Announcements• Watch the Valley GardeneronCTV30forgreatgardeningtipswithhostJacquieWilliams-Courtrightat7:30amand1:30p.m.MondaythroughFridayandrepeatedonSaturdayat7:30a.m.,11:00a.m.and4:00p.m.&Sundayat7:30a.m.,11a.m.,1p.m.and4p.m.Viewonlineatwww.tv30.org.

• TheLivermore Amador Valley Garden ClubwillmeetattheAlisalElementarySchool'smulti-purposeroom,1454SantaRitaRd.,Pleasanton,at7pm.OnMay14thjoinNovella Carpenter,authorofFarm City: The Education of an Urban FarmasshediscusseshergardeninGhostTown,arun-downneighborhoodinOakland.Visitorswelcome.Visitwww.lavgc.orgformoreinformation.

• Bonsai Clubmeetingsarethe3rdSat.ofeachmonth–2p.m.atAldenLaneNursery.Comeone–comeall!

• TheMt. Diablo Rose Society meetsthesecondWednesdayofthemonthat7:30p.m.attheDublinLibrary,200CivicPlaza,Dublin.JoinRoger & Janie ChapinwithPostcards from England. A visual tour of English gardens.Fordetails,www.mtdiablorosesociety.org.

•Fremont Garden Clubmeetsthe3rdWednesdayofeachmonthFebruary–October.Guestspeakers,fieldtrips,annualgardentea.Formoreinformationphone510-401-0138oremailfremontgardenclub1@yahoo.com.

• Bringing Back the Natives Tour, Sunday,May3,2015,10am-5pm.Freeself-guidedtourof50EastBayGardens.Visitwww.bringingbackthenatives.netformoreinformation.

MAY 2015Serving You Since 1955

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

Join us to Celebrate 60 Years of Growing Together!

May14thisourAnniversaryandweareplanningtoparty!Joinusforcakeandpunchon Thursday, May 14th tobeginourweekendcelebration.OnFriday, May 15thweare

havinganeveningcelebrationwithfoodfromValleyCatering,andlocalmusic.Wewouldlovetohaveyoujoinus.Theticketsforthisdinnerwillcost$19.55inhonorofour1955beginning.Dinnerwillbefrom6:30-8:00p.m.CallbyTuesday,May 5thtopurchase

ticketsandjointhefun.Allweekendlongwe'llhavespecial sales,andspecial rafflestohelpusrememberour60yearsofgrowing.Come celebrate with us!

Originalad*

*Althoughwecan’thonorthese1955offers,wewillhavegreatsalesallweek.

European Model Railroad Club OnSaturday,May16thfrom9:00am-6:00pm,andSunday,May17thfrom9:00am-4:30pmtheEuropeanModel

RailroadClubwillbehereattheNursery.Awonderfulrailroadsetuponourgardenstoredeckissuretodelightallages!

Win A Free Modern Bush Rose

  AModernBushRose  1.5cu.ft.Master’sRose PlantingMix  5lbs.MasterStart

A$53.97Value

Nopurchasenecessary.Neednotbepresenttowin.DrawingtobeheldMay31,2015.

MODERN BUSH ROSEMay 2015

Name: _____________________________________________

Address: ___________________________________________

City: _______________________________________________

Phone: _____________________________________________

Email: ______________________________________________

Yes, I would like to receive the newsletter online.

Plus Planting Supplies

The 75th Annual Pleasanton Public Rose

ShowSaturday, May 9th

• Pleasanton Senior Center, 5353 Sunol Blvd., Pleasanton• Enteryourcutrosesfrom8:00to10:00a.m.• Judgingisfrom10:00a.m.to12:30p.m.• Publicviewingrunsfrom2:00to5:00p.m.• Awardceremonyisat2:30p.m.• Thisshowisopentoallbackyardrosenovices.• Formoreinfovisitwww.pleasantonroseshow.com

SAVE THE DATE! Mosquito Fish Give Away

DropbythenurseryonSaturday, May 9thwithapailorbucketandtakeawaysomeFREEmosquitofishforyourpondsorlargefountains.ThesefisharecourtesyoftheMosquitoAbatementDistrict.Thehoursarefrom10:00a.m.to2:00p.m.

