Prior to 2011, Sally Eastman, an experienced gardener, had never grown a rose. She said recently, “I think I may have planted Rose One Hundred and One this year.” How and why did she become so bowled over by roses? The story really begins in late 2009, when Eastman and her husband, Roger, both looking […]
outdoors
Posted inFood & Entertainment
Olalla Vineyard & Winery
It’s been almost two years since Mary Ellen Houston and her husband, Stuart Chisholm, purchased the Olalla Valley Winery in December 2015. Much has changed in that time, but much has stayed the same, as well. They still grow and harvest many of the grapes that were planted back in 2008 by Joe and Konnie […]
Posted inGarden
Consider the Leaf
Consider the leaf as the breath of life, for without plant foliage, there would be no life. The most important living components on Earth contain life-giving chlorophyll. Every breath humans take is possible because chlorophyll synthesizes the energy of the sun, water and carbon dioxide. The next time you select a plant for its great […]
Posted inFood & Entertainment
The Great Peninsula Cider Festival
Now in its fourth year, the Great Peninsula Cider Festival is one of the largest cider-themed events in the Pacific Northwest. Nearly three dozen regional cidermakers will share almost a hundred hard cider varieties at this year’s festival on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2017 from noon to 5 p.m. at Sehmel Homestead Park in Gig Harbor. […]
Posted inThe Outdoors
What’s Contributing More to Climate Change, SUVs or Our Dinner Plate?
It may surprise you to learn the global impact of the humble cheeseburger. The climate impact of food has not been discussed as much as driving or deforestation, but there is an increasing awareness of the role that our food plays in climate change. Food production; the clearing, growing, harvesting, transporting, packaging and processing of […]
Posted inAt Home
12 Tips to Help Home and Business Owners Prepare Ahead of Storms and Floods
The preparations you make now, ahead of storms or floods, can help you recover faster and stay safe during cleanup. The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI), an international trade association representing small engine, utility vehicle and outdoor power equipment manufacturers and suppliers, reminds home and business owners that it’s best to get ready before a […]
Posted inGardeners Corner
One Simple Step Can Improve the Health and Vigor of Your Lawn
Do just one thing this fall, and you can improve the health and vigor of your lawn. Fall fertilization helps lawns recover from the stresses of summer and provides needed nutrients to grow deeper roots and a denser stand of grass. And that means fewer weeds and a healthier lawn that’s more resistant to drought, […]
Posted inGarden
Small Birds with Big Voices
As summer slips into fall, bird activity in West Sound gardens and yards begins to change. Both insect-eating birds and those with a taste for ripening fruit move throughout this region. The wild and domestic fruit crops tempt birds like the robins, cedar waxwings, band-tailed doves and other fruit-eating species to gorge themselves on nature’s […]
Posted inGardeners Corner
5 Daffodils to Try in Your Garden
If you love daffodils, you’re likely familiar with the popular ones like the iconic Dutch Master or Yellow River, the easily recognizable Barrett Browning or the beautiful Goblet. Since the Year of the Daffodil will be winding down soon, we wanted to share a few other timeless daffodils for your garden, courtesy the National Garden […]