The Garden in May...with Ani Gurnee

1. Even if soil is very wet, mowing or weed-eating off weed or cover-crop will speed soil drying.
2. Getting trees and shrubs in early, so they can establish during continuing rains, will cut down on their watering needs later.  
3. Clean bird feeders thoroughly of mold and moisture. Moldy seed can sicken birds.
4. List your garden desires for the spring and make lists of exciting new plants to hunt down.
5. Keep tabs on the rapidly accelerating influx of exciting perennials at the nursery. Availability can change weekly.
6. Don't delay planting onions. They are day-length sensitive and need to be full-size plants by solstice when bulb will begin forming. 
7. Peas also like the cool early season. They like a limey soil. Watering them once with a wood-ash tea can work wonders in kick-starting their growth.
8. Renew soil and nutrients in containers before planting. Old soil will be very depleted. Remember that annuals (and veggies in general) are heavy feeders.
9. Accelerate the growth of most veggies with a good nitrogen fertilizer such as feathermeal, blood, or fish meal (ex. Whitney Farms All-Purpose fertilizer) or composted manures.
10. Direct-seed, warm-weather crops (i.e. beans, corn, and squash) mid-month. Also put out tomato starts.
11. Plant out starts of cukes, peppers, and melons only when truly warm weather sets in and soil temp is up.

Ani Gurnee is a popular and greatly-adored guest speaker at the nursery. Ani is the

owner of Aulos Design and she can be reached at 360-445-2028.

May 7 and 8 

 Mother's Day Weekend

Wander the gardens and greenhouses while you enjoy our beautiful selection of plants,

hanging baskets, and one-of-a-kind antiques and gifts. Dogwood trees will be 20% off.

From May 6 - 8, we will have a vendor onsite selling award-winning crab-shrimp chowder,

five kinds of crepes, Philly Cheese Steak sandwiches, and a variety of beverages.

June 18

A Rosy Day Out

 Our Eighth Annual Rose Festival will feature keynote speaker, Ciscoe Morris.

Festivities include a floral show, rose workshops, and a Rose Ice Cream Social.

Summer Containers

 Friday, May 13      6:00 - 7:30 p.m

reservations required ~ materials fee

Container gardening is a wonderful way to enjoy both traditional plants as well as some of the new varieties of annuals and perennials. Elissa Kamins will offer formulas for success with containers to grace your doorway, terrace, driveway and even your vegetable garden with months of interest. With Elissa's help you will plant your own container based on your color preferences and light requirements.  What to bring: gardening gloves and a container (optional).  What's provided: soil and fertilizer. What to buy:  Plants and a container (if desired). 

In the Garden with Graham Kerr

Friday, May 20       6:00 to 7:30 p.m.

reservations required ~ complimentary

Join us for an evening with Graham Kerr, award-winning chef, author and fellow Skagitonian, as he shares insights from his newest book 'Growing at the Speed of Life', which chronicles his transformation as a new kitchen gardener. In his inspiring, informative, and highly engaging style, Graham will pass along his lessons learned - from putting together a greenhouse, planting his first seeds and harvesting, to the joys of eating homegrown food, sharing his first crop with others and building community all along the way. www.grahamkerr.com

In the Kitchen with Suzanne Butler

Friday, May 27       6:00 to 7:30 p.m.

reservations required ~ $5 class fee

Graham Kerr will inspire you to grow a kitchen garden, but what will you do with all those veggies when they actually arrive in your kitchen? Picking up where Graham left off will be Suzanne Butler, Graham Kerr's Cooking Assistant since 1993, Manager of the Mount Vernon Farmer's Market, and a Chef Instructor. In this 90-minute session, Suzanne will focus on preparing and cooking early spring vegetables, such as spinach, asparagus, peas, chard, and kale. Learn new and wonderful ways to transform your spring harvest into meals that are as nutritious as they are delicious.

For class reservations, call us at 360-466-3821 or 1-800-585-8200