It’s a beautiful summer afternoon at Point No Point County Park in Hansville. Scores of people are relaxing on the beach. Suddenly, everyone springs up and runs to the water’s edge, excitedly pointing at something offshore. A trio of orcas are swimming by. Everyone is thrilled to see the stunning, endangered sea creatures. But the […]
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
How to Incorporate All Five Senses into Your Garden
Editor’s note: This article was adapted from “The Garden Refresh,” a newly released book by Kier Holmes. Published with permission. Smell, sound, taste, touch, and sight — incorporating all five senses in your design creates a dynamic and well-rounded garden experience. And your garden doesn’t have to be elaborate or massive to achieve this. Small […]
Posted inGarden
Come and Bloom with the Gig Harbor Garden Tour
We could say these gardens have “come out of dormancy” after a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19 restrictions. But actually, the gardens and the gardeners themselves have been anything but dormant during their at-home time the last two gardening seasons. As with the general populace, gardeners found they enjoyed the flexibility of working at home. […]
Posted inGardeners Corner
Considering a Greenhouse? Keep These Tips in Mind
During the pandemic lockdown, many homeowners had a renewed interest in greenhouses. If you’ve been inspired to think about owning a glasshouse or greenhouse for the first time, but you don’t know where to start, Hartley Botanic — a manufacturer of handmade English glasshouses and greenhouses — has provided the answers to some of the […]
Posted inGardeners Corner
Tips for Growing Gladiolus in Your Garden
Gladiolus are as American as apple pie. Generations of gardeners, from Maine to Western Washington, have tucked these summer-blooming bulbs into their gardens in spring, delighted by the gorgeous flower spikes that appear just a few months later. Buckets of long-stemmed glads are a late-summer tradition, and they can be found at almost any county […]
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Poulsbo’s Petal and Pitchfork Farm Takes on New Life as a Cooperative Flower Farm
Stacy Marshall of Petal and Pitchfork loves flowers. She likes them so much that, in 2022, she transitioned her 15-acre farm from vegetable production to flowers. Marshall and her husband, Kelsey, are the community-minded owners of local coffee marketer Grounds for Change. The couple, together with Marshall’s sidekick (and mother) Janet Chalupa, have worked hard […]
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Allium’s Ornamental Stars
Nature did not create all flowers equal when it came to fragrance. When you view a flower, you instinctively want to bury your nose in it to get a whiff of its scent. Alliums will give you that, just not the sweet aroma you hope for when you do a sniff test. Ornamental alliums may […]
Posted inGardeners Corner
Landscaping Tips for Instant Curb Appeal
One of the best ways to achieve instant curb appeal, according to the experts, is to effectively layer shrubs, plants and flowers in your front yard. Doing so can create a cohesive visual experience that naturally guides visitors to the front door. Landscape designer Doug Scott describes plant layering in art terms: “Just like in […]
Posted inGardeners Corner
Sustainable Water Use in the Landscape
No matter where we live, the conservation and wise use of water in our gardens and landscapes is important. Sustainable water use helps grow beautiful gardens while conserving water and helping reduce water pollution and stormwater overflows. Amend the soil with compost or other organic matter to increase the soil’s ability to absorb and retain […]