Tomato TipOftenthefirsttomatoestoripenaresmittenwiththe

leatherybrownpatchofrotknownasblossomendrot,generallycausedfromacalciumdeficiency.GetaheadofthegamebysprayingtheleavesnowwithMonterey’s Foli-cal.

GRAPESSpring & Summer Care and

Culture with Jim RyanSaturday, May 16th 11:00-12:00

Joingrapeandwinegrowingconsultant,Jim Ryan,fortipsoncareforyourgrapesduringthenexttwoseasons.Callaheadtoletusknowyou’recomingandwe’llreservespaceforyou.

Save WaterUse Centuries-Old Technique

Forcenturieshumanshavebeenconservingwaterusingclayjarreservoirsburiedinthesoil.Unglazedclaypotsreleasewaterastheplantcallsforit...whenthesoilismoist,thejarsholdontothewater,astheplantsdrawwaterawayfromthepot,subsurfacewatertensionbeginstopullwateroutofthejar’sporouswalls.Welovetheidea.Wehave“Oyas”tofilltheneedandreducewateruse.

Notes for May Gardeninge

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Protect your cherry crop!Preventwormyfruit.Startsprayingweeklywhen the fruit is still green.ConsiderorganicSpinosad.

Thin apple and peach cropsiftoomuchfruithasset,you’llgetfewerbutlarger,juicierfruit.

Timingisimportantforgrub control.Ifyouhadtroublewithgrubslastsummerandfall,nowisthetimetoreadyatreatmentplanforprevention.TreatingyourlawninMaywithBonide Grub Beater orNematodeswhile thegrubsareyoungandvulnerableisbest.UseNematodesinyourvegetablegarden.

Ladybugs and praying mantistotherescue!Controlaphids,beetles,scaleandleafhoppersnaturally.

Deep root water trees and shrubs.Neverdependonlawnwatering to take care of trees and shrubs.BegindeepwateringwithaRoss Root Feedernowandcontinuemonthlythroughthehotsummerseason.Theuseofsoakerhoseshelpsdeliverdeepwateraswell.

Turflon EstherforBermuda grass controlcontrolsthatwirystemmed,nuisanceweedBermudagrass.ItalsoworkswondersonOxalis,ayellowcloverlookalike.

Prevent olive fruit setwithFlorel Fruit Eliminator. Spraywhen the treehas just reached full bloom.Oliveflowersareverysmall,sowatchclosely.FullbloomusuallyoccursinearlyMay.Spraythewholetreethoroughly.Wehavethenamesofcommercialspraycompaniesthatcanhelptoo.

Plant 4-inch vegetable plantsandsaveseveralweeksofgrowingtime.RemembertoprotectthemfromhungrysnailsandslugswithpetsafeSluggo or Sluggo Plus.Botharelabeledfororganicgardening,bothcontrolsnailsandslugs,SluggoPluscontrolsinsectstoo.

Doyouhavebugsonyourvegetables?UsevegetablesafeBonide All Season Spray Oil.

Scale insects affect citrus aswell as a slewof orna-mentals. Adults are little stationary bumps on stemsand leaves.ControlbysprayingwithBonide All Season Spray Oil.

Mulching does wonders for your garden!Aswell aslooking good,mulching conserveswater and suppressesweedsandkeepsrootscool.Wesuggestamulchlayerabout4"thick.WeareespeciallyfondofMicro-barkbecauseitlooksgoodandbreaksdownrelativelysoon.Don’tmulchrightuptotheplanttrunkorstem.Leave4to6inchesofbreathingroom.

