Welcome to April at Falling Water Designs
The gardens are in bloom, pallets of flowers and plants are arriving daily! It is time to take those winter gardening plans, and put them into action! We are now open fully 7 Days a week from 10am to 6pm!
Our newsletter below features activities around our nursery, our featured Koi – the Showa, our plant spotlights. We also feature our pond cleaning & service information. You can see a glimpse of some of our Gift Shop featured items. Check out the great information on our outdoor venue for weddings & special events.
Click on the tabs below to read all the latest details.
Our April 2021 Issue
Featured Landscape Projects
Project 1: Back Yard Renovation
Rick created a garden design for our clients in Monroe Wa. Last year we did a large portion of the work, removing the lawn, bringing in new soil, plants, trees, and installing a goldfish pond. This month the clients had us come back to finish up the garden. We installed a large frame for a new swing, installed a destination patio out of pavers, installed flagstone steppers and removed the rest of the lawn, and installed a groundcover that will replace the lawn as it grows this summer.
Project 2: Retaining Wall
Falling Water Designs can also help with small garden projects. This client lives in a new construction home. Many new homes are built on small lots. The customer’s garden sloped steeply away only a few feet from the back patio. We were able to recover an extra five or six feet of the garden by installing a retaining wall. We’ll be coming back later in the season to plant the new area after a new patio is poured and a spa installed.
SPRING SUMMER HOURS HAVE RETURNED!
7 Days a Week – 10 to 6pm
We are finally in the full swing of Spring, and we are excited with the divine plants arriving and blooming daily!
Here at Falling Water Designs and Falling Water Gardens, we strive to bring you the best products for your garden. This month we encourage our clients in taking steps to clean ponds and prepare for planting.
We are anxiously awaiting for our pond to hit the 50°F+ so we too can really clean and get to pond maintenance procedures. Additionally, we are scheduling pond cleanings and maintenance. You may contact us today to be put on our list.
SAVE THE DATE! May 8th & 9th – Mother’s Day Weekend!
We are planning a great Mother’s Day Weekend here at Falling Water Gardens. On May 8th & 9th, come visit us. We will be in full bloom and what a way to celebrate your matriarchs with Mother Earth.
On Mother’s Day weekend Moms get to take home a free 4-inch flower, and we will have delightful baskets ready for purchase, complimentary refreshments, and fun activities.
On May 8th we will also have a fabulous wedding venue open house! Read “Weddings at Falling Water Gardens” in this newsletter.
Featured Fish of the Month: Showa Koi
Showa is one of the ornamental varieties of koi. The Showa also called the ‘Showa Sanshoku’. The Showa has a black body, with red and white markings across the body. The Showa is one of the ‘Big Three’, consisting of Kohaku, Sanke, and Showa.
Keeping Your Koi Happy
Koi are cold-water fish that thrive in water temperatures between 59-77°F. Their metabolism reacts to the temperature of the water that they live in. Fish do not have stomach acids, thus they use enzymes to digest food. However, they do not create digestive enzymes in water temperatures below 50°F.
At 50° you can start to feed your fish cool water foods. We have a great selection of quality fish foods within our Gift Shop at our nursery.
pH Balance & Your Pond
You will want to check the pond’s pH level as part of your pond maintenance. Koi LOVE pH balances between 7 and 8.6.
To test the chemistry of your pond you will want to test for:
– Ammonia
– pH
– Water hardness
At Falling Water Gardens we have a nice selection of testing kits that will allow you the opportunity to monitor your pond pH balances. Stop by our Nursery and gift shop to purchase your Wide Range pH Test Kit.
Here is a video on how to check your pH of your pond
Getting your pond ready for spring
Around this time of year, we also see an increase of green algae forming in our ponds. This is a normal occurrence, however, we do want to focus on healthy pond environments, and you will want to promote healthy bacteria in your pond.
Read all about how to fully prepare your pond for spring in this article of Spring Pond Maintenance made easy,
You will also want to read up on all the things that will keep your fish happy and healthy in this in-depth article regarding fish health and nutrients.
Stop by the Falling Water Gardens Nursery and Gift shop in Monroe, WA, and visit the Aquatic Plants department to acquire your plant accents.
Plant Spotlight
Eichhornia crassipes – Water Hyacinth:
The Water Hyacinth is a beautiful plant. It has glossy green leaves and lavender-blue flowers. The submerged roots are long and hairy and chocolatey brown. They serve as an excellent hiding place and spawning location for many fish.
Bloom Time: June, July, August, September
Water Requirements: Marginal, Prefers Wet Soil, Shallow Water Plant
Bletilla Striata – Big Bob:
These terrestrial orchids native to China, Japan, and North America are lovely in the garden and make long-lasting cut flowers with 5-10 clusters of corsage-type flowers on each 8″-12″ stem. Prefers well-drained, rich soil, sun to light shade, and will perennialize when planted in a suitable location. Also great in planters and pots.
Mossy Saxifrage – Saxifraga Alpino:
The Saxifrage includes a huge number of alpines. This selection is a good choice for the partially shaded scree garden, wall, or alpine trough. It forms a low evergreen cushion or mound of bright green leaves, bearing short stems of up-facing, cup-shaped scarlet-red flowers in spring. Requires a cool, moist location. Dislikes drought and hot humid summer weather. Shear lightly after blooming to remove the flower stems and encourage compact new growth.
