Blog - 'In Bloom' Posts

March 26, 2020 by Leanette

Spring 2020 – Sheltering in Place at Bassetti’s

Hello Friends, Neighbors and Family,

This is the first time in many months I am writing. Bill and I have been in self-containment for over two weeks. So far, we are both doing well.

We hope that all of you are doing well too.

Postponed opening and classes

As you may notice on our website, we have postponed our Bassetti’s Gardens classes and the opening of our gardens. Even if all is postponed, I asked our instructors if it was OK to post the description and bios on each class listing on our website, and they said ‘yes’. So in the next week or so Leslie, our friend and artist/website designer will add this information. You will be able to see why we, Deborah and I, have been excited to have a full complement of wonderful, creative artists on our roster. Hopefully in the near future we can offer their helpful courses to inspire, fulfill creative juices, and possibly add another dimension to your gardens.

Looking forward to zinnias and veggies

I recently ordered for our zinnia bed twelve flats of Zinnias, State Fair from wholesale nursery, Cascade Cuts in Bellingham.

Our beautiful zinnias last year…

From Territorial Seeds in Cottage Grove, Oregon, I ordered a whole lot of veggie seeds, 6 everbearing raspberry plants, and some annual flower seeds. I am waiting patiently to receive them so I can plant soon and later show you a new veggie garden this year. (It seems many people are planting gardens this year. Territorial Seeds is busy, busy taking orders.)

The veggie garden freshly spaded — The veggie garden ready for planting

Above is the veggie garden spaded mostly by Vickie. I have almost completed another small section… it’s slow going because we have not used these plots for several years. A lot of sorrel, that I still use in my salads, crab grass roots, and buttercup have intertwined and matted. Not easy, but rewarding to see the beautiful soil underneath….and good exercise.

I have started a worm bin finally, and hope to report some results later. Hope to use soil/compost from the worm bin in the veggie garden.

Spring details

Flowering cherry tree with Arnie Garborg's sculpture 'Contemplation' — The Flowering Cherry trees now blooming in the Japanese Garden, Arnie Garborg’s sculpture ‘Contemplation’ is shown in the foreground.

Bruce Holmes “Y Not” beautiful blue and black metal sculpture in the picnic area between the house and Milk Barn

sculpted head and ferns on the old milk stand

Geraniums in the green house are flowering beautifully in anticipation of being placed in the gardens at the end of April. Also above is a photo of south side of Milk Barn with sculpted head (origin unknown). Licorice ferns are growing on the old cement milk stand where, back in the day, cans of milk would be placed on the dairy farm truck to be distributed to folks in and around Woodinville/Redmond area.

You may notice we’ve painted the Milk Barn (not painted since around the 1950’s.) We also had repainted at the same time last summer all the painted sculpture in and around the gardens. Nice.

You also may notice in the photos that a lot of trees are missing near the Milk Barn and the Old Farm House. Well, that’s another story. Till next time, please keep safe.

Warmest regards,
Leanette

July 27, 2017 by Leanette

Summer Visitors and Plentiful Roses

Pink roses and purple clematis — Roses (with clematis) have been most spectacular this year.

August is almost here! Where does the time go? The plentiful spring rains yielded lush gardens. The long stretch of recent sunshine has everything growing by leaps and bounds. Take a look at these roses! We’re happy to welcome wildlife and human visitors alike. We’re open Saturdays through Sept. 15, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Come on by and say hello.

Hot air balloon over Bassetti's Crooked Arbor Gardens — A hot air balloon floats over the studio and gardens most every night.

Young buck with velvet covered horns — Another friend in the garden.

April 27, 2016 by Leanette

Enter Spring Blooms!

I’m back and hope you are still tuned in to this Blog. Several weeks have passed and the gardens have grown like weeds… well there are some weeds among the perennials who are pushing their way up. The perennial bed photo you now see below is the same position and same fork as last blog photo.

Spring growth almost overgrowing Leanette's digging fork — Perennial bed is filling in – almost overgrowing my digging fork

Yes, the background of the perennial border is the Crooked Arbor with the best ever blooms of Wisteria!

Our Zinnias in ten flats have arrived from Cascade Cuts. The next photo shows a few sprouted calendula in an empty bed waiting for those “State Fair” Zinnias. Is it too early to plant? Too cold? Nor more frost? I’ll wait till end of April to make sure. (Thanks to Jack and Nate for putting 2 inches of Bailey’s compost on the flower beds.)

Garden bed ready for State Fair Zinnias — Ready for State Fair Zinnias

Bassetti’s Garden Art Show June 25-26

I promised more info regarding what’s happening with our Annual Garden Art Show to be held Saturday, June 25 and Sunday, June 26, 2016. I am happy to report that artists have agreed to participate. If you have been at our events before you’l l recognize names and see some new ones. Here they are.

Andrew Holmberg, Blown Glass
Dennis Warshall, Sculpture
Judy Thomas Designs, Ceramics
Deborah Taylor, Collage Paintings
Aiko Vail and Poul Erickson, Wishpoosh, Glass, Metal and Wood
Ken Morrison, Celtic Ironworks, Sculpture
Bill Jacobs/Alchemy Fine Coffees, Woodwork/Boxes
Caroline Sumpter, Sculpture
Mikele Keiffer and Carol Campbell, Tuzzie Muzzie, Millinery

(Our postcard with photos and details will be printed and sent next month. If you are not on our mailing list, please add your name and email or mailing address.)

In the meantime we have other artists in our garden galleries AND our gardens are open Friday and Saturday 11:00AM – 4:00PM.

SEE YOU SOON.

September 1, 2015 by Leanette

Our Big Banana (Tree)

woman with big banana tree — Leanette showing off her spectacular banana tree!

flowers and banana tree in a garden — Our dahlia garden thrived this summer.

This banana tree at Bassetti’s Gardens grew enormously over the course of the season, and just seems to keep going! It’s right alongside our brilliant dahlia garden which also grew abundantly this season.