JANUARY 2009Serving You Since 1955

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

Announcements• Watch the Valley Gardener

forgreatgardeningtipswithhostJacquieWilliams-Courtrightat7:30ameveryday,repeatedonSaturday&Sundayat11am.

• The Livermore Amador Valley Garden ClubwillmeetJan.8that7p.m.attheAlisalElemen-tarySchoolmultipurposeroom,1454SantaRitaRoad,Pleasan-ton.TheprogramwillfeatureKathyEchols,aninstructorintheHorticultureDepartmentatDiabloValleyCollege.ShespecializesinAustralianplants,rare&unusualperennials,andCalifornianatives.Visitorsarewelcome.FormoreinfocallSally(925)417-8809.

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

• Master Composter Training Program Accepting Applications for 2009.Stopwaste.orgisofferinga4monthtrainingandeducationalprogramtopromoterecyclingoforganicmaterials.Ifinterestedvisitthewebsiteatwww.BayFriendly.orgtoapplyon-lineordownloadanapplication.

• Don’tmissourVegetable Gardening Seminar.JoinusonSaturday,February21stat11a.m.ThegrowerofallourHeirloomvegetables,GingerfromSun Catcher Harvest,willprovidegrowingsecretsandhelpwithvarietyselection.Shewillalsosharesomedeliciousrecipestousewithyourhomegrownproduce.Thisisafreeclassbutcallaheadtoreserveaseat.Comeandlearnfromthiswonderfulresource.Yourgardenwillbebountifulandyourfamilywillbeeatinghealthy!

Alden Lane Nursery presents The 3rd Annual

Orchids Under the Oaks

“Pathways through Paradise”January 10th & 11th

Pleasejoinusforour3rd Annual Orchid Show and Sale –a“freevacation”inthetropicsasyoustrollthroughour“Pathways through Paradise”displayinourgreenhouse.Wearefeaturingawonderlandofexoticorchidsinourinteractiveexhibit.

BuT WAiT! There’S mOre! Don’tmisstheOrchid Marketplace –AtemptingarrayofferingthousandsoforchidsforsalebyavarietyofvendorsfromthroughoutCalifornia.

Got questions?Theorchiddoctorhastheanswersandwillbeavailableduringshowhours.ToquenchyourthirstforMOREorchidknowledge,wehaveSIXSeminarsscheduledwithorchidexperts(seeourwebsitefortimesandtopics(www.aldenlane.com).

AldenLaneinpartnershipwiththeInternational Greenhouse Companyissellingopportunitytick-etstowinafabulouslittlegreenhouse,withallproceedsbenefitingOpen Heart Kitchen,servingmealstothoseinneedinLivermore,PleasantonandDublin.OpportunityticketsforthegreenhousegiveawayareonsalenowuntilJanuary11that4pm.($1perticketorget10ticketsfora$7.00donation).

Indulgeyourselfandyoursensesasyouexperiencetheheavenlybeautyandaromasofourlittleparadisecreatedjustforyou–rightintheheartofwinter.Forget your cares and come vacation with us at this free event All venues are indoors – no sunscreen required!

Attention All Backyard Fruit Enthusiasts…Bumpercropsandheavyharvestsawaitthosewhoattendourmonthlyfruitgrowingseminars.Getindepthinstruction

onadifferentfruiteachmonth,aswellastechniquesinpruning,diseasecontrol,andmuchmore!Wewillcovertheentire“backyardorchard”overtheyearincludinggrapes,berries,andcitrusfruits.Wewantyoutobethemostsuccessfulyoucanbeinachievingyourgoalsofafruitful,nutritiouslifestyle.Attendmultipleclassestoearnyourselfatickettothe2009 Fall Harvest Recipe Party,andget“AldenLaneCertified”asanofficialBackyardOrchardspecialist!Giveawayitems,informationhandouts,andraffleprizeswillbeavailableateveryclass.Allclassesaretorunfrom11–12o’clockwithextratimeforQ&Aandwillcost $5 (bring a friend for Free!).Here’swhat’sexpected:

