It is a wonder that anyone dares to garden without professional assistance. So many failures, flops and follies happen in front of all the neighbors! Your plants die. You mix burnt orange and fuscia pink flowers together. The retaining wall project still has caution tape around it a year later. And then, to top it off, you cut through the underground irrigation pipe. My gardening friend, I am here to help you this month with one Garden Treasure called KNOWLEDGE. Here is your first lesson . . .

It is hard work to plant your bulbs each year so you can enjoy the early spring display. The following March, you yearn for the same beautiful blooms. You stand each morning at the window with coffee in hand wondering where the beautiful bulbs are. Sadly, you soon learn that the double tulips didn't come back. 

I am sorry for your disappointment and want to arm you with the KNOWLEDGE that some bulbs are like annuals that bloom gloriously for one year and then go onward to feeding the worms. This is one piece of KNOWLEDGE that Gardens ALIVE Design can offer you. The KNOWLEDGE about the types of bulbs that come back every year are labelled "naturalizing" or "perennializing" bulbs. These special bulbs come back every year and can even multiply!

When you plant naturalizing or perennializing bulbs, one morning when you are least expecting it you will peer out that window to find a spectacular burst of early spring color and know that they will also return next year. 

Many, many pieces of KNOWLEDGE like this are offered by Gardens ALIVE Design. Save time. Save money. Save frustrations. Save your sanity and plan for success by asking Gardens ALIVE Design for professional assistance with your landscape needs.

Go get 'em gardeners - but do so with KNOWLEDGE ~

Kirsten Lints, C.P.H. 

Huge CONGRATULATIONS to the Cedarcrest FFA Nursery and Landscape Team in my hometown of Duvall for placing 1st out of 33 teams competing in Washington State. They now proceed onto the FFA National Convention in Indianapolis! This National Convention that occurs every October and includes about 85,000 FFA members from across the US and is the third largest convention in the nation, just behind the National Republican and National Democratic Conventions!  

Gardens ALIVE Design has proudly sponsored this Cedarcrest team in past years and is doing so again. Please consider supporting them as well by either sending a check to the address in the letterhead below or at this LINK by September 20th.

Learn more about the FFA competition, members Sabrina, Selah, Rapheal, Jayden and Caitlyn and ways to donate below.  

Thank you~

Kirsten

Dear Cedarcrest FFA Supporter, 

Thank you for your continued support of Cedarcrest FFA. Our Nursery Landscape Team placed 1st at Washington State FFA this year, which allows our team to attend the FFA National Convention in Indianapolis. In an effort to provide financial support to the students attending the National Competition, we are launching a community-sponsored campaign. We are asking you to consider becoming a sponsor of the Cedarcrest FFA Nursery Landscape Team.

Our Nursery Landscape Team competed in March at the state competition in Battle Ground, Washington. 33 schools competed and Cedarcrest placed first. The competition consists of various tests and activities in nursery management and landscaping. During the competition, each exhibitor identifies fifty different types of plants, takes a knowledge test, and creates a landscape design. These tests are designed to apply real life scenarios, which relate to nursery and landscape design, into an educational setting. Each competitor also specializes in one event, which simulates the tasks they must do in the industry/business. These events vary from propagating various plants, to advertising their business through different forms of media, or taking a sales order. It is a huge honor to represent Washington State FFA at the national level.

You may become a sponsor with a monetary donation. Your contributions will allow our team to be able to attend the National FFA Convention. It costs $2500.00 for each person. Our team consists of five students and two advisors- to attend the weeklong convention. Your donations will greatly assist our team in achieving the long sought-out goal of attending the national convention. 

In return, sponsors will be recognized for their contributions. Sponsors will receive a place for their logo, brand, or name on the Team T-shirt. The students will be wearing these t-shirts while they travel to and from Indianapolis. In addition, you will receive a token of our appreciation for your support in this outstanding organization dedicated to training our youth for the future. 

FFA is a charitable, non-profit organization, and your contribution will be tax-deductible. The National FFA Convention is held in Indianapolis, Indiana every October, where about 85,000 FFA members attend the convention. This makes it the third largest convention in the nation, just behind the National Republican and National Democratic Conventions. During the week, our students will attend leadership workshops, compete in Career Development Events, and continue interest and participation in the agriculture industry.

