Bloom Magazine - Spring 2017

bloom 2017 Spring

Inspiration for your Garden, Home & Lifestyle from Al’s Garden Home

The

Complete Retreat Making A

Succulent Bowl Top 5 Vegetables

for Beginners

Pollinator Plants For Your Garden

April th - 9th 6 All Al’s Locations Bring in your own container, or choose one of many unique container choices from our large selection.

We make it easy to add stunning plant combinations with a great selection of economical annual plugs & Premium Annual choices!

Leave with a container that you proudly planted yourself.

Need help or inspiration?

Al’s Experts will be on hand to lend their expertise!

Join us for

D.I.Y. Container Days Build your own spring container & Leave the dirt with us!

Spring 2017 Yard + Garden

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Outdoor Living

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Home + Gifts

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Always in bloom

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Pollinator Plants For Your Garden

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Grower’s Choice

Locally Grown By Al’s

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The Complete Retreat

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Al’s is Carrying Some Great New Grills

Gardening 101

Top 5 Vegetables for Beginners

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Spring Fashion From The Brands You Love

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Al’s at Home

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Al’s DIY

Making a Succulent Bowl

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Letter

Honoring Jack

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Container Gardening

Orange Skies

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Purple People:

Boston-bound Alex On The Cover: A bee helps pollinate the beautiful large blooms of an artichoke plant. Learn more about pollinator plants on page 6.

By Darcy Ruef, Mark Bigej, and Dorothy Russo

Honoring Jack H

e’s seen it all and he is anything but ordinary! He was a part of the industry before 48 pack flats and 4” pots existed and when primrose were dug out of the fields and wrapped in newspaper to be sold 3 for $1. He started working at the stand (Al’s Fruit Stand) as soon as he could count to 12 and bag corn. He is a pioneer in the nursery industry and possesses the ability to see the big picture even when at times, he only had half of the story.

He rode the wave of success in the 90’s and persevered through the downturn of the 80’s and The Great Recession of the late 2000s. As a forefather in the industry, he has been willing to share with others and help them learn from his successes and failures, whether they were competing garden centers or colleagues at Al’s.

We are of course referring to our father, Jack Bigej.

As we dive into our 69th year in business and get ready to open our 4th retail garden

center, it seems like the perfect time to “hijack” dad’s opening letter in Bloom and share about his impact in the nursery industry and honor the legacy that he has created for us (his children) and you (our customers).

Dad taught us from a young age to enjoy the “now” but always keep an eye on the future. A business that is sustainable can span many decades and generations and succeed as long as you are willing to change with your consumer’s needs.

One of dad’s favorite sayings, or what we affectionately call a Jackism (anyone who knows dad knows exactly what we are talking about) is that “leading edge is bleeding edge”. This means that you have to take risks and chances to be cutting

edge, but sometimes that path leads to a flop, which is bleeding edge. In an effort to always bring the newest and best products and ideas to Al’s, we have kept current with trends and even sometimes taken risks that didn’t turn out the way we hoped. Dad is the first to say that he was skeptical about some of the new advancements in the industry that ended up being great successes and confident in other developments that ended up being big fails. Whether they were successes or failures, we have learned equally well from both outcomes and been able to adapt and grow as a result.

On February 22, we had the great privilege of watching dad become inducted into the OAN (Oregon

a r ith w nte d e s a i li y e C c e nn ss famllege planam hrub 41 ea e 9 D e ine r 1 s S h co , n e e s t 1 i f r bu n s p i th t & ed ts wi be g i end ar oop is he oo and Frui en o t n t h i t c p t s lp t n g s er d nc es Oc so ke ildin o Al’ he nd a ov rri c 5i tan icke rn s i s a t a t S o e r s h te ch u d m it sb tak staines ld er bnge ru old c ck sta o k ki r F k a p s c c e c s J e o a Ja Int Ja Al’ an Ja bu Th pr ch 1941

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Association of Nurseries) Hall of Fame.

