JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2018Serving You Since 1955

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

Announcements• Watch the Valley GardeneronCTV30forgreatgardeningtipswithhostJacquieWilliams-Courtrightat7:30amand1:30p.m.Monday-FridayandrepeatedonSaturdayat7:30&11:00am,and4:00pm&Sundayat7:30&11:00am,and1:00&4:00pm.Viewonlineattv30.org.

• TheLivermore Amador Valley Garden Clubwillmeetat7p.m.attheAlisalElementarySchoolmultipurposeroom,1454SantaRitaRoad,Pleasanton.OnJanuary 11th,David Rust,presidentoftheNorthAmericanMycologicalAssociationandco-founderoftheBayAreaMycologicalSociety,will introduce basics about mushroomsandprovideasynopsisofmushroomecology. JoinusonFebruary 8thasJeff Rosendale ofSierraAzulNurseryandGardenswillfocusonMediterranean Mounds,droughttolerantplantsaswellasuseofartworkinyourgarden. Visitorsarewelcome.Formoreinformationseewww.LAVGC.org.

• The Mt. Diablo Rose Society’smeetingisthe2ndWednesdayofeachmonthat7:30pmattheDublinCivicCenter.Visitwww.mtdiablorosesociety.orgfordetails.

• Bonsai Club meetings:3rdSaturdayofeachmonthat2p.m.atAldenLaneNursery.

Passport to Spring

SAVE THE DATE!Markyourcalendarsfor

February 10th9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

aswecelebratethe

emergingSpringSeason.

Re-energizeyourwearygardenspacesbyattendingamorningofsuperseminarsdesignedtohelpyouseeyourgardeninafreshnewlight.Wewillstartyourdaywitha“wake

upcoffee”followedbythreeseminarsandascrumptiouslunchtohelpyoudigestallthegreatinformationyouhavereceived.Therewillalsobefun door prizes,

free garden demos, anda20% OFF Coupontousethatdayforeachpaidticket.Thecostforthisfabulousmorningisonly$45.00,andincludesyourcateredlunch.Checkourwebsiteforprogram

details.

Get your Maples Ready for Spring!

JoinJapaneseMapleexpertBarry HofferonSaturday, February 24thfrom1-2:30p.m.Hewilldiscussproperpruning,ingroundandcontainerplanting,alongwithrootpruning.There’ssomethingforeveryone.Thecostis$5.00perperson.Call(925)447-0280toreserveyourspotintheinformationpackedclass.

DrawingtobeheldJanuary31,2018.Nopurchasenecessary.Neednotbepresenttowin.

Win A Rose& a 1.5 cubic foot bag

of Master Nursery Rose Planting Mix!

ROSESJanuary 2018

Name: ______________________________________

Address: ____________________________________

City: ________________________________________

Phone: ______________________________________

Email address: ________________________________ Yes, I would like to receive the newsletter online.

$49.98Value

DrawingtobeheldFebruary28,2018.Nopurchasenecessary.Neednotbepresenttowin.

SPRING BULB COLLECTIONFebruary 2018

Name: ______________________________________

Address: ____________________________________

City: ________________________________________

Phone: ______________________________________

Email address: ________________________________ Yes, I would like to receive the newsletter online.

$44.98Value

Win A Spring Bulb Collection

Planted now - you’ll enjoy a summer full of color!

It’s Fairy Wonderful!Installamagicfairydoorinsideyourhome

toencouragefriendlylittlefairiestocomevisit.Sharethemagicofafairygardenwithkidsofallages!• Createanindoororoutdoorminigarden

perfectforsmallspaces.• Whatagreatwaytonurtureplantsand

yourimaginationandafunwaytoteachgardeningtochildren.• Addafriendlydragonorbunnyandsome

fairyfurnitureandthefairieswillbeinspiredtocomeforavisit.Wecanhelpyouputtogetheryourgarden

today.Justaskushow!

Notes for January & Februarye e

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Start now forBright Blue Hydrangeas. January isthemonthtoapplyMaster Nursery Hydra Blueandthenapplymonthly thereafter until summer for bright bluehydrangeas.

