Everett Community Colleges Nippon Business Institute, Japanese Cultural and Resource Center, announces the opening of the Nishiyama Japanese Garden with a Garden Gate opening ceremony at 2 p.m. June 3rd, at 905 Wetmore Ave., Everett.
The event features a taiko drum performance by One World Taiko and koto music performed by Kuniko Takamura.
The garden is an example of traditional Japanese landscape design. It includes several classical Japanese elements, including a formal entry gate, waterfall and stream, and rock garden.
For information, call 425-388-9380.
Garden art deadline: The Arts Council of Snohomish County is seeking artwork for an upcoming exhibit, “Art of the Garden,” a biannual exhibit. Work in all mediums will be accepted. Work is to be delivered 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 19 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 21. Artists must submit slides or photographs with a stamped, self-addressed envelope by Wednesday to: Carie Collver, 1507 Wall St., Everett, WA 98201, or e-mail ccollver@arts councilofsnoco.org. Works will be on display July 1 through Aug. 26. For more information, call 425-257-8380.
Edmonds market: The Edmonds Museum Garden Market, featuring vegetable starts, bedding plants and nursery stock, is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays through June 26. This year’s summer market starts July 3.
In addition, local farm products will be available for sale and local artisans will sell outdoor garden art and living products.
The market is in the Centennial Plaza’s Public Safety Building parking lot at Fifth and Bell in downtown Edmonds.
For information, call 360-568-4980.
Merit tickets: The fourth annual Gardens of Merit Tour is scheduled for June 26 and will benefit the Evergreen Arboretum and Gardens at Legion Park.
This year’s tour features seven privately owned gardens within Everett, each reflecting the personal style of its owner. The arboretum will also have live musical entertainment, plant sales and a raffle.
Tickets will be available in late May for $10. Tickets also will be available for a guided bus tour with Steve Smith, the “Whistlin’ Gardener” and owner of Sunnyside Gardens in Marysville. Tickets for the guided tour are $30 and include a box lunch.
For information, call 425-257-8597 or visit www.evergreenarboretum.com.
Home garden competition: The Pacific Northwest Gardens Competition for home gardeners is accepting entries from gardeners in King, Pierce and Snohomish counties, and Bainbridge Island.
Prizes include travel packages to London and San Francisco, $500 cash and $100 gift certificates from Swanson’s Nursery.
Deadline for entry is June 14.
For an entry form, call 206-616-7787 or visit www.arboretumfoundation.org.
Whidbey Island tour: The ninth annual Whidbey Island Garden Tour is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 26.
The tour stops at six private gardens on Whidbey Island and features everything from roses and rare and unusual plants, to stops at an organic farm and a homestead.
Tickets are $20, $10 ages 12 and younger.
To order tickets, send a check to Whidbey Island Garden Tour, P.O. Box 164, Freeland, WA 98249.
For information, call 360-321-4191 or visit www.wigt.org.
Parade of Ponds: The fifth annual Parade of Ponds, a tour of home gardens with water features around the Puget Sound area, is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 24 and 25.
The tour boasts more than 100 water features. View ponds, waterfall and streams. Learn about aquatic plants and fish.
Tickets go on sale in mid-June for $15 at Russell Watergardens, 24808 Redmond-Fall City Road, Redmond.
Proceeds benefit uncompensated care at Children’s Hospital and Regional Medical Center.
For tickets or information, call 800-844-9314 or visit www.russellwatergardens.com.
Snohomish tour: Snohomish Garden Club hosts its 20th annual Garden Tour from noon to 5 p.m. July 25.
The tour features eight Snohomish area gardens and the Garden Tour Market located in the Old Snohomish Village.
This year’s tour features a stop at Karen Guzak and Warner Blake’s home. Guzak and Blake placed third in the 11th annual Pacific Northwest Competition for Home Gardeners.
Additional highlights include a chance to meet TV and radio personality Fran Sorin. Sorin will be at one of the tour gardens.
Tickets are $10 and can be purchased the day of the tour at the Carnegie Building, 105 Cedar Ave., Snohomish. Advance tickets are available at various locations.
For information or tickets, call 360-568-2526 or visit www.ci.snohomish.wa.us.
Bainbridge in Bloom: The 16th annual Bainbridge in Bloom is scheduled for July 10 and 11 and features a tour of five Bainbridge Island gardens and an art fair.
Tickets are $30 and $15 for ages 4 to 12.
For tickets, call 206-219-3182 or visit www.gardentour.info.
Water savers: Learn some water saving techniques with these tips from Washington State Nursery and Landscape Association’s “Water for Life” program.
A thatch in the lawn restricts penetration of water, air and nutrients, and should be removed as soon as possible.
If soil is compacted, aerate to increase water and air penetration. Aerating should be done only rainy seasons.
Proper fertilization is important. Consult a nursery or landscape. Do not change turf mowing height and eliminate weeds that can compete for moisture and nutrients.
Mulch helps planting beds retain moisture too.
Use an oscillating sprinkler for larger lawn areas. Never water using a hand-held hose.
Water early in the day to avoid loss due to evaporation.
Water slowly for longer periods of time to avoid loss due to run-off.
A simple guide for determining your lawn watering needs is to place five or more flat bottom cans, such as a tuna can, or coffee mugs randomly around your lawn.
Turn on the sprinkler for 15 minutes.
Measure the depth of the water in each can with a ruler to determine the average water depth in the cans.
If it measures Z\, inch, water for one hour; 1/4 inch, 30 minutes; X\c inch, 20 minutes; 1/2 inch, 15 minutes; B\, inch, 12 minutes; 3/4 inch, 10 minutes; 1 inch, 8 minutes; 1Z\, inches, 6X\c minutes.
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