beekeeping 101

Beekeeping 101  Class dates and times: February 20, 2016   10am-1pm  Cost for each class is $45
Beginning Beekeeping classes at Village Green Nursery. 12 max, 5 min
A three hour class to get you ready for bees in your garden in 2016.
This class will introduce you to the life cycle of the honey bee and the basic tools and equipment needed to set up a hive or two in your yard.

The instructor, Christine Ranegger, has been a hobby beekeeper (managing about 25 hives) in Seattle for 8 years and is an Apprentice Level beekeeper as part of the Master Beekeeper Certification Program with the Washington State Beekeepers Association.

Some supplies to get you started will be available for purchase.

Saying what you like is more powerful than saying what you don't like.

That Farm to Table dinner was wonderful and thank you for including me in the experience. It was an honor.I admire you and your courage, you are an emerging butterfly with a beautiful vision for creating community. I will enjoy watching!
Debra Prinzing,   
 author of    'Slow Flowers'    and     '50 mile bouquet'

08/21/2013

This past fall, I did a work exchange with Vera through the WWOOF program (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms). I learned more from her than I ever could have hoped for - not only about organic gardening, but about life and how to dive in and use your strengths and resources to make your community a better place.

Until meeting Vera, I'd done most of my life's learning in an academic setting. But Vera taught me more than any textbook ever could. Instead of just telling me about permaculture, she lived permaculture and applied it to every aspect of her home and business. She gave me permaculture books, exposed me to experts in the field, and empowered me by giving me the opportunity to write about and share what I'd learned. Now, I am passionate about permaculture, and it guides my career and my life. Similarly, Vera introduced me to herbal medicine through a workshop at the Village Green, and herbs are now a fascinating and beneficial part of my lifestyle. These are just two of many examples of how the short period of time I spent interning with Vera impacted me profoundly.
Vera taught me practical concepts about rain gardens, mulching, weeding, and backyard habitats. She taught me that I can use my own two hands, talents, creativity, and ingenuity to create value-added products. I'll never forget how I felt when someone purchased a wreath she'd taught me to make using birch branches from the ground. She also taught me the importance of good friends, food, art and music. But Vera taught me most about community. She let me shadow her at meetings of the White Center Community Development Association and the White Center Chamber of Commerce. The unique group of White Center community members now have a special place in my heart. Unlike my hyper-academic, East Coast peers, who researched and analyzed topics to the point of paralysis, when Vera and the White Center crew identified a need in their community, they gathered and dove in head-first to fix it - and they got things done. Vera lets her emotions and passions fuel her. She follows her heart and her intuition. She is not afraid to take risks, and during my time with her, I found a new level of my own courage and strength.
I am always curious and excited to hear about whatever causes Vera takes on - because undoubtedly, they will be better off with her on-board.
Risa Waldoks
                                         

Village Green Perennial Nursery is like a garden forest fantasy. Captivated by the grounds, a children's garden, ponds, swings, and climbing trees, it's an outdoor palace! I went there when I needed a house warming gift and found a sweet vintage looking pot filled with a healthy, vibrant green succulent. It was perfect. Highly recommended, bring your family!
Ebba Lucander


Vera, you have been a tremendous help to me. This is my first house and therefore my first garden. I have so many beautiful plants that I have purchased from
you and they thrive wonderfully because of your knowledge and advice . I tell everyone about you, even non-gardeners. You are always kind and welcoming when we stop by and I always look forward to weekends because that's when I can stop by and say hello.
Winifred Harrison

Flowers by Debra Prinzing

A comment made after a recent visit from a local writer who had brought a friend to visit Village Green forthe first time....
'he talked a lot about what a rich experience it was. I said, “Look, just getting to meet Vera and be in her space for a while is a privilege,” and he was like: “So true!”

Slowing down, enjoying the view

Mason bee boxes

I love the smell of coffee in the morning and a piping hot Quiche coming out of the oven.
  Nothing makes me feel more in touch with life than slowing down and cooking something really delicious, eating from some of my handmade plates and drinking from hand crafted mugs.
 Today, I decided to use my Heirloom china from the aunt I was named after to take a step even further into an intimate part of myself  and my history. I invited some guests over to share that kind of day with me and wanted to make sure it was extra special and memorable, so, naturally I made a theme out of it, by incorporating freshly harvested honey to each item on the menu.

