Skagit Valley Tulip Festival...

During Spring, one of my all time favorite day trips in the state of Washington, is visiting the tulip festival up in beautiful Mt Vernon and Skagit Valley. The never ending sea of tulips and daffodils really is a sight to see! Only second largest to the tulip fields in Holland, the Skagit Valley offers one of those picturesque displays of endless rows of color that stretch as far as the eye can see.

Tulip fields in Skagit Valley WA

Reds, purples, yellows, pinks striping the landscape like a painting, really a sight that Monet would be inspired by.

...nature at its most colorful!

This was my first year back in quite sometime. In the past it has been too wet and rainy, gosh in Seattle...really? or the blooms came early and we missed them all together. OK really it was because it's no fun with two little kids who insist that the tulips are for picking!

This year however I was a little more on the ball, plus the kids are older so I can sigh with relief that I don't have to worry about them picking mommy a lovely bouquet. Or having them run out into the fields "prohibited" row areas while in chase like prison escapees, or some Benny Hill skit!

Mud was the real treat for the boys. Again lady with the white coach bag, I am sorry my son accidentally splattered mud on you while he was trying innocently to jump across the mud. But really a white "expensive" huge handbag in a muddy tulip field, what were you thinking?

My two crazies running through the daffodil fields, Skagit Valley WA

Between the crowds (OK we did go on a weekend, the same weekend as the Mt Vernon Street Festival which I think has to be one of the best street fairs in WA) And yes it was a beautiful, gorgeous, summery 70degrees of sunshiny goodness. I think the rest of WA decided to show-up the day we went too. We captured glimpses of fields void of humans and gosh what an awesome site! The RoozenGarde Fields, my fave! The one with the windmill, they by far put on their best display of tulips yet.
The varieties and the planting formations were just breathtaking, the gardens alone were worth the admission and then you get to the fields, just sublime!

My tips on how to do the Tulip festival...

• If you can, go on a week day to avoid crowds and traffic! This is one of WA biggest tourist attractions for the year.
• If you go on the weekend plan to get there early or late to miss the main crowds, plus these times make for the best lighting for photography...bonus! Go expecting crowds, especially if it is a rare perfect sunny PNW day!
• Don't be afraid to go when its rainy, galoshes and umbrellas make for great props in pics, you can capture great reflection pics of the tulips reflecting in the rows of water, the crowds are at their lowest, plus mud is fun!!
• Go towards the end of the grow season, they are usually at their fullest bloom for optimum color impact out in the field. Also they start discounting potted bulbs that are past their bloom in the store, great to plant for next year in your own garden, what better souvenir!
• Drive around and take advantage of the fields that are accessible from the side of the road. They don't mind and they block of the ones that do. There is a wonderful Daffodil field which are happy to let you run out into, there's street parking and no crowds, its on the far north outskirts of the tulip fields...and its free! The big gardens which are totally worth the visit, charge anywhere from $4 - $5 an adult.
• Tulip fields are not the place for designer handbags, high heels and your Sunday best, unless you don't mind a little mud!
• If you can, don't take boys who complain that flowers are for girls the entire time you are there!  

These red tulips were beyond stunning up close and in person, the perfect blooms didn't look real, so vibrant and full of energy! They screamed "come run through me!" very mischievous they were.

 

 

I love the captured reflection in the rain ditch.

If you ever get out to Washington state in April, this really is a must do. However if you can't make it, here are some more bloggers who posted their spectacular tulip festival blooms.... 

North West Photos: April is the month for Tulip Festivals  Great pics!

My Secret Garden: Stunning Tulips of Skagit Valley WA  4 part series...beautiful!

Also check out these helpful links: 

Skagit Valley Tulip Festival Bloom Map and website for more details..

http://www.tulipfestival.org and http://www.visitskagitvalley.com

Some great reviews on yelp: Yelp reviews on Skagit Valley Tulip Festival
Washington State Tulip Festival Location and Directions

Seattle Tilth's...edible plant sales!