As he joins the elite members of this small group of individuals, we are reminded of how he has truly impacted and changed the nursery industry in Oregon for the better. As we listened to dad’s accomplishments and those of the other newest members joining this stature, we were both inspired and intimidated. It was intimidating to hear how much they have done, and as the next generation, we wonder how they were able to accomplish so “If you are not much. Dad has faced willing to risk innumerable the unusual, challenges you will have and setbacks to settle for throughout the ordinary.” the years, yet he had —Jim Rohn the guts and

determination to keep going. He didn’t set out to have a large impact on the nursery industry, but instead did what he needed to each day to move his business forward and help those around him. He made a difference, one day at a time, and it was the culmination of several every day events that enabled him to leave such a large mark on the industry that he works in and loves.

If you have had the opportunity to catch dad on the sales floor in spring, you know what we are talking about!

There is no one more passionate about tomato plants and asparagus! He loves color and has made a livelihood as an industry leader in growing and selling annual bedding plants. He will tell you all about Fragrant Delight Heliotrope and varieties of petunias (and maybe some stuff you didn’t ask to hear) but you will leave knowing clearly what you want even

though you walked in the door looking for something totally different.

Jack has brought a whole lot of heart and passion to the nursery industry and even more specifically, he has given all of himself to the growth and success of Al’s! He will tell you if asked that he has never worked a day in his life…it isn’t work when you are doing what you love.

As his children, we are pleased to honor him and his contributions to the industry and thank him for how he has grown our family business, now renamed in 2017 to Al’s Garden and Home. He is far from ordinary and in our opinion, quite extraordinary! Now, with the sun finally shining, we’ve got to get back to work before dad catches us indoors!

Happy Gardening, Darcy, Dorothy and Mark

Al’s Garden Centers is now

We’re proud to announce our newest location: Al’s of Wilsonville!

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2017 Spring 2017 • 5

By Jason Keck Al’s Head Perennial Grower

Pollinator Plants For Your Garden

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ver 90% of the plants we grow need pollinators for successful pollination, the first step in fruit and seed production in plants. While most people automatically think of bees when talking about pollinators, many other insects and animals such as hoverflies, butterflies, moths, beetles, hummingbirds, and bats assist in this important process.

These different pollinators are attracted to different flower colors and shapes, so planting a good assortment of plants in your garden will help attract a diverse mix of pollinators to your plants. And since they feed on the nectar and pollen the flowers provide, choosing plants that bloom at different times of the year will ensure they keep visiting throughout the summer.

Geranium ‘Calliope Dark Red’ (2)

Catnip (5)

Hummingbirds are particularly attracted to the color red, and this Geranium variety is the best red on the market.

‘Calliope Dark Red’ will bloom all season and is drought tolerant once established.

Hummingbirds, moths, butterflies, and bees all flock to the blooms of this perennial herb. Best know as the dried ingredient in cat toys, catnip can also be used in soups, salads, and teas for a minty kick. Blooms July through September.

You don’t need a lot of space to create a pollinator friendly garden. Just a few plants or containers will help attract pollinators to your yard or patio. Here are some of our favorites to try:

Zinnia ‘State Fair’ Mix (3)

Butterflies love the large, colorful blooms on this tall zinnia variety. Red, orange, yellow, pink, purple, and white flowers, which are up to 4” in diameter, bloom from June to September, and can double as a great cut flower to enjoy indoors as well.

Thyme (6)

Bidens ‘Beedance Painted Red’ (1)

The name says it all. The yellow blooms tipped with orange are bee magnets.

Bidens is a great plant for use in mixed containers and baskets, making it an easy and colorful way to attract pollinators to your garden no matter where you live.

Blooms all summer!

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Borage (4)

This herb produces hundreds of blue, star-like flowers that are particularly attractive to bees. Both the flowers and foliage have a mild cucumber flavor, making them a great for garnishing dishes or adding to salads and drinks.

Blooms all summer!

The gray-green evergreen foliage on this perennial herb is extremely aromatic and often used in strong flavored dishes, but the small white flowers it produces are very attractive to both butterflies and bees. These compact plants can be used in garden borders or planted in containers. Blooms July through September.

Lavender (7)

Loved by both bees and butterflies, lavender should be a staple in any garden.