2018 Roses are arriving every day!Comeselectearlytogetgrowing.

Choose your Camellias now! Seeing is believing, sochoosenowwhiletheyareinbloom.Theselectionisgreatandyou’llbeabletopickjusttherightcolorforyourwintergarden.

Move your living tree outdoors.Careforotherholidaygiftplantssuchasazaleasandcamelliasbyplacingthemoutsidewheretheywillthriveincoolertemperatures.

Brighten the gardenwithcolorful bedding plants.Refreshyourgardencontainerswithprimroses,pansies,Icelandpoppiesandmore.Checkwiththestaffforhelpfuladviceandideas.

Feed the lawn monthlyevenduringcoldwintermonths.Thisnotonlymaintainsitsattractivegreencolorallwinteritalsominimizesrustdiseaseandotherproblemsresultingfrommalnutrition.Masters Fall and Winter Lawn Fertilizerisespeciallyformulatedforthewinterseason.

TheBerriesarelookingawesomethisyear!Instocknow...wehaveagreatassortmentofBlackberries,includingOlallie Blackberries, Raspberries, Huckleberries, Gooseberries, and Blueberries.InadditiontoallofourberrieswealsohaveCurrants, Olives, and Grapes.Thisisthebesttimetoshopforthebestselection.

Spray Your Roses Now.Anapplicationofdormantoiljust afterwinterpruningon roseswillhelp reducepestpopulationsbysmotheringover-winteringeggs.Sprayingfungicides,aswell,willhaltdiseasessuchasrust,blackspotandpowderymildew.Bonide All Seasons Spray Oilislistedforuseonorganicgardens.

Protect frost tender plantswhenfrostsareexpected.SpraywithCloud Cover and for addedprotectiondrapefrosttenderplantswithFast Start Plant Blanket Fabric.Trynottoletthecoveringmaterialrestontheplant.Stringnon-LEDChristmastreelightsonyourfrosttenderplantswhenafreezeisexpected.Thewarmthfromthebulbswillprovideanothermeasureofprotection.

Prune mostfruittrees,rosesandotherleaflesstreesandshrubsfromDecemberthroughJanuary.WARNING:Donotprunespringbloomingshrubsandtreessuchaslilac,quince,floweringcherryetc.untilthebloomingperiodisover.

Keep up yourNew Year’s Resolution . . . join theLivermore-AmadorValleyGardenClub(www.lavgc.org)andtheMt.DiabloRoseSocietywww.mtdiablorosesociety.org.

Thisisthemonthtoplant perennial vegetables and fruits. You can set our artichokes, rhubarb, raspberry,blackberryandmanyothercanefruits.

A blooming orchidforyourlovethisValentine’sDaysaysitbest!Choosefromanassortmentoffragrantbloomingbulbs,Africanviolets,cyclamenandlushhouseplants.

Prune evergreen shrubs and hedgessuchasboxwoodbetweenmid-FebruaryandearlyMarchso thatpruningcutsarequicklycoveredwithspring’snewgrowth.(Leavefrosttenderplantslikecitrustoprunelater.)PrunestrapleafedNewZealandFlaxandAfricanIristo4"ifabiennialrenewaliswanted.Foliagewillgrowbackwithafreshcropofgorgeousleaves.

Apply Iron Sulfate or non-staining Iron Plusnowtohelprestoreandmaintaingoodgreencolorinacidlovingplantssuchascitrus,camellia,azalea,gardenias,JapaneseMaplesandBlueberriesaswellasmanyothersincludingjasmineandphotinia.

Mashed, Boiled, Baked, Fried – Plant Potatoes & Enjoy Home Grown Flavor!

å  Cal White:Thiswonderfulboilingpotatoisalsogreatforscallopedormashedpotatoes.And,itmakesagreatpotatosalad.å  Red la Soda:Itwillproducepotatoesthathavebrightredskinandwhiteflesh.Theyareidealforboilingwithnodarkeningaftercooking.å  Norkota Russet:VerysimilartoIdaho’sfamousBurbank.Thegoodoldfashionedbakingpotatowiththeroughskin.ThisoneismuchmorediseaseresistantthantheBurbankandveryproductivetoo.å  Yukon Gold:Anearlypotatomaturingin65+days.Butteryyellowfleshisdelicious.Varietymakesagoodsteamer/boileroruseinsalads.å  Adirondack Blue:Awonderfuldeepbluegourmetpotatothatlooksgoodandtastesgreat.Bluecolorallthewaythroughthepotato;deliciouspanfried.

