GREATER ALBANY, OREGON, —In the early days of Linn County, it often rained continuously in fall and winter, making the Santiam Valley too muddy for travel. So pioneer farmers drove their wagons on trails in the rolling Cascade foothills. There were just too many lakes, ponds, and overflowing creeks to travel the valley floor.

Given this history of farming and gardening in Linn County, it is rather interesting that Lebanon Garden Club’s first stop in its Fall Garden Tour was a water garden—Finch Family Water Garden.

Photo/Joli Root Inside the store, it was much warmer with a wood stove made from two 55-gallon barrels

This is Joli Root’s report on the tour.

Finch Family Water Garden
Our first stop was at Finch Family Water Garden, 772 Goldfish Farm Rd SE in Albany. The Water Garden is owned by James Finch and has very interesting water plants and several kinds of fish and pond supplies. James' expertise will help with all your pond needs.

Although only ten members dared to venture out on our Garden Tour and given that the weather was sunny but cool—We found it very enjoyable.

James also sells seasonal decorations in the store. The Water Garden nursery sells all your needs for ponds such as pumps, waterfalls and a selection of interesting water plants. He also has an incredible stock of Koi and other outdoor pond fish.

Photo/Joli Root This pond is on the property near where James dug his first pond on the family farm when he was nine years old

In fact Finch Family Water Garden is advertised as “The only nursery that caters to the pond enthusiast.” James says, “We offer over 100 varieties of water plants, pond supplies, and the largest selection of pond fish in the area.” Some say they have the largest supply of pond equipment and aquatic plants in all of Linn County.

James was very friendly and extremely knowledgeable. He can also help you in the design of an outdoor pond if you’d like something original.

Photo/Joli Root Babe grows hundreds of gorgeous Dahlias—Some even as large as dinner plates

The farmhouse on the site is 135 years old and James grew up in that home as well as lives there today.

Although James is normally closed on Thursdays, he stayed around to entertain the Garden Club. If you have any questions about the Finch Family Water Garden you can contact him at 541.926.9737.

Thanks James. We really enjoyed your showing us all your very interesting Water Garden. It was very educational as well as entertaining and fun.

Photo/Joli Root A plethora of color!

Babe Mueller's Beautiful Dahlias
Our second stop was at Babe Mueller's on Clover Ridge Rd in Albany.

She harvests bulbs in winter and divides them in spring when she sells bulbs to her friends.

Fry Road Nursery and Winter Gardening
On the way home we made a stop at Fry Road Nursery at 34989 Fry Road SE, Albany, Oregon 97322. (541) 928-7038.

Barbara Fick from the OSU Extension, (541) 967-3871, gave us a program on winter gardening. We learned what plants to plant and still have beauty in your yard during the cold winter months. Some plants when they lose their leaves display an amazing array of color on their bark, making for a striking landscape. Lucky for us there are several plants that are evergreen.

Thanks from Lebanon Garden Club
The Lebanon Garden Club thanks all the folks who made our Fall Garden Tour such a success.

Thanks to James Finch and Finch Family Water Garden. We really liked your warm stove.

Thanks to Babe Muller for showing your beautiful Dahlias.

Thanks to Barbara Fick, OSU Extension, for a great program on winter gardens.

Thanks to Fry Road Nursery for for a workshop on colors in a fall and winter landscape

Garden Club Selling It's Yard in September

Come check out all the great deals for sale. Household items and plants. Every dollar collected goes to support Lebanon Garden Club's activities. Remember LGC is a non-profit organization.

Come shop, buy a raffle ticket for a great prize or, come talk about gardening.

Garden Club Plant Sale A Growing Success

Photo/Joli Root This sign, made by a LGC member reads "Plant Sale Today"

LEBANON, OREGON, —Lebanon Garden Club held another successful annual plant sale in Lebanon on Friday,May 1st.

Club president Joli Root said: "We did pretty well. There were lots of members and other people buying plants. From our point of view it was a success. We made over $900 and that was great.”

Photo/Joli Root Starting early, many club members brought plants and helped set up

Dena Williams, Club Secretary, was also very happy with the sale. She commented, “This is our club’s major fund raiser. We use the money to support our work in the rose garden at Ralston Park and our upcoming Strawberry Festival flower show. It supports club donations to various charities and our operating expenses.”

“Many members brought plants and we had many donations from local nurseries, commercial and private. This really makes our sale a success,” Joli continued.

“One of the major fundraising draws was a raffle for a gift certificate donated by Tom’s Garden Center in North Albany.”

Photo/Joli Root There were also many other nice garden and gift items to buy—It all helps fund our club

Key commercial nursery donations came from Peoria Gardens down Peoria Road, south of Albany.

Closer to Lebanon, Timeless Gardens, Garden Club member Trudie Bason’s business out on Brewster Road, donated many various plants. Trudie also collected the donated plants from Peoria Gardens. Bason Signs also has donated many club signs over the years.

Van Essen Nursery Company gave many plants.

Photo/Joli Root These trees where among the many great plants available at the sale

“As you can see from all Joli’s photos, we had lots of fun selling these beautiful plants,” said Dona Townsend, former club president. “The sale was a great success with a good variety of reasonably priced plants sold to visitors from all over the area.”

Photo/Joli Root Tom’s Garden Center, in North Albany, donated this big raffle basket of gardening goodies

However success – like heaven – is not reached in a single bound. It takes many bounds or bounders. This annual spring plant sale’s success was due to hard work and dedication from many club volunteer bounders. Led by Dona Townsend, Plant Sale Committee Chair, Trudie Bason, Peggy Christopherson, Betty Gentry-McCown, Sherri Hassinger, Meg Kuster, Elsie Kuenzli, Lynne Neuman, Ruby Ruth, Joli Root, Sylvia Wood and Dena Williams all these members showed great springs (bounds).

A special thank-you goes to garden club member, Thelma Johnson, who opened her home for the sale.

Great job volunteers and many thanks to all those who donated plants. Our 2011 plant sale sends a special Lebanon Garden Club thanks for all your hard work and donations.

Ongoing Projects—Ralston Park Rose Garden

Photo/Joli Root Roses "in a warm and glorious splendor"—quote borrowed from Joseph Conrad—Rose Garden, Ralston City Park, Lebanon, Oregon