Gardening for wildlife is a satisfying focus for a gardener, knowing that your efforts benefit not only the human caretakers of a landscape, but provide habitat and nourishment for many creatures. What is better than seeing a hummingbird pushing upward on every fuchsia flower while you are hidden beneath a shrub, weeding? Or noticing that […]
Luba Fetterman
The owner of Harmonia Landscapes on Bainbridge Island, Luba Fetterman is an ecoPRO certified horticulturist. Whether designing a garden, teaching clients how to care for their own landscapes, or providing fine pruning or maintenance services, Luba's focus is on gardens that nurture people while remaining in harmony with the natural world. She has a bachelor of science degree in marine biology from Texas A&M University as well as an associate of technical arts degree in ornamental horticulture and landscape design from Edmonds Community College. Luba has been a Kitsap County Master Gardener since 2008. When not busy in her own or her clients' gardens, she can be found sailing on her 30-foot Lyle Hess cutter that she built with her husband, or backpacking in our beautiful mountains.
Posted inGardeners Corner
Enjoying a Year-Round Edible Landscape
The garden is changing every day this time of year. Plants respond quickly to warming temperatures, the soil is still moist from frequent spring showers. The chores pile up quickly, tugging at us from every garden corner and flowerbed. At times like these, I am very thankful for all the tasks that were taken care […]
Posted inBlog, Featured, Gardeners Corner
The Mystery of ‘Potato Hollow Heart’
I love a good mystery, and the garden provides many puzzles. Sometimes I am stumped, but it sure is satisfying when the solution presents itself! Last spring, I decided to make use of some rotting pallets we had set aside. The wood was pretty far-gone, and I thought I could bury it under some compost […]
Posted inBlog, Featured, Gardeners Corner
The Benefits of Gardening with Children
Slow down. Feel the sun on your face. Feel the softness of the earth between your fingers. Bury your hand in the soil — perhaps you will find a spud, ready for supper tonight. Perhaps you’ll find a tunnel and follow it along to see where the moles make their home. Lift the leafy litter […]
Posted inBlog, Featured, Gardeners Corner
Mossy Rose Gall — A Fascinating Pest
I love plants with interesting foliage, be it the striking color, shape or fragrance. Rosa glauca, with her lovely bluish foliage, captured me the first time I saw it. Its flowers and hips are a bonus, always appreciated for their color and delicate nature. The flush of bloom is over for the season, so imagine […]
Posted inBlog, Gardeners Corner
Why Procrastination in the Garden Can Be a Good Thing
Procrastination. Generally a dirty word, and yet, it doesn’t always have to be. I have plenty of experience in the field, and have come to the conclusion that in gardening, procrastination can be a beautiful thing. Like the time I left a pile of weeds on the path because I’d much rather pull weeds in […]
Posted inBlog, Gardeners Corner
Gardening Happily with Hungry Wildlife
I expect you’ve heard that the only way to protect your plants from hungry deer is a good fence. The deer in my neighborhood illustrate this point perfectly. Before I built my current fence, I kept my treasured deer “candy” covered in black netting. Harvesting strawberries from under the fencing was tedious, and as plants […]
Posted inBlog, Gardeners Corner
Thugs and Overachievers in the Garden
It is time to serve out some eviction notices. I’ve been cleaning out the garden, weeding, pruning and mulching as I go along, and making some tough decisions along the way: Who gets to stay, and who’s overstayed their welcome. There was a time when any plant given to me or found as a bargain […]
Posted inBlog, Gardeners Corner
Fallen Leaves, a Gift from Above
Fall brings a bounty not everyone is excited about: piles of fallen leaves. In my garden, this abundance feels like early Christmas. All that organic material is at my disposal, and the only cost is a bit of exercise! I hope you will share my enthusiasm after I talk about some of the ways you […]