Home ShowRE REVIEW EVIEW Got a gardener on your Christmas list? IN THE GARDEN Brian Minter
Y
ou may have already discovered this reality: when it comes to gardening gifts, passionate gardeners are very particular, so here are some suggestions that you might find helpful. There are so many great gardening books available today. It is well worth a browse in the gardening section of your favourite book store. Gardeners love quality books with great information and lots of coloured photographs. The Sunset Western Garden Book is probably one of the most useful. You might also consider a gift subscription to one of our excellent local gardening magazines, like Gardens West or Gardenwise. At the high end of gardening gifts, a greenhouse is a present to be enjoyed for many years. My advice is to buy the best quality which usually means aluminium and glass construction. Greenhouses are a great way to extend the growing season and a useful place for winter storage of less hardy plants and bulbs. The latest trend in Europe is a conservatory added to the home. It’s a wonderful way to bring the outside inside and makes an awesome living space. A less expensive alternative is a windowsill greenhouse, which, by the way, makes a perfect spot to grow almost anything. If your gardener has a greenhouse, accessories such as heating pads and cables, quality watering accessories, like the world famous English Hawes watering cans, and maximum-minimum thermometers are always appreciated. Attracting wildlife to gardens has also become quite a trend these days. Birdbaths and birdbath heaters, feeders and bird houses are great gifts for children and shut-ins. Birding is the number two leisure activity in North America, and birding accessories are a nice present for those who enjoy this hobby. During winter cold spells, the birds would appreciate some help. There are a whole host of gardening gift ideas like quality tools, gardeners’ soap, richly toned wind chimes and gardening videos. There are also ergonomically designed tools for easy of use. For those gardeners who are finding it a little more difficult to kneel down and get back up, handy kneelers, which double as a seat, are awesome.
Friday, December 3, 2010 Tri-City News A43
OPEN HOUSE!
I HAVE BUYERS FOR:
Sun., Dec. 5, 5, 1-3pm
• Tri-Cities/Pitt Meadows Condos and Townhouses
54-19034 McMyn Rd, Pitt Meadows
• Tri-Cities/Pitt Meadows homes with suites
$268,000
• Tri-Cities/Pitt Meadows homes with workshop space
Recently renovated to high standards, this stylish and modern centrally located 2 bedroom & den, 2 bathroom 1,275 sq.ft. townhouse boasts laminate floors, updated lighting, modern tile, new fixtures, and designer paint colours. Extra large windows flood the open concept living room, dining area and kitchen with natural light. The spacious kitchen has a large island, lots of cabinets, and plenty of room to entertain! Tons of storage throughout, even your own garage and RV parking available! MLS: V855059. More photos at www.jackiemacdonald.com
Call Jackie at
778-549-0696 for more details!
Jackie ackie MacDonald
Complete gardening ‘wardrobes’ are available from gardening hats, gloves, aprons and footwear to knee pads and garden tool belts. A gift certificate to a favourite gardening store is also a valued treasure. Water in the garden is very popular these days, and everything from pre-formed ponds to pumps, fountains, filters, waterfalls and LED underwater lights are huge hits as gifts. A ‘vanishing water’ feature, with water bubbling up through pre-drilled basalt stones, is the next big thing. A pump and kit that houses this beautiful patio feature makes a wonderful gift to be enjoyed for years. Today, many people are interested in growing vegetables and herbs indoors, and the best system is probably the fully automated Aero Garden. It’s easy and very productive. Indoor and outdoor echeveria and succulent gardens and wreaths are another hot trend. They are fabulous, very unique, colourful and easy to care for. Research has revealed that of all the gifts people receive, flowers make folks the happiest. Long-lasting and perfumed Christmas bouquets with seasonal fragrant greens are a real treat anytime over the Christmas season. Gardeners love plants best of all and there are some wonderful new hardy plants they can enjoy in the late fall and winter. ‘Bloomerang’ lilacs that bloom twice, winter blooming cherries, jasmine, viburnums and camellias are fabulous. Peeling bark maples, coral bark maples and contorted filberts and willows are a joy in winter. ‘Pink Lemonade’ blueberries, the new haskap berries and dwarf sour cherries are the ‘hottie’ foods for 2011. By stepping out of the box a wee bit, there are some wonderful European garden tours out there, and Donna Dawson, at icangarden. com provides some of the very best. Garden makeovers are all the rage today, and a gift certificate from a quality garden designer is also a wonderful gift. Tickets to the Northwest Flower and Garden Show in Seattle this coming February would be a treasured gift (tickets can be purchased online). Tickets or season passes to some of our wonderful Lower Mainland or Vancouver Island gardens would also be a splendid idea. Most gardeners appreciate something unique and different. Quality and usefulness are perhaps the two most important criteria to keep in mind. I hope this helps.