To get a feel of what it's like to live here, and spend time in my space, the table was set up out on the deck, overlooking the bees and my gardens and nursery. Watching them is a favorite past time, with a cup of tea, and a moment of quiet. The meditative work of a hive can calm me down in a very short time.

Being the kind of hostess I am, one who wants to go all out, giving guests a REALLY special treat... I started the meal with fresh wine grapes grown in my neighbors gardens, fresh cracked honey glazed walnuts, and warm honey butter scones with homemade strawberry jam. These are no ordinary scones. Buttery, slightly sweetened by the honey, flaky, drizzled with even more honey, they simply melt in your mouth.

     

 Having fresh eggs from our 11 laying hens means we are never short on eggs, and quiche is a favorite here. Today there were 2, the first was a rich caramelized onion and mushroom, the second a red pepper, onion and feta. Perfect crust, flaky and lightly browned.
  A salad of butter lettuce, mission figs, goat cheese and walnuts drizzled with honey, fresh from the hives was served as an accompaniment, light and flavorful.

    

Being here is like stepping back in time, slow food is the term given to food grown and prepared in this manner. There's a feeling of a simpler life, less hectic, perhaps like being on one of the islands. This does not feel like the city.

                        

Simple syrup made of lemon verbena and honey perfectly blended with sparkling water reminds me that summer has only just been here, not long ago.

                                             

 
       The day was filled with  friendly warm and comfortable conversation,. Exactly what I crave.

Village Green honey

Vera Johnson BIO

My bio and community involvements...this is hard to do! 

About me...

 I'm a plant nerd. Really. 

I have a long story about how I came to Village Green, but will leave that for a blog post.

 I'm a spring born baby, an Earth sign, Taurus if you must know...  Growing plants keeps me grounded.  My mom had the GREENEST Thumb ever... and we consistently had roughly a million plants indoors and out- so I have been gardening all my life in one way or another. 

 I don't claim to know everything about plants or know all the Latin names, but I'm pretty good/intuitive with almost all things green and growing. 

   My way of learning has always been by way of doing. I've killed many a plant to get where I am. Some plants are just harder than others. Period. 

 What I hope to achieve here is teach others how to grow plants and have success AND FUN doing it. I want to encourage early/new gardeners to experiment, but also answer questions and trouble shoot about what, how and why things do and do not work. 

  So, I am here. 

 I want to be involved in my community. I want to educate and provide a place for students - therefore we host classes and workshops-taught by the many qualified educators we have around the Puget Sound.

We host

• Rose experts (antique roses as well as modern)
• Rain garden experts, Permaculture experts, Sustainable living experts, 
• Urban Farmers, 
• Organic gardening experts, 
• Perennial experts, 
• NW Natives experts,
• Wildlife Restoration experts,
• Beekeepers,
• Foodies, 
• Chefs...the list is endless- so we invite them to come and share their knowledge...and they do. 

 I love music, Art, wine, food and all things that are experienced and created through the use of our senses. 

 These things must be felt. 

I love my life.  I want to share these joys and pleasures.  We host live music in the garden throughout the summer and feature local artists to show their hand crafted items. 

  I am a resident and HUGE supporter of White Center. As a member of a community, I believe it is important to know my neighbors and fellow business owners.    I  want to participate in helping my neighborhood be even better than it already is, not just wait for it to happen. I have been a resident in West Seattle (multiple areas) for over 15 years and WC (DubSea) is my favorite neighborhood- hands down. 

 I work with the White Center Community Development Association every year to help with the WC spring clean up, leading groups of volunteers as well as making plant donations. I am involved with NHUAC, I am a member of the WC Chamber of Commerce, the Business owners association. I maintain a close connection to the White Center Sheriff deputy. I am my neighborhood Block watch captain and I occasionally write for the White Center Blog. 

   

  I work with many area schools to provide plants for Garden installations to attract wildlife, as well as many Donations for fundraisers including Community School of West Seattle, West Seattle Montessori, Alki Elementary, Schmidtz Park (funds raised for 2 of my custom sculptures was $4700)   I'm also a founding member of the Family learning center program at SWCC. 

 I am a homeschooling parent-over 8 years now, and as a homeschooling parent I want to teach my kids the impact we can have on our lives and the lives of others by simply showing up to do our part, but also by the choices we make and the huge impact they have on the lives of others as well. I am a very strong believer of sustainable living and supporting local businesses. That is why I make the choices I make about the plants I carry and grow. I make very effort to buy only from local independent growers. Smaller operations. Keeping the money local. Chain stores can drive little busineeses out very quickly if we aren't thoughful and intentional. 

