EVENTS
November 13, 1-4pm – Pre-Holiday Taste Fest, Red Ridge Farms (Dayton)—This is a first-ever chance to sample a delicious assortment of appetizers featuring our gourmet food products, while sipping Durant Vineyard wines. Mingle and munch through themed food tables showcasing tastes from sweet to savory. Cost: $10/person; includes a flight of three Durant Vineyard wines, abundant appetizers, recipes and 10% off all additional purchases made the day of event.
November 18-20 – Olio Nuovo Festa (New Olive Oil Festival), Red Ridge Farms (Dayton)—The weekend events at the Oregon Olive Mill focus on the newly pressed olive oil and give guests a chance to see first-hand how olive oil is made on the imported Italian olive press. Guests will also enjoy tastes of a variety of freshly-pressed olive oils.
November 19, 11am-3pm – Holiday Open House, Tsugawa’s Nursery (Woodland, Wash.)—Come in to see holiday decorations, poinsettia, wreaths, centerpieces, greens, and workshops that will give you lots of great ideas for holiday gift giving: Tabletop Fountains (11am), Wreaths & Centerpieces (1pm, Cost: $25, includes materials), Bonsai Workshop (3pm, Cost: $35, includes materials). At Tsugawa Nursery, they love the holidays and enjoy bringing a season filled with natural beauty to you. Register online.
December 3 – Ladies Day Out, Garland Nursery (Corvallis)—Grab a girlfriend and escape the holiday chaos for a day filled with girly delights including wine sipping, wreath decorating demonstration, centerpiece making ($20/centerpiece), lunch ($12, reservations required by Nov. 28), fashion show and special savings! 10% of sales (excluding wine and food) go to benefit Samaritan Cancer Resource Center to provide bras for cancer patients.
December 3 (Eastside location), Dec. 9 (Lake Oswego), and Dec. 10 (Cedar Hills), 10am-5pm – Reindeer Magic, Dennis’ 7 Dees—Santa’s reindeer help kick off the holiday season. Enjoy apple cider, cookies, holiday music and wine tasting from Hip Chicks Do Wine while visiting the live reindeer. Frosty will bring his pal and children can have a free picture taken with the reindeer.
CLASSES (unless noted, classes are free)
November 12, 1-2:30pm – Fruit Trees: Natural Insect & Disease Prevention, Portland Nursery (Division Street)—Hoping for a more bountiful fruit harvest next year? Winter is the time to give your fruit trees some love! Join John Lott of Fruitful Labor to learn how dormant season prevention of common insects and diseases can increase the health and vigor of your trees. John will discuss basic winter maintenance, various natural and non-toxic treatments, and introduce you to some of the fruit trees’ biggest foes. Register online.
November 13, 1pm – Winterizing Your Garden, Portland Nursery (Stark Street)—Before you go inside to hibernate, it’s time to do a few last autumn and winter projects to put your garden to bed so it wakes up happy and healthy in spring. Learn about pruning, mulching, spraying and other year-end maintenance tasks that can make spring 2012 brighter and more fun! Register online.
November 19, 1-3pm – Winter Container Arrangements, Garden Fever!—Enjoy a hands-on class with Linda Beutler as she shares tips from her most recent book Garden To Vase. She’ll show you the steps to create a winter container arrangement with trimmings from the garden. Linda’s techniques are easy, inspirational and your arrangement will last all season long. Cost: $40/person, includes container and materials. Registration required by calling 503-287-3200.
November 19, 2-4pm – Ikebana Class, Dennis’ 7 Dees (Eastside location)— This is a “make ‘n take” class in which you will make a beautiful fall arrangement. Ikebana is an Asian style of floral arranging that emphasizes all areas of the plant, such as stems and leaves, as well as the bloom. It draws emphasis toward shape, lines and form. Cost: $20 covers all the supplies (vessel, pin frog, and fresh flowers). Space available; contact Linda Harrison to reserve your spot in the class at 503.297.1058.
