The warmth of the sun, the smell of fresh-cut grass and the sound of the birds chirping. Spring has arrived! Those of us in the Pacific Northwest love our sunshine and relish the longer days spent outdoors. One of my favorite ways to … read more

Container planters can help you play a part in attracting pollinators, even if you don’t have a yard. In the United States, one-third of all agricultural output depends on pollinators — we need pollinators and pollinators need us. Help the pollinators do their … read more

The Friends of the Manchester Library Annual Plant Sale has always tried to make good use of our resource of community-donated plants, or what we call recycling them out into the larger community. We want to be stewards for this lovely place we … read more

In the middle of Kitsap County between East Bremerton and Silverdale is located one of the most outstanding urban natural-park spaces in the United States. It is a 570-acre site known as the Illahee Preserve. Owned by Kitsap County, the Illahee Preserve is … read more

The Bremerton City Nursery has been part of Bremerton for more than six decades, thanks to two local families. Today, it brands itself as an urban city nursery, and it sells almost exclusively organic products. The Berger family founded the nursery in the … read more

Benjamin Moore announced its color of the year — Metropolitan AF-690, a stylish gray with cool undertones. The company also unveiled Color Trends 2019, a corresponding palette of 15 harmonious hues that further amplify the cultured grace of Metropolitan AF-690. Ranging from ethereal … read more

Considered the queen of winter flowers, camellia is beautiful and stately; it reigns in beauty in every season. The shrub’s evergreen presence is quiet and demure when not in flower. But when the weather cools, Camellia sasanqua adorns itself in floral finery from … read more

Digital dudes and divas everywhere may understand the importance of a thank-you email but may underestimate the power of a handwritten “thank you” or “just because.” “Letters are magical. It’s like giving someone a hug and saying, ‘I care about you,’” said Dee … read more

Editor’s note: This is the second part of an excerpt adapted from hiking expert Susan Elderkin’s book, “Best Hikes With Kids: Western Washington” (Mountaineers Books, April 2018). Enjoy exploring the region’s hikes with your little ones — these are the perfect spots for … read more