Enjoy life's simple pleasures - grow food!

Come to Seattle Tilth's Edible Plant Sale and take advantage of the largest selection of organically, sustainably and locally grown vegetable plants in the Puget Sound region. 
Click here to find out more....http://seattletilth.org/special_events/edibleplantsale2011

• Sat./Sun., May 7 & 8, 9 a.m-3 p.m.
  Meridian Park
  Don't miss our annual food growers extravaganza for the largest selection of summer garden plants in the region.

• Sat., May 14, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
  Pickering Barn
  Eastsiders, this one's for you! Find us at the Issaquah Farmer's Market.

 Whoo hoo I am so excited for this!!!

Seattle Fling....are you going?

So who's coming to Seattle in July for the latest Garden Blogging Fling?

I am seriously considering attending, but am so new to the world of garden blogging let alone a "Fling" I thought I would post here to get some opinions and feed back as to what I can expect. It sounds fun, but is it something for a novice like myself? Have you been to a previous Fling or are you thinking of going to this one? I would love to hear your suggestions, thoughts or reviews...thanks!!!

For those of you who have not heard of this event, its 4 days of planned private and public garden touring, while meeting other garden bloggers, strolling local farmers markets, dinning on plot-to-plate yummies, checking out community gardens and other wonderful things Seattle gardening has to offer.
Check out more here......
http://seattlegardenbloggers2011.wordpress.com/2011/01/09/summer-fling-in-seattle/

Maybe I'll see you there!

Mark your calendars....

Its that time of year again... 
Northwest Annual Plant sales for Winter/Spring 2011!

After missing so many last year and realizing "Oh, that was last weekend!" too many times. I thought I would be a little more prepared and make a list and wanted to share! I would love to add others you know of too!

Next to the actual act of gardening my next favorite activity is shopping for plants. There is nothing quite as exciting as finding that elusive plant you have been hunting down for years. Or finding a new variety that is the perfect plant you didn't know existed, or just being surrounded by all the greenery and having one scream out to you...buy me! It should be called adoption day rather than plant shopping!

Dates to remember for March/April.... 
(if you see a sale I have missed, please let me know in the comments, thanks!)

Bareroot Bonanza Plant Swap
Saturday, 5 March, 2011 from 10:00am to 12:00pm
More information: www.holycrossredmond.org/rector/greenelephant, office@holycrossredmond.org or 425-885-5822. Besides bareroot plants, annual seeds can be traded for spring planting. No sales, just exchanges & freebies, please. Held at the Church of the Holy Cross.
11526 162nd Ave NE, Redmond, WA 98052
NW Horticultural Society 4th Annual Spring Ephemerals...and More! Plant Sale
Sat-Sun, 12 March, 2011 from 9:00am to 5:00pm
More information: www.northwesthort.org or 206-527-1794. A larger venue will allow us to increase the number of vendors & widen the range of plants available. World renowned horticulturalist Dan Hinkley will be speaking. In addition, there will be horticultural displays featuring many great plants (with an emphasis on hellebores) & a raffle for some special plants. All proceeds benefit the Miller Horticultural Library, which will be open, featuring books related to the season & topics we’ll explore, & to answer gardening questions. Held at NHS Hall, Center for Urban Horticulture.
3501 NE 41st, Seattle, WA 98105 

Skagit Valley Dahlia Society Annual Tuber Sale
Sat-Sun, 12 March, 2011 from 9:00am to 6:00pm
More information: www.skagitvalleygardens.com, theboyingtons@gmail.com, or 360-629-4439. Hundreds of varieties for sale with pictures of most of the dahlias. Held at Skagit Valley Gardens.
18923 Peter Johnson Rd., Mount Vernon, WA 98273 

Seattle African Violet & Puget Sound Gesneriad Society Annual Show & Plant Sale
Sat-Sun, 19 March, 2011 from 9:00am to 6:00pm
More information: 206-782-2543, lightgarden@clearwire.net or lamberjam@gmail.com. Many exhibits, education booths, & plants for sale. Free entrance to the show, which is from 12pm-6pm. Held at Swanson's Nursery.
9701 15th Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98117 

