In the West Sound growing climate, gardeners can often plant seeds and starts in July through September for late fall, winter and sometimes even early spring harvest. The most important thing to remember is soil temperatures and how much water is needed. Many gardeners extend the season even farther by using hoop houses and floating […]
Gardeners Corner
All things gardening — seasonal tips, inspirational ideas, gardening events, plant information and more.
Posted inBlog, Gardeners Corner
Waxy Breakdown of Garlic
I love “Aha!” moments. I recently had one regarding the mysteries of garlic in storage. I had noticed that some years, my garlic stored without any trouble, lasting well into the summer, while other times many of the cloves shriveled up and were unusable. I could not pinpoint the cause until the garlic harvest this […]
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What To Do with Your Garden Abundance
If you have a vegetable garden, you probably want all your produce to be used well. But there is a limit to how much produce one household can consume. Puget Sound gardeners get an average of 10 pounds of tomatoes from each plant (and as many as 25 pounds), according to The Brothers Greenhouses tomato […]
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Behind the Scenes with Musician Jim Valley
“Have you seen Jim Valley’s garden? You really need to see his garden.” This wasn’t the first time I’d heard Jim Valley’s name. I was standing at a party in Seattle, in a gathering of people who’d just seen “Her Aim is True,” an independent film about former Gig Harbor resident and renowned rock photographer […]
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A Few Tasks for the Dog Days of a Summer Garden
As you stroll through the garden in the heat of the day, plants don’t seem to have that oomph they had in the spring. Some say it’s just too hot to garden and are waiting for fall planting time to even think about getting out the shovel. So it goes, the dog days of summer […]
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Create a ‘Salad Box’ That’s Slug-Proof
Whether you are new to gardening, live in a townhouse or other small space or are an experienced gardener, you probably have seen a favorite crop in a raised bed or in-ground garden turned into Swiss cheese by the creatures of the night. One solution to this perennial problem has been solved in my garden […]
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How to Create a Backyard Sanctuary for Wildlife
Do you have waterfront property? Does your house look out on magnificent views of the Puget Sound? Or perhaps you have a secluded lakeshore cabin. You may want to consider making your property friendly to wildlife. On my property, there is a vernal pond that my husband dug several years ago. It is only about […]
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Staying One Step Ahead of Your Garden so You Can Enjoy It
As the days of summer heat up, the last thing we want to do is work hard in the garden. This is the time to enjoy it, play in the sprinklers and hang out with friends. Here are a few tips to help you reach this nirvana. Mulch Hopefully you took some time this spring, […]
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Rain Gardens Add Beauty and Function to Your Yard
Controlling storm-water runoff is a necessity for your home and your yard, but it’s sometimes relegated to that dreaded list of outdoor chores. But what if adding an efficient runoff system meant the addition of a beautiful garden at the same time? That’s exactly what rain gardens are. They’re designed to store and filter rain […]