A passion for gardening is often passed down from generation to generation, and for Dorene Fretwell, that is certainly true. Fretwell has been a certified Master Gardener since 2007 and has used her horticulture knowledge, creativity and intuition to create a beautiful woodland garden at her home in Seabeck. “My love of gardening started with […]
Angie Narus
A Kitsap Peninsula resident, Angie Narus grew up in Southwestern Pennsylvania and moved out west with her husband more than 21 years ago. She is a school counselor, author and personal blogger. Inspired by the places she visits and the people she meets, her writing focuses on sharing her knowledge of gardening and points of interest in Washington state. Angie also loves photography, hiking, kayaking, camping, visiting small towns, going to festivals and cultural events, and road trips to the coast and mountains — which makes the Pacific Northwest an ideal choice to call home. Angie also features her book and occasionally blogs on her website.
Posted inGarden
Sanctuary from a Hectic World — Savage Plants & Landscape
Savage Plants & Landscape in Kingston is a family-owned nursery that does more than just sell plants. Jim and Joan Savage started the nursery in 1993. Jim Savage runs the landscape division, and his daughter, Hollie Savage, is the nursery manager. “My mom is the one who does all the paperwork and bookwork from home, […]
Posted inGarden
Roadhouse Nursery — Where the Lilies Grow
The Roadhouse Nursery in Central Kitsap plays a distinctive role in the local gardening community. Owners Jan and George Bahr opened the retail nursery in 1985 and have operated it without employees for more than 30 years. Their idea for a nursery began in the early 1980s, when their second child started kindergarten. At the […]
Posted inGardeners Corner
Fall Is the Time to Plant Your Early-Blooming Bulbs
For local gardeners, fall is the time to clean out garden beds and get bulbs in the ground. The mild climate of West Sound makes it ideal for growing a wide range of spring-blooming bulbs, with crocuses, hellebores, cyclamen, daffodils, tulips and grape hyacinth being among the most popular. Since early-blooming bulbs need a cold […]
Posted inAt Home
How to Make a Decorative Container with a Terracotta Flower Pot
Terracotta pots are probably the most commonly used type of planter. Garden centers, nurseries, craft stores and any retailer that sells gardening supplies also carries terracotta planters. They are popular for their burnt orange color and natural look. If you want terracotta but don’t want them to all look the same, you can easily transform […]
Posted inGardeners Corner
How to Make Your Yard a Haven for Wildlife
Last month, my husband and I visited a small public garden in Southwest Washington called the Wildlife Botanical Gardens. The garden is a project of the NatureScaping organization, devoted to showing homeowners ways to attract birds and other wildlife to their yards by providing reliable sources of food, water, shelter and nesting material. The 3 […]
Posted inGardeners Corner
Enjoy the Year of the Tulip
Tulips are equated with spring, and every year between late March and mid May, millions of people flock to see acres of these iconic flowers in bloom during tulip festivals throughout Western Washington. This year, the National Garden Bureau named the tulip “perennial of the year,” declaring 2018 the “Year of the Tulip.” If you […]
Posted inGardeners Corner
Some of the Best Flowers for Beautiful Vase Displays
Spring is undoubtedly my favorite time of year. Each spring, I especially look forward to cutting fresh flowers from my yard to arrange in a vase on my kitchen windowsill or dining room table. In some ways, the finished display is like a trophy showcasing my gardening skills, while allowing me to bring color from […]
Posted inAround West Sound
17 of West Sound’s Best Coffee Shops
If you love going out for coffee at a place where you can unwind, study or enjoy some music, you are sure to find it in West Sound. When I want to go to a coffee shop that has ambiance, sit on comfy cushion chairs and listen to live music, or sit on a terrace […]