great month to plant a

vegetable garden. Alden Lane has a good

selectionofvegetableseedlingstartsthatwillhelpyouwithgrowing time. Stop by thenursery and let us get yougrowingthisseason!

Win A Watering Kit

A$55.00Value

Nopurchasenecessary.Neednotbepresenttowin.DrawingtobeheldJune30,2009.

WATERING KITJune 2009

Name: _____________________________________________

Address: ___________________________________________

City: _______________________________________________

Phone: _____________________________________________

Email: ______________________________________________

Yes, I would like to receive the newsletter online.

Makeyourwateringtaskseasiertocontrolwithaflexiblehosethatismadetolastalifetime,combinedwithawaterwandthatgivesyouthebestcontroltosavewater!

Orchid UniversityBASIC OrCHId CArE ANd BEYONd!

OurOrchidinstructor,SueFordyce,hasco-ownedandoperatedafamilyorchidbusinessfor25yearsandisafavoritespeakerthroughouttheUSandCanadaonthissubject.Herinformalstyleandeasycommunicationinvitesaclearerunder-standingofthisoftenconfusingfamilyoforchids.

Please join us June 27th from 10 am to 1:30,bringasacklunchandupto3orchidstorepot.Thecostis$45.00andyoumaysignupwithourAldenLaneCashiers.YouwillreceiveanOrchidUbinderwithclassmaterialsandasectionfornotes.Classesfillupfast,sosignuptoday!AldenLanewillalsorepeatthisclass July 25th 10 am – 1:30 pmifyoucan’tfittheJuneclassintoyourschedule.Ifyouhavequestions,pleasecallSueatAldenLane(925)447-0280.

It’s Not TOO Late!

Plant Your Summer Vegetable

Garden Now!!

981 Alden LaneLivermore, CA 94550

(925) 447-0280Change Service Requested

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PAIDPERMIT #274Livermore, CA

IMPORTANT!Time Critical

Please Deliver Promptly

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 June 1-30, 2009.

($3.99Value)

YellowJacketTrap!!Catch the Queen and have Peaceful Picnics!