Seattle Tilth Early Spring Edible Plant Sale
Sat-Sun, 19 March, 2011 from 10:00am to 2:00pm
More information: www.seattletilth.org, grahamgolbuff@seattletilth.org or 206-633-0097. “Early bird sale” for volunteers & ticket holders ($25) just before sale from 9-10AM. Cool/early season veggies, edible perennials (fruit trees, nut trees, fruit bearing shrubs, perennial vegetables), herbs & more. All plants organically grown from local & sustainable sources, with proceeds benefiting Seattle Tilth's educational programs. Sale held at Interbay Whole Foods Parking Lot.
15th Ave W and W Newton St, Seattle, WA 98119 

March Mania Plant Sale
Sunday, 20 March, 2011 from 10:00am to 2:00pm
More information: www.northwestperennialalliance.org, 425-647-6004, or info@northwestperennialalliance.org. Sale formerly known as the Hellebore Open House. Features spring ephemerals, which are plants unique to early spring. You won't see these beauties at later sales, so don't miss this unique opportunity. Let experts help you choose some of the earliest bloomers of the season. The Hilton will be selling coffee, hot chocolate & pastries to morning shoppers. Free parking. Sale held indoors at the Bellevue Hilton.
300 112th Ave., Bellevue, WA 


Seattle Audubon Annual Spring Plant Sale
Sat-Sun, 2 April, 2011 from 10:00am to 4:00pm
More information: www.seattleaudubon.org, info@seattleaudubon.org or 206-523-4483. Many plants, including natives, for sale from variety of professional nurseries. Sale held at The Seattle Audubon Nature Center.
8050 35th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98115 

Garden Affair (formally Annual Garden Faire & Sale)
Sat-Sun, 2 April, 2011 from 10:00am to 5:00pm
More information: www.gardenaffair.info, Sharon Christie at 425-238-5424or cntrywmn98@aol.com, Laura Carpenter at 425-319-1428 or laurac4@hotmail.com. Specialty nurseries, garden art & products, educational booths, artists & crafters, & more. Hourly raffle prizes - donate 4 non-perishable food items & get a free raffle ticket. Proceeds benefit the Stanwood-Camano Food Bank. Held at Stanwood-Camano Fairgrounds.
6431 Pioneer Hwy, Stanwood, WA, 98292 

Arboretum Foundation Early Bloomers Plant Sale
Sat-Sun, 9 April, 2011 from 10:00am to 2:00pm
More information: www.arboretumfoundation.org or 206-325-4510. Featuring plants that bloom early in NW gardens & many others, the sale offers a great start on spring planting with hundreds of favorite & unusual plants. Perennials, shrubs, small trees, herbs & much more, with many surprises. Sale held at the Graham Visitor Center at the WA Park Arboretum.
2300 Arboretum Drive E, Seattle, WA 

Hardy Plant Society of Oregon Spring Plant Sale & Garden Festival
Saturday, 9 April, 2011 from 10:00am to 3:00pm
More information: www.hardyplantsociety.org/plantsale.htm or 503-224-5718. Huge variety of plants from specialty nurseries, garden demos & displays. Also garden art & books for sale. Held at the Portland EXPO Center.
2060 N. Marine Dr., Portland, OR 97217 

Spring Garden Show & Plant Sale at the Puyallup Fairgrounds
Thur-Sun, 14 April, 2011 from 2:00pm to 2:00am
More information: www.thefair.com, 253-845-1771 or 253-841-5045. Over 60 vendors representing nurseries, garden shops, non-profits & landscape artists. Also expert workshops, display gardens & more. Discount admissions available. Held at the Puyallup Fairground.
110 9th Ave SW, Puyallup, WA 