The Spanish varieties have unusual tufted blooms that resemble pineapples and bloom early in the summer, while the English varieties have long flower spikes in purple and blue that bloom later in the summer, keeping the pollinators coming back all summer long.

Echinacea (8)

Not your grandmother’s coneflower!

Newer varieties come in a rainbow of colors from the traditional purple, to bright red, yellow, white, and every shade in between. They are loved by bees and butterflies, and the seeds are also food for birds later in the season. With 17 varieties to choose from, there’s something for everyone.

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Salvias (9)

This classic perennial comes in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. The garden sage, or nemerosa varieties, have aromatic foliage and blue, pink, or white flowers that bloom in spring. The summer blooming salvias are longer blooming and come in a wide range of colors. All are loved by hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies.

Ceanothus (California Lilac) (10)

This evergreen shrub is a gardener and pollinator’s delight! The slightly fragrant, striking blue flowers are a magnet for hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees.

Grows best in full sun, reaching 4-8 ft in height. Blooms early May through June.

‘Mt. Fuji’ Japanese Flowering Cherry (11)

This spreading, umbrella-shaped tree is literally all “abuzz” when its delicate pink buds open into semi-double, large, white blooms. This magnificent tree is a definite show-stopper with its canopy sprawling wider than its height. Blooms April.

Honeysuckle (12)

A hardy vine that con be grown as a ground cover, but will do best with a support structure such as an arbor, trellis, or fence. This vigorous vine produces trumpet shaped fragrant blossoms that call butterflies and hummingbirds alike to feast on their nectar. Flowers range in color from white to yellow to bright red.

Blooms all summer.

Look for this icon around Al’s to fine these and other plants that attract pollinators!

Spring 2017 • 7

Al’s Grower’s Choice brings you select varieties of plants that have been chosen for their taste, hardiness and bloom. They are unique, hand picked plants and vegetables that our growers believe work best in our climate and terrains. We believe you will have the best success with the Grower’s Choice series. Look for great Grower’s Choice plants at all Al’s locations!

Impatiens - SunPatiens Series What Is It? A colorful annual that thrives in sun or shade and blooms from spring through frost.

Why We Chose It: SunPatiens tolerate high heat and humidity, rain and adverse weather conditions, and can be grown in sun or shade. Thicker flower petals and tough foliage make them more disease resistant than other types of impatiens, and come in a wide range of colors, from pink/purple to red/orange to white.

How To Grow It: One of the lowest maintenance annuals, SunPatiens are drought tolerant once established and have low fertilizer needs. They perform well in containers or in the landscape, and will bloom continuously all summer. Plant and enjoy!

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What Is It?

A winter squash with sweet, orange flesh similar to that of a pumpkin but with a nutty flavor.

Why We Chose It:

This type of squash can be used in a wide variety of recipes, be it baked, roasted, sauteed, or pureed, and because of the hard rind, can be stored for up to 4 months after harvest. ‘Honeynut’ is perfect for containers because it has compact vines and produces high yields of smaller, individual-sized fruit.

How To Grow It:

Squash - ‘Honeynut’ -

Plant in full sun, in well-drained, compost rich soil, and water regularly during the growing season. Harvest by cutting the stems 1” from the fruit when the stem is starting to dry and the skin is beginning to harden, about 80 days after planting. Store squash in a cool area away from direct sunlight.

What Is It?

An evergreen perennial that blooms from late winter through summer, with colorful fragrant blooms.

Why We Chose It:

‘Winter Passion’ is a newer hybrid with larger blooms and a longer bloom time that other Erysimum currently on the market. Flowers in shades of red are attractive to butterflies and bees.

How To Grow It:

Erysimum - ‘Winter Passion’ -

Plant in well-drained soil in a spot that gets full sun or partial shade.

Drought tolerant once established. Very easy to grow with few pests.

What Is It?

A compact, evergreen shrub with thick, glossy, dark leaves and extremely fragrant double white flowers.