 Organic is very, very important to me. I have very strong convictions/opinions about the use of pesticides and chemicals.

 I'll save that for another Blog post-but feel free to ask me sometime.

  I know the positive impact gardens can have on our environment, our health and well being and our food systems.

 I know the impact our choices make.

 I want to 'be part of the change I want to see...'

Ciscoe Morris visits Village Green Perennial Nursery

April 15th 1-2pm
Village Green Perennial Nursery
10223 26th Ave SW Seattle 98146

Oooh la la!
Join us for some springtime garden talk and plenty of laughter!

Spring flowering perennials...such as 
Trillium
Hellebores
Anemone blanda
bleeding hearts
groundcover dogwood
hardy geraniums
and so much more!
plus soil amendments and fertilizers
Hendrickus organics
Yelm worm castings

Put this on your Calender now!
Street parking ONLY. This will be a full house!

Art camp, summer garden day camp

Experience a whole new kind of Summer Art Camp! Not only will your children return home with beautiful handcrafted clay sculptures, miniature gardens, paintings and collages, they'll always remember spending three days in nature surrounded by trees, songbirds, chickens and flowers.

Our Garden Art Activities Include: Drawing, Painting with Watercolors, Sculpting with Clay, Collage, Sun-print, Wire Garden Ornament Sculpture, and Planting Miniature Gardens.

Get inspired by the colors, textures and sounds of Village Green!

Art and Gardening materials included.
Please pack a lunch and plan for the weather.
Ages 8 - 12
Wednesday - Friday, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Session 1: July 11 - 13
Session 2: July 18 - 20
$250 per session, per child


Registration...
http://www.sarahbrowning.com/uploads/Garden_Art_Summer_Day_Camp_Registration_2012.pdf

Day of the dead Sand sculpting

        Carlos Espinoza will be creating a 3 dimensional sand sculpture in the lower dirveway at 
            Village Green Perennial Nursery on Sat October 29th. Join us in this celebration.
              Sunday will be dedicated to offerings and celebration of those who have passed.

Wine tasting

We are 'branching out...'
Check it out!!!
Sodovino... local Award winning winery will be hosting a Wine tasting here at Village Green

http://sodovino.com/Press.aspx

Join us for a tasting on the 1st at 3pm.

Live music:
Harpist: Johanna
Trained in classical and Scottish Irish traditional music.
She plays weddings....just saying.

 

Hours 

Weds-Friday 11-6

Sat/Sunday 10-4:30

 

FACEBOOK

check out our Blog

Village Green Perennial Nursery
10223 26th Ave SW Seattle Wa. 98146

 206-767-7735

Southwest community center is at risk of closing!!!

Homeschoolers!!! community members!!!

 The time to act is NOW if we want to save SWCC!!

 WHAT YOU CAN DO

 Take 5 minutes of your time TODAY and:
 *Write to the members of the CityCouncil: http://www.seattle.gov/council/guide.htm

 Before September 26th, have each member of your family (including your kids) write a letter or email.  Let's flood city council members' offices with stories of how SWCC has positively impacted the lives of people and families in our community.

  *Contact the Mayor: http://www.seattle.gov/mayor/contact.htm

 *Join us on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/pages/Save-Southwest-Community-Center/126477817454076?sk=wall

 Create a stronger impact and:

 * Attend a City Council Meeting and let yourvoice be heard
There will be a public hearing this Thursday, September 22nd at 9am. It will be held at City Hall (600 4th Ave.) Plan to attend if at all possible. This will be our best opportunity to make our case before the council prior to the Mayor's budget presentation. Consider attending with signs and/or speaking for three minutes.

 *Attend the Brainstorming Meeting for our Family Learning Program
We are organizing a brainstorming meeting to map out our plans for the future of our homeschooling program on the morning of October 30th. Details will follow once confirmed.

 

 *Ask everyone you know to join, share and spread the news. We hope to rapidly spread awareness of these proposed changes so we can fight in numbers. Tell all your friends (even those who may have never used SWCC) what an asset the center is to our community.


 Just think of what a fantastic civics lesson this could all be for all our kids! Let's show them that we CAN make a difference.

Garden clubs Welcome!

We are happy to welcome Garden clubs and Tour groups.
Walk through 2 acres of gardens, with many collectors plants, ancient Rodedenrons, mature Paper Birch trees, old roses and much more.
We are happy to work with your group.