Whitewash the trunks of fruit trees withTree Trunk White.Applying awhitewash coating to the trunkwillreflectheatawayfromthetendertissueandprotectthetrees.

Regular feeding for Citrus.CitrusperformwellwithmonthlylightfeedingsoffertilizerspecificallyformulatedforCitrus.Thiswillensurethatyourtreegetsaniceevensupplyoffoodyearroundinsteadofoccasionalperiodsofhighsor lows.UseMaster Nursery Citrus Food,or foracompletelyorganicapproach,E.B. Stone Citrus and Fruit Tree Fertilizer.MakequarterlyapplicationsofIron Sulfateforoptimumfeedingandgreening.

Prep your roses for a second wave of bloom! Cutbackandfeedrosesasthefirstsetofbloomsfade.FeedwithMaster Nursery Rose and Flower Food.Waterandstandback(rosestypicallyrebloom6weeksafterpruningandfeeding).For a special treatment, feed roseswithwatersolubleMaxsea.Itcanbesprayedontheleavesandgivestheplantadarkglossyappearance.

Water Wise Earth Boxes

Earth boxesarewellengineered,self-containedgardenswithawaterreservoirandanoverflowfeaturethatpreventsplantsfromreceivingtoomuchortoolittlewater.Whenusedcorrectly,nowateriswastedeitherbyevaporationorbyoverfilling.Thismakesthemagreatwaytogardenthroughthisdryyear.EarthBoxesareessentiallyapassive

hydroponicsystem.Asignificantamountofresearchhasgoneintothemandbecausetheypullupwaterfrombelow,onanasneededbasis,andbecausetheseason-longfertilizersupplyisplacedjustundertheplasticmulch,EarthBoxesdeliverjustwhattheplantrequires.Allthegardenerhastodoiskeepthereservoirfilledwithwater.WehaveenjoyedusingEarthBoxeshereatthenurserywithtomatoes,

cucumbers,snappeasandkale,thisyearwewilltryherbs.EachEarthBoxrequiresone(2cubic)bagofPottingSoilandafewplants.Consider giving an Earth Box to a new or seasoned gardener in your life.

Don’t forget Mother’s Day

Weekend is May 9th & 10th.

We have wonderful suggestions for Mom.

Drop by and let us help you select just the

perfect gift.

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NEW POTS HAVE

ARRIVED!Wefinallyhavegottenourfull

collectionofpotteryfortheyear!Therearebeautifulpieceslargeenoughforadwarffruittreeorroseandsmallenoughforyourfavoriteannualcolor.Wetriedtosourceeverycoloroftherainbow!Nowisthetimeforthebestselectionofstylesandcolors.Hurryinbeforeweareoutofstock!

Fairy Garden Workshop

(and Dinosaurs, too!)Saturday, June 13, 10:00 - 11:00 am

Cost is $44.00 plus taxPutsomecreativeFUNintoyourlifeandjoinus

inmakingaFairyGarden(orDinosaurHabitat).Thisminiaturegardencomeswitha10"

terracottapot,anassortmentofoutdoorminiatureplantsofyourchoice,soil,andawonderlandofcoloredgravels,stones,jewels,logs,treesforswings,rocks,shells,mosses–andadarlinglittlebunnytoaddtoyourfairylandscape(or2dinosaursforadinohabitat).Wehavelotsofpicturesforinspiration,andothertemptingminiatureaccessoriesforsale.Thisisagreatparent-grandparent/child

activity,orgetabunchofyourfriendstogetherforsomeFairybondingfun.Nomatterwhat,weguaranteeagoodtime!FairyDustincluded!CallourCashiersatAldenLane(925)447-0280.

WecanonlytakepaidreservationsuptoJune10,asspaceislimited.

SAVE THE DATE!!!It's time once again for Art Under the Oaks!

