Specialty nurseries are a magnet for serious gardeners — and Woodbrook Native Plant Nursery, located in Gig Harbor’s backyard, is a favorite. With a timely message for gardeners concerned about garden resiliency for climate change, Ingrid Wachtler and her staff are ready to … read more

Even though 75% of Washington residents never litter, a new statewide study commissioned by the Washington Department of Ecology finds that more than 26 million pounds (13,096 tons) of waste accumulates along Washington roads every year. And despite our state spending approximately $12 … read more

Wendy and Carl Tonge were locked down, isolated and staring into an evergreen forest in March 2020 on their tiny side porch. They sat in two reed chairs under a sign from Disneyland’s Enchanted Tiki Bar that says Trader Sam’s, reminiscing about another … read more

Put your garden to work over winter by planting a cover crop this fall. Covering the soil with plants that are turned into the soil or smothered and allowed to decompose in spring provides many benefits. Fall-planted cover crops protect the soil from … read more

Fall is a great time to be in your family yard. “Our yards are giving us ways to keep living,” says Kris Kiser, president of the TurfMutt Foundation. “Your backyard can help you stay active and thrive. It’s where you might throw a … read more

Longtime West Sound community and business leader Helen Langer Smith died on July 23, 2023, at age 94. Her 70-year tenure on Kitsap Bank’s Olympic Bancorp Board of Directors until her death makes her one of the longest-ever serving bank directors in the … read more

Many of us have heard the saying, “Go take a hike.” At one time, this was a negative phrase, but now it could become our mantra for getting out and exploring all the abundant trails that surround us in West Sound, from the … read more

There are so many reasons to love daffodils. These spring-blooming bulbs aren’t fussy about where they are planted. They come back to bloom again year after year, and are not bothered by deer, rabbits or other garden pests. But there’s also a whole … read more

The avid entrepreneurial restaurateur team of Jody and Alan Davis have been the proud proprietors of the trendy Hound + Bottle restaurant in Manette for the past six years. Rock ‘n’ roll music, an eclectic decór and small but elegant menu greet neighborhood … read more