• October 18 Apples / Pears & Fall Pruning • November 15 Peaches / Nectarines & Disease Control• December 20 Nut Trees & Dormant Pruning

• January 17 Apricot / Plums / Pluots & Frost Protection / Bare Root Planting

• February Cherries & Insect Control• March Citrus & Home Orchard• April Multigrafts / “Fruit Salad” Trees & Fruit Thinning• May Grapes / Olives & Mature Tree Pruning• June Pomegranates / Persimmons & Feeding & Soil Conditions• July Berries & Summer Pruning• August Figs, Guava, other & Birds, squirrels, etc • September Espaliers & Recipes

JANUARY BACKYARD ORCHARD SEMINAR

January 17th11:00 - 12:00 noon

Januaryishere,it’stimetogetstartedonthenewyearandanewcropinthebackyardorchard.I’msurealotofyouhavemaderesolutionstoexercisemore,eathealthier,ormaybespendlessmoneythisyear,andtoyouIsay“PLANT A FrUIT Tree!”youcouldkillthreebirdswithonestone!Thisisthemonthfor“BareRoot”plantingwhichistheabsolutebestwaytoestablishmostfruittreesandberries.Itisalsoafrostytimeofyear,sodon’tforgettocoverthosefrosttendercitrusandAvocadotreesandgivethemagooddrinkifithasn’tbeenraining.

InJanuarywewilldemonstratehowtoplantabarerootfruittreeinyourbackyard.Stepbystepand“handson”we’lltakeyouthroughtheentireprocessincludingamendingthesoil,diggingthehole,andinitialpruning.Alongwithourplantingdemonstrationanddiscussiononcontinuedfrostprotection,thespecificfruittopicofthemonthwillbeApricotsandPlums.ThiswillincludealloftheirrelativessuchasPluots,Apriums,Plum-cots,etc.Thesecloserelativeshavesomespecificneedsasfaraspruning,training,anddiseasecontrolthatwewilltakeacloselookat.

This hands-on seminar is only $5.00 and you can bring a friend for FREE! Call ahead to register and pre-pay, 925-447-0280.

Notes for January Gardeninge

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Move your living tree outdoors.Careforotherholiday gift plants such as azaleas and camelliasbyplacingthemoutsidewheretheywillthriveincoolertemperatures.

Keep your New Year’s Resolution . . . Join theLivermore-Amador Valley Garden Club.Calltojoin—phone:925-417-8809.

Remember Seed Potatoes are available now.Choose red, white and russet, purple and yellowvarieties.

Brightenthegardenwithjewel colored bedding plants. Refresh your garden containers withprimroses,pansies,Icelandpoppiesandmore.Checkwiththestaff!

Choose azaleas and camelliasnowwhiletheyareinbloom.Theselectionisgreatandyou’llpickjusttherightcolorforyourwintergarden.

Feed the lawn monthly even during coldwintermonths.Thismaintainsitsgreencolorandminimizesrustdisease.Master's Fall and Winter Lawn Fertilizerisespeciallyformulatedfortheseason.

Crabgrasshaspalegreen-yellowfoliagethatspreadsthrough your darker green lawn, spoiling theuniformgoodlooks.Crabgrassdieswiththeonsetoncoldweather,leavingseedsthatwillsproutasthespringweatherwarmsthesoil.January and February are the months to prevent crabgrass from sproutinginyourlawn.ApplyingMaster’s Lawn Fertilizer Plus Crabgrass Controlnowwillpreventcrabgrassseedsfromsprouting.

Anddon’tforgettoaddsomezingtoyourcooking.Garlic starts are here.GarlicshouldbeplantedthroughearlyJanuaryforthebestresults.

My dear gardening enthusiasts, it’s your local nursery dog with canine awareness. I’m here to bark in the New Year and what a year this will be. The human folk had their memorable Y2K, we pooches paws and acknowledge the year of the dog, Y2K9.