Why We Chose It:

This compact evergreen shrub is ideal for any container or yard. The glossy dark green foliage is attractive year round, but ‘Crown Jewel’s claim to fame is its striking double white blooms that show up in late spring and last throughout the summer with a fragrance that compares to nothing else.

How To Grow It:

Gardenia - ‘Crown Jewel’ -

Choose a spot that gets full sun to light shade with well-drained soil, whether in a container or bed, where the roots will not be disturbed. Use fertilizer that is good for acid loving plants like Espoma Holly-tone in early spring (March) and then again in late June to encourage extra flowers. Avoid feeding in the fall.

Spring 2017 • 9

By Teri Schafer Al’s Patio Furniture Buyer

The

Complete Retreat O

ne of the most common questions we receive at Al’s is how to make our outdoor spaces as beautiful and comfortable as our indoor living space. It’s important to recognize the value of capturing all of the ingredients that you and your family enjoy. For example, what is the entertainment intent of the outdoor space? Do you want a view of your garden, is it important to create areas to play with your kids, or your pets in the yard? We will help you include all of those components when updating your patio living area.

Cool Picks Aris (1) This new collection offers a brand new bold frame styling and fabric pattern you would see on the cover of the hottest magazines.

It is available in deep seating and will transform your deck to a very special modern look.

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Symphony (2) Sophisticated modern design that intersects formal and casual living.

Grey hues with a wood grain look.

Hudson (3) This brand new collection offers sophisticated, sleek styling that will add a rich modern look to your outdoor living area.

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Important Considerations: ■ Determine the maximum amount of people you might entertain on your patio.

■ Creating a space for large groups may be important, but remember to leave areas for more intimate conversations.

■ What type of seating do you want - dining or relaxing?

■ Is comfort a high priority? Sit before you commit. This is an important investment decision.

■ Is outdoor cooking part of your plans - will food preparation areas be needed?

Think of your outdoor space as an “addition” to your home and use every inch!

Classic Renovations Largo (4) Each piece embodies beauty on a grand scale, yet is crafted with intimate detailing. Available in deep seating & dining pieces.

Santa Barbara (5) We are bringing back this classic from last year. The Santa Barbara Collection is durable, and made to last even the worst weather. It comes in multiple pieces and dozens of styles so you can customize your personal outdoor space.

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Monterra (6) This collection’s pillowed cushioning is the ultimate in outdoor relaxation.

The curvature of the frame and elegant arched back brings indoor comfort to your outdoor room year-round.

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Top Outdoor Layout Tips: ■ Find a focal point that will anchor your outdoor space to serve as the heart of your patio arrangement. Place the longest piece of furniture along the longest wall facing the focal point.

■ Consider traffic flow - how people will enter and move through the outdoor space.

Make sure you leave enough space for a good flow of movement in a way that eases congestion. Allow 30” to 48” of space for high traffic areas.

Farmhouse Goes Posh

■ Differentiate between spaces. Place your outdoor cooking area near the kitchen door for ease of food prep.

■ Divide and conquer. Break up larger patios into smaller sections to create multifunctional areas. Just like any room in your house, tackle one area at a time.

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7 French Connection (7) This farmhouse look combines aluminum and a distressed wood finish in a dining table and chair set.

Savannah (8) This brand new teak collection comes in an aged teak finish blended with a woven wicker material.

9 Space Conscious Monaco (9) This collection carries a sleek, Euro styling in a charcoal grey finish and is available in dining and simple deep seating to fit any size patio.

Jessica (10) This new dining collection from Woodard features an extendable table achieving minimum space with maximum seating.

10 2017 Market Trends: ■ Light and dark combinations including lighter gray shaded frames, and mixed materials (i.e. woven and aluminum on a single frame)

Lucie (11) This new 3 piece collection combines a chic design and is the perfect fit for a small deck.

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■ This year’s styling moves from traditional to contemporary ■ Frames include improved design and quality construction ■ There is a trend toward teak and other wooden furniture “purest revolution”

While staying sharp in the world of outdoor living, we offer the largest selection of luxury outdoor furniture in the Portland area. This year we have new products, new people, and new passion...the full sensory experience awaits you at Al’s Garden & Home!

