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 […]
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 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 […]
Posted inGarden
Garden ‘Remodeling’ with the Kitsap Master Gardeners Salvage Team
It happens when you’ve been gardening in the same place for a long time: You realize you are living in an overgrown jungle. Unless you’ve been really conscientious about dividing your muscular perennials every few years, you suddenly notice they are not blooming as well as they should; and the bullies are crowding out the […]
Posted inGarden
Crazy Plants at Crazy Hill
Crazy Hill Garden & Botanicals in Belfair lives up to its name. The nursery, which opened in March 2021, provides a laid-back, fun, artistic and casual atmosphere for its customers. “The big-box shops buy safe, and we buy fun,” says Crazy Hill Garden & Botanical co-owner Elton Busby, adding that the nursery specializes in “unique […]
Posted inGarden
Gig Harbor Garden Tour — An Inspiration for All Gardeners
After a season of unusual cold and snow, it is a gardener’s joy to see spring shoots promising summer abundance. This year’s annual Gig Harbor Garden Tour offers a rich summer palette of color, natural foliage, manicured pathways and a natural forest. There is a garden for every type of gardener — novice to experienced […]
Posted inGarden
The Garden Conservancy Open Day Tours
It could be argued that in the Pacific Northwest, gardening-mania far surpasses baseball as the favorite sport. With the help of April showers, June gardens are primped, pruned and ready for ohs! and ahs! as garden tour season begins. Knowledgeable gardeners anticipate The Garden Conservancy Open Days, which grants unprecedented access to private gardens. Open […]