Ka Bloom Tribune: November, 2011

Edition 11.46

November, 2011

Happy Holidays From Your Friends at Drake's 7 Dees Garden Centers!

Flocked Christmas Trees, Fresh Cut Christmas Trees, and Holiday Wreaths
in Stock Now!

Whether your preference is flocked or natural, Drake's 7 Dees has
a huge selection to choose from!

If you are looking for a way to add some color to your garden in the winter, consider planting sasanqua camellias. They produce an attractive show of flowers from early autumn into late winter, blooming long before their better known (japonica) cousins.

Add to that, bright glossy green leaves and interesting growth habits and you have a "must" for your winter garden.

Sasanqua camellias can be planted in containers and in shrub and tree beds with equal success. This allows you to place them on patios and decks, or near walkways for greater enjoyment. They can also be used for bonsai specimens, espaliers, informal hedges, screens or graceful focal points in the garden.

Their natural growth is either upright or a graceful willow-like form. Some have single, semi-double, or fully double flowers that can be small, medium or rather large, and they come in shades of pink, rose, red, white, and combinations.

Our Gift Shops carry an extensive line of Old World and Radko Holiday Ornaments.

As the legend goes, the Christopher Radko Company started with the falling of Christopher's family tree. After more than 1,000 vintage mouth-blown glass ornaments were broken to bits, Christopher tried to replace them by looking far and wide in the United States and by scouring Polish glassware markets. His quest did not produce even one replacement ornament that met his requirements, and he soon came to realize that his only option was to start completely from scratch. Armed only with his memories of his family's ornaments, Christopher enlisted a Polish glass blower and together they went to work, trying to recreate his family's lost heirlooms. It went so well that by 1985, Christopher was in business. Sixty unique designs debuted that year and the rest, as they say, is history.

Christopher Radko ornaments have decorated the White House, adorned the Kennedy Center, and are included in the personal collections of Elton John, Oprah Winfrey, John Travolta, Robert DeNiro, Elizabeth Taylor, and Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver.

Christmas Tree Decorating
Saturday December 3rd, 10 AM
Let our experts show you how to decorate a Christmas tree like a designer. Free
Call to RSVP 503.256.2223
East side location: 16519 SE Stark St

Bow Making
Saturday December 3rd, 11 AM
Finish your holiday wrapping with the perfect bows! Let us show you how. Free
Call to RSVP 503.256.2223
East side location: 16519 SE Stark St

Christmas Centerpiece
Saturday December 10th, 10 AM
We'll teach you how to create a beautiful Christmas centerpiece. It's easier than you think! Then, take it home and enjoy. This is a hands-on class. $20
Call to RSVP 503.256.2223
East side location: 16519 SE Stark St

Should I use bone meal or bulb food when I plant my bulbs?

Answer:

We recommend bone meal at the time of planting, then applying a balanced bulb food once the foliage appears above the soil line in late winter/early spring.

There are a couple of reasons for this. Nitrogen can burn the actual bulb, which only needs the phosphorus and potash from bone meal in order to stimulate rooting. But once the bulb is sending out a stem, it needs nitrogen to become strong so it won't bend over from the weight of the flowers that it sets. This is especially important for bulbs with large heavy flowers, such as tulips, ranunculus, and hyacinth.

It's also important to dig your holes or trenches a little deeper than the bulb needs to be, applying some bone meal, then a little more soil so the bulb doesn't sit directly on the food but has access to the food as it sends out roots (got to give those roots some incentive to stretch).

Happy Gardening!
Drake

Click here for more information!

1/4 cup light brown sugar
3/4 cup white sugar
1 cup butter
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon maple extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (optional)
1/4 teaspoon ginger (optional)

Step by Step:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a large bowl, cream sugars and butter together.
Add egg and vanilla and maple extracts and mix well.
Sift together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and spices. Gradually add to butter and sugar mixture.
Drop into small balls onto a nonstick cookie sheet. Decorate with sanding sugar or festive sprinkles.
Bake for 10-14 minutes.

Yield: 3 dozen cookies

Portland Weather Sponsor

Contact Information:

E-Mail:
Click to email us.
Telephone:
(503) 256-2223

Locations:

Main office
16519 S.E. Stark Street
Portland, OR 97233
(503) 256-2223

West Side
5645 S.W. Scholls Ferry Road
Portland, OR 97225
(503) 292-9121

Hours:
Mon-Fri 9am-6pm
Sundays 10am-5pm

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gifts from Drakes 7 Dees

Weeding Glasses
Tetra Koi® Food--Brilliance, Vibrance, Excellence, Variety, Koi Sticks
Root Candles®
Radko® Ornaments
Pre de Provence® Soap

See you soon!

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