Please call for an appointement.
206-767-7735
ask for Vera

Donations - call it what you like

Hi all,
This is not any easy thing to do...see, I'm used to being the one to offer help to others, not the other way around, it's not my style to ask for help...
it's being brought to my attention in a rather unappealing way, that I better shift my ability to ask for and accept help.

Yes, I put a 'Donation' button on my Blog...
What's wrong with wanting to keep my house, business and community

space…
I want to continue to gather people together in a beautiful environment,
share this beautiful piece of property with those who can appreciate it,
continue to offer garden advice/plant suggestions, yet encourage budding gardeners to empower themselves with information and not be afraid to try/trust and learn, AND encourage sustainability -remember if we forget to support local and independent, we lose them to the big boxes!
offer organic plants, soil conditioners, educate about soils, and fertilizers,
encourage earth friendly garden practices,
host classes of many kids, garden, herbal, food and Art
offer a space for local creatives to launch their talents?
And let's not forget- this is a natural choice for Weddings.
 Weddings are something I've wanted to host here since the day I bought this beautiful land and began renovating it…
adding more gardens, outbuildings, removing invasive plants and committing myself to this community,
We participate in White Center beautification projects, donate to local schools for fundraisers, donate to the local food banks, attend community events, and all manner of support for a community I've chosen to call my home.
 I'm not one to ever toot my own horn, however, this particular event in my life is certainly challenging me to actually stop and look at my own cause. I need the support of my community to stay here.
  I will leave here if that is what it comes down to, and feel certain I will have no problem finding a place for myself outside of White Center and Village Green, but I do not want to leave.
 I can't even stand the thought of this property becoming 64 condominiums.

So, I am reaching out to the community, asking for donations, possible investors or any other sort of financial help that anyone can possibly offer.
 I am up against Dragons and am not sure I have a large enough sword.   I have felt the support from the community and will continue to bring light to this foreclosure issue for it is destroying the lives of so many!

 We all know we are in an economic crises- I'm obviously not the only one, but the banks are not even giving these so called modifications, people are suffering emotionally and financially, which puts way too much strain on healthy living of any real kind.

Wedding venue West Seattle

Village Green Nursery is a beautiful urban garden on a 2 acre woodland setting, with tall trees, giant Rhododendrons, ancient rose bushes, bubbling pond, and winding trails leading you through the garden. The front garden is a beautiful place to have a wedding ceremony or for pictures.

 "On site Professional Harpist"  $300 for prelude, ceremony and postlude
wedding march, vows, Postlude is 20 minutes or so after recessional as people get up and move around

Wedding Rental

Wedding party may choose caterer of choice.
Wedding party provides  tables, chairs, tents and linens.
Wedding party is responsible for set up before, and clean up after the event.
We will have limited garbage containers/bags available.
Village Green does have basic indoor facilities-bathroom with toilet and sink. There is a small area for dressing.
We can accommodate 100-150 guests

deposit- upon  removal and clean up of all wedding party items.
This acts as a damage deposit, as well.
Flowers and catering available upon request.
'Corkage fee' if providing your own flowers and catering.

Photos only.$75 hour for use fee

Seattle Magazine, Urban Safari?

We made the cut.

White Center got an honorable mention!

Seattle magazine

Urban Safari: White Center

Once a mishmash of constantly revolving storefronts, White Center, in West Seattle now teems with an eclectic mix of cultures and family-owned businesses.

By: Megan Phillips |   August 2011   |  FROM THE PRINT EDITION

Old-school charm on the streets of White Center

Image Credit: Hayley Young

EAT + DRINK
For a pint and a small plate, head to newcomer Company Bar, pictured right, (9608 16th Ave. SW; 206.257.1162) for nibbles crafted by co-owner Jesse Lovell, including salt cod fritters ($6) and chickpea fries ($5).
Or, try Stefanie and Mike Albaeck’s Proletariat Pizza (9622 16th Ave. SW; 206.432.9765; proletariatpizza.com) for their organic, 18-inch thin-crust creations.
Unleash your inner caveman with finger-lickin’ good ribs, brisket and links at Uncle Mike's Superlicious Barbecue (9640 16th Ave. SW; 206.588.2713; unclemikesbbq.com).
Visit Full Tilt Ice Cream (9629 16th Ave. SW; 206.767.4811; fulltilticecream.com) and choose from creative flavors like the new “antique rose,” crafted with rose petals from nearby Village Green Nursery.
3.14 Bakery (9602 16th Ave. SW; 206.420.4784; 314bakery.blogspot.com) offers home-style baked goods with a twist (cake balls, anyone?).
A stone’s throw away is Salvadorean Bakery (1719 SW Roxbury St.; 206.762.4064; thesalvadoreanbakery.com), where the authentic pupusas are locally renowned.
For your next big party, rent a keg full of locally brewed beer from Big Al Brewery (9832 14th Ave. SW; 206.453.4487; bigalbrewing.com).