Children's Hospital 87th Annual Garden Sale
Fri-Sun, 15 April, 2011 from 12:00pm to 6:00pm
More information: www.seattlechildrens.org or 425-348-1821. Perennials, annuals, shrubs & trees - many propagated on hospital grounds. All proceeds from the sale benefit Seattle Children's Hospital. Sale held at the Seattle Children's Administrative Building's parking lot, just across the street from Magnuson Park.
6901 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115 

Lake Washington Technical College Spring Plant Sale
Fri-Sat, 22 April, 2011 from 9:00am to 3:00pm
More information: 425-739-8279, horticulture@lwtc.edu or www.lwtchort.com. Bedding plants, fuchsia baskets, perennials, nursery stock, large selection of veggie starts & much more. Please bring boxes for your purchases. Sale held at Lake Washington Technical College Greenhouses.
11605 132nd Ave NE, Kirkland, WA 98034 

Sno Valley 16th Annual Plant & Garden Sale
Saturday, 30 April, 2011 from 9:00am to 3:00pm
More information: www.snovalleysenior.org, 425-788-2984 or 425-222-0790. Shoppers will be able to choose from thousands of unusual & familiar herbs, vegetables, annuals, perennials, shrubs, grasses & native plants from more than 40 local nurseries & growers. All proceeds support activities at the Sno-Valley Senior Center. Sale held at Remlingner Farms, just south of Carnation on Hwy 203.
32610 NE 32nd St, Carnation, WA 98014 

Arboretum Foundation FlorAbundance Spring Plant Sale
Sat-Sun, 30 April, 2011 from 9:00am to 5:00pm
More information: www.arboretumfoundation.org or 206-325-4510. Huge variety of plants from dozens of specialty nurseries at the largest Puget Sound region plant sale. Held at Warren G. Magnuson Park.
7400 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA
Again Please let me know if there are any others I can add to this list...Thank you bunches =)

garden shows & mischeivious paths....

I couldn't believe today was the big day...Finally! After months of counting down and dreaming about my own garden, it was now time for the first glimpse of Spring. This show is always the first sign that garden season is fast approaching for the year...woo hoo! I could not wait to see what was install for us!

It truly is my happy place! Ahhh, makes me giddy just thinking about all the joy it brings.
So my garden buddies and I bundled up and headed into town for a day of pure bliss and meeting new plants...It did not disappoint! The displays were breathtaking and beyond inspiring. There was such a variety of plants and so many different ways to group them. So much creativity and talent. Not to mention so much garden love going on. My favorite garden was totally drool worthy and it was all I could do to not snap a thousand photos. These pics really don't do it justice...

What a gorgeous fresh and whimsical country garden! So much happiness in such a small plot. I could have just sat there for hours and soaked it all in, but thankfully I have pics so I can try and implement some of this happiness into my own yard...Loved it!

I was also there to get ideas for hard-scapes as I am dying to put in a path down the east side of the property (ie, side that gets absolutely no sun and is wonderful at growing moss!) Its screaming for a flagstone path like this....

I am in love with the large flagstone surrounded by moss and mulch, it is just so earthy and natural, the curves of the path adds a whimsy and playfulness to where the path is going. The moss provides a softness to the hard edge of the stone and adds again another playful element, a plant you walk on...Oh how mischievous!

 Here is some more visual yumminess....

Some of my new loves from the show are the beautiful little ground covers, the grouping of all white flowers and the amazing array of succulents. In particular the living wall below by Ravena Gardens, beautiful display! Another fave is the use of moss. The varieties, the colors, the many different ways of grouping it with plants and hard-scape. I am sold and will be using more moss "on purpose" in my garden planning this year.
Looking forward to getting out in my garden now...Snow its time for you to melt and let Spring arrive!!

giddy with excitment....Its garden show time!

The long count down and the day is finally here!! Time to be inspired and surrounded by amazing gardens and ideas! This to me is like visiting Disneyland as a kid, the silly grin will be on face the whole day and everywhere I look will give me goosebumps of excitement!!
Off I go....Will update and post yummy picks when I get home later today!