Just as you pups thrive on the affection and attention of your caretakers, roses need the same bonding experience with their domestic gardeners. General pruning principles apply to all roses, but there are differences between classes. Old garden roses, shrub roses, once-blooming roses, English roses, etc, require breed- specific bathing, feeding, and pruning instructions. The trimming accomplishes several tasks: to remove diseased wood, increase air circulation, keep the shrub from becoming a matted mess; encourage the growth of new wood and shape the plant. Likewise, dogs who are regularly groomed, tend to attract attention like that of a single cut rose.

Alden Lane has free rose pruning demonstrations, January 17th, 18th, and 24th with Rose Masters: David (Bow Wow) Lowell and also Ken & Judy Jones (Rose Bones). Successfully training your roses is always a task that requires a lot of patience and understanding, but the rewards are many, and your roses will surely appreciate your efforts. Reserve your kennel spot with your trainer at Alden Lane Nursery Information.

Paws for Reflection:Stop to smell the roses, and the grass, and the trees and anything else you deem interesting.

Hailey's Comments

Livermore Recycles Christmas Trees 3 Ways Christmas Tree Recycling–Ifyouhaven’tmadearrangementsforyourcutChristmastreeyet,itcanbedroppedoffatthenurseryonSaturday,January3rdfrom8:30to3:00.LocalBoyScoutswillbeonhandtotakeyourcuttreefora$5+donation.

Special One-Time Tree Pickup–WeekofJanuary5,2009.Onyourregularserviceday,aspecialtruckwillpassdownyourstreetandpickupChristmastreesatthecurb.Treesmustbeatthecurbnolaterthan6:00a.m.Pleaseadheretotheserestrictions:• Onlycleantreesareacceptable(noflocking,tinsel,ortreestands) • Treesmustbecutto6'orless • IfyouhaveanyquestionspleasecontactWasteManagement447-1300.

using Your Green Waste Cart:UseyourGreenWastecarttorecycleChristmastreesanytimeaftertheholidaywiththefollowingrestrictions:• Onlycleantreesareacceptable(noflocking,tinsel,ortreestands) • Treesmustbecutintolengthsthatwillallowthelidorcarttoeasilyandcompletelyclose • Ifyouhaveanyquestionspleasecall447-1300.

in Pleasanton call Pleasanton Garbage Service at 846-2042 or your local Boy Scout Troop for details.

Asthetemperatureshavetypicallydroppedandheldlowforafewweeksbymid-January,mostdeciduoustreesandshrubsarereadyfortheirannualpruning.AldenLaneNurseryhasafewhelpfulresourcesforassistingyouinthissometimesoverwhelmingsubject.

s  Firstofall,pleasetakeadvantageofanumberofpruning classesscheduledoverthenextmonthorso.(Seeourwebpageforaschedule.)Wealsohaveagreatselectionoftoolsandglovesandhelpfulpruningbooks.Ourwebpagealsoincludespruningdiagramsforguidance.

s  Forpruningfruittrees,pickupacopyofaveryhandypruningbooktitled, “how to Prune Fruit Trees”byRobertSanfordMartin.Thisbookpacksawealthofinformationintoits90pages,coveringvirtuallyeverytypeoffruittreeandfruitingvinehomegardenerswillencounter.Thebookillustratesandexplainsinabriefformathoweachtypeoftreeproducesfruitandwhatpruningisrequiredtohelp,nothinderfruitproduction.Everyfruittreeownershouldhaveacopy.

s  Anotherbighelpintheprocessofpruningtreesisgoodtools.Barnel Ultra reach Telescopic Precision Loppersimplifiesalotoftasksincludingpruningaboveyourreach.Itiswelldesignedandsturdy,thisprunercombinesthereachofapolewiththeleverageandstrengthofapairofloppers.Onecanprunebranchesordinarilyoutofreach,withtheeasytogriphandleandlopper-likeactionthatmagnifiesyourstrength.Cutsupto1.5"andtelescopestoabout8'.

s  Aslongaswearetalkingaboutpruners,Felco Pruners areourveryfavoritehandpruners.Felcoshearslastingfordecades.Felcoscomeinavarietyofsizesandtypes(includinglefthandedshears.)WehaveFelcos

displayedwhereyoucangivethematestdrive.Comeinandseethem.

