Pruning, or the practice of removing dead or diseased branches from flowering plants — including certain herbs, vegetables, shrubs, trees and flowers — allows them to focus their energy on new growth and blossoms, which can result in a more robust and abundant … read more

Wyn and Steve Abbott live on a piece of land in Hansville that was described as “The Fairy Tale Garden” on the 2024 Hansville Helping Hands tour. Its name is perhaps appropriate in more than one way. Both Abbotts create magic, not only … read more

Perhaps one of the best joys of gardening is when a gardener finds that new struggling little sprout that’s choking under too many weeds and she frees it — and within a day, it’s growing straight, reaching into new summer sun. Little joys … read more

In the fall of 2021, Jeannie Kay O’Reilly was seeking a place of renewal. She found the perfect location in Indianola, but the lot was mostly lawn. While there was a terrific view of Miller Bay, the longed-for flowers and planted garden beds … read more

Do you want to make your garden or container plantings really flowery this year? If so, try adding some easy-to-grow annual seeds to your spring shopping list. Annuals are plants that complete their whole lifecycle in one growing season. You can either plant … read more

Dahlias come in various colors, shapes and sizes, making them easy to include in any garden, container and bouquet. Grow them in their own dedicated space, mix them with other flowers or plant a few at the end of the vegetable garden. Consider … read more

The American poet Theodore Roethke stated, “Great Nature has another thing to do / To you and me; so take the lively air / And, Lovely, learn by going where to go.” When you wander into Donna and Tom Torrens’ Gig Harbor garden … read more

West Sound has three world-class gardens open to the public all year round. The smallest, Vista Gardens, at 4.5 acres, is tucked in against a hillside on 31st Street in East Bremerton. Perhaps 4.5 acres sounds small but this garden is home to … read more

Shirley Sakatani is a Kitsap artist who paints flowers based on her inspiration from Washington state’s flora. She lived in Southern California, and seeing the plants and foliage of this area was a new experience for her when she moved here in 1996. … read more