There is a small bit of paradise in Indianola. The garden of Dalreen and Alan Quyn is planted abundantly with flowering plants from one border of the property to the other. Not a square inch of bare ground can be seen from February through October each year. Eighty-eight rose bushes and myriad forms of every […]
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Posted inGarden
Made in The Shade in Lake Symington
Shade can be a problem for many gardeners, especially if one desires sun-loving perennials or roses. Dortha Murker has created a spark of light and joy in a deeply shaded garden. Located at the terminus of a dead-end street near Lake Symington, her gardens bring the viewer a restful and restorative mood, plus an invitation […]
Posted inGarden
A Colorful Palette for Neighborhood Joy
When Cora Reuter was a little girl, her school bus passed a blooming flower garden every afternoon. “It brought me such joy,” she recalled. Middle school years were hard for her, and the garden, full of bursting colors, made her neighborhood brighter. Now, Reuter pays it forward, giving her neighbors, young and old, a happy […]
Posted inGardeners Corner
Mindful Gardening: Techniques to Release Neck Tension While You Work
Spending hours in your garden sounds like a dreamy afternoon until neck pain develops. Holding your head at odd angles to dig or pull weeds can create discomfort that lingers the rest of the day. “Prolonged forward flexion — when your head and neck bend down toward the ground — puts stress on the upper […]
Posted inGarden
The Profusely Abundant, Plant-Filled Garden of Jill and Michael Betts
Jill Betts and her husband, Michael, have created a profusely planted, abundant garden on their 2.5-acre property off the Seabeck Highway. In April 2020 (at the beginning of the gardening season), she began a five-year labor of love and perhaps “obsession.” Michael Betts, who’s retired from the Navy, is a consummate builder of anything his […]
Posted inGarden
Willow & Mabel Garden Co. Update
It has been a while since I have given you an update on what I have to offer on the farm at the moment and in the coming months. The sweet peas are now blooming beautifully and this year, I have grown more than ever. If you live locally and would like to purchase a […]
Posted inPeople & Places
WillaBella Farm
Roots run so deep at WillaBella Farm in Gig Harbor that they go all the way back to 1912. The unassuming farmhouse, with its fir lumber flooring and arched doorways, still stands. As does the guest house, which was first a woodworking shop. From the grape vines to the heirloom orchard of apple, pear, cherry […]
Posted inHome
What Homebuyers Really Want
Are you thinking of remodeling your home or buying a home? Are you a builder or remodeler wanting to stay abreast of current home design trends? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, you may be interested in the results of a new survey conducted by the National Association of Home Builders […]
Posted inThe Outdoors
20 Ways to Make Your Backyard an Outdoor Oasis
Who says the outdoors can’t be stylish? We tend to treat these spaces as just useful backyards. But with a few easy upgrades, outdoor living spaces can become an attractive outdoor living area that fits right in with the rest of your home. We’ll walk you through innovative design ideas for your outdoor living spaces. […]