Spring 2017 • 13

By Aaron Rivera Al’s Grill Buyer

Al’s is Carrying Some

Great New Grills E

very Fall, we go in search of some of the best barbeque grills available. We are always looking at the best materials, craftsmanship and design. And, this year one of the brands we found is Napoleon Grills! These great new grill are available at Al’s Sherwood and Wilsonville locations.

Prestige PRO Series. This year, we will offer two models of the Napoleon Prestige PRO Series grills: The PRO500 and the PRO665.

The PRO500 offers beautiful 304 stainless steel, 4 burners plus the Infrared Side and Rear Rotisserie burner. In addition, over 900 square inches of total cooking area and New Safety Glow Control Knobs. The Prestige PRO 665 has the same features but with 6 burners AND side and rear rotisserie Infrared burners and over 1100 square inches of total cooking area! These models prove that cars aren’t the only thing that has style and performance in one package!

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Because every chef needs tools, we carry a wide variety of accessories for your Napoleon Grill!

Rogue 425. Rogue has 3 different models that we carry with features such as stainless steel construction, 45,000 BTUs of heat, and the famous Infrared Sizzle Zone side burner.

In addition to these wonderful brands, we are also carrying Weber’s new Genesis II LX gas grills and charcoal (including the Summit Charcoal Grill), Big Green Egg, Louisiana Grills and Saber Gas Grills and accessories for each!

LEX Series 485. LEX 485 is an affordable grill with a high-end presence! Made of 304 grade stainless steel, this grill cooks great and looks great too. It features 4 burners plus a ceramic infrared side burner and rear rotisserie burner as well.

Prestige 500 Series. The Prestige 500 series Napoleon Grills offer their Stainless Steel Wave Cooking Grids, 4 burners plus the Infrared side and rear rotisserie burners.

This grill is available in Stainless Steel, Blue, Grey, Black and Blue matching lid and doors. It offers 900 square inches of cooking space and comes with a rotisserie!

Another brand we are introducing at Al’s this year is TRAEGER! We are offering two models of Traeger Pro Series grills: The Bronze34 and Bronze22 (pictured). The tough Pro body style has a sawhorse chassis for perfect stability on all surfaces. It includes the new Digital Pro Controller which keeps the grill within 15 degrees to guarantee precision grilling. The PRO 34 offers over 880 square inches of cooking area that can hold up to 24 burgers, 9 rib racks or 6 chickens! The PRO 22 has the same tough construction and offers the same Digital Pro Controller with Dual Meat Probes… just a little smaller! We also offer a nice selection of accessories and a wide variety of hardwood pellet fuel from Traeger.

Spring 2017 • 15

Spring Fashion

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from the

Brands You Love

Spring 2017 • 17

@ Home Trends in Home Decor: ■ ■ ■ ■

Organic forms & textures Connecting with nature & the outdoors Creating calmness New beginnings, inspired by the color green.

Clockwise from top: Paddywax concrete candles $10-$28 Silk Decor assorted succulents $7-$8 Createive Co-op magnetic ceramic bird vases $3.50 Bloomingville vases (assorted sizes) $11.95 - $24.95

Little influences from nature can really create the

finishing touch

for a spring feel throughout your home.

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Get a Dose of Nature No Measure. No Mess.

Easy dose Auto fill cap

Grow bigger, more beautiful plants with NEW Espoma Organic liquid plant foods.

And with Espoma’s new Easy Dose cap, you’ll get a perfect pour every time.

Feeds Instantly • Indoor & Outdoor Plants For Organic Gardening

FLIP IT FILL IT FEED IT

A natural in the garden since 1929.

Watch our video to learn more | www.espoma.com/liquids

“SABER makes my food taste better than any other grill.”

SaberGrills.com

©2016 Saber Grills

By Jill West Al’s Edibles Grower

Top 5 Vegetables For Beginners

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egetable gardening can seem intimidating, especially if you’re a novice gardener.