These are the first Cedarcrest FFA members to qualify for National FFA Convention since 2019. Your participation in the “Tour Sponsor” program would be greatly appreciated and would help us reach our goal. If you choose to contribute to making this trip possible for our team, please send in your donation by September 20th, 2024.  Please reach out with any questions to Sarah Thomas, thomass@rsd407.org 

Please make checks payable to Cedarcrest FFA. 

Cedarcrest FFA 

29000 NE 150th Street

Duvall WA 98019

Thank you once again for your time.

Respectfully,

Team Members: Sabrina Bradley, Selah Swart, Rapheal Lipsky, Jayden Adams, and Caitlyn McKenzie

Above is a photo of the Nursery/Landscape team after winning first place in Washington State. 

Left to Right: Jayden Adams, Caitlyn McKenzie, Sabrina Bradley, Rafe Lipsky, Selah Swart, 



There are four sponsorship levels, defined by donation and in-return benefits of support. 

• Gold Sponsorship – Donation level above $501 - Banner to be hung on Cedarcrest Horticulture Fence, Thank You Card, Name/Logo on T-Shirt, Media Recognition
• Silver Sponsorship - Donation level: $201-$500 – Thank You Card, Name/Logo on T-Shirt, Media Recognition
• Bronze Sponsorship - Donation level: $0-$200– Thank You Card and Media Recognition

Click the image below to learn more about the Cedarcrest FFA Team

Ranging in color from purple to red to gold, this spectacular late season bloomer will be sure to stop traffic. Crazy creatures, incredible inflorescence, or sustainable sustenance; annual amaranth flowers are amazing visually and in culinary use. 

Edible leaves and grain have been cultivated for centuries and it is often referred to as "the crop of the future". Amaranth species are reported to have 30 percent higher protein value than cereals such as rice, wheat flour, oats and rye. 

When grown for display purposes and left to self seed, this gargantuan plant can grow over eight feet tall with jaw dropping flowers that are up to 4' long! Should this spectacle be missing from your landscape, add Amaranth to your list of seeds to purchase next year!

Cover crops are plants such as red clover that are seeded in the fall and used for erosion control, weed suppression and improving soil quality while the garden is dormant. A cover crop is usually turned under in the spring, in which case the "cover crop" is used as a soil amendment and is synonymous with "green manure crop". In its capacity to control weeds it is designated as a "living mulch". Cover crops also prevent rain compaction and adds much needed nitrogen to your vegetable beds.

Talk to Tad at KIS Organics about purchasing it for your garden. Seeding Crimson Clover is an easy gardening chore in early September.

Planting Crimson Clover Seed is a simple and sustainable way to protect and bolster your veggie garden soil. Just scatter seeds on bare ground or scatter under growing crops and water. Helpful concept here . . . so, would you rather scatter a handful of seeds throughout your garden for better soil or haul in loads of compost? Work smarter, not harder with cover crops.

Design, coaching & delivery services offered by Gardens ALIVE Design can create veggie garden spaces that 'make you smile'! 

If you didn't grow artichokes from seed this year then you are missing out! My apologies for teasing you with the savory explosion of flavor found ONLY in homegrown artichokes. Because Gardens ALIVE Design has helped you with a soil test, recommended the perfect garden soil and explained how mineralization works - not even organic or farmer's market artichokes can come close to how yours can taste.

Steam these artichokes that are bursting with flavor bundles for 35-45 minutes and serve with a creamy thai dip, herbed mayonnaise, or melted butter with a touch of lemon for butter drippin' goodness! 

Mark it on your January to order artichoke seeds. Given full sun and enough room, you too can share this treat with your friends and family. Make it a goal to grow it next year or find a good friend that can be your artichoke ally! 

Thank you for being a loyal subscriber to the Gardens ALIVE Design newsletter. Find your complimentary downloadable Weekly Gardening Guide for September HERE.

As we wind down and head towards winter, our gardening tasks during September are timely. Some of the tasks include: 

1. Plant cover crops, winter veggie starts, spring blooming bulbs and divide perennials. Landscape plantings need to develop appropriate root systems to carry them through the cold weather to come. 

2. Donate crops or even have them picked for you. 

3. Divided perennials can be given away or donated to a local plant sale. 

Now is the time to look at the weekly calendar through September to help you divide your gardening chores into manageable tasks. 

Find beautiful photos, a weekly chart of 'Gardening To Dos' and inspiring ideas to meet your landscaping goals and gardening tasks during the month of September.