This year’s dates are July 18 & 19 from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Asmanyofyouknow,AldenLaneNurseryhoststhiswonderfulcommunityevent

eachsummertoshowcasethemanytalentedlocalartists,musicians,andwinemakersintheLivermoreValley.Localartistswillbeonhand,spreadthroughoutthespacious

nursery,exhibitingtheirworkaswellasdemonstratingtheirskillsforeveryonetosee.Pleasemarkyourcalendarandplantocomeandsupportyourlocalcommunity!

New Home Accessories & Gift Items for May!Everymonthnewproductarrivesinthenurserythatwefoundonour

buyingtriptoAtlantainJanuary.WehaveunwrappedmanyfunandbeautifulitemstosharewithyouforMay.Don’t forget Mother’s Day is May 10thandwehavemanyperfectgiftsforyourbelovedmomorgrandmother!

Musee Bath Balmscomeintwofragrances,‘LimeinTheCoconut’and‘Don’tWorry,BeHappy!’Thesebathbalmsareinfusedwithfragrancesandessentialoilsanddissolveinthebathprovidingahomespaexperience!WewentallthewaytoAtlantaandfoundalocalsoapmaker,Juniper

Tree SoapsfromrighthereinBerkeley.Thesoapsaremadefromglycerin,fragrancesanddriedflowers.WehavethedelightfulscentsofLemonVerbenaBlackPepper,PomegranateOrange,CucumberRose,

SangriaWhitePeachandStrawberriesandCream.Perfectforgiftgiving,

wehavebotanical flower sachets.Hangtheminanyroom,theyaretooprettytoputawayinadrawer!Wealsohavefunfloralballsfordecoratingatapartyorforawedding.Theycomeinmanycolorsandthewhiteonescanbespraypaintedtomatchanycolortheme.It’stimetothinkabouttraveling!Wehaveanewlineofpaper

notepads from Lady Janethatareperfectforanyonewholikestohittheroad!Thinkhotairballoons,NewYork,andParis.Theselovelywatercolordesignsarefunforanyonetouse!

UC Davis Sustainable Plant ChoicesArboretumAll-StarsaretopplantsrecommendedbythehorticulturalstaffoftheUCDavisArboretum.TheythriveinCalifornia’sMediterraneanclimateandhavequalitiesthatmakethemgreatchoicesfor

sustainablehomegardens.Hereare10greatwaterwisechoices:

Bulbine frutescens – Cape Balsam:Small,evergreenperennialisawonderfuladditiontodryperennialborderswithitslong-bloomingspikesofdelicate,star-shapedyellowflowers,toleratesdroughtandpoorsoils.

Nepeta × faassenii – Hybrid Catmint:Lavender-blueflowersattractbutterfliesandotherpollinators;dependable,low-growing.

Penstemon heterophyllus ‘Margarita B.O.P.’ – Santa Margarita foothill penstemon:ACalifornianativeplantthatthrivesingardenconditions;flowersaregoldenyellowasbuds,brightblueasblooms,thenchangetopurplepink.

Ceanothus maritimus ‘Valley Violet’ – Valley Violet Maritime Ceanothus:Californianativeplant;clustersofdark-violetflowersbloominspring;attractsbeneficialinsects.Evergreen.

Cercis occidentalis – Western Redbud:Californianativeplant;earlyspringbloombeforeleavesappear,attractsbeneficialinsects.Deciduous.

Lavandula stoechas ‘Otto Quast’ – Otto Quast Spanish Lavender:Showiestofallthelavenders;

thrivesinsunnydryconditions;attractsbutterfliesandbeneficialinsects.Evergreen.

Rosmarinus officinalis ‘Mozart’ – Ed Carman’s Rosemary:Shrubwithdark-greenleavesthatarerichinaromaticoilsandprizedforcooking;thisvarietyhasoneofthedarkestblueflowersofanyrosemary;attractsbeneficialinsects.Evergreen.

Salvia greggii and Salvia × jamensis – Autumn Sage: Showyflowersattracthummingbirdsandbeneficialinsects;flowersprofuselyinthespringandfall.Evergreen.