Viola Penny Blue:
The Viola or the Penny Blue is a fabulous spring flowering plant that comes in a wide range of colors. They are great for both garden beds and pots.
COME VISIT OUR NURSERY!
Open Daily 10am to 6pm
Pond Cleaning & Services
It is now time to start your preparations for your ponds. If you are a hands-on or DIYer, watch our video on how to clean your pond below.
Not comfortable performing pond cleanings yourself, or perhaps you have a complex schedule that prevents you from conducting the service yourself?
We do close to 150 pond cleanings every year, contact us today to schedule your pond maintenance.
Pond Cleaning 101
Pond & Garden Tasks!
Removing Algae from your Pond
Now is definitely the time to start removing the algae from your pond. String Algae is the biggest culprit. They can clog up an entire fountain system and cloud your pond. Click here to read a detailed article about String Algae and what products you will need to use.
You can also review the article on Algae growing in your pond.
Weeding & Debris Pick Up
With the wild winds that happen in March, the last little bit of leaves of 2020 have fallen to the ground, we need to clear the space for our new garden plants. We want to make sure we get the weeds out by the roots for those pretty garden beds.
Gift Shop & Nursery Statuary
Knowing that special holidays like Easter and Mother’s Day are on the horizon we have a wonderful new collection of gifts, pots, and statuary. From small statues to large fountains, container ceramic pots, and decorative lanterns, we have the decor accents to compliment your garden and home. Perfect gift items for garden lovers!
If you are unable to choose from our wonderful collection of gifts for your friends and loved ones, you may also consider purchasing gift cards in any quantity! What a wonderful way to give!
Don’t hesitate, come in and grab them while you can! Nursery & Gift shop now open DAILY 10am to 6pm!
SAVE THE DATE! May 8th Open House!
We are having a fabulous open house on Saturday, May 8th, 10am to 4pm for those looking for wedding venues!
Our plan is to have the full set up to help individuals picture their perfect day here in our gardens.
You, your family, and your bridal team can come to experience the venue with established spaces and met some of our favorite vendors for wedding support and services.
Our Planned Guest Vendors
- Catch the Beat
- Rev. Ray Van Winkle & Associates
- Della Terra Catering
- Party on the Rocks
- Captivate Events
- Denard Productions
- Markie Jones Photography
- Orion Photo Booths
- Rachelle Erickson Photography
- Snohomish Dancing Doves
- GSR Rentals
- 413 Events
- Fern Hollow Florals
Falling Water Gardens is Hiring!
We are currently hiring for Nursery Sales and Gardener positions! Review the positions listed below, apply to come work with us!
Nursery Sales Position
Our company has an immediate need for FULL OR PART-TIME SEASONAL nursery workers.
Enjoy working outside while developing your nursery skills and growing with a great, well-known company in Monroe, Washington.
Applicants who can demonstrate previous retail experience and/or plant knowledge are preferred. Previous retail sales experience is required.
This position assists the Nursery Manager in maintaining the plant material, surrounding gardens, and fish tanks. This is a very physical job requiring frequent lifting of 50 lbs. You must be able to work outside in rain or shine, cold or hot.
Tasks include:
- Assisting customers with purchases
- Stocking the benches and gift shop
- Digging, Edging, Mowing, Pruning, Planting, and Watering the nursery
Our nursery is open 7 days a week, from 10am till 6pm. You will be required to work AT LEAST ONE WEEKEND DAY per week.
Interested applicants should respond to this email with a resume and must answer the questions at the end of this ad. Please mention the Nursery Sales Position in your email. Please, no phone inquiries.
Position pays DOE. Nursery Sales $15-$17 per hour.
Applications without the following questions answered will not be considered.
Question #1: What applicable experience have you gained at previous jobs that you think will be helpful to our company?
Question #2: What has been your most physical job to date, or why do you think you will be able to handle a job as physical as this one?
Please answer the questions above and send your resume to info@fallingwaterdesigns.com.
Gardener Position
We are a destination nursery located in Monroe, Washington with many established garden beds and turf. Our company has an immediate need for PART-TIME or FULL-TIME SEASONAL gardeners.
Enjoy working outside while developing your nursery skills and growing with a great, well-known company in Monroe, Washington.
This position assists the Nursery Manager maintaining the surrounding gardens, turf and fish tanks. This is a very physical job requiring frequent lifting of 50 lbs. You must be able to work outside in rain or shine, cold or hot.
This position is primarily responsible for weeding, pruning, and planting new and established garden display beds throughout our nursery as well as maintaining the turf. This position requires frequent stooping, squatting, kneeling, bending and twisting. This position requires an individual who can work without direct supervision and who can take initiative and keep busy.
Tasks include:
Digging, Weeding, Edging, Mowing, Pruning, Planting, Watering, Occasionally assisting customers with loading.
Our nursery is open 7 days a week, from 10am till 6pm. You will be required to work AT LEAST ONE WEEKEND DAY per week.
Interested applicants should respond to this email with a resume and must answer the questions at the end of this ad. Please mention the “Gardening Crew” position in your email. Please, no phone inquiries.
The position pays DOE. Gardening Crew $14-$16 per hour.
Applications without the following questions answered will not be considered.
Question #1: What applicable experience have you gained at previous jobs that you think will be helpful to our company?
Question #2: What has been your most physical job to date, or why do you think you will be able to handle a job as physical as this one?