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Welcome to 2018 & A Brand New Year!

ª  Pamper the ones you love on Valentine’s Day!ComeinandcheckoutourValentine’sselection.YummyJelly Belly candiesandAbdallah chocolatesaresweettreatstoshowyoucare.Inadditiontocandywehavejams, jellies, honey, saucesandmore.WewouldlovetocreateaValentine’s basketforhimorhertoexpressyourlovingthoughts!

ª Wehaveafullselectionofgardening books suretoinspireanygardenerandourFairy Garden suppliesarefullystocked.New statuary and potterywillbearrivinginFebruarysocomeinforthebestselectionforthenewyear.

ª Wehavemanyuniqueitemsforthatspecialsomeone,eitherfor

Valentines,birthdays,orjustbecause—agiftofOlivina

olive oilorjams and sauces from Fontana Farmssupportslocalfarmersandtasteswonderful.AsmallboxfilledwithourmostpopularseasaltDutch House

caramelswillmeltanyheart.So come in and check out the selection.

Remember,gift wrapping is complimentaryandisabeautifulwaytopresentyourgift!

Fresh Fruit from Your GardenPlant now & enjoy summer fruit from your garden

for years to come!

Make a New Year’s Resolution to Eat Healthier! It’sthattimeofyearagain,let’sallsetagoalthatiseasiertoachieve,butstillmakesusfeelgreat!Youcangrow

morethingshereinthevalleythanmostplacestheworld.Wegetenoughfrosttoproducedeliciousstonefruit,andwithalittleprotectionofthatfrost,youcanalsogrowavocados.Youcanstartpomegranatesandberriesnowthatyoucanactuallyenjoythisyear.Potatoesaretheeasiest,mostprolificseedtostart,rightnexttoyourfigtree.Thisisthetimeofyearwherewe

havethewidestselectionoffruittrees,andisalsoagreattimetogetthemintheground.Wecan’texplainthedifference

ofharvestingyourownfruitandvegetablesfrombuyingtheminthestore(organicornot),butyouwillcertainlyknowthedifference.Youcanalsosleepwellatnight

knowingthatyouhavecompletecontroloverwhatisusedonyourproduce.

Nothingbeatsthetasteofasun-warm,tree-ripenedfruitpickedstraightfromthetreeinyourownyard.Youknowit’sfresh,juicyandwiththerightcultivation,pesticideandchemical-freewhichyoucan’talwayssayaboutstoreboughtfruit,whichisoftenheldincoldstorageformonthsandhasbeentreatedwithwho-knows-whattogetthatperfectmarketappearance!Wehaveagreatinventoryoffruit

trees,berriesandgrapesavailableforyourselection.Allofourtreesareplantedinbio-degradablepulppotswhichpreventsdamagetotheroots.Thismeansyou’llhaveevenmoresuccessthanwithtraditionalbarerootplants.Considerusingfruittreesin

theyardtoprovideshadeorblockunwantedviews.Youdon’tneedalotofspace.Growanespalieredappleorpearalongyourfenceorwalltrainagrapeorkiwiupoveranarborortrellis,plantadwarfpeachorappleinacontaineronyourdeck.Plantacombinationmulti-grafttree–itwillgiveyouasummeroffruit!

