I am not a mason bee expert but I recognize and benefit from their hard work during rainy weather. A few years ago, my strawberries were seedy and not uniformly plump and succulent, so I contacted my local Master Gardener for ideas about what was going on in my fruit garden. The diagnosis was “a […]
Gardeners Corner
All things gardening — seasonal tips, inspirational ideas, gardening events, plant information and more.
Posted inGardeners Corner
Getting Out Your Spring Yard Equipment: Safety Reminders
It may still be drizzling outside but there’s no doubt the lawn needs attention. If you’re getting ready to get out your lawn mower, trimmer, leaf blower, chain saw, pruner or other piece of outdoor power equipment, here are some tips from the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute on making sure you’re staying safe while doing […]
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Terracing a Vegetable Garden
The first time we saw our property, we were not smitten. Most of the land sloped significantly and faced north. The house did not make us jump with excitement either, at first. As our choices were pretty limited, we took a second look, and the magic started to reveal itself. The sloping property afforded a […]
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From the Garden to the Party
Make every meal a special event by bringing the garden to the table. Serve your favorite dishes made from homegrown ingredients. Then allow guests to add their own herbal seasonings right from the garden or container. Start by growing the ingredients for your favorite recipes and beverages. Consider those, like tomatoes, that taste best fresh […]
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What West Sound Landowners Need to Know About Noxious Weeds
As a gardener and homeowner, I consider myself a steward of the environment, and with that comes the responsibility of choosing plants for my home landscape that are not invasive or noxious. Noxious weeds are non-native plants that were introduced in the State of Washington by individuals who planted them as ornamentals, and they now […]
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Why Does the Northwest Need Rain Gardens?
Here in the Pacific Northwest, we all love looking at the mountains and ocean, lakes and creeks, our huge evergreen trees and silvery sagebrush, and the vast fields and endless horizons stretching out both east and west of the mountains. That is why we live here, why we call the Northwest region home. Out here, […]
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Grow a Bigger Garden in a Smaller Space
Whether in the ground or on a balcony or deck, there’s always room to grow your own garden-fresh produce and beautiful flowers. Space-saving gardening techniques and products can help you increase productivity in any available space. Consider elevated gardens and planter carts that not only save space but make gardens more accessible. Movable carts like […]
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Your Potting Soil may be Harming the Environment
Today, home gardeners are taking a second look at the way they garden, aiming to upgrade to more sustainable practices and bring their passion for gardening in line with their environmental principles. Leaving peat moss out of our gardens is one meaningful step you can take toward combating climate change. If you grew up gardening […]
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Four Easy-Care Gardening Trends for the Holiday Season
Dress up the holidays or give gifts that continue giving throughout the year with these low maintenance gardening trends. Just add a little fun, classic beauty or style to make it even more memorable now and throughout the year. Terrariums: These mini greenhouses continue to grow in popularity and are perfect for new or timid […]