s  Finallyinthelineupofpruningaids,whatcanbemorehelpfulthanagoodpairofgardeninggloves.West County Glovesoffersanicecollectionofwellmadeglovesthatarecomfortableandengineeredtowearwell.ThiscompanyisaBayArealocal,beginningitslifeinthesportsapparelindustry.Gardeningispopularacrossalldemographics,andwhendesigner/founder(bicyclist)BeverlySchorwasdissatisfiedwiththeavailablegardeninggloves,shewenttoworkdesigningherownpair.Theresultispractical,attractiveandcomfortable.

Inadditiontoagoodgeneralpurposegardeningglove,WestCountyGlovesalsoproducestheamazing“American Beauty” Gauntlet rose glove.Testedhereatthenursery,thisglovewillallowyoutothrustyourhandsintorosepruningchoreswithoutfearofthornstearingupyourhands.Wehavefoundthesyntheticsuedeclothcompletelystopsthornsbeforereachingtheskin.Wewouldbehappytoshowyouapair.

JaNuary is PruNiNG MoNth!

Mark Your Calendars Now!

41st Annual Bay Area Daffodil Showisco-sponsoredbytheNorthernCaliforniaDaffodilSocietyandAldenLaneNursery.GroomthosebloomstoenteronSaturdaymorning,March7thbetween6and10a.m.Watch for more details in the next newsletter.• Comeby: March7th 1p.m.to5p.m. March8th 9p.mto4p.m.• Daffodil Lecture: Saturday,March7that2:00p.m.• Plantoattendafreespecialguestlectureon“Greet Spring in Your Garden with New Daffodils”byBobSpotts.

Pruning Seminars Available

Pleasecallaheadtoreserveaseat–925-447-0280.

ä Saturday, January 17th at 11:00 a.m.Pruning Apricots, Plums, and Pluots. Frost Protection and Bare Root Planting

Ifyoumissedourearlierpruningclasses,Joshwillbehappytofieldallyourpruningquestions.Fee: $5.00 — Bring a friend for Free!

ä Saturday and Sunday, January 17th & 18th: 10:00 a.m. on Saturday and 1:00 p.m. on Sunday.JoinusforoureverpopularRose Care and Pruning SeminarswithpresentersAllAmericanRoseSelections(AARS)consultingrosariansDavid Lowell and Ken & Judy Jones. Da-vidwillpresentonSaturday,andKen&JudyonSunday.Theywillspeakaboutproperpruningtechniques,feeding,andgeneralcareaswellasthebestvarietiesfortheValley.FREE!

ä Saturday, January 24th from 11:00 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.

Rose Care and Pruning repeatedatAldenLanewithconsultingrosariansKen & Judy Jones. FREE!

ä Saturday, January 24th from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Grape Care and PruninghereatAldenLaneNurserywithJim Ryan of Concannon Vineyards.FREE!

ä Saturday, January 31st at 11:00 a.m. - Last Pruning Basics ClassLearnthebasicstoshapedecidu-oustreesandshrubs,prunefruittreesproperly,orgetanyofyourownpruningquestionsanswered.FREE!

Las Positas College Horticulture Classes

Callnowforregistrationinformationforgreathorticultureclasses–373-5800.ThespringsemesterbeginsJan.20th.Youcanlogonwww.laspositascol-lege.edu.Registernow!InadditiontogreatHorticulturalofferingscheckintotheViticultureandWineryTechnologyclasses.

Pruningtimeishereagain,andpeopleareaskingtheinevitablequestions:what,when,whyandhowshouldIprune?

Let’s review the basics:4 Generally,treesareprunedwhentheyareintheirmostdormantstate.

