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Around Alaska's Mat-Su Valley with Pam Holen
March 9 , 2008
We fired up the furnace in the greenhouse this past week. The bonsai had been banished to an old refrigerator in the garage for four months and they needed light and air. When I spoke to a bonsai retailer at the Seattle’s Flower and Garden Show, he said six weeks was the maximum time they could survive in the refrigerator. I’m happy to report he was wrong – everyone is alive and happy to be settled in the greenhouse.
I wrapped the begonia bulbs in newspaper and installed them in the crisper section of the refrigerator. I’ve never had success wintering bulbs – never in 25 years of gardening. I removed them, sprayed them with water, and carefully laid them on top of the basket soil. It has been six days and I see a few sprouts. At $3.99 a bulb, planting four baskets is expensive so glad to see some last year’s bulbs may recover from their cold but not frozen - wintering in a refrigerator.
The dahlia bulbs are planted and the next step is starting herb seeds. Herbs can take up to 90 days before they are outdoor-ready so need to get them planted this week. Jim installed the banks of lights and we’re ready for business.
The Flower and Garden Show was outrageously, overwhelmingly wonderful for a gardener. I almost hyperventilated when I first entered the conference center and realized how many beautiful gardens were displayed and the number of retail booths. I wished I’d had access to the conference center three days before the show opened. The garden displays had rockery, forest paths, fountains, fences, hen houses, and structures that must have taken days to arrange. How informative it would have been to watch the gardens grow from nothing in just a few days. There was a 15 foot maple tree on a hill, surrounded by grass. To the casual observer, it could have been planted years ago instead of just a few days.
The thought of packing purchases in my suitcase kept me from buying one of everything. I had a list and kept to it – well, except for Baby Ana gifts. The bamboo fountain structure was available as were my favorite brand of gardening gloves – all at a discount. I also found dahlia bulbs. There were so many varieties and I had to focus, focus, focus. I wanted bonsai, lilies, miniature plant structures, brass fountains, and a $2,000 umbrella, but kept to my list.
I attended with a good friend, Kathy, who arranged for us to stay at the Camlin Hotel, a darling boutique hotel run by TrendWest. It was only two blocks from the conference center and gave us respite from tired feet and purchasing desires. We could shop, rest, dine, and shop. Kathy has three border collies. Her eldest, Kala, is a sibling to my eldest, Sophie. We’ve been friends since the girls were puppies and I miss her since she moved to Rochester, Washington. However, on the bright side, I now have a friend to visit when I head for Astoria, Oregon and my granddaughter.
The March winds are continuous and the temperature stays above freezing during the day. It is a fast, warm race for the Iditarod racers but welcoming to gardeners and all who have cabin fever.
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