There is nothing better than drinking a delicious cup of tea. Except drinking a cup made from plants grown in your own garden. Ditch the classics and get ready for your new home-grown favorites. 1. Lemon grass Towering in the garden, lemongrass is truly a unique plant. Its stems create an oil rich in lemony […]
Garden
Many interesting and delightful gardens abound in our area — how fun to glimpse into a gardener’s back yard (or even front yard). Enjoy gardens from Gig Harbor, Port Orchard, Bremerton, Central Kitsap, and the North end of Kitsap including Bainbridge Island. These articles are only a sample of what we have in West Sound Magazine each issue — subscribe to the print version today to see all of what we have to offer!
Posted inGardeners Corner
Keep Plants Thriving Despite the Heat of Summer
Above-normal summer temperatures have been common in the last few years in many regions of the country, taking a toll on gardeners and landscapes. Adjusting how you manage your gardens and landscape can help plants thrive as temperatures rise. Water plants thoroughly to promote deep, drought-tolerant roots that help boost the plants’ pest resistance. Wait […]
Posted inGarden
Attracting Pollinators to Your Garden
Hummingbirds, butterflies and bees! Sadly, there has been a decline in the health of our pollinators, and it’s important for gardeners to create a pollinator-friendly garden. You will need to provide blooming plants, which is their food source; shelter in the form of large-leaved shrubs, trees and tall grasses; and water to encourage their survival. […]
Posted inGardeners Corner
How to Grow a Superfood Garden
Most of us know about superfoods –– those berries and veggies that bulk up our immune systems to keep us healthy. But how can you grow a superfood garden? We’ll show you. What are Superfoods? Harvard University and the Mayo Clinic describe superfoods as being rich in vitamins, antioxidants, fiber, minerals, healthy fats and flavonoids. […]
Posted inGarden
A Summer Sweep Through the Peeps
Birds are fascinating creatures that can be found in almost any place. Species have adaptations for their lifestyles and may differ considerably from other genres. For example, penguins and hummingbirds have little in common. Woodpeckers and albatrosses are worlds apart. Even within some groups, there are surprising differences, particularly with shorebirds. Some are large and […]
Posted inGarden
A ‘Real Garden’ Thrives with Natural Habitat and Stunning Plants
Tucked away on Eagle Harbor’s south side, in the Eagledale neighborhood on Bainbridge Island, is a charming, private garden offering its owners year-round beauty and joy. Designed by Bainbridge Island garden designer Teri Cole, the garden makes best use of its natural habitat, as well as perennials, hydrangeas, annuals and a plethora of shrubbery. Not […]
Posted inGardeners Corner
Design a Deer-Resistant Garden Without the Fence
Deer are common visitors to landscapes even in urban and suburban areas. Fencing is the most effective way to protect your plants but is not always practical or desirable. Your community may have restrictions on fencing, your budget may not support this option or you prefer not to hide your plantings behind a fence. Growing […]
Posted inGarden
Rhododendron Dream
Sometimes we need to see things from a new angle, in order to realize how wonderful something truly is. Charmond Adkins of Poulsbo found this to be true the rhododendron flower. “I got interested in rhododendrons about 40 years ago, when I first saw a yellow one,” she says. “Prior to that, I only thought […]
Posted inGarden
Community and Learning Gardens
West Sound abounds in opportunities to enjoy gardens and gardening. It’s been said that the Pacific Northwest is heaven for gardeners. But what if a person has no space to garden? Not even in containers? The answer is community gardens, also known as P-patches. And, if you’d rather just enjoy visiting gardens or perhaps learning […]