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 like this one are abundant stories coming forth from the gardeners of […]
flowers
Posted inGarden
Jeannie Kay O’Reilly’s Indianola Secret
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 were lacking. She was “mostly retired” and was looking for a space […]
Posted inGardeners Corner
Top 10 Annual Seeds to Sow This Spring to Make Your Garden and Containers Flowery
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 the seeds directly outside or start them inside in little pots. Over […]
Posted inGardeners Corner
Dahlia Combinations for Gardens and Bouquets
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 including different varieties of dahlias for added interest and beauty in the […]
Posted inGarden
A Garden of Pure Joy
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 — with its breathtaking view of the harbor and Mount Rainier, even […]
Posted inGarden
Enjoying Vista Gardens All Year Round
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 myriad amounts of plants, literally thousands. For example, there are over 450 […]
Posted inPeople & Places
Touching People Through Art
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. “I’ve always loved to do flowers,” she said. “But it is something […]
Posted inAt Home
Best Indoor Plants for Purifying the Air
House plants are a great way to bring the outdoors into the comfort and warmth of your home through all seasons. In addition to being aesthetically pleasing, this beautiful range of plants often comes with a number of benefits to our physical and mental health, including reduced stress and anxiety, better sleep quality and even […]
Posted inGardeners Corner
Organic Insect Pest Control in Vegetable and Flower Gardens
You can have a beautiful, productive garden while working with nature to manage insect pests. As you incorporate various eco-friendly pest management strategies, you will encourage songbirds, beneficial insects and pollinators to visit your gardens. You will find slight variations of definitions, but most organic gardeners agree the focus is on cultivating a system that […]