Watchfornewsofourculinary-themeddemonstrationgardensthisyearwhichwillshowwaysofaddingfruittoyourgardenandmanymore.Varietiesonourlistare

selectedtobesuccessfulinourarea.AlsothereisachoiceoftwodifferentcombinationFruitSaladtreesandover20varietiesofgrapes.Wejustbroughtinafullrange

ofDave Wilson containergrownblueberries,pomegranatesandfigsthatwillcomplementthenewseasonbarerootcollection.Herearejustafewtoconsider:

• InBlueberrieswe’veselectedgreatvarietiesthatthriveinourclimate.ChoosefromSunshine Blue, South Moon, Misty, Jubilee, Jewel, O’Nealand Sharp Blue.Werecommendpreparingthesoilwithacidplantingmixandlocatingtheplantsinmorningsununtil1:00forbestresults.• Figs and Pomegranateswereborntoliveinourvalley.TheseMediterraneanplantsloveourclimate,arewater-wiseandthrive

withverylittlecare.• Figs:BlackJack,BrownTurkey,Kadota,BlackMissionandPeter’sHoney

• Pomegranates:MynewfavoriteAmbrosiaisthesweetestpomegranateyou’llevereat.Grenada,Wonderful,Eve,Eversweet&Parfiankaareamongourcollection.

Socomeinandmeetourexpertstaff.They’llbehappytohelpyouchoosethecorrectvarietiesbasedonripeningtimes,tasteandspaceavailability.We’llprovideyouwithplantinginstructionsandallthenecessaryitemsandknowledgetogetyougrowing.Whetheryouhavespaceforawholeorchardorjustasingletree–comeinandseeourextensiveselectionandsoonyou’llbepickingripefruitfromyourgarden.

Start a farmers market in your own backyard, and don’t be shy to share with us how great your food is!

Pruning Demonstrations at Alden Lane NurseryPleasecallaheadtoreserveaseatfortheseFREEinformativeclasses.

Rose Care and Pruning Seminars• JoinusonSaturday, January 13th from 10 - 11 a.m.foroureverpopularseminarledbytheMt.DiabloRoseSociety.

• Gerry,fromtheAldenLanestaff,willleadtheSeminaron Saturday, January 20th from 10-11 a.m.

• Bothseminarswillcoverproperpruningtechniques,feeding,andgeneralcareaswellasthebestvarietiesfortheValley.Call (925) 447-0280 for more information.

Grape Pruning• JoinusonSaturday, January 20th from 1 - 2 p.m., withexpertJimRyan.

Last Pruning Basics Class• Sunday, January 28thfrom 1 - 2:30 p.m.Learnthebasicstoshapedeciduoustreesandshrubs,prunefruittreesproperly,orgetanyofyourownpruningquestionsanswered.

Easy Weed Prevention! Apply Dormant Sprays In January & February

Februaryisthelastmonthfordormantspray.ApplyBonide

Copper FungicideorMonterey Liquicop.Sprayatthe“pinkbud”stage.Thisiswhentheflowerbudsjuststarttoshowcoloratthetipofthebud.Generallythisoccurssometimebetweenthe

secondandthirdweeksofFebruary.Forpeaches

andnectarinessprayagainat3/4petalfallwithgentleeffectiveBonide Copper Fungicide.ThisstageisthebesttimetocontrolPeachLeafCurl.NOTE:Ifitshouldrainwithin

24hoursofapplicationthenreapplymaterial.Raincanmakeyourtreatmentspottyatbest.

LateJanuarythroughearlyFebruaryistheidealtimeforpreventingmanyweedsinthegardenusingpre-emergentweedcontrolproducts.Manyweedswillwakeupwiththefirstwarmweatherandtherainswill

onlyencouragethem.Takeadvantageofthisnarrowwindowofopportunitytopreventweedsinyourgardenthisyearbeforeweatherwarmsandweedssprout.Just a reminder,pre-emergentweedpreventersdon’taffectexistingplantsorweeds.Preventionisthebestcure,andanapplicationofpre-emergentweed

preventerinFebruaryandalsoinSeptemberwillgofarinthebattleagainstgardenweeds.Applyoneofthefollowing

options:WConcern Organic Weed

Stopper Plus(cornglutenmeal)

WBonide Crabgrass & Weed Preventer (granular)waterintoactivate

WMonterey Weed Impede®-Surflan®(liquidconcentrate)easytouse

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

For each 100 square feet add: 10 cubic ft. of soil conditioner: Master Gold Rush or Bumper Crop ® (5 - 8 bags). 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. 40 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.