DecemberandJanuaryareidealtimesforpruningmostdeciduousfruitandshadetrees.Theexceptionstothisruleofthumbareornamentaltrees and shrubs grown especially for their spring flowers. Floweringplum,peachandcherrytrees,magnolia,aswellasforsythia,lilacandafewothersareprunedjustafterbloominginthespringinordertoavoidremovingflowerbuds.Evergreenplantsmaybeprunedyearround,butbestresultsareachievedinlatewinterorlatesummerjustbeforetheseasonalflushofnewgrowth.Evergreenplantssusceptibletofrostdamagesuchascitrus,oleanderorbottlebrushshouldbeprunedafterdangeroffrostinearlyspring.

4 Itisimportanttousethepropertoolswhenpruning.Handshearsareusedforbranchesupto1/4"inchindiameter.Loppersareusedforbranchesuptothesizeofaquarter.Usepruningsawsforanylimbslargerthanthis.Keepinginmindthebasicobjectivesofpruningwillmakethejobeasier.

4 Thefirstobjectiveistomaintainplanthealth.Alwaysbeginbyremovingdead,diseased,orinjuredwood.

4 Thenextobjectiveistocontrolandshapeplantgrowth.Startbyremovingallcrossingbranchesandwaywardlimbs.

4 Pruningalsoisusedtoincreaseflowerandfruitproductionandquality.4 There are specific techniques for achieving these last two desired

results.4 “Thinning” isatechniquewherebywholebranchesareremovedfrom

heavilywoodedareasoftreesandshrubs.It’simportanttomakeasmoothcuttotheparentplantlimb.Stubswillonlydieback,invitingdiseaseandinsectproblems.

4“Headingback”isamethodofshorteningexistingbranchestoamoredesirablelength.Growthisredirectedbypruningtoabudthatwillgrowinthedirectionyouwish.Pruningtoanoutsidebudisusuallybest.

BASIC PRuNING TECHNIquES

THE NAKED BEE“All of the Good Stuff — None of the Bad Stuff”

Allnatural,good-for-youproductswithnoartificialorbad-for-youingredients.Convenientandcompact,greatfortravel,gifts,purseandglovebox.Concentrated,soalittlegoesalongway.ThescentisasublimeblendofOrangeBlossomandHoneywithrefreshingCitrus,greatforthewholefamily.

All of the good stuff . . .• 70%organicskinconditioninglotionand

moisturizerforhandandbody• Triplemilledoatmealsoapwithsaponified

beeswaxandguargum• Organicoliveoil,honeyandbeeswaxlipbalm• Cleanburning100%paraffin-freepalmwax

andbeeswaxtravelcandle

None of the bad stuff . . .• Paraben-Free• Nopropyleneglycolormineraloil• Nodyesorpigment• Nolaurylorlaurethsulfate• AbsolutelyNOanimaltesting-ever!

Affordabletoeveryonehencethecompact,concentratedandconvenientsizes.Justhighquality,goodforyou,unpretentious,easytocarryproducts!

From The Garden Store

Andrea’s Faves“Be Kind to Your Precious Hands”

TheHolmFamilyCookbookstartedseveral years ago as an effort topreservetherecipesofthematriarchsof theHolmFamily, IdaJessenHolmand her daughter-in-law, Ione TeeterHolm.Itallbeganin1997,whenIoneHolmwas91yearsoldandhergrand-daughter, Nancy Calhoun Mueller,pulledanarticleoutoftheJulyissueof Family Circle magazine entitled,“Rescuing Family Recipes,” and asub-article,“HeritageCookbookHow-To’s.” Nancy knew the Holm family

Holm Family CookbookThemed Around the Livermore Community’s History and Culture – “A Culinary Tale of Danish Tradition and Western Lore in the Golden State of California”

was on the verge of losing many ofIone’s recipes and the Holm familytraditions.SoNancysearchedthroughIone’s recipe box and cookbooks andbegan compiling a collection of herrecipesandtherecipesIdaHolmhadpassedon to Ione.After Ione’sdeathin February of 1998, Nancy began inearnesttoreachouttoextendedfamilymembers,lettingthemknowthatshewantedtocoordinateafamilycookbookand asked them to send her photos,stories,andrecipes.