Prudential Power Play Realty
778-549-0696 jackiemacdonald@shaw.ca
www.jackiemacdonald.com
Open House 1-4 pm Sat. Dec 4 & Sun. Dec 5 $
899,500
13825 Docksteader Loop, Maple Ridge
This Lifestyle Home has been tastefully adorned to pamper & please those that appreciate the best of being home! Experience this home’s music & mood lighting throughout. Escape to lush gardens with a west view onto picturesque greenbelt & mountains! High-end kitchen: cabinets are custom crafted with granite counters & back splash, KitchenAid® appliances, gas grill, walkthrough pantry & wine fridge. Solid hemlock doors, wood windows with Low ‘E’ glass, & hardwood floors w/upgraded MLS# V854286 carpets. Unbelievable 2,000 SqFt walk-out basement, media room, upscale bar, games room, fully mirrored gym, & insulated wine cellar. Cozy, comfort & magnificent, this Home isn’t just a walkthrough, it’s an experience! Virtual Tour at docksteader.CanBYour.com
Move in for Christmas!
Tom (TommyT) Thiessen 604-418-4902 tommyt@remax.com TomThiessen.com
$
399,500
Port Coquitlam
OVER $40,000 IN UPGRADES • Just like new but no HST 2 bdrm + den townhome • Spacious kitchen, stainless appliances + 9ft ceilings • Mountain and courtyard view from master bedroom • Great location for schools, shopping & highway access
Marketed by...
Jim Isherwood 604.250.7755
Brookside Realty
GREAT Gardener’s Gifts! SATURDAY, DECEMBER 4TH Sinterklaas Celebration
For Children of ALL ages Free Dutch Treats, Free Hot Chocolate, Colouring Contest & Prizes. Sinterklaas appearances throughout the day (bring your
We take orders to Glamourize your Plants
POINSETTIAS
ORCHIDS
ALL COLOURS!
cameras for memorable pictures with Sinterklaas)
10:00 am: Kids Christmas Centrepiece Workshop 2:30 pm: Kids Christmas Centrepiece As above
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 5TH FROM 7:30-4 PM
Donald E. Waite will promoting and signing his two new books: Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows - ‘A History in Photographs’ & ‘Vancouver Exposed’
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 7TH @ 7PM
AMSTERDAM Gift Certificates
Create a Fresh Holiday Centrepiece in a Traditional Style
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8TH @ 7PM
Available in any denomination OLD DEWDNEY TRUNK RD. PITT RIVER BRIDGE
✘
LOUGHEED HWY.
HARRIS RD.
Create a Fresh Holiday Centrepiece Using the Latest Trends
PRE-REGISTER
CYCLAMEN
Christmas Planters
And Much Much More!
$10 deposit per person per class will be deducted from cost of materials used. Phone: (604)465-6614 Fax: (604)465-6768 Email: info@amsterdamgreenhouses.com
19100 Old Dewdney Trk Rd., Pitt Meadows www.amsterdamgreenhouses.com 604-465-6614
LIVE OR FRESH CUT
Christmas Trees
Classic Tools
50
%
OFF
Regular Price
FRESH FRESH from the Fraser Valley! Our elves are available to load/deliver your tree
Christmas Hours: Mon - Fri 9-9 • Sat - Sun 9-6