With over 150 varieties of vegetables and herbs available in our Al’s Garden Market line, it can feel overwhelming trying to decide where to start and what to grow. Luckily, you don’t have to have a green thumb or commit hours of your hard earned free time to enjoy homegrown vegetables from your yard or patio. These are some of the easiest and lowest maintenance to grow, regardless of your gardening skill level.

Al’s Favorites: Lettuce Gourmet Mix – a great blend of red and green leaf lettuce, with both smooth edge and ruffled leaf shapes.

Lettuce

Lettuce grows quickly, doesn’t take up a lot of space (making it perfect for growing in containers), and can be harvested from late spring through early fall. Leaf-type is the easiest to grow because individual leaves can be harvested as soon as they are big enough to use, allowing for a long harvest window from one plant, while Romaine and Butterhead types will form loose heads that are harvested at one time, about 45-50 days after planting. Lettuce will grow well in average soil, so additional fertilizer is not usually necessary. Since the leaves retain a lot of water, it can take a little abuse if you’re not the best about watering. On average, 1” of water per week will be sufficient (weather dependent), or water every 2-3 days.

Lettuce grown in containers may need more frequent watering than when planted in the ground.

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Patio Pick: Simply Salad Lettuce Bowl Blends – these pre-planted containers can be set right on your patio or potted up into a larger container. Harvest every 3 weeks by cutting the bowl back to 2”. Bowls will regrow several times over the season for continual, fresh salad, or leaves can be harvested individually as needed.

Zucchini

(Summer Squash) Many of us have heard the joke – “The only time we lock our doors around here is during zucchini season”. If you haven’t, trust me, it’s founded on a good reason –

zucchini is a prolific producer. 1-2 plants typically provide all the squash you could ever need. Or want. Zucchini is a type of summer squash, meaning the rinds are tender and edible, compared to winter squash, such as Butternut, that have hard rinds and can be stored for long periods.

Plants grow quickly, so they’re a great option to choose if you haven’t quite gotten around to planting your garden when you wanted to. Well-drained soil is best, and additional fertilizer is not usually necessary. Water plants 2-3 times per week. Zucchini should be harvested when the fruit is 6” to 8” long, when they have the best flavor. Leaving large fruit to grow may impress your friends and neighbors, but the fruit typically tends to be bitter at this stage and can affect new fruit from forming on the plant.

Al’s Favorites: ‘Goldy’ Summer Squash – a yellow version of the classic Zucchini, with buttery-yellow fruit. Plant one of these with a regular green Zucchini to add some visual interest to your summer recipes.

Patio Pick: ‘Buckingham’ Summer Squash – a tender, yellow summer squash variety that has a tidy, neat growth habit ideally suited for pots and containers.

when the surface of the soil is dry, about 3-4 times per week on average, more if the weather is warm or the container is smaller.

Harvest leaves when they are large enough to use and pinch off any flowers that appear to encourage the plant to produce more leaves.

Cucumbers

Cucumbers have two types of growth habits – bush or vine. Bush-type cucumbers will form tidy, mounded plants, while vinetype cucumbers like to climb or trail on the ground. Since vine-type cucumbers can easily be trellised, both types are great for growing in containers. Cucumbers like warmer temperatures, so avoid the temptation to plant them in the garden too early. Once established, they will grow vigorously and set fruit easily. Harvest fruit continuously over the summer to encourage the plant to continue to set more fruit.

Cucumbers like to be evenly moist to avoid the possibility of bitter fruit, so water 3-4 times per week, or more, depending on the weather or type of container they are in.

Al’s Favorites: ‘Sweet Slice’ Cucumber – this vigorous variety produces dark green fruit that have a crisp, sweet flavor perfect for fresh eating. Harvest when fruit are 10-12” in size.

Patio Pick: ‘Patio Snacker’ Cucumber – compact, well-branched vines produce high yields of dark green cucumbers with great flavor that can be eaten fresh or pickled. Harvest when fruit are 6-7” long.

Basil

Technically this is an herb, but no garden would be complete without it. One basil plant can produce at least ½ cup fresh basil leaves per week, so if you think about what a package of fresh basil costs at the store, homegrown basil will easily pay for itself and then some. Basil is perfect for growing in containers, and if you have a window with good sunlight, it can even be grown indoors.

