In the early ’70s, my husband’s job took us to Yuba City, California, which lies at the confluence of the Yuba and Feather rivers. The region is a lush growing area for almonds, walnuts and peaches. Our next-door neighbor’s mother grew several varieties of peaches on a 6-acre orchard, and as there was a labor […]
gardening
Posted inGardeners Corner
Keep Your Pets Safe from Poisonous Plants
If you have pets, you probably know that lilies are poisonous for cats, but did you know that tulips are dangerous for dogs? Some toxic plants don’t just cause gastric irritation — they can cause death. As you’re planning to add more plants to your garden, you may want to avoid those that are harmful […]
Posted inGardeners Corner
How to Attract Pollinators with Container Planters
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 job by planting pollinator-attracting plants in your containers. Easy Tips for Container […]
Posted inGarden
Gig Harbor Garden Tour
Gardeners seem to be some of the happiest and nicest people on Earth. There is something euphoric about getting one’s hands in the soil, planting little sprouts and seeds, and watching them become beautiful, living things. As if that weren’t enough to make the happy endorphins emerge, gardening also produces a strange desire in the […]
Posted inAt Home
Teach Kids Critical Skills While Saving Thousands on Home Maintenance
A recent report suggests that on average, homeowners spend $2,000 every year on home maintenance, including landscaping, housekeeping and plumbing services. Parents can save money, as well as teach responsibility and financial skills, by hiring their own child to do household tasks. Below are some tips for assigning home maintenance chores to kids and teaching critical skills along […]
Posted inThe Outdoors
Chemical-Free Options for Managing Mosquitoes in Your Landscape
It’s time to get outside and enjoy summer barbecues, gardening, hikes and much more. Don’t let mosquitoes keep you inside. Instead, enlist chemical-free strategies to manage these pests in your landscape. Start by eliminating the mosquitoes’ breeding grounds. Drain the water out of buckets, old tires and clogged gutters and downspouts that hold water needed for mosquitoes […]
Posted inGardeners Corner
Free Webinar to Cover Weather Stations, Water and Drought Tracking
WSU Extension’s Regional Small Farms Program is hosting a free online webinar for farmers on the Olympic and Kitsap Peninsulas titled, “Weather Stations Webinar: A Tool for Farmers.” Gardeners and citizens interested in local weather patterns are also encouraged to register. The webinar takes place Tuesday, June 4, from noon to 1 p.m. It will […]
Posted inGarden
How to Identify Common Rhodie Problems
Rhododendrons are beginning to bloom their hearts out. They thrive in this region but are not without their share of hungry pests and sneaky diseases. A little understanding of common rhododendron problems is useful for maintaining healthy specimens. Trying to identify plant problems can be tricky. Often, different issues cause similar symptoms, or multiple problems […]
Posted inBlog
How to Create a Plan for Your Rural Property
Editor’s note: These tips were adapted with permission from the brochure “Tips for Water and Rural Management for Puget Sound Rural Living” by the Puget Sound Conservation Districts, adapted from “Tips on Land and Water Management for Small Farms and Ranches in Montana,” Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation. Did you buy a place […]