News from Le Jardinet

Le Jardinet Newsletter

July 2010

July is one of my favorite months in the gardening calendar. The plants are so big that the weeds can't compete (or at least be seen), the vegetable garden is producing easy meals, there are inspiring gardens to visit and lazy, sunny days to simply sit in the garden rather than working in it. Celebrate summer.

Deck-scaping!

It never ceases to amaze me how a little color and artistic design can completely transform a drab patio or balcony into a true outdoor room. Don't believe me? Look at these before and after photos of a recent installation in Queen Anne.

The display will be even more amazing when the plants have matured.

If you need some pizzazz on your patio, email me to set up an appointment. It's not too late to enjoy the summer.

Garden Tours

Saturday July 17th, 10-4.00pm Woodinville Tour of Gardens. Six private gardens to discover. $20.Optional cheese and wine reception at Molbaks after the tour; 3.30-5.00pm.Details.

Friday-Sunday July 9-11th, 10:00am-5:00pm Bainbridge in Bloom Garden Tour. Gardens, music, art, lectures & celebrities. $35 or $27 advance. Details

Saturday July 12th, 11-4.00pm Seattle Tilth Chicken Coop Tour Take a look at how people are raising urban livestock & incorporating animals into their home landscape in this self-guided tour $30. Details

Friday-Sunday July 16-18th ,10:00am-6:00pm Sequim 14th Annual Lavender Festival and Farm Tour.
$15. Details

Sunday July 18th, 11-4.00pm The Edmonds in Bloom Annual Rhythms & Blooms Garden Tour. Self guided tour. $15. Details

Battle of the Bugs (and more)

Attacked by aphids? Stuck with slugs? Here are a few of my favorite (safe) remedies. Get the supplies in before you need them!

SLUGS; Sluggo Plus (kills earwigs too). Buy the GIANT size!

APHIDS; Take Down. This plant based product is a superior treatment as it kills the eggs, larvae and adults (most remedies only kill the adults). Available in a concentrate or ready to spray bottle. If you can't find it at Molbaks I would recommend ordering online - it's that good!

ROSE BLACKSPOT; There are several good organic fungicides on the market but diligence is key here. If you don't removed diseased leaves you have a ready supply of fungal spores waiting to grow. Rose Defense is good (although I don't think much of it as an insecticide)

For easy home-made remedies for slug, bug and disease control read this (hilarious) article which covers everything from using self raising flour to explode cabbage worms to giving voles hot chili pepper to eat!

Container Design for Procrastinators!

So you still haven't got the patio looking nice and you have guests for the 4th?

Take advantage of this special offer. I have three unique container gardens for sale, each one crammed with plants,loaded with color and priced at below retail!

Available for collection or local delivery.

Call or email for more details.

Garden Events

Saturday July 10th, 10-2.00pm. Dogs Day Out at Molbaks. Benefiting Homeward Pet Adoption Center in Woodinville. Pamper your pooch, learn some new tricks (for both of you) and have your photo taken. Molbaks, Woodinville.Details.

Sunday July 11th, 3-5.00pm, Molbaks. Garden Cafe Class and Demo; Grilling NW Salmon and Veggies. $30. Sign up.

Saturday July 17th, 10-11.00am, Molbaks. Seminar; Lavender Uses for the Soul. Learn how to promote wellness and stress relief. Free

Saturday July 24th 10-11am, Molbaks. Seminar; The Outdoor Room by Marianne Binetti, local author, garden expert and hilarious speaker!Free

Saturday July 31st, 10-11.00am Molbaks. Seminar; Fresh Ways to use Harvested Herbs. Featuring Mary Preus, author and photographer of The Northwest Herb Lovers Handbook Free

Container Design Tips

1.Keep it simple; work with just two or three colors but vary the shades. Repeat each color at least once.