Basil likes plenty of nutrients, so plant in well-drained soil that has compost added, or apply a supplemental fertilizer weekly. Water

Al’s Favorites: Sweet Italian Large Leaf Basil – just as aromatic and flavorful as traditional sweet basil, but with leaves that are up to 4” long.

Patio Pick: ‘Amethyst’ Basil – a deep purple version of traditional sweet basil that can be used in all the same ways, with the same great flavor, but also makes an attractive ornamental plant with its striking foliage.

Tomatoes

Jack always says – there are two things money can’t buy: true love and homegrown tomatoes. Every garden has to have a tomato, and if you’re just starting out, small-fruited varieties are the easiest to grow because they rarely have issues larger tomatoes have, like fruit splitting or blossom end rot. Incorporate fertilizer at the time of planting and you won’t have to worry about fertilizing during the season. Tomatoes don’t mind if you forget to water them. In fact, if you treat them too nicely, you’ll end up with big, beautiful, bushy plants and no fruit. Watering 1-2 times per week is sufficient. Prune away any excess foliage to allow light to get to the fruit and ripen faster.

Indeterminate types, where fruit ripens over an extended period, need to be supported with a stake or cage, while Determinate varieties, where fruit ripens in short period of time, are more compact and can be grown without support.

Al’s Favorites: ‘Sunsugar’: a vigorous variety that produces abundant goldenorange cherry tomatoes all season long that are incredibly sweet and early maturing.

Patio Pick: ‘Fantastico’: a tomato with a unique, semi-trailing habit that can be grown in containers or baskets. Up to 350 grape-size red tomatoes are produced per plant and are great for soups or salads.

Garden Tips Start Small. It’s easy to get excited about planting a garden and want to try everything, but too much can quickly become overwhelming. It’s better to be proud of a small garden than frustrated by a large one. Start with a few plants or containers and expand from there.

Space Properly. Pay attention to the spacing guidelines recommended on the tag or the seed packet. Though it may not seem like it at the time of planting, your plants will get as large as they’re saying. Plants that are too close will compete for light, water, and nutrients and can affect the harvest amount as well as contribute to potential disease issues.

Choose the Right Spot. Most vegetables will do best if they get at least 6 hours of direct sunlight. The more light, the better the harvest will be. Think about where your source of water is. The closer your garden or containers are to a hose, the easier it will be to keep up with watering. Also, the better the soil, the easier it will be to grow.

Starting out will good, welldrained soil that’s rich in organic matter will reduce the need for additional care later in the summer.

Look for this icon on the tags of Al’s Garden Market Edibles for varieties that are perfect for smaller spaces!

Spring 2017 • 21

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By Judy Alleruzzo Al’s Houseplant Buyer

DIY Steps for Making a

Succulent Bowl I

n the last few years more and more varieties of tropical succulents have been available in the marketplace. These unique and unusual varieties are easy care plants needing bright light and minimal water. The supplies and steps listed below are a quick recipe for creating a delightful indoor container.

Supplies Shallow container Cactus Mix Soil Decorative Stones Assortment of Succulents: 1) Kalanchoe Teddy Bear 2) Aloe striata 3) Kalanchoe millotii

Step 1 Add soil to container Step 2 Arrange plants in container before taking out of the pots Step 3 Once you like the arrangement, plant the succulents in the container

4) Echeveria (assorted varieties)

Step 4 Add enough Cactus Soil Mix to cover the root ball of the plants and fill container

5) String of pearls

Step 5 Add decorative stones as needed Step 6 Water container and let dry out before the next watering

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Spring 2017 • 23

By Josh Clarke Manager, Al’s of Sherwood

Orange

Skies L

ate spring is unequivocally my favorite season for designing containers. There are SO many different plants to choose from, the weather is starting to turn for the better and I know those hot summer nights are right around the corner!

Speaking of those summer nights,

Oregon certainly knows how to put on a show when it comes to sunsets, and these spectacular skies just happen to be the inspiration for my patio this year.

