Sorting Through News And Notes For The Gardener

Fri., Feb. 27, 1998

Phyllis Stephens The Spokesman-R

To suggest I have anything in common with squirrels seems downright insulting.

However, judging from the stacks of miscellaneous garden papers piled against the wall of my office, I must admit this squirrel has stashed away enough reading material to last a lifetime. I simply can’t bring myself to throw any of it away, at least not until I’ve thoroughly perused it.

There are club newsletters filled with interesting bits of information and press releases concerning new, can’t-live-without products. There are articles torn from magazines, county extension bulletins (some dating to the ‘60s) and plenty of loose scraps of paper, all scratched with pertinent information. Unfortunately, buried amid the piles are many to-do lists.

A new stack of must-read material is about to hit the floor. Here’s an example of some of the information in this stack:

The Spokane Community Gardens are gearing up for another great year. As always, they are looking for volunteers.

Under the direction of SCG Director Lori Steiner, volunteers help low-income families or people who are physically challenged grow their own produce. Volunteers construct one 4-by-8-foot raised garden bed for the client, as well as provide the soil and seeds, and help through the growing and harvesting phases.

The organization is looking for anyone interested in helping build garden beds, supply materials, instruct on the care and harvest or simply give a gift of money.

This year, in order to raise additional funds, the members of SCG will build a 4-by-8-foot garden bed for families that are not low-income. The fee/donation is $50.

Anyone wishing to lend time and/or expertise can attend a training session on March 7 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Manito Park classroom (in the building east of the conservatory). For information, please call the SCG office at 324-8569, weekdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

St.Luke’s Rehabilitation Institute will present the eighth annual Festival of Flowers, March 8 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Opera House. Admission is $5. This is such an elegant affair for our community. The professional florists and designers of the Inland Northwest will deck out the Opera House in a frenzy of floral splendor. MariAnne Figgins will again provide the hallmark festival poster. A European flower market, gift shop and garden market cafe will be the highlights of the event.

For those wishing to attend one of two elegant English three-course teas, simply reserve a ticket by calling 838-7206. Tea tickets are $25.

Looking for true hardy bamboo to grow in your garden? According to the Bamboo Gardens of Washington, these varieties may do quite well in our area: Yellow Groove (fast, easy and leafy), Bissetii (vigorous, dark, abundant leaves) and Nuda (tiny, shimmering green leaves). If you wish more information on bamboo, you can call the gardens at (425) 868-5166.

Spring is only a plane trip away - the annual Skagit Valley Tulip Festival is coming right up. As usual, the Friends of Manito are planning a fabulous getaway to this beautiful event. The dates are April 9-11; cost is $275 (based on double occupancy), which includes roundtrip airfare to Seattle, transportation to LaConner on the Victoria Clipper, a guided bus tour of the valley, a visit to LaConner’s quaint shops, airport and boat transfers and two night’s lodging at the Paramount Hotel in Seattle.

For further information, call Travel and Cruises, 326-9501.

Hear ye, hear ye - all tomato lovers. Yes, there is a newsletter available just for you. It’s entitled The Tomato Club and is published six times a year. For $15.95 you can learn everything you ever wanted to know about tomatoes; send a check along with your name and address to the Tomato Club, P.O. Box 418, Bogota, NJ 07603-0418.

For $8.66 you can learn everything you ever wanted to know about butterflies. Simply subscribe to Butterfly Gardener’s Quarterly. This little newsletter is packed with butterfly information as well as information on attracting other little friends into our gardens. Interested? Send a check, your name and address to P.O. Box 30931, Seattle, WA 98103.

Looking for a good source of greenhouse and indoor growing supplies? Call Charley’s in Mount Vernon, Wash., for a free catalog, (800) 322-4707, or visit the store at 1599 Memorial Highway in Mount Vernon. You’ll find everything from greenhouse fans to tools for gardeners who have limited abilities.

Hey, this is great. Look how many pieces of paper I’ve read and acted upon. Of course, I’ve only scratched the surface of my latest stack. Ah, well, there’s always another day.

Today through Sunday, I’ll be at Custer’s Home and Yard Show at the Interstate Fairgrounds. I would love to meet you. Please drop by with your garden questions, or just come by and say “hi.” If I am not visiting, you’ll find me working on a stack of papers.

Phyllis Stephens is a local landscape designer and horticulture expert.

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