As gardeners, it seems we are all looking for an ideal potting mix for our houseplants and containers. Like any gardening endeavor, a lot depends on what is available, the plants you’re growing and the type of maintenance you provide. That said, there are some things you can do to increase your success and reduce […]
flowers
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 plant the seeds either directly outside or you can start them inside, in little […]
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The Abundant Gardens of Candy Gratton
Candy Gratton began gardening at the tender age of 5 when she and her parents lived with her grandparents for a time in California. Her grandfather’s garden had been featured in Sunset magazine. Wanting to instill a love of gardening in her too, he allocated a spot to her. “I’ve been gardening and growing my […]
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Spring Is Here!
March is my favorite month for planting bareroot trees, shrubs, roses and herbaceous edibles. By planting bareroot, you’ll save money. Here are some plant suggestions: Tree types: Flowering • Fruit • Shade Shrubs: Lilacs • Flowering currants • Dogwoods • Bridal spirea • Forsythia Roses: English • Climbing • Rugosa • Modern • Old fashioned […]
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For the Love of Flowers
Perhaps you have seen their farmstands. Dotted down the backroads and tucked into neighborhoods, flower farms are proliferating around West Sound and growing into a unified local industry. The Northwest climate is similar to the most well-known flower-growing areas in Europe (think: the Netherlands or the English countryside). Even people without much previous gardening experience […]
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A Master Gardener’s Paradise for a Smaller Lot
Sometimes moving into a planned community poses challenges for a gardener. There are homeowner association (HOA) rules, smaller lots and restrictions for fences, and if the lot happens to be on a golf course, that just adds to the puzzle. Master Gardener Linda Broun embraced these constraints, even celebrated them, as she created a garden […]
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Aromatherapy in Your Garden
How about am aromatic garden? Perfume-scented flowers, blooming trees and herbs in the garden are so important for insects, animals and people. Plant fragrances change your mood and brighten your spirits and can be very calming. You can create a scented haven with little effort, as Mother Nature will assist you with her magic wand. […]
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Brilliant Winter-Blooming Houseplants to Brighten Dreary Days (and How to Care for Them)
Do you have the post-holiday blues? With the tinsel and decorations packed away, your home might feel a little bleak and bare. You need something pretty and festive to help endure gray, cold winter days. And as we count the weeks until the first crocus pops and the daffodils fill garden beds, what better mood-booster […]
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Bulbs and Other Plants for Winter Interest
January and February are months when many gardeners enjoy staying cozy inside their homes, mulling through all the seed catalogues, catching up on reading all the cool books on gardening and planning out their veggie gardens for early-spring planting and starting seeds indoors. It’s also a great time to visit local nurseries to see their […]