From tattered cards in time-wornrecipe boxes, hastily scribbled notes,and emails from friends, the recipesin this cookbook arrived from thekitchens of five generations of Holmwomenandclosefriendsofthefamily.Realizingthattheprojectwastoolargeto finish on her own, Nancy enlisted

thehelpofhersisters,mother,cousin,andaunt.And,whenthecollectionofphotos,stories,andrecipesbecametoooverwhelming for all of them, a bookdesigner, Carol Salvin, was hired topieceitalltogether.

Fromitshumblebeginnings9yearsago,thisgroupofdedicatedwomenhaveself-published a 240 page illustratedcookbook.ThecookbookisdedicatedtoIoneandIdaHolmandthemedaroundtheir Danish and Western heritageand traditions, and the Livermorecommunity’shistoryandculture.

BesuretopickupacopyatAldenLane.Weknowyouwillloveit!!

Some eat to Live –We Live to eat!

Win A Free Pair of $34.99 Roses Your ChoiCE!!!

A$69.98ValueNopurchasenecessary.Neednotbepresenttowin.DrawingtobeheldonJanuary31,2009.

ROSESJanuary 2009

Name: _____________________________________________

Address: ___________________________________________

City: _______________________________________________

Phone: _____________________________________________

Email: ______________________________________________

Yes, I would like to receive the newsletter online.

Plant a Memory With A Fragrant roseWhat’sthefirstthingwedowhenweseeabeautifulrose?Ifyouranswertothis

questionisthatwesmellitslovelyfragrance,thenyou’llbepleasedtoknowthatrosehybridizersaremakingfragranceoneoftheirprioritiesinthebreedingprocess.

Ithasbeensaidthatoursenseofsmellisthemostpowerfulofourfivesensesinprovokingmemory.Whatbetterwaytoplantyourownmemoriesthanwithoneofournew2009fragrantroses?

Nothing beats the taste of a sun-warm,tree-ripenedfruitpickedstraightfromthetreeinyourownyard.Youknowit’sfresh,juicyandwiththerightcultivation,pesticideandchemical-freewhichyoucan’talwayssayaboutstorebought fruit, which is often held incoldstorageformonthsandhasbeentreated with who-knows-what to getthatperfectmarketappearance!

Wehaveagreatinventoryoffruittrees, berries and grapes availableforyourselection.Allofourtreesareplanted in bio-degradable pulp potswhich prevents damage of the rootsandfromdryingout.Thismeansyou’ll

Fresh Fruit FromYour Garden!!

have even moresuccess then withtraditionalbarerootplants.

Consider usingfruit trees in theyardtoprovideshadeor block unwantedviews. You don’tneeda lotofspace.Growanespalieredappleorpearalongyour fence or walltrainagrapeorkiwiupoveranarborortrellis,plantadwarfpeachorappleinacontaineronyourdeck.Plantacombination“fruitsalad”tree–itwillgiveyouasummeroffruit!

Watch out for news of our newculinary-themed demonstrationgardens coming this year which willshow ways of adding fruit to yourgardenandmanymore.

Varietiesonourlistareselectedtobesuccessfulinourarea.Alsothereisachoiceoftwodifferentcombination

FruitSaladtreesandover20varietiesofgrapes.

So come in and meet our expertstaff. They’ll be happy to help youchoosethecorrectvarietiesbasedonripeningtimes,tasteandspaceavail-ability.We’llprovideyouwithplantinginstructionsandallthenecessaryitemsand knowledge to get you growing.Whetheryouhave space forawholeorchard or just a single tree – comeinandseeourextensiveselectionandsoonyou’llbepickingripefruitfromyourgarden.

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 local relief agencies. One coupon per family, please!

Offer Good Jamuary 2-31, 2009.

($2.99Value)

ABareRootRhubarb

Plant&Recipe

forStrawberry-Rhubarb

Pie!

Special January & February Hours For Alden Lane Nursery: Wewillbeopen8:30a.m.–5:00p.m.JanuaryandFebruarywiththeexceptionofthefollowingdates:OnFebruary4th–6thand11th–13th,wewillopenat9:00a.m.insteadof8:30a.m.toaccommodatestafftraining.