GLIDE + GARDEN  
Family skate spot Southgate Roller rink (9646 17th Ave. SW; 206.707.6949; southgaterollerrink.com) has been revamped and restored by local Josh Rhoads and his family. (The rink, which was built in 1937, closed in 2005 due to fire damage.) Attend one of the beginning skate classes and you’ll be rollin’ like a Rat City Roller Girl in no time.
Quaint, family-owned Village Green Perennial Nursery, pictured above, (10223 26th Ave. SW; 206.767.7735; villagegreenperennialnursery.com) is a garden oasis specializing in herbaceous perennials.


SIP + SHOP
Locals congregate at Dubsea Coffee (9910 Eighth Ave. SW; 206.708.6806; dubseacoffee.com) to sip Sibelle Nguyen’s fresh Stumptown joe.
Stock up on specialty goods at family-owned bodegas: Lee's Produce(9435 Delridge Way SW; 206.762.5220) carries a killer house-made kimchi; Hispanic grocery Carniceria El Paisano (9629 15th Ave. SW; 206.767.5526) sells delicious jalapeño-laden tamales for only a buck each.Seattle Magazine

Ice cream in the Garden

Full Tilt is coming to the garden again!
Come and celebrate our 8th year!
What flavor will it be?
This is lways a fun time for the whole family.
A community event, everyone welcome.


We will be hosting live music again...will let you know soon who will be tickling our fancy with toe tapping rhythms.

When August 13th 1pm
Village Green Perennial Nursery
10223 26th Ave SW
Seattle Wa 98146
donations accepted

West Seattle In Motion program

West Seattle feels like a small town in many ways.  This summer, neighbors can get to know more about their West Seattle town by getting out of their cars a little more often.  King County Metro and local partners invite you to participate in West Seattle In Motion.

Join your neighbors and try parking your car and getting In Motion!

Pledge to walk, cycle, take transit or share a ride for at least two trips a week this summer (trust us- you’ll get addicted).  You’ll receive West Seattle In Motion membership card that you can flash at local shops and restaurants to get great deals and free ride tickets to help you get moving.

After you pledge, report your progress each week. Every week you meet your pledge, you will earn one chance to WIN the ULTIMATE STAYCATION plus additional Free-Ride tickets to help you stay mobile.

Come visit our booth at the corner of California and Alaska our big kickoff at the West Seattle Fest on July 8-10th or sign up athttp://www.kingcounty.gov/transportation/kcdot/MetroTransit/InMotion/WestSeattle.aspx

Del Rey plays a house concert at Village Green

$10 Pre-pay, limited tickets, will sell out FAST!
no online tix sales- pease send a check or come in and pay cash.

When: Sunday August 28th 2pm

Where: Village Green Perennial Nursery

Del Rey started playing classical guitar when she was four. As a teenager, she met bluesman Sam Chatmon who inspired her to become a blues queen. Her guitar playing combines country blues, stride piano, classic jazz and hillbilly boogie through the sensibility of an autodidact trailor-park esthete. Her live show is full of complex guitar grooves and sly humor.

Del Rey plays concerts world wide and also presents a concert/lecture on women musicians called Women in American Music.

read more... http://hobemianrecords.com /Del_press.html

http://hobemianrecords.com /quotes.html

LISTEN... 

http://www.hobemianrecords.com/FatbackLouisiana.mp3

LIVE VIDEO

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wxk3N7GOgX4&feature=player_embedded

ht4FWAxio&feature=player_embeddedbio

BICYCLE BLUES VIDEO

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4EjetohpOI

“Rey is one of the greatest modern players of the metal-bodied resonator guitar.”

Acoustic Guitar Magazine

"Del Rey is one of the most sublime modern guitarists " La Hora del Blues

“To listen to Rey is to abandon all hope of ever viewing the world in the same

comfortable way.” Dirty Linen Magazine