Arbutus ‘Marina’ – Marina Madrone:Shinyevergreenleavesandlargedroopingclustersofpinkflowersarefollowedbyredberriesthatlastintolatewinter;attractivesmoothcopperybark;tolerantofheatandalkalinewater;veryattractivetohummingbirds

Lagerstroemia hybrids and cultivars – Crape Myrtle: Providesyear-roundinterestwithsummerflowers,fallcolor,andhandsomeornamentalbarkinwinter;comesinpink,white,lavender-purple,orred-floweringvarieties;hybridformsaremoremildewresistant;attractsbeneficialinsects.Deciduous.

Salsa Alert This summer’s salsa

is at Alden Lane Nursery today!It’stimetoplantyour

vegetablegardensohurrydownandletushelpyouchoosetherightvarietiesoftomatoes,peppers,squashes,cucumbers,beans,cornandeggplantsforyoursummercooking.Wehavealargeselectionof

varietiesavailableuntiltheendofthemonth.Markyourcalendarsfor

September 19 & 20from1p.m.to4p.m.forourfabulousTomato Tasting & Salsa Contest!

Alstroemeria (Peruvian Lily)Alstroemeriacaughtthefancyofgardenersinthe1980’sandhasn’tlost

theirattentionyet.Itisoneofthebestcutflowersonthemarketoftenlasting1to2weeksinyourhome.Alstroemeriacanfillagoodsizedspotinyoursungardenifyouletthem.Theselonglivedperennialsareareliablebloomerfromspringthroughsummer.Theyareavailableinawiderangeofcolorsthereforecomplementingmanyofyourotherplantings.Choosefromfoottalltothose

thatreachthreeorfourfeetinheight.WecarryanumberofdifferentseriesofAlstroemeria.• Princess Series:Compact

growersfrom10to18inches,multiplecolorchoices.• Inca Series: 12to28inches

tall.Hasstrongstemsforgreatcutflowers.Availableinyellow,purpleandmanyothercolors.• Premier Series:18to24

inchstems.Wonderfulcutflowers,widerangeofflowerchoices.

Peonies in the Garden Make for a Beautiful Spring!

Everygardendeservesapeony;whetherbushorthehybridItoh.Therangeofcolorsandhuesisstaggeringandwilllightupyourgardenlikenothingelse!Mother’sDayisnearlyuponusandtheywouldmakeafabulousgiftfortheladiesinyourlife!Peoniesthriveinsunto

morningsundependingonvariety.Manymakegreatcompanionsforcamellias,azaleas,andJapanesemaples.Enjoythebloomsinthe

gardenorinthehouseasexquisitecutflowers.

Berry Festival & Bonsai

Show June 20th & 21stComeoutandmakemerry

atourBERRYFESTIVALonSaturday&Sunday,June20thand21stfrom10amto4pm.Bringthewholefamilyfor Freeberrytasting.Wewillalsohavefreshmadeberrypie!!!,jams,syrupsandmoreforsalemadefromlocalberries.YoucanorderyourpieinadvancetoenjoyawonderfulolallieberrypiewithyourBBQ.We’llpickthemupfromGizditch Ranch,andhavethemavailablefortheweekend.We’llalsohavepiebythesliceforsale.Checkoutthemanyberryvarietiesyoucangrowinyourgarden.TheFestivalrunsboth

SaturdayANDSunday,sobringDadoutforaglassofBlackberryTeaandBerryTastingonFathers’Day&makeadayofit!

Valley Bonsai Society is holding its 7th Annual ShowonSaturday,June20thandSunday,June21stfrom10amto4pmeachdayatAldenLaneNursery.Demonstrationsareplannedeachday.Thefinishedtreeswillberaffledoffattheendofthedemonstration.Therewillbeamembersalestableanddoorprizes.Admission is free.ForadditionalinformationcontactCharlesHarderatbonsainut@

comcast.net.

