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Fall Garden Maintenance
Set a festive mood with fresh fall plants while preserving and protecting your landscape and water features.
November is the final month to prepare the garden for winter. It’s rather like tucking children into bed at night: They have played all day, and now they’re tired. There’s the bath-time ritual, followed by a quiet story before they snuggle under the quilt for several blissful hours of rest — for both of you.
The garden has been playing hard and growing for more than eight months. Now it’s time to get it clean and tidy before its winter rest. Just a few hours spent in the garden this month will ensure that you both reach spring with renewed vigor and enthusiasm.
Protect your water features. Some of us are procrastinators, and some of us are just plain forgetful. This photograph shows what happens to fountains during a hard freeze in either case.
To avoid creating such dramatic ice sculptures, remember to drain small fountains and either store them in the garage for the winter or cover them to prevent water entering and freezing. Small submersible pumps are also best removed and stored indoors until spring.
Larger ponds and waterfalls may have a sufficient volume of water cascading through them that the entire body of water will not freeze, and the pump is either too deep to be affected or is in a protected enclosure aboveground. If you're in doubt, contact your local pond supply company for advice.
This is also the time to winterize your irrigation system. We use a simple drip watering system for all our containers as well as for our vegetable garden. The hoses can be left in place, but we disconnect the battery-operated timers and bring them inside for the winter.
Landscape irrigation companies usually offer a winter service to drain the lines if necessary — contact them today.
Add a few inches of compost. If you apply compost to the garden now, the rains will help its nutrients leach into the soil, and the worms will till it while I’m nice and cozy indoors. Some gardeners prefer to mulch in spring. If your garden soil is in poor shape, experts recommend adding compost in both fall and spring for three years and then once a year after that.
Check your drainage. In early fall, when the weather is still nice, walk slowly around the house and inspect the ground where it meets the foundation. Soil should not be touching siding and should slope away from the house, dropping at least 6 vertical inches over the first 10 feet.
Fall Planting. Spring is overrated for planting perennials, shrubs and trees. Starting plants in autumn has advantages for both garden and gardener. Not only is cooler weather easier on new plants and tired bones, but planting in a spent garden with rain on the horizon also has advantages – less watering being one of them. Go for some Classic Chrysanthemums, Decorative Flowering Cabbage and Kale, Hardy Geraniums and Seedums to fill in empty spots in the garden and keep it looking fresh and happy until Spring finally arrives.
Valentine’s Day on Bainbridge Island
There are lots of sweet and fun things to do on Bainbridge Island for Valentine’s Day!
02/12/15
Heyday Farm Kids Cooking Class sounds a like a fun idea for kids 7 – 12. This is a participatory class where kids will learn to make a meal and dessert using fresh farm ingredients!
02/13/15 to 02/22/15
Side by Side by Sondheim This Tony Award-winning musical is a perfect introduction to the work of this contemporary master, and a must for die-hard fans.
02/14/15
Planetarium at Battle Point Park is hosting a Valentine’s Day Stargazing Show. To celebrate Valentine’s Day, professional astronomer Dave Fong will tell twisted tales of love through ancient lore depicted in the starry sky. If the sky is clear, astronomers will be on hand with telescopes for public solar viewing prior and star-gazing afterward.
02/14/15 to 02/15/15
Wine and Chocolate Winery Tour What could be better for Valentine's Day than wine and chocolate? Visit the 7 wineries of Bainbridge Island, each featuring exceptional wines and chocolates. These 7 cozy artisanal wineries are mostly new on the scene but are already garnering awards and attention. Avoid the crowds and explore the peaceful beauty and charm of Bainbridge Island!
02/14/15
Heyday Valentine's Day Farm Dinner with Live Americana Acoustical Music Enjoy a special evening out on the farm. They will have music and appetizers in our barn–full of the sweet smell of alfalfa hay. From there you will join your fellow local food lovers in the historic farmhouse and share a winter family style feast of fresh food right from the farm. They also have lovely, historic farmhouse rooms for rent for those that want to make this a romantic overnight visit complete with a farm breakfast.
02/14/15
Kiana Lodge Valentine’s Day Dinner Just across the bridge you’ll find the beautiful waterfront Kiana Lodge. Dinner will take place in the Main Lodge with stone fireplaces and stunning views of Agate Passage.
Cupid’s Walk at Bloedel Reserve Take a romantic walk around Bloedel’s landscaped gardens. With a special map highlighting the best kissing spots along the trails!
Nikki Dee Valentine’s Concert at Bloedel Reserve The Bloedel Reserve Residence will be transformed into an intimate nightclub to set the stage for jazz vocalist Nikki Dee. Enjoy her sultry jazz duo, a delicious dessert and a glass of wine. A wonderful way to spend a romantic night with the one you love.
The Beach House at Pleasant Beach Village Valentine’s Dinner The Beach House will be serving a six course dinner in the very romantic setting of their dining room and additional seating available in the Manor House. Call 206-780-FOOD to reserve your table!
