This Fall vegetable garden boasts lettuce, onions and lots of herbs. Mexican feather grass and creeping thyme are at the entrance. Bright pink salvia is mixed in among the pot marigolds and other edibles. The garden is watered with low volume Walla Walla spray heads recommended by Be Water Wise a terrific program run by the Water Department.

This recycled piece makes a unique statement and adds bright color to a drab corner of this cottage chic garden. By using found objects, you can create an eclectic garden and add a bit of interest to an otherwise nondescript passageway. Adding a low volume drip system keeps plants well watered without excess or run off.

This beautiful and robust passion flower vine, is the perfect disguise for an unattractive cinder block wall. Three sets of wires were attached to the wall to hold up the vine and a small bird house was added for a whimsical effect. The plant is watered by a drip system to keep the plant happy and not over-watered. Best of all - Monarch butterflies are frequent guests to the vine!

All highly recommended for the Gardener’s Library.

Our expertise Includes:
• Well coordinated planning
• Proper installation
• ‘Smart’ environmental – ideas and products—
• Using the guidelines as set by bewaterwise.com
• Following standards for wildlife set by the National Wildlife Federation (nwf.org)

Today’s ‘Growing Green’ garden complements and protects the environment while enriching our lives. A ‘Smart Garden’ starts with a plan. When planning a garden it needs to more than just beautiful—it can and needs to…

• Fit the clients needs
• Curb appeal- its got to look great and blend with the neighborhood
• Create a beneficial balance with mother nature
• Conserve while adding beauty to the garden
• Reduce the usage of water and other unnecessary elements in the garden;
• Recycle garden materials, use and reuse.
• Reuse materials already in the garden-
• Use natural elements
• Re think the garden – set a good balance with nature and everyone’s happy.
• Use IPM methods of pest control
• Curb excess use of pesticides and herbicides
• Cut back on overuse of products that have an impact on our environment
• Mechanically (by hand) remove unwanted materials and pests if possible
• Add plants and other elements that add balance to the garden.
• Provide a place for beneficials to reproduce
• Add elements to the garden to balance with Mother Nature
• Use low water plant material
• Alternative plant materials that require less water and maintenance
• Duel purpose plant material- herbs, veggies mixed among the flora
• Use proper irrigation methods
• Use ‘smart irrigation’ — a low volume watering- rotators or drip
• Use ‘smart clocks’ for accurate watering
• Add elements such as stone, DG or other natural materials to cut back on plant material and watering
• Follow the guidelines from bewaterwise.com Create a balance with Mother Nature
• Become a Certified Habitat- see nwf.org for more info
• Have the Water Department do an assessment of your property and how you can reduce water
• Conserving and protecting the environment has always be a huge priority to us.

Contact Info: tradefair@rpna.org

The self-guided tour starts in Seal Beach and you work your way over to the Bixby Knolls/Los Cerritos are of Long Beach. On the way you will visit 7 homes and the school’s gardens and orchard. There will be additional art, garden decor, demonstrations, and fun at the school. See you in the garden!

To purchase tickets or make a donation online anytime:

Art in the Garden tickets are available to purchase online at the Beacon House website. Mention in the comments section on the donation form that your donation is for the Garden Tour.

To purchase tickets in person on the day of the event, Saturday July 19th:

Alford’s English Gardens, Inc
550 Pacific Coast Highway, Suite 101A
Seal Beach, California 90740
 562-430-3528

(Our offices are located in the breezeway between
Patty’s Place and the Yucatan Restaurants)
Tickets available from 10am – 2pm
$20 donation

Los Cerritos Elementary School Garden
515 West San Antonio Drive
(Across from Los Cerritos Park. Enter using the steps
on the far west side of campus on San Antonio Drive, by the Kindergarten Playground)
Tickets available from 10am -2pm
$20 donation

Pick up a postcard about the tour and support your local home and garden store. The following businesses are showing their support for our Garden Tour:

Armstrong’s Nursery on 10th Street in Long Beach
Britta’s Nursery and Garden on Main Street in Seal Beach
B & B Hardware on Wardlow Road and Redondo and 4th St
Devynn’s Garden Floral Design, Seal Beach
Fern’s Garden on 2nd Street in Long Beach
H & H Nursery on Lakewood Blvd
South Coast Building Supply, Cerritos Ave, Los Alamitos
Garden Daze, Cerritos Ave, Los Alamitos

See our ads in:
The District Weekly
TheDistrictWeekly.com
The Long Beach Press Telegram
The Seal Beach Sun
The Signal Tribune
 LBReport.com

Artists participating in the event include:

Peter Dopulos, Keith Lewis, Barbara Holbrook, Connie Rubsamen, Sandra Carter, Monika Martinez, Stephanie Han Windham, Lisa Dawson and more…

A special thanks to Barbara Holbrook for all her beautiful graphic designs.