Take Care of Your Soil & Your Soil Will

Take Care of Your PlantsGardeningisnotasmuchabouttakingcareofplantsasitisabout

takingcareofsoil.Ifyoursoilisamendedforimprovedtexture,containsabalancedsupplyofnutrientsandmineralsandisteamingwithmicroscopiclife,yourplantswillprobablythrivewithoutmuchadditionaleffortfromyou.Threetofourinchesoforganicmaterialsuchasyardcompost,Gold

RushorBumper Cropworkedintothetop8"ofsoilwillyielda12"deeplayerofsuitablegardensoilthatdrainswell,nurtureslifeandproducesarespectablegardenharvest.Ongoingcareofthissoilwill

resultinagardenthatproducesbetterandbetterastheyearspass.The following is a do list that can help you nurture your soil:• Raise the bed: Improvesdrainage,helpswarmthesoil.• Incorporate organic material: Itactsasawedgetoholdclaysoilopenandallowwatertodrainmorefreelyandpermitairtooccupymoreofthespacebetweensoilparticles.

• Add gypsum: Helpsleachsaltsfromthesoil,relaxesourclay.• Add mulch: Apply3"ofbarkorGoldRushtoreduceweeds,savewaterandmoderatesoiltemperatures.

• Add nutrients: Fertilizewithamildfertilizerwhichincludesmicro-nutrients(Formula 49,orMaxsea).Micronutrientsareessentialforhealthyplantdevelopmentandaresometimesmissingfromsoils.E.B. Stoneorganicfertilizersincludebeneficialmicrobesthataregreatgrowthenhancers.

• Nurture the soil microbes: ApplyAzomiterockdusttoprovidemicro-nutrients.Microbesconvertnutrientsintoformstheplantcanuse.

• Water appropriately: Waterthoroughlybutinfrequentlyenoughsothatairisallowedbackintosoilbetweenwatering,usuallyonlyevery3-10days.UseaninexpensiveMoisture Metertojudgesoilmoisturemoreaccurately.

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

For each 100 square feet add: 5 to 8– 2 cubic ft. bags Master Gold Rush or Bumper Crop ® 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.

Ifyouarepreparingavegetableorflowergardenbedhere’satriedandtruesoilpreparationrecipethatworkswonders.Itlightensourheavysoil,nourishesitandbuffersthepHtomakeit‘justright’forthesuccessofyourvegetableandflowerseedsortransplants.

Earn Bonus Dollars Through the End of May!

Ourtraditionalspringtimeevent–Bonus Dollars are back!

• BonusDollarsaredistributed April 1 - May 31.• Youearn10% of your total purchasesandarepaidinAldenLaneNurseryBonusDollars.

• TheseBonusDollarsareredeemable August 1-31.Theyaretobeusedforupto50%ofyourpurchasesinAugust.Forexample:ifyouhave10BonusDollarsyoumayuseall10onapurchaseof$20ormore.

(BonusDollarsarenotvalidwithotherdiscountsorcoupons.BonusDollarsarenotvalidonsod,saleitemsorotherspecialorders.Saleslimitedtostockonhand.Notredeemableforcash.)

$ $ $ $ $ $ $ $

981 Alden LaneLivermore, CA 94550

(925) 447-0280 aldenlane.com

Nursery Hours8:30 to 6:00 Daily

PRSRT STDU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDPERMIT #274Livermore, CA

IMPORTANT!Time Critical

Please Deliver Promptly

0515

HOW TO FIND ALDEN LANE

NURSERY

SPECIAL COUPONPresent This Coupon & A Canned Food Item

TO RECEIVE

Food Donations are Optional. All donations go to local relief agencies. One coupon per family, please!

Offer Good May 1-31, 2015.

$1.00OFF

Any3"Herb(YourChoice)

We will be open Memorial Day, May 25, 2015 until 5 p.m. for all your gardening needs.