Valentine’s Dinner at Restaurant Marche’ Greg Atkinson's contemporary Pacific Northwest Bistro will be serving a five course, pre-fixe, Chef’s Tasting Menu. Call 206-842-1633 for reservations.
Hitchcock Restaurant is offering a pre-fixe menu of “All the sexy food you can imagine: oysters on the half, foie, truffles, meat served on the bone, chocolate, spices, and citrus.” Chef Brendan McGill says there also will be “a fine selection of bubbles and digestifs to bookend a romantic evening.” Call 206-201-3789 for reservations.
Doc’s Marina Grill is feeling the romance for Valentine’s Day. They’re transforming their dining room into a “romantic waterfront oasis,” with candlelit tables and a special menu featuring lobster, Kumomoto oysters, and champagne. Advance reservations are recommended. 206-842-8339
San Carlos Restaurant Bainbridge Island's Neuvo Mexican / Southwestern Restuarant will have a special menu featuring decadent desserts. 206-842-1999
Buying beautiful and delicious gifts for your Valentine is easy on Bainbridge Island.
Bob Bon Confections – Home of Bainbridge Island Fudge had incredible hand-made fudge in a variety of flavors along with an amazing assortment of old fashioned candies from your best childhood memories. Gift wrapping is available. 206-780-0199
Flowering Around is the quintessential florist. Artistry and fine florals to create the perfect bouquet, plus beautiful orchids and other plants are available.
For something more unique and personal, try one of the many incredible gift and lifestyle shops on Bainbridge Island:
Lark
Petit & Olson
Danger
Skookum
And for your littlest Valentine – Calico Cat Toy Shop
Happy Valentines Day from Jackie98110!
New Years Eve on Bainbridge Island
There are some terrific things happeneing on New Years Eve on Bainbridge Island!
A New Years Eve Dance Party is being held at the Treehouse Cafe in Lynwood Center, from 9:00 pm to 12:30 am – featuring The Dusty 45's, Tarot and Palm readings, automatic entry for a raffle drawing and complimentary champagne at midnight! THis even is suitable for those 21 years of age and older. Get the details here: New Years Eve Dance Party
If your family is looking for something fun for the younger members, there is also a New Years Eve Party for Kids at KidiMu! All are invited to the Museum for an annual countdown to noon and balloon drop. Come early to enjoy special activities between 10 and 11:45 a.m., including face painting, music, a noisemaker clock craft and bingo. The event runs from 10 am to 12:30 and is sure to be lots of fun for the entire family. Get the details here: New Years at KidiMu and Bainbridge Art Museum or at KidiMu
Bainbridge Performing Arts Center will be hosting a New Years Eve Party, from 9 pm to 12:30 am. Celebrate New Year’s Eve by dancing all night long with Seattle’s hottest DJ – Dubreezy – and with an expanded bar selection that includes spirits from Bainbridge Organic Distillers, beer on tap from the Bainbridge Island Brewing Company, and half-price non-alcoholic beverages for designated drivers. This event is suitable for ages 21 and over with complimentary champagne served at midnight. Get the details here: Bainbridge Performing Arts Center New Years Eve Party
For those who love the water, there are a couple of options to ring in the new year on Puget Sound.Bainbridge Island-based Exotic Aquatics Scuba and Kayaking has planned an afternoon and evening excursion that includes three dives, dinner and transit to Elliott Bay to watch the Seattle fireworks at midnight on the newest boat to join the Puget Sound Dive Charters' fleet — the 45-foot Salish Explorer. For $125, divers can get an afternoon of exploring in before cleaning up — the boat has showers — and sitting down to dinner. Non-divers also are invited for a lesser charge of $110. A sparkling punch toast will be held at midnight. The boat leaves from its location in Winslow at 1 p.m. Those interested in tickets should call 206-842-1980.
There are aso some restaurants serving a special New Years Eve Menu, if you are looking for a more intimate celebration. Click the links below for more information.
The Beach House at Pleasant Beach Village
Restaurant Marche' Bainbridge Island
Hitchcock Restaurant on Bainbridge Island
Finally, for the super hearty and hardcore challenge lovers – the 14th Annual Polar Bear Plunge will take place at Noon on Lytle Beach. BRRR!
Happy New Year!
Holidays at Pleasant Beach Village
Located in the Lynwood Center neighborhood of charming Bainbridge Island, Pleasant Beach Village is a new community destination. The Village includes Manor House, Bainbridge Island's premier special events venue, The Beach House Restaurant, The Inn at Pleasant Beach and a variety of shops.
With the beautiful architecture, exciting new infratructure and the festive Holiday decorations, the Pleasant Beach Villag is a great place to visit, eat and shop.
A warm environment and friendly staff are waiting to serve you a great cup of coffee and fresh pastries.
The Barn Cat is a lovely store with fabulous items for your Holiday Shopping – and they are open until 8pm on Thursdays!
One of my favorite places is the PAWS Center where my grandaughter adopted her first kitten. A fluffy new member of the Family is always a great Holiday gift – especially when they are rescued!
Sunday the 14th of December, don't miss the Santa Brunch at the Manor House!
