It starts with a piece of wood — often a very big piece. Big, as in a 10-foot-long log or a huge slab of Western red cedar, Douglas fir, big leaf maple, or perhaps even a large chunk of cherry, black walnut or beech. Then Poulsbo artist James Nybo fires up his chainsaw and starts […]
northwest
Posted inGarden
‘The Complete Book of Ferns’
In the Victorian era of the 1800s, there began a fad called “pteridomania” or “fern fever,” referring to a huge popularity of all things pteridological. “Pterido” is from the ancient Greek word pteris for fern. Back then, the craze involved more than just collecting ferns, but also the incorporation of the fern motif as decoration […]
Posted inGarden
Autumn Glory at Bloedel Reserve
The Kitsap Peninsula is privileged to be home to one of the nation’s most magnificent landscape gardens, just over the Highway 305 bridge on Bainbridge Island. Touted as “one of North America’s 10 best botanical gardens,” Bloedel Reserve is unique in its focus, combining exquisite vistas within a natural setting and featuring stately trees, ponds […]
Posted inGardeners Corner
Trend-Setting Daffodils for Gardens and Bouquets
Daffodils are having their day. Floral designers are opening our eyes to a world of gorgeous daffodils that extends far beyond the iconic yellow trumpets. These unexpected varieties include doubles, bi-colors and split cups, in colors such as creamy white, peach, pink, gold and orange. Grow some of these spring beauties in your garden and […]
Posted inPeople & Places
Allyn — A Waterfront Community on Puget Sound
Any West Sound resident who has ever driven west to the ocean beaches has probably passed through the community of Allyn. This quaint, small town on Highway 3 is located on the North Bay of Case Inlet on Puget Sound. Driving through Belfair, you come to a split in the road where you can go […]
Posted inThe Outdoors
Your Fall Yard Work Checklist for Reaping Benefits Next Spring
Autumn is no time to ignore your lawn and landscape. What you do now will determine the quality of your family yard next spring and summer, says Kris Kiser, president and CEO of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI), the international trade association representing power equipment, small engine, utility vehicle, golf car and personal transport […]
Posted inGarden
Good Plant Hunting
As we moved into our home two years ago, the gardens that were once pristine were covered in cedar tree droppings, debris, pine branches, blackberries and a menagerie of who knows what. After much cleanup, I started to find so many delicate — and not-so-delicate but beautiful — plant species that it raised the question: […]
Posted inGarden
A Plantsman’s Garden
In a hidden place in Kingston, there lurks a plantsman’s 5-acre garden. Walk through this special place, and you almost believe you are on a tropical island. Your eyes follow the lines of a trunk up into the canopy of fronds from the windmill palm (Trachycarpus fortunei). Farther into the garden are tall towers of […]
Posted inGarden
Cherish the Charming Chickadees
For years, people have debated the appropriateness of feeding wild birds. Some argue that birds rely on feeders instead of looking for natural food sources. Actually, few birds truly depend on backyard feeders. Many species use feeders with appropriate food choices for a quick snack to supplement their natural diet. Those who feed backyard birds […]