The colorful posters with a collection of common herbs are a popular social media share. Save the bees, they say; plant these. I’ve been known to peek at those lists and note to myself — I could use a few more hyssop plants in my apiary — but that well-meaning call to action widely misses […]
outdoors
Posted inGarden
An Extraordinary, Ordinary Bird
Ordinary people can do extraordinary things. One person becomes an unexpected hero. An overlooked individual suddenly has an incredible idea. A seemingly insignificant person has unknowingly touched countless lives. The possibilities are endless. It is the same with birds. Migratory shorebirds fly thousands of miles every year to breed in the Arctic. Likewise, many songbirds […]
Posted inGardeners Corner
How to Create a Therapeutic Garden at Home
Therapeutic gardens, typically seen at healthcare facilities, are “designed for use as a component of a treatment, rehabilitation or vocational program… to meet the needs of a specific user or population…to accommodate participant’s goals and to facilitate people-plant interactions, according to the American Horticultural Therapy Association.1 Also defined as enabling gardens, they are used by […]
Posted inGardeners Corner
Tips for Designing and Maintaining a Low-Maintenance Garden
Don’t let your spring garden enthusiasm lead to overplanting and the creation of a summer gardening nightmare. A design with maintenance in mind and some strategic care can help reduce the time you spend managing your gardens and landscape. Consider using fewer plant species when designing perennial flowerbeds. Increase the number of each to boost […]
Posted inGarden
Creating a Garden Retreat in Silverdale
As a little girl, I took great comfort in our family garden. I grew up on a small farm in Woodinville. I vividly remember taking the short walk down to the barn to say “hello” to the horses and chickens, then slowly finding my way to our garden to pick whatever I could find growing […]
Posted inAt Home
Don’t Skip These Spring Home Maintenance Steps
Maintenance is an important part of home ownership, but many people delay tasks, thinking a few weeks or even months won’t do any harm. However, putting off home maintenance is risky because small issues that are simple to fix now can quickly lead to complex problems that are expensive to fix later. Spring is the […]
Posted inGardeners Corner
Five Common Spring Lawn Care Mistakes
Longer days and bountiful sunshine mean the outdoor season has arrived. As excited as you may be to enjoy the fresh air out on your lawn, there are several spring lawn care tasks to complete first. It’s no secret that homeowners love a lush green lawn, with 36% of American homeowners revealing that their lawns […]
Posted inGarden
Lisa’s Leaves — An Enchanting Destination
Sitting serenely at the top of a hill with a peek-a-boo view of Sinclair Inlet is the home and business of Lisa and Dave Connelly. Towering trees border the open spaces of the 8-acre property that showcases the picture-book home, orchard, garden, flower beds, greenhouses, trout pond and chicken coop. A journey up the winding […]
Posted inAt Home
Spring Checklist for Pets
Warmer weather means it’s time to spring clean, get grooming and prepare your pets’ diets to support them through the season. Keep your furry friends happy and healthy this spring with these six tips from the experts at Zesty Paws, an award-winning pet supplement brand. Give Skin and Coats a Little TLC Many pets form […]