Winter is the best time to think about birdhouses. The birds are starting to think about where they will nest once spring arrives. Where houses are already in place, it isn’t unusual to see chickadees exploring them in January and February. They may … read more

Washington state is an amazing place, and not simply because of its immeasurable beauty. The Master Gardener program saw its birth here, training volunteers who are passionate about gardening to offer science-based answers to community members’ gardening questions. This program has spread throughout … read more

Where would you go to find a clonal colony of creatures armed with thousands of neurotoxin-filled harpoons engaged in deadly combat? To find the front line of an intergenerational clone-colony war, you need go no farther than your local beach. The humble sea … read more

Homeowners today embrace sustainable choices for their homes as a matter of fact. What was pigeonholed as a privileged choice even a decade ago has grown more accessible, both in terms of price and availability. What many people may not realize is that … read more

Western Washington excels as a gardener’s playground. Abundant rains, mild winters and not-too-hot summers let gardeners grow a wide selection of plant species and varieties. But even with the botanical diversity at the gardeners’ disposal, the “tropical” garden does its best to stay … read more

Route 66. The Mother Road. The Will Rogers Highway. The Main Street of America. No matter how you refer to it, one of the original highways in the United States is both iconic and unrecognizable at the same time. And driving it from … read more

For many Pacific Northwest residents, cooking and entertaining outdoors is comfortable and feasible for much of the year. Sitting around a fire-pit in late October with friends is one of the greatest pleasures of fall — and who doesn’t love a barbecue turkey … read more

All of our garden plants are winding down for the year, yet the joy of each season’s garden still plays out in gardeners’ minds as winter sets in. Ask yourself what plants had an outstanding performance in the garden this year. What gave … read more

As cold weather arrives, gardeners’ thoughts turn to the best approaches of protecting their overwintering crops and tender ornamentals. Simple structures can benefit gardens year round. The Winter Garden What a treat it is to venture out into the garden in the coldest … read more