I’m so excited to tell you about this beautiful shrub named Eclipse Big Leaf Hydrangea. The leaves are dark purple — almost black, and have a sheen like satin. They stay dark all season long, year after year. The blooms are a spectacular — cranberry or amethyst color — providing dramatic contrast to the dark […]
horticulture
Posted inGardeners Corner
These 10 Edible Flowers Are Beneficial for Your Health
Florals are a feast for the eyes, brightening up your day instantly. However, they can also be a feast for your body as well. The health benefits of edible flowers deserve so much more recognition. It’s nature’s gift, and it’s essential to take advantage of it. Are There Actually Edible Flowers? Before diving into the […]
Posted inGardeners Corner
Fall Planting Provides Months of Continuous Spring Color
Welcome spring and create continuous color for several months with a collection of spring-flowering bulbs. After planting in the fall, you’ll enjoy an array of flower colors that combine nicely with other spring-flowering trees, shrubs and flowers. Start the season with early-blooming snowdrops. As winter fades, watch for the dangling white flowers on 6- to […]
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Kitsap Farm Tour 2024
The 2nd Annual Kitsap Farm Tour takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 11. This is an opportunity for you to visit 11 farms across Kitsap County in a one-day, self-guided tour. The farms feature family-friendly activities, animal experiences and local products for purchase. Many will also offer food and snacks for […]
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5 Reasons Your Hydrangea May Not Be Producing Flowers
Winter can sometimes spell doom for hydrangeas across much of the United States, but not so this year. Winter was mild, with record-breaking warm temperatures in the northeast, where gardeners regularly experience angst about whether their big leaf and mountain hydrangeas will flower. The other factor that can thwart the flowering cycle is wild temperature […]
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Creating a Low-Maintenance Garden: Tips and Tricks
Gardening is a fun hobby that has plenty of health benefits. If you’ve been thinking about converting a barren backyard into a stunning landscape of greens, these six tricks will help you build a garden that requires minimal time and effort to care for. 1. Know the Type of Soil How do you keep your […]
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How to Plant a Meadowscape for Natural Beauty
Are you tired of spending every Saturday mowing your lawn instead of relaxing in the garden? Was your last water bill higher than your car payment? Would you rather spend money on pretty plants for the garden — instead of fertilizer for the lawn? And — do you worry about the environmental impact when lawns […]
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Gig Harbor Garden Tour Marks 25 Years of Supporting Literacy
For a quarter of a century, the Gig Harbor Garden Tour has inspired master gardeners as well as the weekend weed puller with stunning ideas for their own gardens while fostering literacy efforts in the Gig Harbor community. The 2024 event marks the 25-year anniversary of this endeavor. “We began with this idea to increase […]
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Outdoor Succulent Gardening: Easy-Care and Sunshine-Loving Plants
Bring low-maintenance beauty to your outdoor space with a succulent garden. Succulents are water-wise plants that thrive in sunlight, making them perfect for creating a stunning and easy-to-care-for outdoor oasis. Bonus! Depending on your region and growing zone, you can bring many succulents indoors for the winter, giving you year-round pleasure. Succulents are practical to […]