November 20
• 10-11:30am – Bonsai Forests 101, Portland Nursery (Division Street)—Learn how to create a miniature forest throught the art of bonsai. George Bowman will discuss deciduous, conifer, evergreen and mixed forest styles, and demonstrate how to make a bonsai forest. He will also cover the basics of plant selection, placement, and general bonsai care, giving you the tools and knowledge you need to create your own. Register online.
• 1pm – Thanksgiving Centerpieces with Francoise Weeks, The Garden Corner (Tualatin)—Looking for something unusual to highlight your Thanksgiving table? Spend the afternoon with Francoise Weeks, an amazing European floral designer, creating a unique and unusual arrangement that will have your guests oohing and ahhing. Cost: $45, includes materials. To register call 503-885-1934.
• 1pm – Medicinal Herbs for Winter Health, Portland Nursery (Division Street)—There are lots of plants in your garden and your kitchen that can be used to boost immunity or ward off the sniffles as the seasons shift. Join Missy Rohs, a community herbalist and avid gardener, as she walks you through how to use some of your favorite plants, including rosemary, sage, garlic and more as home remedies. Register online.
November 26
• 11am – Winter Birding, Tsugawa’s Nursery (Woodland, Wash.)—Feeding the birds is a rewarding and enjoyable hobby in the midst of chillywinter weather. Join Dale Combs for some easy winter bird feeding tips that can help both novice and experienced backyard birders make the most of their feeders during the coldest months of the year. Register online.
• 11am – Kids’ Craft: Making Pine Cone Bird Feeders, Portland Nursery (Stark Street)— This fun and easy project for kids will lead to more enjoyment later in the season as the winter birds flock to your backyard. Limit 10 children, must be accompanied by an adult. Register online.
November 27, 1pm – Make Your Own Holiday Wreath, Portland Nursery (Division Street)—Create your own fresh and beautiful wreath for the holidays. You will be guided through the process of making a wreath that is unique to you and guaranteed to bring holiday cheer into your home! Feel free to bring your own special decorative elements to add to your wreath. Cost: $30 (pay at register on day of class). All materials included. Please bring gloves and hand pruners, if you have them. Class limited to 12. Register online.
December 3 & 4, starts at 10am – Winter Wreath Creations, Dancing Oaks (Monmouth)—Create your own holiday wreaths from the bountiful selection of evergreens and unusual selection of berries and twigs at Dancing Oaks. You will be able to create as much as you want from our amazing array of materials. The price for two wreaths is $45 with all materials provided. Tea and treats provided. Registration required by calling 503-838-6058; class size is limited to 12.
December 3
• 1pm – Wonderful Winter Plants, Al’s Garden Centers (Woodburn store)—Learn about some great plants for winter that will add color, structure or texture in your yard during the winter months.
• 1pm – Build a Holiday Centerpiece Workshop, Al’s Garden Centers (Sherwood)—You’ll learn how to strip fresh greens, preserve them and create a holiday centerpiece. Step by step instructions on how to add ornaments and candles to create a customized centerpiece perfect for your holiday table. Registration is required. Cost: Small centerpiece, $20.00; large centerpiece, $30.00; includes materials to make one centerpiece. Registration is required by calling 503-726-1162; space is limited to 25 people.
• 1pm – Winter Containers, Tsugawa’s Nursery (Woodland, Wash.)—During the cold months of winter, when the setting is bleak and the sky is gray, winter containers can cheer up the soul and provide a dash of color to the landscape. Many gardeners give up on their potted containers in the fall and winter, but that is such a waste because winter is when color, texture and form are at their most vital. Come learn to create vibrant winter containers for your landscapes. Register online.
December 11, 1pm – Festive Christmas Wreaths, The Garden Corner (Tualatin)—Floral designer Francoise Weeks will demonstrate how to create a festive Christmas wreath to display during the holidays. You will leave with a creation that is sure to deck your doors with falalala fabulous fun! Cost: $45 to cover materials. To register call 503-885-1934.