It’sagreattimetoimprovethesoil.Followour“Recipe”toimprovethetextureandfertilityofyourlittlepieceofearth.Thisshouldbeapartofyourgardenroutine1to2timesayear.Amendthevalleysoilstogiveyourplantstheirbestopportunityforgrowth.Keepthisrecipehandyforyourplantingneeds.

For Fabulous Flower Beds . . . Read on!Spectacularflowerbedscanbeyourswithjustalittlepre-planningandatriptoAldenLaneNursery.Youcanstill

plantyourflowerbedswithwhiteAlyssum,yellowCalendula,redDianthus,orangeIcelandPoppies,blueViolas,pinkStock,andpurplePansies.ForshadegardenersdonotforgetPrimrosesinamultitudeofcolors.Allofthesebloomingbeautieswillflowerforthe

monthsahead.

Summer Bouquets Start in FebruaryAllthebulbsyouplantthisspringwillfillyoursummergardenswith

armloadsofbeautifulcutflowers.Thinkaboutwhatagreatadditionthedahliasandgladioluswillprovidetoasummerbouquet.G GLADS–Thetallflowerstalksarecoveredwithbeautifulflorets.Ifyouplanttwoweeksapartyouwillhaveplentyofgardencolorandloadsofcutflowerstoarrangeinsummerbouquets.

G DAHLIAS–Takeyourpickofseparatecolorsindinnerplate,decorative,cactusandpompomflowerforms.Dahliasareshowstoppers.

G Begonias,CannaLiliesandavarietyofuniquespecialtybulbswillprovidecolorandinterestintosummer.Checkwithourstafffordetailedplantinginstructions.We have the bulbs,

the know-how and the experience to get you growing.

â Fruit Trees Have Arrived –ChoosefromafullcomplementofPeaches,Nectarines,Plums,Apricots,Cherries,Apples,Pearsandmuchmore!Nottomentionourfruitsaladtrees.

â 2018 Rose Collection Is Here!Thisisthepeakofselection.

â Old fashioned Lilacs–Timeless...Classic...Wonderfullyfragrant...plantnowforspringbloom!Purewhitetothedeepest

purple.AngelWhite,LudwigSpaethandSensationareafewofourfavorites.

â Sweet Daphne–Anoldfashionedfragranceforyourgarden!BuddedandBloomingnow.Perfectforbrightshade.Greatcontainerplant.Waxypinkandwhiteflowerclusterswillperfumearoom.

â Happy Wanderer Vine–THE#1BestVineforwintercolor.The“RoyalCloak”ofthewintergarden.Royalpurpleatitsbestplusit’severgreen,waterwiseandhotsunloving.

Seasonal February Favorites

981 Alden LaneLivermore, CA 94550

(925) 447-0280 aldenlane.com

Nursery Hours8:30 to 5:00 Daily

*See below for holiday and training dates and times.

PRSRT STDU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDPERMIT #274Livermore, CA

IMPORTANT!Time Critical

Please Deliver Promptly

1-2-18

HOW TO FIND ALDEN LANE

NURSERY

*Holiday Hours: CLOSED December 25th; OPEN December 26th from 8:30 to 5:00. CLOSED: December 27th - January 1st! OPEN: January 2nd. *Special Hours: To accommodate staff training, we will open at 9:00 a.m. instead of 8:30 a.m. on the following seven days: February 1st - 2nd and 5th - 9th.

PresentthisCoupon&aCannedFoodItemtoreceive

ONe 4" PRiMROSe PlANt fOR $1.00

(RegulAR PRiCe $2.69)

SPECIAL COUPON FOR JANUARY

SPECIAL COUPON FOR FEBRUARY

PresentthisCoupon&aCannedFoodItemtoBUY

Food Donations are Optional. All donations go to local relief agencies. One coupon per family, please. Offer Good February 1-28, 2018.

tWO 4" RANuNCuluS fOR $2.50

Food Donations are Optional. All donations go to local relief agencies. One coupon per family, please. Offer Good January 2-31, 2018.

(RegulAR PRiCe $3.99 eACh)