There are a couple of things to remember when putting a container together that I always (try) and abide by. First, I love to have texture play off of texture. Imagine Cannon Beach without Haystack Rock.

Sure, the sand is a lovely flat plane, but add in that magnificent formation jutting out of it and THAT is a sight. I like to use different additions to my containers in a similar manner. Phormiums (1) make a very nice statement in the landscape or on their own in a container, but when juxtaposed against lower growing, smaller leafed plants they really give a container the “Wow” factor that my containers are known for. Glossy leaves, such as the Solar begonia (2) also play nicely against the matte finish of a phormium blade or coleus leaf.

Every season I try and theme my patio so that my eyes don’t have to fight over where to go next. For 2017 remember,

24 • als-gardencenter.com

I’m all about the Oregon sunsets, so secondly, color, color, color! My pallet draws from tones of orange like the Solar begonia that thrives in full sun or partial shade. These are so versatile and nearly foolproof that if you plant them green side up, they’ll perform great all summer and well into the fall. I’m all about cohesion, but hate monotony in both my life and containers so I like to switch it up from time to time. Kaleidoscope Abelia (3) works well here as the stems carry the beautiful tones of the begonia, but the foliage in full sun is a gorgeous combination of yellows and bright greens, which work with a lively limegreen coleus.

Remember, container design really is about your own personal aesthetic.

If you are a seasoned pro, have fun experimenting with color and texture and if you don’t know where to begin or have any questions Al’s has amazing individuals at each location that can help you realize your dream of a beautiful planted container. We’ll even design and plant it for you if you wish!

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Spring 2017 • 25

bloom Purple People

I

started running just two years ago and I must say it was not easy. I remember I could barely finish a mile without stopping and catching my breath. I made it my goal to run a little longer and a little faster each time. My endurance gradually improved, but I did not consider myself as a runner for a long time.

Running is not easy and that’s why I love it. I love the support from all my fellow runners and I consider them to be my family. Running teaches me that I am capable of so much more than I ever imagined. I decided to start competing, first running short distance races and gradually working my way up to a marathon race. To date only one percent of the US population has completed a marathon race which is 26.2 miles. After running 2 marathons I made it my goal to qualify for the Boston Marathon on my third marathon race.

The Boston Marathon was first run in April 1897. It has been held every year since then; making it the world’s oldest annual marathon.

This year the race is limited to 35,000 qualified participants. To qualify for the Boston Marathon, athletes must meet time standards which correspond to age and gender on a USATF (USA Track and Field) certified coarse.

I am proud to announce that I have met the qualifying standards and I have been accepted to participate in the 121st Boston Marathon This is a dream come true and now the training begins. I have chosen a 18 week training 26 • als-gardencenter.com

schedule which focuses on speed training, endurance, and recovery. The program begins at an average of 40 miles per week and peaks at 70 miles per week.

I am a wife and mom with a full time job. My teenage son is actively involved in sports so the most difficult part of my training is trying to find time to run as some training runs could last up to 3 hours per day. Sometimes it’s difficult to stay focused on training, but my coach who is my husband, has helped me stay focused especially when the weather is difficult or when my body aches. I am truly blessed and thankful as I have the complete support of my two biggest fans, my husband and my son. They will accompany me to the race in Boston and will wait for me at the finish line. I also appreciate the support from friends and co-workers at Al’s Garden Center, where I have worked for 12 years.

My goal in this race is to finish strong and to set a new personal best time. I also plan on taking a few days after the race to learn more about the people of Boston. This will be the first time I will have traveled to the East coast.

I want to thank everyone for their support.

Working at Al’s Garden Center has given me the opportunity to meet a lot of people.

The favorite part about working there is the customers. I’m always meeting new people and making new friends and of course talking to them about my running. I have developed deep rooted relationships with the customers as I consider them my family.

I want to share with everyone my favorite spring flower, the Crocus.

It is my favorite because it is a signal that spring is almost here.

Simply Home. Simply Refined. sunvilla.com

All Indoor/Outdoor

Pottery

April 6 - 17th at th

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Mix-and-match color and variety.

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